
Exclusive Afternoon Tour of St. Mark's Basilica in Venice
Traveler rating
4.7/5
Based on 42 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Exclusive Afternoon Tour of St. Mark's Basilica in Venice worth booking?
Exclusive Afternoon Tour of St. Mark's Basilica in Venice is a 1-hour experience in Venice, Italy, from $53 per person. It scores 62 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.7/5 rating across 42 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 62 / 100
- Rating
- 4.7/5 (42)
- Duration
- 1 hours
- From
- $53 per person
Your guide will provide you with a wealth of information regarding Saint Mark's Square and then accompany you on a detailed tour of the Golden Basilica in the afternoon, from Saint Mark's square, once the private chapel of the Doge of Venice, the only one of its kind in Italy, thanks to the sumptuous golden mosaics and impressive marble inlay flooring. During the tour you will be able absorb the atmosphere whilst listening to your guide who will describe the biblical scenes represented throughout the building, together with history and particularities of this ancient Basilica. The tour lasts one hour and concludes outside the Basilica in Saint Mark's Square.
What you get
About this experience
Your guide will provide you with a wealth of information regarding Saint Mark's Square and then accompany you on a detailed tour of the Golden Basilica in the afternoon, from Saint Mark's square, once the private chapel of the Doge of Venice, the only one of its kind in Italy, thanks to the sumptuous golden mosaics and impressive marble inlay flooring. During the tour you will be able absorb the atmosphere whilst listening to your guide who will describe the biblical scenes represented throughout the building, together with history and particularities of this ancient Basilica. The tour lasts one hour and concludes outside the Basilica in Saint Mark's Square.
What's included
Included
- The tickets for the Basilica allow you to visit (within 6 months) the following sites:
- S.Luca, S. Maria del Giglio, S. Maria del Rosario vulgo Gesuati, S. Maria Formosa
- Skip the line entrance and guided tour to the Saint Marks Basilica
- Pinacoteca Manfrediniana, Madonna dell'orto - S. Alvise, S. Andrea de la Zirada, S. Antonin
- S. Giovanni in Bragora, S. Marcuola, S. Maria dei Miracoli, S. Maria del Carmelo vulgo Carmini
- Live tour commentary provided in English, French, Spanish or German
- Pre-reserved tickets for St. Mark's Basilica (€12)
- Santuario di Lucia - SS. Redentore, The Human Safety Net
- S. Simeon Piccolo, S. Sofia, S. Stae, S. Stefano, S. Trovaso
- Personal audio system and headset for tour commentary
- Professional local guide
- S. Beneto, S. Fantin, S. Felice, S. Giacomo dell’Orio, S. Giobbe, S. Giovanni elemosinario
- S. Martino di Castello, S. Marziale, S. Pietro di Castello, S. Polo, S. Samuele, S. Sebastiano
- Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta (Torcello), Sacrestia della Basilica della Salute
Not included
- Optional gratuities
- Hotel pick up and drop off
- Entrance fees
- Museum and Loggia dei Cavalli on the 1st floor
What you'll see and do
Meet the assistant, collect your headset and start the tour with your professional guide. Be sure to arrive at least 15 min before the departure time.
Pass by without stopping
Piazza San Marco
Starting in Saint Mark’s Square, our specialized guide will introduce you another side of Venice and its origins. Enjoy fantastic tales of tyranny and embrace the dynamic history of Venice, whilst discovering the history of the most dramatic and awe-inspiring building in Venice, Saint Mark’s Basilica.
20 minutes here
Basilica di San Marco
During the tour you will be able absorb the atmosphere whilst listening to your guide who will describe the biblical scenes represented throughout the building, together with history and particularities of this ancient Basilica. Visit Saint Mark's Basilica first floor museum and see the famous horses and admire Saint Mark's Square from the Basilica's terrace. The tour lasts one hour and concludes outside the Basilica in Saint Mark's Square.
40 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Venice
15 min before in Calle larga de l’Ascension - 30124 (behind the Correr museum on the opposite side of the Saint Marks Basilica).Look for the TURIVE assistant next to the post office San Marco.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Options you can book
French
English
Spanish
Before you book
- Cancellation
- If you cancel at least 3 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
- Languages
- de, en, fr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 20 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Venice Events srl
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Check-in is 15 minutes prior to the booked tour start time
- This activity is not wheelchair accessible
- Shoulders and knees must be covered in the Basilica
- Backpacks are not allowed inside the Basilica
- The tour will take place rain or shine
- 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 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.
- Each traveler must present a valid passport or ID document that matches the name provided at the time of booking for successful entry to St. Mark’s Basilica.
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 42 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
9 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Pace and timing
2 mentionsSeveral reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.
Small groups
2 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
42 verified traveler reviews for Exclusive Afternoon Tour of St. Mark's Basilica in Venice. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Amazing
Very informative. Saw items that I wasn’t expecting to see. Our tour guide was interesting to listen to, giving an abundant amount of information.
Response from the operator: Hello Diana, thank you for your kind and honest review. We are grateful you could join us for our tour. We hope to welcome you back again in the future. Sending kind regards, Team Venice Events
via Viator
Meh
Meh ... We were able to quickly and lately book this tour. It was an hour long, the guide was courteous, but unfortunately the day was rainy, and dreary, which made the basilica extremely busy and loud. There was ongoing construction causing noise in the basilica, the guide spike softly, and the English was not understandable. It was dark and crowded. It just wasn't a good experience. Could have skipped it, but now know what the inside of the basilica looks like. In summary, the day was dreary, getting into the basilica was overcomplicated and overrun, the basilica was too dark, and crowded to really appreciate, plus the guide wasn't understandable.
Response from the operator: Hello, Thank you for your kind and honest review. Your kind feedback helps understand how our suppliers can improve their offerings. We often deliver this feedback to our suppliers in effort to improve every day the quality of the tours that are offered. Unfortunately, we have no control how the weather will be especially in October. Also the crowd size can be very random. Thank you again and sending kind regards, Team Venice Events
via Viator
I love Venice!
So informative from a local… our tour guide’s love of the city and culture of Venice was palpable… what a great tour!
Response from the operator: Dear Anne, thank you for your kind and honest review. We are grateful you could join us for our tour. We hope to welcome you back again in the future. Sending kind regards, Team Venice Events
via Viator
Time was confusing. No way to catch up to the guide. No attempt to help us.
It said to get there 15 minutes before start and to get there at 2:45 which makes you think it starts at 3. I tried to message someone as the vaporetto transport took more time than anticipated due to wait time and we were a few minutes late. We arrived at 2:59. The left at 2:45 and gave us 6 dollar to tickets to enter and had no way to get us to our guide. The tickets were in no way special and did not get us to any special areas. They need to re write the description to say to get there at 2:30 and they leave at 2:45. Newcomers to Venice may also have issues because google map times do not take into account the wait time to get onto the vaporetto.
via Tripadvisor
just okay
It was okay, neither good nor bad. Of course the basilica is fabulous and must be visited. The guide was acceptable but not great.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 1 hours
- Free cancellation
- Non-refundable
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 15
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Venice Events srl, who run 18 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 47.8.
See everything Venice Events srl runsWhy this scores 62
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Exclusive Afternoon Tour of St. Mark's Basilica in Venice: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Venice.
How much does Exclusive Afternoon Tour of St. Mark's Basilica in Venice cost?
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Prices start at $53 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Venice usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Exclusive Afternoon Tour of St. Mark's Basilica in Venice take?
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Plan for about 1 hour from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Venice is not rushed.
Is Exclusive Afternoon Tour of St. Mark's Basilica in Venice worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 62 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.7/5 across 42 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable culture & history in Venice, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Exclusive Afternoon Tour of St. Mark's Basilica in Venice?
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No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.
Is Exclusive Afternoon Tour of St. Mark's Basilica in Venice suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Exclusive Afternoon Tour of St. Mark's Basilica in Venice?
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Around 15 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Venice can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Venice and add a light layer if any part of the 1-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Exclusive Afternoon Tour of St. Mark's Basilica in Venice start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Venice within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Venice?
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On Outty we rank every Venice experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Venice Pasta & Tiramisu Cooking Class with wine by Cooking Italy, Eating Venice Small Group Food & Drinks Tour, Tour of The Real Hidden Venice. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Venice?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Venice?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Exclusive Afternoon Tour of St. Mark's Basilica in Venice?
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Included: The tickets for the Basilica allow you to visit (within 6 months) the following sites:; S.Luca, S. Maria del Giglio, S. Maria del Rosario vulgo Gesuati, S. Maria Formosa; Skip the line entrance and guided tour to the Saint Marks Basilica; Pinacoteca Manfrediniana, Madonna dell'orto - S. Alvise, S. Andrea de la Zirada, S. Antoni; and S. Giovanni in Bragora, S. Marcuola, S. Maria dei Miracoli, S. Maria del Carmelo vulgo Car. Not included: Optional gratuities; Hotel pick up and drop off; Entrance fees; and Museum and Loggia dei Cavalli on the 1st floor. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Exclusive Afternoon Tour of St. Mark's Basilica in Venice?
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15 min before in Calle larga de l’Ascension - 30124 (behind the Correr museum on the opposite side of the Saint Marks Basilica).Look for the TURIVE assistant next to the post office San Marco. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Exclusive Afternoon Tour of St. Mark's Basilica in Venice offered in?
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It is offered in German, English, French and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Exclusive Afternoon Tour of St. Mark's Basilica in Venice?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Exclusive Afternoon Tour of St. Mark's Basilica in Venice wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; and This activity is not wheelchair accessible. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Exclusive Afternoon Tour of St. Mark's Basilica in Venice if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Venice. Standard cancellation terms apply.
What do travelers say about Exclusive Afternoon Tour of St. Mark's Basilica in Venice?
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Across 42 reviews averaging 4.7 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, small groups. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works. One thing to know: Several reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.
What booking options are available for Exclusive Afternoon Tour of St. Mark's Basilica in Venice?
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There are 3 options to choose from, including French, English, Spanish. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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