no alt text

Travel bucket list idea:

Last updated: 29 October, 2023
Expert travel writer: Nicky Swallow

Surely the most exquisite place of worship in Italy, St Mark’s is a cathedral built to satisfy the wildest dreams of the Doges.

Built in the 11th century to house the alleged remains of St Mark, its Byzantine mosaics, Gothic carvings and sumptuous treasures were accumulated during many centuries of Venetian trading and looting.

From the Pala d’Oro (jewel-encrusted altarpiece, made in Costantinopoli in 976) to its wealth of sculptures and magnificent bronze horses rearing over the piazza, its OTT opulence, both inside and out, it is a testament to La Serenissima’s power and might.

Don’t miss

Zip up in the lift to the top of the 99-metre campanile, or bell tower (separate ticket, open daily year round) for views that take in the whole city, its lagoon and, on a clear day, the distant Dolomite mountains.

Logistics

Price: Free
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 18+
When: All year around

Who to go with: organised tours

5

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Legendary Venice St. Mark's Basilica with Terrace Access & Doge's Palace

Venice

Legendary Venice St. Mark's Basilica with Terrace Access & Doge's Palace
Delve into Venetian history on a tour showcasing the city's most iconic structures—St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace—as an expert guide sheds light on the stories behind both iconic attractions. Skip the line into the legendary St. Mark's Basilica, where you’ll wander through the mosaic-clad interior and even step onto the balcony overlooking Piazza San Marco—reserved for only a select few! Then, continue to the Doge's Palace and step into the political heart of a powerful empire.

Price: €98

Min age: 0

Rating 4.67 / 5 [3651 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo

Venice in one Day: Grand Canal, St Mark's Basilica, Walking Tour

Venice

Venice in one Day: Grand Canal, St Mark's Basilica, Walking Tour
If it’s your first time in Venice, see all the highlights of this magical city on a combination walking including St Mark's Basilica and a boat tour on the Grand Canal. From Piazza San Marco (St Mark’s Square) to the Rialto Bridge, your informative guide will offer historical perspectives on this fascinating medieval city. Plus, you'll skip the long lines at St Mark's Basilica – there’s no need to waste time waiting in lines when you're on vacation!

Price: €119

Min age: 0

Rating 4.15 / 5 [3326 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo

Venice: St Mark's Basilica After-Hours Tour with Optional Doge's Palace

Venice

Venice: St Mark's Basilica After-Hours Tour with Optional Doge's Palace
Explore St Mark’s Basilica without the crowds on an after-hours tour, and enjoy an optional visit to Doge's Palace, if you wish. Inside St Mark’s Basilica, admire treasured mosaics and a Byzantine altarpiece, and then follow your guide into the crypt where St Mark himself is believed to rest. Upgrade for late access to the Doge’s Palace and learn about the Higher Council Hall, the Doge's apartments, and the Bridge of Sighs as you explore. Upgrade your tour to include a 2-hour late entry tour of the Doge’s Palace, including the armory, New Prisons, and incredible council rooms and frescos of Palazzo Ducale. Please note that there may be a break up to 2 hours between your Doge’s Palace tour and your exclusive After Hour Visit, due to temporary earlier closing time at the Doge’s Palace. Your guide in this case will provide bar/restaurant recommendations

Price: €83

Min age: 0

Rating 4.70 / 5 [990 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo

Skip-the-Line: Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Basilica Fully Guided Tour

Venice

Skip-the-Line: Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Basilica Fully Guided Tour
Our Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica tour is perfect for visitors with only a limited time in Venice, who want to get a true taste of the city. In just a few hours we take you to the most famous sites of the city, seeing the Rialto Bridge and venturing inside St, Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace.

Price: €85

Min age: 0

Rating 4.37 / 5 [812 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo

Doge's Palace and St Mark's Basilica Tour

Venice

Doge's Palace and St Mark's Basilica Tour
Take a 2-hour tour of the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Cathedral, two must-visit Venice monuments. With a guide, you’ll follow in the footsteps of the Venetian doges, the elected officials who ruled the city for centuries. A tour not only to see Venice, but to experience this city through its history and glorious past, still shining in its historical sites and legendary characters.

Price: €103

Min age: 0

Rating 4.25 / 5 [424 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo

Destination guides

1

Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

Venice

Veneto, Italy

Venice

Crammed with picturesque canals, Renaissance palazzos and artistic masterpieces, this unique and alluring city is heaven-on-earth for art lovers and romantics.

Round-ups

1

Round-ups that include this experience

100 World’s greatest historic buildings

The great civilisations of the past have left a legacy of constructions that still stand out and inspire. Built without the wonders of 20th-century technology, many are also monumental feats of engineering; others offer such grace and beauty, that they’ll literally take your breath away.