Tickets Venice

St Mark's Basilica skip-the-line tickets

Quick overview: How to skip-the-lines at St. Mark’s Basilica

St. Mark’s Basilica sees heavy crowds in peak months, with ticket lines typically running 60 to 90 minutes and 20 to 40 minutes even in quieter periods. Security screening applies to everyone and usually adds 10 to 20 minutes. High cruise traffic and timed rituals inside the basilica create additional bottlenecks.

  • Direct entry tickets (timed, skip-the-line entry) (From €19–20): Skips the on-site ticket queue but still requires security. Good for travelers who want fast access with optional audio guides.
  • Skip-the-line guided tour (Basilica only) (From €28): Skips the ticket line and includes a guided walk through the basilica and key mosaics. Useful for first-time visitors who want context.
  • Combo guided tour (Basilica plus Doge's Palace guided tour) (From €67): Gives queue free entry to both major landmarks in one booking with deeper coverage of mosaics, sculptures, and upper-level terraces. Best for art focused visitors.
  • Night or after hours Basilica tour (From €129): Crowd free atmosphere and calmer viewing. Skips daytime queues but has limited daily availability.

What does "skip‑the‑line" really mean for St. Mark’s Basilica?

Skip-the-line tickets let you bypass the long ticketing line—but not the mandatory security check. Depending on your ticket, you may also enter through quieter entrances like the Bell Tower or Porta di San Pietro for faster access. Most visitors are inside within 20–30 minutes with these tickets.

How long are the queues at St. Mark’s Basilica?

St. Mark’s Basilica sees over 3 million visitors each year, and lines outside the church can be long, particularly from April to October.

  • On busy days, general admission queues stretch across St. Mark’s Square, with wait times ranging from 60 to 90 minutes between 10am and 1pm. The line often snakes through Piazza San Marco, past the Doge’s Palace entrance.
  • Even during off-season, unreserved entry can mean a 20–40-minute wait, especially in the late morning. Most lines form well before the basilica opens and move slowly due to crowd control and security checks.
  • Even with fast-track, you’ll still need to queue briefly through security—typically 10–20 minutes, though it can spike on busy days. 

Types of queues at St. Mark’s Basilica

Ticketing queue

  • Location: Main entrance (Porta di San Clemente), west façade
  • Who it’s for: Visitors buying on-site tickets
  • Wait time: 60–90 mins (peak), 20–40 mins (off-peak)
  • Skip‑the‑line? ✅Yes, if you book online in advance

Bell Tower entrance

  • Location: Right of the main entrance, facing St. Mark’s Square
  • Who it’s for: Skip‑the‑line ticket holders, Tour groups, Venice Pass holders
  • Wait time: 0–10 mins
  • Skip‑the‑Line? ✅ Yes— bypasses general line, often quieter, with direct entry

Priority Entry / Porta di San Pietro

  • Location: Left of the main entrance, beside the Door of Flowers
  • Who it’s for: Priority access ticket holders and select guided tours
  • Wait time: 10–20 mins (security only)
  • Skip-the-Line? ✅ Yes – skips the ticket queue, security still applies

Security queue

  • Location: Right after ticket validation
  • Who it’s for: All visitors
  • Wait time: 10–20 mins (typical), up to 30 mins busy days
  • Skip‑the‑line? ❌ No—mandatory for everyone

​Choose the right entrance for you >

Want to skip the 90-minute queue in the sun?
St Mark's Basilica entrance with ornate arches and detailed mosaics in Venice, Italy.

All your options to skip the queues at St. Mark’s Basilica

1. Book skip‑the‑line tickets in advance

Pre-booked timed-entry tickets let you skip the long ticket counter queues and go directly to security. Entry is granted close to your selected time slot. These tickets often sell out 2–3 days in advance during peak season (April–October), so booking early is essential.

2. Choose a guided tour

Guided tours include skip-the-line access, often via the quieter Bell Tower (Porta di San Clemente) or Porta di San Pietro entrances. These tours also get you through security faster and include expert narration about the mosaics, history, and architecture.
Explore guided tours →

3. Visit during off-peak hours

Weekday mornings before 10am or afternoons after 3pm tend to be less crowded. In the low season (November to March), wait times typically drop to 20–40 minutes, especially on non-holiday weekdays.
Best time to visit→

4. Avoid peak days

Tuesdays to Thursdays generally see lighter footfall than weekends. Avoid visiting when multiple cruise ships dock (typically mid-morning to early afternoon). Early April, late May, and mid-September to early October are still busy—winter months offer the calmest experience.
Plan your visit→

5. Avoid religious service hours and free-access windows

Masses are held at 7am, 8am, 12pm, and 6:45pm. These times are reserved for worshippers, and sightseeing is not allowed. While entry is free, crowds often build before and after services. Skip-the-line ticket holders may still face brief delays around these hours—plan accordingly for a smoother experience.

6. Use the Venice Pass

The Venice Pass includes skip-the-line access to St. Mark’s Basilica and the Bell Tower. You’ll enter via a reserved entrance and skip both ticket queues. The pass also offers priority elevator access to the Campanile for panoramic city views.

Compare your St. Mark’s Basilica ticket options

Ticket typeWait timesQueues skippedIncludesPrice fromBook

On-site ticket

60–90 mins

❌ None

Entry to Basilica

€3

Not recommended

Entry ticket

20–30 mins

✅ Ticket queue

Guaranteed entry to Basilica

€20

St. Mark's Basilica Entry Tickets with Skip-the-Line Access

Entry with audio guide

20–30 mins

✅ Ticket queue

Entry to Basilica + audio guide

€44.90

St. Mark’s Basilica Skip-the-Line Tickets with Audio Guide

Guided tour

10–20 mins

✅ Ticket queue

Basilica entry + guide + St. Mark's Museum + Pala d’Oro

€56

St. Mark's Basilica Skip-the-Line Guided Tour

Combos with Doge Palace

10–30 mins

✅ Ticket queue at both sites

Entry to both + audio guides + guided tour of both landmarks, depending on the experience chosen

€69.70

St. Mark’s Basilica & Doge’s Palace Skip-the-Line Guided Tour

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Frequently Asked Questions about skip‑the‑line tickets at St. Mark’s

It means you can bypass the long ticket queue at the entrance. However, all visitors—regardless of ticket type—must still go through mandatory security. Some tickets also use quieter entrances like the Bell Tower or Porta di San Pietro for faster access.

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