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St. Mark’s MuseumCulture & history

Our most recommended St. Mark’s Museum Culture & history

Skip the Line: St. Mark's Basilica Guided Tour

1. Skip the Line: St. Mark's Basilica Guided Tour

Together with a tour guide arranged in agreement with the Curia di Venezia, you can take a full tour of the Golden Basilica, once the private chapel of the Doges of Venice, and the only one of its kind in Italy, thanks to the beautiful gold mosaics and marble inlay flooring. Listen to your expert guide describe the biblical scenes represented and the history and particularities of this ancient basilica. Admire the Treasure and the terrace with its wonderful view of St. Mark's Square

Venice: St. Mark’s Basilica with Terrace & Doge’s Palace

2. Venice: St. Mark’s Basilica with Terrace & Doge’s Palace

Combine the top two sights in Venice on one extraordinary tour led by a local guide. With pre-reserved tickets and skip-the-line access, head straight into St. Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace for a guided experience. Select the 8 AM tour to enjoy exclusive early entry to the Doge's Palace and have the door opened exclusively for your group an hour before the general public arrives. First, step inside Venice's most important church—St. Mark's Basilica—and gain a full appreciation for its east-meets-west architecture and breathtaking gold mosaics. In the company of a local guide, get up close with some of the basilica’s greatest treasures, such as the millennia-old Quadriga of four gold horses. Have the once-in-a-lifetime chance to admire beautiful views from the balcony over St. Mark's Square. At every step of the way, you’ll hear the fascinating story of how most of the basilica's prized possessions ended up here by less-than-honest means. The second stop on your itinerary is no less beautiful. The Palazzo Ducale, or Doge's Palace, was home to the doge, or duke, of Venice and his seat of government. Skip the long line with pre-reserved tickets and walk straight inside to explore huge council chambers, incredible audience rooms, and a stunning ballroom with larger-than-life works by renowned Venetian masters such as Veronese and Tintoretto. Hear the intriguing history of this building that housed the world's oldest republic—as well as its fascinating government and even an incarcerated Casanova. To finish your morning of discovery, walk in the footsteps of many a less-fortunate Venetian from centuries past. Head over the Bridge of Sighs from the inside and into the grim New Prisons—a stark yet fascinating contrast to the opulent halls and galleries that lie within the palace just across the narrow canal.

Venice: St. Mark's Basilica Fast-Track Entry and Audio Guide

3. Venice: St. Mark's Basilica Fast-Track Entry and Audio Guide

Save time during your visit to Venice with a skip-the-line ticket to the popular St. Mark’s Basilica. Admire the hundreds of golden mosaics in the Basilica and learn details about the byzantine art inside with your audio guide. Download your audio guide to your mobile device and head to St. Mark’s Basilica to begin your tour. Breeze past the long lines and put in your headphones. Explore the five-domes and an array of artworks. Hear legends and stories surrounding this church which has stood for almost a 1,000 years.  Witness the dazzling effect of the 43,000 square feet of mosaics in the church. Take in the stunning marble inlay work on the floors. Soak up the atmosphere in the building that dominates St. Mark’s Square. 

Venice Doge's Palace & St Mark's Basilica Skip-the-Line Tour

4. Venice Doge's Palace & St Mark's Basilica Skip-the-Line Tour

Set off on a guided walking tour of St. Mark’s Square, the Doge's Palace, and St Mark's Basilica with skip-the-line entry. Meet your guide at St. Mark’s Square and head for Doge's Palace, the extraordinary palace that served as the seat of Venetian political power for centuries. Enter the splendid rooms, with hundreds of painted masterpieces. Explore where the Duke and his Council controlled the fate of a 1,000-year republic and admire the details of the medieval gold staircase. See the famous Bridge of Sighs. Enter the notorious Venetian prison that held Giacomo Casanova. Visit St Mark’s Basilica and enjoy a guided tour of this Byzantine masterpiece, with its beautiful gold mosaics and marble floor inlays. See the treasure and the terrace of the Basilica of St.Mark's

Venice: St Mark's Basilica Skip-the-Line Guided Tour

5. Venice: St Mark's Basilica Skip-the-Line Guided Tour

Take a fascinating guided tour through the Golden Basilica of Saint Mark, with its famous golden mosaics. Skip the line and enter the majestic church with an expert guide who will narrate the history of this byzantine artwork and its meaning. You will be stunned in front of the five domes decorated by renowned artists. Discover the Saint Mark Treasury, a magnificent collection of relics and precious items collected along the centuries. Also, from the terraces, enjoy the view of St. Mark's Square, the heart of Venice, and the quadriga of St. Mark. Then, use the mobile app to discover the 5 districts of Venice with their best attractions and squares. Listen to the audio narration of the city’s highlights, with more than 120 points of interest including the glorious La Fenice Theater, Rialto Bridge, the Jewish Ghetto, the Arsenale, the majestic Accademia Bridge, and much more.

Venice: St. Mark's Basilica Guided Visit & Terrace Access

6. Venice: St. Mark's Basilica Guided Visit & Terrace Access

See the highlights of St Mark's Basilica with a local guide, including its museum, mosaics, and masterpieces. Marvel at the views of St Mark's Square from the basilica. Meet your guide near the famous Piazza San Marco and head straight to visit St Mark’s Basilica. As soon as you enter the atrium, admire the ceiling and see a glittering expanse of golden mosaics that will lead you to the interior of the church.  Discover masterpieces from the past such as the famous golden domes, the iconostasis, the ciborium, the main altar housing the tomb of St. Mark the Evangelist, and other wonders. Then, climb a steep but fascinating staircase to the 1st floor which houses the Museum of St Mark. Here, see the wonderful inside of St Mark's Basilica from above.  Next, reach the St Mark’s Basilica terrace where, in the shadow of the famous 4 bronze horse statue (a copy), experience one of the most beautiful views of St Mark’s Square. Finally, visit the original horse statue that once stood on the upper part of the church facade.  At the end of the tour you can stay longer in St Mark’s Basilica Museum to explore at your leisure – the entrance ticket is included in the tour. Alternatively, admire the splendid panorama of the Piazza from the Basilica’s terrace once more or return to the ground floor to explore at your own pace.

Venice: Early Entrance Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Basilica

7. Venice: Early Entrance Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Basilica

Step inside the Doge's Palace before it opens to the public and skip the lines at the stunning St. Mark's Basilica. Embark on a guided tour of these Venetian landmarks before soaking up the panoramic views of Venice from the Basilica's terrace. Begin your guided tour with an early visit to the Doge's Palace. Wander through this immense building without the usual crowds and marvel at the Giants' Staircase and paintings by Paolo Veronese. Watch how the morning light changes inside this elegant marble-and-gold palace. Make your way onto the Bridge of Sighs. Walk in the footsteps of historic prisoners being marched to their fate and hear about the anguish and torment that gave the bridge its poetic name. Continue to St. Mark's Basilica and marvel at its intricate exterior, which has evolved over the centuries. Feel the ambiance at the stunning Piazza San Marco before bypassing the long lines to the Basilica with your fast-pass tickets. Once inside, gaze up at the spectacular complex of gold-covered domes and arches towering overhead. Glance down at the intricate 11th-century flooring with its geometric animal motifs and learn about the basilica's history as a symbol of Venice. Finally, climb the stairs to the terrace and be greeted with breathtaking views across Venice. Finish your tour by admiring iconic city landmarks from above, such as Piazza San Marco, the island of San Giorgio, the Campanile, and the Clock Tower.

Venice Day Tour: Doge's Palace, Basilica, and Gondola Ride

8. Venice Day Tour: Doge's Palace, Basilica, and Gondola Ride

Make the most of your time in Venice with this combination tour that offers a guided tour of Doge's Palace, Saint Mark's Basilica and terrace, St. Mark’s Museum with skip-the-line entry tickets, as well as a 30-minute gondola ride along the charming waterways of the city. Enjoy a guided tour of Doge’s Palace to discover its splendid rooms and countless masterpieces. Explore the halls of power where the Doge ruled the ancient Republic of Venice. Next head to Saint Mark’s Basilica, also known as the Golden Basilica because of its magnificent mosaics adorned with pure gold. Learn the history and meaning of the many artworks decorating the church. Admire the treasury, a magnificent centuries-old collection of relics and precious items. Visit the Basilica's terrace with a copy of the famous horses, the quadriga of St. Mark. From this spectacular location admire the most beautiful view of the heart of Venice: St Mark’s Square. Discover St. Mark’s Museum and admire objects of various kinds and origins belonging to the Basilica. Later in the afternoon, take a romantic gondola ride along the charming waterways of Venice. Paddle along to the impressive Grand Canal. See the houses of Mozart and Desdemona, La Fenice Theatre, Rio de le Ostreghe, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection Palace, a breathtaking overview of Saint Mark’s basin, and more. Your tour also includes a bonus app, featuring a digital map and audio guide. Use the app to explore the city at your own pace, and listen to fascinating narration as you admire 200 of the city's attractions including La Fenice Theater, Rialto Bridge, and more.

Venice: Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Basilica Ticket

9. Venice: Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Basilica Ticket

Take part in this small-group tour of Venice to see the best tourist spots and hidden gems. See the Bell Tower and Clock Tower, St. Mark's Square, and get an in-depth tour of St. Mark’s Basilica. Start your tour by strolling through St. Mark’s Square, equipped with complimentary headphones so that you can follow every word of your local guide. Listen as your guide discusses the major monuments including Doge's Palace, Bridge of Sighs, the Bell Tower, and the Clock Tower. Head into St. Marks Basilica for a special tour. Walk through the famous church as your guide describes the history of the church and shows you the intricate mosaics and Byzantine architecture. Afterward, leave St. Mark's Square behind to admire a very different Venice. Visit Santa Maria Formosa, Calle Paradiso, Castello district, and areas known only to the locals.  Explore a world of narrow alleyways and meandering canals, punctuated by delicate bridges, and hidden architectural gems.  Hear stories about the Venetians who created this city from nothing.

Venice: St. Mark's Basilica Guided Tour

10. Venice: St. Mark's Basilica Guided Tour

Discover Saint Mark's Square and the Golden Basilica on a tour with an expert guide. Learn about the history of the square, which was once the private chapel of the Doge of Venice. Admire its sumptuous golden mosaics and impressive marble inlay flooring, making it one-of-a-kind in Italy. Take in the historical ambiance and listen to your guide as they describe the biblical scenes represented throughout the building, together with history and particularities of this ancient Basilica. Visit Saint Mark's Basilica first floor museum and see the famous horses and admire Saint Mark's Square from the Basilica's terrace.

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Frequently asked questions about St. Mark’s Museum Culture & history

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Other Sightseeing Options in St. Mark’s Museum

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What people are saying about St. Mark’s Museum

The people at the place we had to go to get our tickets were very efficient and helpful, and it was certainly nice to not have to wait in the long line. The audio guide was also fun, as it pointed out things that you wouldn't realize have as much significance as they do, such as the marble columns.

We wanted a guide who could respect our observation times and give us the opportunity to dwell on the details that would have most attracted us. We liked the idea of the audio guide because it was affordable and practical to manage.

The tour was well managed, the guide was knowledgeable and had passion for the history that she told us about

Fantastic tour. Gina our guide was great. Gondola ride also worth doing

Thank you! Skip the line is always a time saver. Would recommend!