THE 10 CLOSEST Hotels to Basilica di San Marco

A must visit attraction. We didn’t do a tour and had to queue for about 15 minutes to get in. An extra charge of a few Euros was required to get access to the basilica itself but at €5 each (if memory serves) this wasn’t a big deal. I can’t say if doing a tour or pre-booking is worth it but we took our time and watched guided tours being ushered around in quick time. Inside is wonderful and I’d recommend getting an audio guide as it brings the whole experience to life. You can’t visit Venice and not go.

Stunning building and a must see. Ladies must have covered shoulders and will be prevented from entering. The market stalls in the square are well prepared selling a selection of scarves from €5-€20! We were unable to buy the priority tickets but didn’t need them as we only queued for 5 or 10 minutes to get in. Entry was €3 each (children under 6 are free). This was fine but then it’s another €5 each to see the pala d’oro. So we queued and paid again. The pala d’oro was beautiful and glad that we saw it. But then - yes, you guessed it we were asked to pay again €7 if you wanted to see the museum. I’d rather have known up front the total cost. We chose not to visit the museum.

We were in Venice quite early so we were already at Piazza di San Marco before 9. We saw people getting in line so we joined which was the best decision because the basilica opened half an hour later and we didn’t have to wait for hours to get in. The entry fee was 3€ per person, if you want to also see the other attractions add a 12€ and you have the full experience. Come early because the more time you wait the more people will be in line and it gets crowded very quickly. Also be aware that you can’t enter with big bags and suitcases.

We were in this basilica in March. I highly recommend going all around it, paying 3 euros to enter, then 5 euros for the golden museum and then another 7 euros for the balcony entrance. I realize it looks like a scam for money. But the cathedral is really beautiful and you won't regret it. It is good to read about this basilica first of course - that way you won't miss important artifacts for the history of the cathedral. We were very satisfied. Recommended!

The Basilica is very beautiful, the paintings are absolutely stunning, inside and out. We were there about 10.30 on a Friday morning in April and only queued about 5 minutes to get inside. The entrance is only 3 euros which is fine but I thought it was a bit steep to then charge another 5 euros to visit the alter so we didn't bother with that. There were a huge number of tour groups which is a bit annoying as they get under your feet, but overall it was an enjoyable visit.

A must-see when in Venice….along with everyone else. I highly recommend buying timed entrance tickets in advance. The line to buy tickets was very long (and outside in the unshaded hot sun), but we did not have to wait long for our timed entry with pre purchased ticket. Pay attention to the attire requirements! Need covered shoulders and legs must be covered to at least the knees. This was being enforced. There are stands nearby selling cheap shawls. Once inside, the crowd was not too bad and thinned out the further along we went along. Our pre-purchased tickets included expedited entry to the upper museum and outside the balcony. It wasn’t clearly marked, but we were able to bypass a long slow line waiting to ascend the stairs. Visiting the balcony is highly recommended. Nice view of the square, not crowded, and no time limit on the visit, giving you time to soak in the view.

On a cold December morning, around 11:00, there was no line to enter this amazing basilica. The mosaics still gleam after almost 1,000 years. You can take photos without a flash. It’s well with spending the additional 7 Euros to climb to the museum above. The steps might seem daunting but there are handrails in both sides. Inside the museum you can see the mosaics up close to admire their craftsmanship. You can also see the original statues of the four horses, approximately 2,000 years old and lifelike. Then you can step out on the ledge and see the square from above. It also adds to the experience if you read the history of the basilica ahead of time.

Imposing structure absolutely to visit in full. With the Skip the line ticket booked the same morning on the official site, we entered with a wait of 10 minutes as the line runs fast. With the 20 euro ticket you can visit in addition to the basilica also the Pala d'Oro, the Loggia dei Cavalli and the museum. If you can buy only the ticket for the basilica, no problem, inside you can buy the others without long waits. The important thing is to get in. Stunning view of St Mark's Square from above.

This beautiful basilica is worth the time and trouble to visit. Do yourself a favor and buy your tickets to the cathedral and all parts of it online several weeks before your visit. You will still wait in line but it moves faster than the one for those without tickets. We went at 11:30 am and it was very crowded. We heard that the mid to late afternoon was not so crowded. We did not pay for the audio tour but downloaded a free one on our phone (Rick Steve’s Europe) and it worked nicely. It is beautiful. The museum is worth the additional cost just for the view of the square from the second floor balcony.

St. Mark’s Basilica is breathtaking! The mosaics inside are just incredible, and I could’ve spent hours admiring the details. The church itself is so grand, with its high ceilings and golden decorations. I recommend going early to avoid the long lines because it gets really busy later in the day. The view from the terrace overlooking St. Mark’s Square is definitely worth the climb. It’s one of the most beautiful churches I’ve ever visited!