Tour Details
Duration
2 hours
Product Type
Tour
Venues
- St. Mark's Square
- Basilica San Marco
Photos & Highlights
- Walk into the Basilica at a time usually closed to the public, free to feel the immensity of its glittering mosaics in peaceful comfort. No rush, no crowds to navigate, just private time to fully relax and absorb the beauty.
- Take home the richness of a night few will ever experience, along with the stories that will enchant those you share them with.
Select a date
Tour Description
Experience the solemn beauty of St. Mark’s the way its custodians and restorers do: after hours, when the basilica stands vast and silent, revealing its intimate grandeur to only a rare handful of invited guests.
Enjoy the UNESCO World Heritage listed Square, Basilica and mosaics in the enchanting atmosphere of the evening, after closing time, when the daily crowds have dispersed. Immerse yourself in this rare, tranquil moment, where every detail is yours to savor in calm, luxurious solitude, free from lines or distractions.
Your guide, an expert in art, history, or archaeology, will shape the conversation around what you want to explore, whether you’re eager for rich detail, big stories, or a more contemplative way to experience the space.
Choose this tour if…
- You want a more thoughtful and reflective experience of St Mark’s Basilica than daytime schedules allow.
- You’re fascinated about the cultural crossroads that shaped Venice, and its ties to Byzantium, the Mediterranean, and global trade.
- You value expert storytelling, nuanced explanations, and the freedom to ask questions.
- You wish to bring home more than souvenirs: unforgettable memories and stories from a once-in-a-lifetime experience to treasure and share for years.
- You want to understand the Basilica not just as a tourist site, but as a symbol of Venice’s identity and ambition.
Experts
Your night begins in the illuminated elegance of St Mark’s Square, where local musicians sometimes play under the glowing façades and café lights. But the real transformation happens as you leave the music and lights behind and enter a sanctuary few ever experience in such privacy. With the building closed to the public, you finally have the space to notice details, ask questions, and fully absorb the Basilica’s beauty, frescoes, and mosaics in peace.
Your guide will reveal the Pala d’Oro and lead you to the basilica’s terrace for sweeping views. Since the 11th-century, Venetian ships were required to bring treasures to the Basilica, gradually creating 8,000 square meters of gold, jewels, and marble, earning it the title ‘Church of Gold.’.
When you step back into the Venetian night, the music in the square may still linger, but you will leave transformed: enriched with deeper insight into the Basilica’s role in Venice’s political and cultural identity.
Sites Visited
- St. Mark’s Basilica – Venice’s most iconic church, knows as the “Golden Church” for the extensive mosaics of the interior.
- Pala d’Oro – A golden altar screen covered in enamel and precious stones.
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Terraces and Bronze Horses – Rooftop views and the famous bronze horses looted in the Crusades.
Tickets
Once we receive your booking, we will activate immediately to verify availability. Because these exclusive visits are extremely limited, securing your preferred time isn’t always guaranteed. To speed up the process and increase your chances, we recommend sharing a couple of alternative dates or time slots when you book. If your first choice is unavailable, we’ll move swiftly to reserve the best possible alternative and keep you fully updated every step of the way.
Accessibility
We understand that some of our valued guests may have mobility concerns, and we want to ensure you have a comfortable and enjoyable experience throughout your tour. If there are any accessibility concerns that your tour guide will need to be aware of, please let our team know at the time of booking.
Wheelchair accessibility
St. Mark’s Basilica is accessible for those with mobility issues or who are in wheelchair, but there are few spots where to sit down once inside.
Can we bring our kids? Is this tour suitable for families?
We can certainly assign a guide with experience with families. For a more family-friendly experience, we recommend checking out our Venice for Kids Tour with St. Mark’s Square or our Introduction to Venice, which features a shorter duration and slower pace, more suitable to families.
We can certainly assign a guide with experience with families. For a more family-friendly experience, we recommend checking out our Venice for Kids Tour with St. Mark’s Square or our Introduction to Venice, which features a shorter duration and slower pace, more suitable to families.
Can I take this tour even if it’s my first time in Venice?
Certainly. This tour is designed to provide a detailed focus on St. Mark’s Basilica, but our guides will be more than happy to dedicate some time to an orientation and introduction to navigating the city.
Can we do it in the morning or at a different time?
Unfortunately, no. This special-access visit is only available in the evening after closing. There are just three nightly entry slots—8:00 PM, 9:00 PM, and 10:00 PM—and they cannot be changed. Please leave us a note at checkout if you cannot attend one of these times. Because these tickets are extremely limited, we will secure whichever slot becomes available; if it differs from your preferred time, we will adjust the tour’s start accordingly. It’s essential that we know in advance if you are unable to take any of the slots.
Unfortunately, no. This special-access visit is only available in the evening after closing. There are just three nightly entry slots—8:00 PM, 9:00 PM, and 10:00 PM—and they cannot be changed. Please leave us a note at checkout if you cannot attend one of these times. Because these tickets are extremely limited, we will secure whichever slot becomes available; if it differs from your preferred time, we will adjust the tour’s start accordingly. It’s essential that we know in advance if you are unable to take any of the slots.
When should we have dinner?
We recommend enjoying an early dinner or aperitivo before the tour, leaving ample time to reach the Basilica. Evening entries are strictly timed, and late arrivals unfortunately cannot be admitted—planning ahead is key.
We recommend enjoying an early dinner or aperitivo before the tour, leaving ample time to reach the Basilica. Evening entries are strictly timed, and late arrivals unfortunately cannot be admitted—planning ahead is key.
Are we going to be alone in the Basilica?
Yes. The Basilica is closed to the public during this experience, so you’ll be able to enjoy the space without the usual crowds. Only a very small number of groups are admitted each night, making this a truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore the Basilica in complete peace.
Yes. The Basilica is closed to the public during this experience, so you’ll be able to enjoy the space without the usual crowds. Only a very small number of groups are admitted each night, making this a truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore the Basilica in complete peace.
What does the private opening of the Basilica provide, and why is the price higher?
This experience grants you exclusive access to the Basilica after hours—its doors open for your group alone. You’ll be able to wander freely, without other visitors or tour groups, and enjoy an unforgettable, intimate encounter with this extraordinary monument.
This experience grants you exclusive access to the Basilica after hours—its doors open for your group alone. You’ll be able to wander freely, without other visitors or tour groups, and enjoy an unforgettable, intimate encounter with this extraordinary monument.
Can we add more people to the group later?
Yes, as long as the group does not exceed 10 participants. Please inform us well in advance—at least 7 days before the tour—as we must submit the full list of participants to the venue.
Yes, as long as the group does not exceed 10 participants. Please inform us well in advance—at least 7 days before the tour—as we must submit the full list of participants to the venue.
How does availability work? Is our tour confirmed immediately after booking?
Once we receive your booking, we contact the venue to verify availability. Because these visits are extremely limited, early booking is highly recommended. We will do our best to secure your preferred time and will keep you updated throughout the process.
Once we receive your booking, we contact the venue to verify availability. Because these visits are extremely limited, early booking is highly recommended. We will do our best to secure your preferred time and will keep you updated throughout the process.
Can we reduce the time inside the Basilica?
We don’t recommend it—your hour inside is perfectly timed to fully enjoy this exceptional experience. If you must shorten the tour, we can conclude about 30 minutes early, after the interior visit is complete.
We don’t recommend it—your hour inside is perfectly timed to fully enjoy this exceptional experience. If you must shorten the tour, we can conclude about 30 minutes early, after the interior visit is complete.
Can we bring bags to the museum?
No. Backpacks or bags larger than 40 cm × 30 cm × 20 cm are not permitted, and trolleys are never allowed. Security staff may deny entry to any non-compliant items. Please also remember that clothing and behavior must be appropriate for a religious site.
No. Backpacks or bags larger than 40 cm × 30 cm × 20 cm are not permitted, and trolleys are never allowed. Security staff may deny entry to any non-compliant items. Please also remember that clothing and behavior must be appropriate for a religious site.
Book with confidence — see Context's flexible cancellation policy here.
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