Visiting St Mark’s Basilica and Deciding Which Ticket Option is Best for You
Italy is so filled with churches that the details of one sometimes blur into another. Was that fresco in Florence’s cathedral or Siena’s? Where was it I saw that statue of what was that saint’s name again? While that’s true of some of the churches, it is definitely not true of St Mark’s Basilica in Venice.
From its Eastern European onion domes on the outside to its glittering tiled mosaics inside, St Mark’s Basilica is a church unlike any other. A visit here is a must for any first-time visitor to Venice that they won’t soon forget.
The one downside of St Mark’s Basilica is that it can feel overwhelming for those same first-time visitors, especially when it comes to deciding what type of ticket to purchase. Visiting St Mark’s Basilica can include just a visit to the church or it can include several additional options at an extra cost. Besides being a general guide to what you can expect when visiting St Mark’s Basilica, my guide will help you choose the ticket option that is best for you.
Updated July 2026
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, I will earn a small commission. This occurs at no added cost to you.
Summary of St Mark’s Basilica
| Hours | Monday – Saturday 9:30 – 5:15 (last entry at 4:45) The church opens at 2:00 on Sundays, museum and terrace open at 9:30 |
| Length of Visit | 30 – 60 minutes |
| Cost | Starting at €10 |
| Highlights | Exterior architecture, view of the piazza from the terrace, Horses of St Mark, beautiful mosaic-work |
Admiring St Mark’s Basilica’s Exterior
I made sure to visit earlier that morning while exploring Venice to take in St Mark’s Basilica without crowds of people blocking my view. Unfortunately, during our visit there were renovations happening, so a large portion of the front facade was hidden behind scaffolding.
Nonetheless, I was still able to take in most of the mosaics, albeit with unsightly scaffolding hovering just below. The four mosaics on the bottom half of the basilica tell the story of how St Mark’s remains were “rescued” from Egypt by two Venetian merchants and brought back to Venice. On the upper half are scenes from the Passion of Christ.
Because of the scaffolding, I wasn’t able to get very close to these mosaics, but even from afar it was easy to see how intricate and ornate they are.
Apart from the mosaics, the other feature I took time to observe was the basilica’s onion domes. Compared to most Catholic churches in Western Europe, St Mark’s Basilica has a more Eastern European style. The church was built like that due to Venice’s historical political ties with Byzantium, more commonly known today as the Eastern Roman Empire.
Make sure to observe the exterior from up close and at a distance before heading inside. The detail in its art and construction is immaculate, but the whole scene with the campanile and the Doge’s Palace is breathtaking.
Entering St Mark’s Basilica’s Threshold
The entry to the basilica is on the main facade of the building facing out towards Piazza San Marco. Sadly, my entrance lacked some of the initial awe due to the renovation work. That changed once I passed the scaffolding and saw the welcoming arms of St Mark overhead greeting visitors and worshippers alike.
Below St Mark are more mosaics of important Christian figures. The upper ring of people includes the Virgin Mary and eight apostles while the lower ring are the four evangelists: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
These first mosaics were unlike anything I had seen in a religious building. The detail of everything was astonishing. It was almost hard to tell these were mosaics and not painted frescoes. The goldwork was the most breathtaking feature, though. It imparts a heavenly glow around St Mark’s Basilica, as if you’re walking through Heaven itself.
Walking Through St Mark’s Basilica
Finally, here I was in one of Italy’s great churches. I had seen pictures and read about what the inside was like. Yet, actually experiencing it was better than I expected.
St Mark’s Basilica is an absolute wonder for the senses. I’ve never before been in a building, religious or otherwise, where everywhere you look is filled with something to capture the imagination. At times, it can even be a bit overwhelming because it’s hard to know where to focus with so much going on.
There’s a sense of not wanting to miss anything. But at the same time, it’s hard to look away from any particular area because of how the artistry keeps your attention.
Gold enameling covers St Mark’s Basilica from floor to ceiling. It almost feels decadent for a religious building.
I imagine the overwhelming sense of devotion commoners must have felt when they set their eyes on the inner workings of St Mark’s Basilica back in Venice’s heyday. I’m not religious, but that didn’t prevent a sense of spirituality from creeping in with the sheer scope of religiosity contained within these walls.
I won’t go into specifics because the attempt would be futile. There’s simply too much to describe. I’m not sure the specifics are even what matters when you walk through St Mark’s Basilica. The architects and artists attempted to impress upon man the power and might of the Catholic faith. Without question, they succeeded.
The Pala d’Oro
Once we walked through the main part of the basilica, we made our way towards the back where the Pala d’Oro is located. After waiting in a short line and showing our ticket, we went behind the altar to view this ornate piece of Byzantine art.
In English, Pala d’Oro is translated to the Golden Altarpiece, an entirely fitting name. The altarpiece is believed to have been made in 976, with further enhancements made in the 12th and 14th centuries. Its many panels depict various religious scenes and figures.
You’d be forgiven if you don’t notice those pictures, though, because what makes the Pala d’Oro so famous are the many, many enamels and gemstones decorating it. 187 enamels and 1,927 gems come together on a sheet of gold to create the Pala d’Oro.
To be sure, it was impressive to behold. On the other hand, considering the grandeur and opulence of the rest of the basilica, it kind of felt like a distraction from everything else.
My other complaint with the Pala d’Oro was the lighting. The way it was lit created a reflection on the gold making it difficult to fully appreciate the whole piece. Perhaps had it been easier to see I would have appreciated it more.
The Pala d’Oro is a unique work of art you won’t see anywhere else, but personally, I don’t think it’s worth an additional €10 to see.
Walking On the Terrace of St Mark’s Basilica (Museum Loggia Cavalli)
The final part of our visit to St Mark’s Basilica took us upstairs to the church’s museum before going outside to walk around its terrace for views of Piazza San Marco.
The museum contains more mosaics at eye level, allowing you to see up close the intricacy of these pieces of art. It truly is amazing to think of someone hundreds of years ago assembling these from enamels as small as a fingernail.
While the mosaics are impressive, the real highlight here is the Horses of St Mark.
The Horses of St Mark is a set of four nearly life-size copper horses. They were sent to Venice after the sacking of Constantinople in 1204, where they were placed on the exterior of St Mark’s Basilica overlooking the piazza. In the 1980s, they were replaced by replicas, and the originals were set inside the basilica for conservation purposes.
Before stepping out to the terrace, take some time to look down at the basilica. This is a great vantage point to view the impeccable marble and enamel work of the basilica’s floor, something that might get overlooked by visitors who are busy looking up at all the artwork on the ceiling and walls.
As you move through the museum, you eventually make your way outside to St Mark’s Basilica’s terrace. Besides the church’s interior, the views of Piazza San Marco and the Venetian Lagoon from here were my second favorite part of our visit.
The best views are, of course, of the piazza and lagoon, but I enjoyed walking along the northern part of the basilica, too. I was alone on this section of the terrace to admire the Clocktower and reflect on everything I had seen so far. This section also contained one of my favorite details of the whole basilica.
It’s simply a statue of a man carrying a basket out of which protrudes a drain. To the right of the statue were some weeds growing out of the building, nourished by the water from the drain. I loved how the creators of this magnificent building incorporated this functional detail into the art while nature worked to slowly reclaim its space.
What is the Best Ticket Option for Visiting St Mark’s Basilica
Visitors to St Mark’s Basilica have several ticket options to consider. The most basic is ticket is entry to only the church for €10. For those people visiting during Sunday church services, you can also purchase a €14 ticket to see the museum and terrace.
Of course, the best bargain is a combination ticket, and in my opinion, the best ticket option is the one that includes the basilica, museum and terrace. This ticket costs €20 and gets you access to basically everything except the Pala d’Oro, which I don’t think is worth the extra time and money. It’s a bit underwhelming compared to everything else St Mark’s Basilica has to offer.
If money and time aren’t considerations for you, then you can get a combination ticket that includes everything, including the Pala d’Oro, for €30.
Frequently Asked Questions About St Mark’s Basilica
Is there a dress code at St Mark’s Basilica?
St Mark’s Basilica asks that you follow certain restrictions when visiting. Basically, cover your knees and shoulders and don’t wear a hat. So, no shorts, miniskirts, tank tops, crop tops or dresses that stop above your knees are allowed. Also, backpacks and larger bags are not allowed in St Mark’s Basilica. They do offer a cloakroom where you can store your bags.
Do you have to book tickets in advance to visit St Mark’s Basilica?
It isn’t essential but strongly encouraged that you buy your tickets ahead of time. Buying your tickets for St Mark’s Basilica ahead of time guarantees your entry at your selected time. You may face a long line and wait time if you choose to buy your tickets at the time of your visit.
Do I need a guided tour of St Mark’s Basilica?
It depends on what you want to get out of your visit. If you’re just visiting for general oohs and aahs, then you don’t need a guide. However, if you want to learn evercdcything you can in a short amount of time, then you’ll need a guide. I’m including info on a highly rated tour if you’re interested in booking one.
At the very least, I think it’s helpful to do a very general review of Byzantine and Catholic art as doing so will help to put everything you’re seeing into some context.
What else is there to do around St Mark’s Basilica?
After your visit to St Mark’s Basilica, you have plenty of options of things you can see in the area. The most obvious is the church’s campanile, or bell tower, which you can climb with a ticket. You can also visit the Doge’s Palace next door to the church. A better option may be to simply wind down with a drink in one of the many famous cafes in San Marco Piazza.
Thank you for reading this post. Paul Passing Through is a labor of love to which I’ve dedicated a lot of free time. If you’d like to show your support for my blog, you can Buy Me a Coffee to help fund the future of Paul Passing Through. I appreciate any contributions!
Resources to Book Your Trip to Venice
Whether you’re looking for tours, hotels or flights, here are some tools to help get you started planning your trip to Venice to see St Mark’s Basilica!
Look for activities and tours offered through GetYourGuide or Viator!
Still can’t find what you’re looking for? Check out my travel essentials pages for more of my recommendations.
Pin This Post!
