St. Mark’s Basilica and Terraces Skip-the-line Tour

Locally referred to as “The Golden Basilica,” it's hard to imagine a more appropriate name for a church adorned with nearly 8,000 square meters of golden Byzantine mosaics! Discover the history, legends, and secrets of one of the world’s most celebrated cathedrals with a local guide.

• See St. Mark’s Basilica from top to bottom in one hour
• Get priority entrance to the Cathedral museum
• Hear the fascinating stories and legends that surround this historic Basilica
• Gaze at the majestic Golden mosaics that decorate the domes

The tour begins as you enter Piazza San Marco, the main square of Venice, which is surrounded by historic buildings and bustling with activity. Your guide leads you through the crowds, providing insightful commentary about the significance of the square and its architectural highlights.

As you approach Saint Mark's Basilica, you are immediately struck by its grand Byzantine façade adorned with intricate carvings, statues, and mosaics. The guide may also share with you the life story of St. Mark the evangelist, whose sacred remains are protected inside the church. 

Upon entering the basilica, you are welcomed into a world of opulence and grandeur. The interior is a stunning display of Byzantine art, with golden mosaics covering the walls and ceilings, depicting scenes from the Bible and the lives of saints. The tour guide will highlight the interior and the golden domes while sharing fascinating anecdotes about the Byzantine style Basilica. 

Finally, the tour concludes with a visit to the terrace of Saint Mark's Basilica, offering breathtaking panoramic views of Piazza San Marco, often referred to as “Europe’s living room” and landscapes of Venice. 

Throughout the tour, the guide shares captivating anecdotes, historical facts, and architectural details, making your visit to Saint Mark's Basilica an enriching and memorable experience.

Tours depart promptly at the scheduled time, while public transport throughout Italy can be unreliable. Allow plenty of time to get from your accommodation to the meeting point, or contact us to arrange for a private transfer. No refunds will be granted for failure to arrive at the meeting point on time.

Tours depart rain or shine unless otherwise specified.

During peak season and on the days surrounding national and/or religious holidays, extreme crowding can be expected at tourist attractions across Italy, leading to increased wait times to pass through security checks despite Tour Operator priority access. While this is beyond our control, we do our best to minimize any inconvenience.

View complete terms and conditions at www.italiatours.com/terms.

• Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by at least 1 adult to join a tour or an activity

• This tour is guaranteed with a minimum number of 2 participants

• This tour runs rain or shine. In the event of flooding, we will contact clients to propose an alternative 

• Shoulders and knees must be covered for both women and men for entry to St. Mark's Basilica