St Mark's Basilica opening hours

St Mark's Basilica is open to visitors from 9.30am to 5.15pm, Monday to Saturday, with last entry at 4.45pm. On Sundays and holy days of obligation it opens to visitors only at 2pm, because Mass is celebrated in the morning; closing and last entry stay the same. Entry is by a named ticket for a half-hour slot. Separately, the church is open every day from 7.30am to 7.30pm for prayer, free, through the Porta dei Fiori.

When can you visit on weekdays?

From Monday to Saturday the Basilica, the Pala d'Oro and the Museum with the Horses' Loggia all open at 9.30am. Last entry is at 4.45pm and everything closes at 5.15pm.

Tickets are sold in half-hour slots. On weekdays the first slot starts at 9.30am and the last at 4pm.

As of 10 November 2026, the official shop no longer sells the daily 10–10.30am slot, which is kept for worship. This fits the weekday Mass at 10am.

What's open on Sundays?

On Sundays and holy days of obligation the Basilica is closed to visitors in the morning, because Mass is celebrated in the nave. It opens at 2pm, with last entry at 4.45pm and closing at 5.15pm, and slots run from 2pm. The Pala d'Oro follows the same afternoon hours.

The Museum and the Horses' Loggia are the exception. From 9.30am to 2pm on Sundays only the Museum is open, with its own €14 ticket. A Sunday plan that works: the Museum in the morning, or the Doge's Palace, which opens at 9am, and the Basilica after 2pm.

How long does a visit take?

The access rules set limits:

• Basilica: up to 20 minutes on the fenced route, without detours or stops that hold up other visitors.
• Pala d'Oro: up to 10 minutes.
• Museum and terrace: no published limit.
• Campanile: the lift takes about 30 seconds to the belfry; the Procuratoria suggests allowing around 30 to 40 minutes for the visit.

Add time for the security check at the entrance, which everyone goes through, and for arriving at your slot. The terms of sale allow 15 minutes either side of the booked time, while the FAQ mentions about 5, so aim to be there at the start.

When is the Campanile open?

The Campanile opens at 9.30am every day. It closes at 7.15pm in the winter period and at 9.15pm in the summer period. The official pages give different dates for when those periods start and end, and also differ on last entry, so check the Procuratoria's shop for the date you want. More on the Campanile page.

Can you enter for free to pray?

Yes. Entry for prayer, Mass and other services is always free through the Porta dei Fiori, on the north side of the Basilica facing the Piazzetta dei Leoncini. The church opens for prayer at 7.30am and closes at 7.30pm every day.

This entrance is not a free way to sightsee. Paying visitors are not allowed in during services, and the prayer entrance is for those who come to pray or attend Mass. Wheelchair users can enter through the Porta dei Fiori, which has a ramp. Mass and service times are on the Mass times page.

When do the hours change?

On holy days of obligation, and for celebrations and events attended by the Patriarch of Venice, opening and closing times can change. The Procuratoria warns of this on its FAQ, so check the shop calendar close to your date.

On 10 November 2026 the official booking calendar showed no Basilica slots for 29 November 2026, 25 December 2026 or 31 January 2027, with no reason given.

If high water reaches the narthex, the entrance porch, the Procuratoria sets up alternative routes, signposted and staffed, and visitors must keep to the walkways. See acqua alta.

Opening hours nearby

• Doge's Palace: 9am to 6pm from 1 November to 31 March (last entry 5pm); 9am to 7pm from 1 April to 31 October (last entry 6pm).
• Clock Tower: guided visits only, by booking, at set times. See the Clock Tower.

Times here were checked against the official pages on 10 November 2026. To book a slot, see tickets.