St. Mark's Basilica After-Hours Tour

From€169
1 hour
Venice, Italy

About this activity

Experience St. Mark's Basilica in Venice after hours with an expert guide, exploring its treasures without the usual crowds.

Highlights

  • Explore St. Mark's Basilica after hours
  • Admire the Pala d'Oro altarpiece
  • Discover the Basilica's rich history
  • Enjoy a small-group experience
  • Capture stunning photos without crowds

Full description

Step into the heart of Venice's history with an exclusive after-hours tour of St. Mark's Basilica. As the sun sets, the Basilica's golden mosaics and intricate architecture come to life in a serene atmosphere. Led by a knowledgeable guide, you'll delve into the Basilica's rich past, marvel at the Pala d'Oro altarpiece, and explore the Treasury's sacred artifacts. This intimate small-group experience offers unparalleled access to one of Venice's most iconic landmarks, allowing you to appreciate its beauty and history without the usual daytime crowds. Don't miss this unique opportunity to connect with Venice's heritage in a way few ever do.

Included / Excluded

  • Exclusive after-hours access to St. Mark's Basilica
  • Guided tour with expert insights
  • Visit to the Pala d'Oro and Treasury
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off

Itinerary

1

Do not miss out on this very exclusive After-Hours Tour of Saint Mark's Basilica, after the Basilica has officially closed to the general public and its privileged access is exclusively reserved to us! In the quiet of night, its incredible splendor will be only for you to enjoy. Meet your professional expert local guide in Piazza San Marco, Venice's most iconic square, and join your intimate small group of only 6 people max. Learn about the history of this iconic Piazza, and feel its quieting energy, as the city turns dark and tourists and locals turn in for the evening.

Duration: 10 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
2

Once you have entered the Basilica, you will witness the incredible light show of the Golden Mosaics that entirely cover the Basilica's interior, and have no doubt why in fact it is nicknamed the 'Golden Church', la 'Basilica d'Oro'. During your hour and half exclusive exploration you will also get to see the Pala d'Oro all the way up close - something that during official opening hours is nearly impossible. And for a spooky and exclusive finale you will also get to descend into the crypt, hear the tales of floods and natural disasters that the basilica has survived, and see their marks on the stained walls. A truly unique, dramatic, once in a life-time experience that you are sure to never forget! An original, valid photo ID is required for entry to St. Mark's Basilica. Photocopies are not accepted.

Duration: 1h 20mAdmission: YES

Meeting point

Start Location

Museo Correr, P.za San Marco, 52, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy

Important information

Know before you book

  • The tour operates in all weather conditions; dress appropriately.
  • The Basilica is a place of worship; maintain respectful behavior.
  • The tour is conducted in English; ensure you understand the language.

Know before you go

  • Wear comfortable walking shoes as the tour involves some walking.
  • Bring a valid ID for entry.
  • Photography is allowed; however, tripods and flash are prohibited.

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 1 days before the activity starts

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair Accessible
  • Easy Public Transport

Good to know

  • Please Note: due to these unprecedented times and unexpected regulation changes, some areas may not be accessible if the venue can not guarantee social distancing for that part of the tour.
  • 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
  • Please note that tour starting times are subject to change based on ticket availability
  • Places of worship have strict dress code requirements for entry. All participants are required to have shoulders and knees covered (no tank tops or short dresses) to enter.
  • There is no photography allowed inside St Marks Basilica.
  • An original, valid photo ID is required for entry to St. Mark's Basilica. Photocopies are not accepted.
  • Please provide the full names of all travelers when booking. Failure to present a voucher with all travelers’ full names at the ticket office prior to entry may result in denied entry to the attraction.
  • Admission to St. Mark’s Basilica is included (valued from €50 per person).

Traveler reviews

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St Marks at Night

We did the Night Tour of St Marks and it was wonderful to have the freedom and time to view this amazing cathedral without the crowds. Our tour guide, Romy, gave us some great knowledge about the history and importance of this building.

D2484EAnicolecMay 25, 2026TRIPADVISOR

Fantastic Tour - a must-do

Fantastic is a word that is often overused, but there is no other word I can come up with that describes this tour any better. The splendor that unfolds as the lights come up is just indescribable. Ottavia was a wealth of information and did a beautiful job of making the tour both educational AND entertaining. If you can request a guide, you won’t be disappointed by asking for her! We were so glad we did not miss this tour!

mln68May 19, 2026TRIPADVISOR

Saint Mark with Lorenzo

Fantastic experience Our guide LORENZO was amazing!!!!!

T5779NCfrancescabMay 17, 2026TRIPADVISOR

Much better without the crowds!

Was worth the extra price to get access after closing. You’re not alone in the cathedral, but compared to the number packed in during the day, it almost feels like it. The experience starts in near darkness, and then they light all of the lights, and the effect is lovely. Marco provided a lit of context for what we were seeing, and really brought the history to life for us. Highly recommend this experience!

tmoore48May 17, 2026TRIPADVISOR

Splendour and fun

Adriana was exceptional. Hilarious and knowledgeable. The night tour was spectacular, dazzling...the show of wealth made me question the priorities of the church but the incredible workmanship of the builders, tilers, artists and architects is undeniable. This tour is, I feel, not to be missed.

bronao2021May 3, 2026TRIPADVISOR

Additional information

Please Note: due to these unprecedented times and unexpected regulation changes, some areas may not be accessible if the venue can not guarantee social distancing for that part of the tour. 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 Please note that tour starting times are subject to change based on ticket availability Places of worship have strict dress code requirements for entry. All participants are required to have shoulders and knees covered (no tank tops or short dresses) to enter. There is no photography allowed inside St Marks Basilica. An original, valid photo ID is required for entry to St. Mark's Basilica. Photocopies are not accepted.