St. Mark’s Basilica Tickets 2026: Prices, Time Slots, Sunday Rules and Free Entry to Pray

St. Mark’s Basilica tickets are no longer a formality: the basilica now charges an entry fee, sells tickets online with a fixed time slot and names each ticket after its holder. In addition, you pay extra for the Pala d’Oro, the museum with the bronze horses and the bell tower. This guide explains what each ticket covers and how the time slots work. It also covers the Sunday rules and free entry for prayer.

Last updated: September 26, 2026

St. Mark’s Basilica tickets at a glance

These are the individual rates on the official price list (checked September 2026). Tour operators and guides pay higher group rates. There is also a Museum and Horses Loggia ticket for Sunday mornings, when the basilica itself stays closed to visitors.

Who runs the basilica, and why tickets changed

St. Mark’s is the cathedral of Venice, and the Procuratoria di San Marco, an office with roots in the Middle Ages, looks after it. It also runs the Campanile, the bell tower across the square. That is why both appear on the same official ticket shop.

For years, entry to the basilica cost little or nothing. However, the Procuratoria moved to online, named tickets with fixed time slots in July 2025, and the basic price went up. According to its terms of sale, the plain ticket may not be sold to individual visitors through any other channel. As a result, most “skip the line” offers you see online are resellers adding a service on top, or guided tours.

Keep in mind that the Doge’s Palace next door is a separate site with its own ticketing. Our guide to Doge’s Palace tickets covers it.

What each ticket includes

The basilica interior

The basic ticket takes you through the nave and aisles, under domes covered in gold mosaics. It is the core of any visit, and for many first-time visitors it is enough. In fact, the mosaics are the main reason to go.

The Pala d’Oro

The Pala d’Oro is the golden altarpiece behind the high altar, made of enamels and gems set in gilded silver. The basic ticket does not include its area. As a result, you need a combined or full ticket to see it up close.

The museum and the Horses Loggia

The Museo di San Marco holds the original four bronze horses, brought to Venice from Constantinople in 1204. The horses on the facade today are copies. Above all, the museum ticket opens the Loggia dei Cavalli, the terrace above the main doors. From there, you look straight down over Piazza San Marco.

The bell tower

The Campanile is sold as a separate ticket, also with a time slot. Note that the official price list states that free admission categories do not apply to the bell tower (checked September 2026).

In addition, the official hours page says that the other sites on your ticket can be visited within six months of purchase. The Procuratoria’s price list adds a bonus. Any valid basilica ticket also gives free entry to other church sites in Venice over the same period.

How time slots, ID and changes work

• Timed entry: you may enter the basilica only in the slot you booked. The official FAQ guarantees a tolerance of just 5 minutes, so arrive early.
• Named tickets: every ticket carries the holder’s name. The official terms page says you must show a valid ID at the entrance (checked September 2026).
• Sold-out slots: a slot marked “0” in the booking calendar is no longer available.
• Changes and refunds: you cannot transfer tickets, and refunds are generally not available. The terms of sale allow a justified cancellation request by email at least 48 hours before the visit.
• Printing: the FAQ says printing is not required, although it helps at the turnstile.

Opening hours and Sunday rules

The official opening hours page lists the following, and it notes that times can change (checked September 2026).

Meanwhile, the Procuratoria also sells lit evening visits to the basilica and crypt, in one-hour slots between 7:30 and 10:00 pm. Check the official shop for dates, since no discounts apply to them.

Entering for free to pray

Worshippers do not need a ticket. According to the official Mass and prayer page, entry for prayer is always free through the Porta dei Fiori on the north side of the basilica (checked September 2026). The same page lists daily Masses, with several services on Sunday morning.

However, this entrance is for prayer and Mass, not sightseeing. Paying visitors are not admitted to the basilica during services, and the Sunday morning closure exists for the same reason. If you want to attend Mass, dress and behave as you would at your own parish.

Discounts, free admission and dress code

The official price list lists these reductions and free categories (checked September 2026):

• Young children enter the basilica free (the online price page says under 11, the price-list PDF says under 10, so plan on under 10 to be safe).
• Young people, students up to 26 and visitors over 65 get an extra reduction on individual tickets.
• Small groups of four or five adults have their own reduced rates.
• Visitors with disabilities and one companion enter free with a certificate.
• Residents of the Diocese of Venice and several nearby towns enter free with ID.

Staff check eligibility at the door, so carry proof. As for clothing, the official terms ask visitors to cover shoulders and knees. Finally, travel light. The Procuratoria’s access regulations set the bag rules, so check them on the terms page before you go.

Which St. Mark’s Basilica ticket to buy

Guided visits and tours that include the basilica

If you would rather have context, see our page on a tour of St. Mark’s, the Doge’s Palace, Murano and Burano, which combines the square with the lagoon islands. Alternatively, a hidden Venice walking tour takes you away from the crowds after your slot. Similarly, a Murano and Burano tour covers the lagoon islands on their own.

For a wider plan, compare the best tours in Venice for a first visit and read our Venice travel guide. Day-trippers should also check the Venice access fee, which is separate from any basilica ticket. If you are visiting in December, our guide to Christmas in Venice covers the season. Heading on to Tuscany? Our guide to Florence Duomo tickets explains a similar pass system.

Planning more than one visit? Our guide to tickets in Italy groups every ticket guide by city, from Rome and Florence to Venice, Milan and Pompeii.

St. Mark’s Basilica tickets: frequently asked questions

Do you need a ticket to enter St. Mark’s Basilica?

Yes, for sightseeing. Visitors need a named, timed ticket from the official Procuratoria di San Marco site. Entry for prayer and Mass is free through the Porta dei Fiori.

How much are St. Mark’s Basilica tickets?

The basic basilica ticket is about €10 for an individual adult, and the full ticket with the Pala d’Oro, museum and Horses Loggia is about €30 (checked September 2026). The bell tower is about €15.

Is the St. Mark’s Basilica terrace included in the ticket?

No. The terrace, called the Horses Loggia, comes with the museum, so you need the Basilica + Museum ticket or the full ticket.

Can you visit St. Mark’s Basilica on Sunday morning?

Only the museum and the Horses Loggia are open to visitors on Sunday and holiday mornings. The basilica opens to visitors at 2:00 pm, since mornings belong to worship.

Is the Doge’s Palace included in St. Mark’s Basilica tickets?

No. The Doge’s Palace is a separate site with its own tickets, and the bell tower also needs its own ticket.