St. Mark's Cathedral: the Shining Golden Basilica - Guided Tour

Badge of ExcellenceVenice, Italy

Skip the Line Golden Basilica Guided Tour with Optional Boat to Murano Island

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From $35.01

Price varies by group size

Select Date and Travelers

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

45 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

With this tour, you can effortlessly check off some of Venice’s most iconic sights with ease—such as St. Mark’s Basilica, and St. Mark’s Square. Choose from shared or private tours to match your preferences, then enjoy skip-the-line access to St. Mark’s Basilica. Here, you can delve into its history and golden mosaics with your guide. Certain packages also include visits to Doge’s Palace and the scenic St. Mark’s Basilica Terrace.

Hassle-free skip-the-line admission to St. Mark’s Basilica
Discover insights about the building’s history and architecture
Flexible options: Pick between shared or private tours
Clear audio—receivers are provided for groups of over 10 people

What's Included

Shared guided tour to the St.Mark Basilica
Skip the Line Ticket to St. Mark's Cathedral
St. Mark's Basilica Terrace (if Legendary Tour Option is selected)
Audio-receiver devices are included in case of groups over 10 people.
Private Tour Option (if selected)
Virtual Reality Journey - Explore St. Mark's Square over the centuries
The Yard of Venice: St. Mark's Square history dedicated circuit visit

Hotel pickup & DropOff
Pala D'Oro Visit
Food & Drinks

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Venice Tours Srl Close to St.Mark’s Square, Calle S. Gallo, 1093/b, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy
Having the Basilica of San Marco behind you, stay on the right side of the square and go under the arches. Find Olivetti Museum, turn right passing under the archways, cross the little bridge and go straight on to “Campo San Gallo”, Venice Tours Office is in the square.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Basilica di San Marco

1 hour • Admission Ticket Included

Piazza San Marco (Pass By)

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation
Most travelers can participate
Tour does not operate in case of exceptional high tide or in case of religious functions (in these cases it can be postponed the day after otherwise it will be refunded)

During some days of high turnout or reasons of force majeure (for example high tide or security problems) the waiting time to access St.Mark's Basilica might be longer than expected: in this case please line up and respect the instructions provided by the guide
For the visit of the Basilica suitable clothing is required (no shorts).
Due to the security reason, luggage and bags are not allowed inside the Basilica
On certain dates, most travelers staying outside of Venice who are planning to visit for the day will be required to pay a €5 access fee. For further details (including exemptions) and to learn what days this fee is applicable, please visit: https://cda.ve.it
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

5.0

251 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

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Showing 1-10 of 251 reviews

Wonderfully informative tour!

Nancy_T, Apr 2024

The knowledge of our tour guide, Francesco, was phenomenal. He made the tour really great. He explained much about the history and the culture at the time of the construction of the Basilica. It was wonderful!

Great tour!

Nichole_F, Nov 2023

Excellent tour! The tour office employees were very hospitable and knowledgeable. Our guide was incredible and we thoroughly enjoyed his tour.

Response from Host, Nov 2023

Thanks for your kind review

Worth it but allow more time to a) find the meeting spot and b) don't plan anything too soon afterwards.

Lee_J, Oct 2023

St Mark's Basilica was superb, Doge's Palace very good but tour overran and we ended up missing our boat trip to Murano/Burano which was a shame. The meeting place was also very difficult to find despite directions.

Response from Host, Oct 2023

Thanks for the review. Please consider that in case of problems to find the meeting point, we are always available to assist customers. Regards.

San Marco basilica

Jill_S, May 2023

We had a tour of the basilica, unfortunately we were 10 minutes late but the tour lasted 20 minutes and then we were left to hand back our devices and the guide left. Very disappointed.

Response from Host, May 2023

Dear Guest, we are deeply sorry for your personal comment, please consider that the duration of the activity is 1 hour approx., during which the guide explains the history of St. Mark's Basilica and its Byzantine masterpieces. At your disposal for further information. Regards.

The audio devices were...

Scott_S, May 2023

The audio devices were not working correctly. our devices and the guide device was switched out a couple times but still didn't work. we missed most of the info from the guide. this was a little disappointing. Group #28 on May 6.

Response from Host, May 2023

Dear Guest, we are deeply sorry for your personal comment, please consider that in case of problems with audio devices, we are always available to assist customers. At your disposal for further information. Regards.

Lovely and easy tour. We...

Patrick_M, Oct 2022

Lovely and easy tour. We were late for our original tour and easily rescheduled without issue. Loved it.

Great way to visit the Basilica.

Andrew_F, Apr 2022

Clients were met at the designated point and provided with audio equipment in the selected language. Administration was carried out efficiently and various groups allocated to guides. The visit to the Basilica was well organised with excellent guide.

Response from Host, Apr 2022

Thanks for your kind review

BEST TOUR IN VENICE

davidemattiazzo347, Mar 2024

Tour bellissimo, la guida è stata molto brava nel spiegare la basilica, molto disponibile per le domande che le ho fatto. Personale gentile e cordiali, la vr experience dopo il tour è stata fantastica

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Grazie per la recensione

歴史を味わえるお得なツアー

satoshi_o, Dec 2023

運用私たち2人だけのプライベートツアーになりました。ガイドのグロリアさんはとても感じがよく丁寧で、英語がさほど得意でない私たちにも、根気よく接してくださいました。ローマ帝国や宗教的な背景を知っていれば、さらに楽しめるでしょう。

Response from Host, Feb 2024

Thanks for your kind review

Sehr enttäuschende Führung, totaler Nepp für soviel Geld

Heike_K, May 2023

Wir standen ca 30 Minuten auf dem Markusplatz und hörten zu, warum die Führerin in Venedig lebt obwohl sie Fahrrad fährt, völlig uninteressant, auch überhaupt, warum so lange auf dem Markusplatz? Dann ca 20 Minuten Basilika im Galopp und tschüss. Sorry für 32€ pro Nase der totale Nepp. Sehr enttäuschend.

Response from Host, May 2023

Dear Guest, we are deeply sorry for your personal comment, please consider that the commentary of the guide, rich of interesting curiosities about St. Mark's Basilica and its byzantine masterpieces, is appreciated by the clients. At your disposal for further information. Regards.

pessima esperienza

Paola_D, Apr 2023

Pessima esperienza da non ripetere: tutto male organizzato dalle trasmittenti che non funzionavano, alla doppia lingua per la visita che non era specificata al momento dell'acquisto, quindi malissimo tutto. Spiegazioni rapide, ma la guida era brava ma è stata inserita in un contesto sbagliato, non si può fare una doppia spiegazione....

Response from Host, Apr 2023

Gentile Cliente, siamo dispiaciuti per il suo commento personale, prego considerare che nella pagina prodotto era chiaramente indicato che la visita poteva essere bilingue. A disposizione per ulteriori informazioni. Saluti.