Venice: St. Mark's Basilica Priority Entry Guided Tour - Golden Mosaics and St. Mark's Square

Start in St. Mark's Square
and enter the basilica with priority access

Meet at the meeting point near St. Mark's Square for a roughly 1-hour tour of St. Mark's Basilica with an expert guide. You spend 20 minutes in the square and 40 minutes inside the basilica listening to your guide. Priority entry lets you skip the long queue, and a headset makes it easy to hear the commentary.

Hear the story of the Venetian Republic in St. Mark's Square

The tour begins in St. Mark's Square, which Napoleon once called the "drawing room of Europe." Surrounded by the Doge's Palace, the clock tower, the bell tower and the ornate basilica facade, your guide shares stories of the Venetian Republic.

Step inside the basilica full of golden mosaics

You enter St. Mark's Basilica with priority access. A masterpiece of Byzantine art and once the private chapel of the Doge of Venice, it is covered with more than 8,000 square meters of golden mosaics that light up scenes from the Bible.

Walk across the patterned marble floor

Walking across the intricately decorated marble floor, you can see the craftsmanship of Venetian artisans up close. Your guide explains centuries of history, art and faith. The tour ends at Piazzetta dei Leoncini, outside the basilica in St. Mark's Square.

If you choose the Pala d'Oro option, an entrance ticket to the Pala d'Oro (golden altarpiece) is added.

※ Shoulders and knees must be covered inside the basilica.
※ Backpacks are not allowed inside the basilica.
※ The tour runs regardless of the weather.