Saint Mark’s Basilica Tour After-Hours, Venice, Italy

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Nurture Happiness Today TRAVEL recommends a Saint Mark’s Basilica tour when in Venice. It is one of the most beautiful and stunning churches we have visited on our travels! In particular, we recommend the after-hours tour at the Basilica for a unique, captivating experience! We share some details of this memorable evening tour here.

Work on Saint Mark’s Basilica began in 1063 according to the official website, built on the foundations of a previous church. This historic site often has crowds of visitors exploring the stunning attraction!

Our tour started off with meeting the guide and group at Saint Mark’s Square. We liked the small size of the tour as well as the limited visitors allowed inside after-hours. Each of us was also provided a headset so we could always hear our tour guide.

Small group outside gathered for Saint Mark's Basilica tour at night.
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It was great to be able to visit without crowds and learn about the history from our knowledgeable and friendly guide.

Gold mosaics inside seen during Saint Mark's Basilica tour in the evening.
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Additionally, what is special about this tour is seeing the opulent, gold mosaics inside the cathedral in the evening. Visitors sit in the darkness then slowly see the interior lit up.  It is unforgettable to see the gold mosaics sparkling in the quiet, magnificent ambiance.

Stunning gold mosaic inside seen during Saint Mark's Basilica tour.
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During the after-hours tour, we were also able to see some private areas. It really felt like a special tour given the exclusivity.

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Given the limited amount of visitors, we were able to easily see the architecture, artwork, and beauty of the basilica.

Throughout the tour, our guide was easy to follow and hear. It was amazing to learn the corresponding history of what we saw.

Amazing carved detail in a pillar seen during Saint Mark's Basilica tour.
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Lastly, we were also able to go below the church and visit the crypt with the tour.

Under the church where the crypt is located seen during Saint Mark's Basilica tour.
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Since this is a religious site, it is also important to note that all visitors must cover their knees and shoulders. Otherwise, you may be denied entry.

In summary, our visit inside this historic site was amazing for a more in-depth experience in the evening! The Saint Mark’s Basilica tour after-hours was intimate, impressive, and memorable. It is truly a special way to experience the basilica!

For dates and availability of this after-hours tour, check here or the link below- there is also an option to combine it with Doge’s Palace:


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*Our tour described in this article was self-funded. Our content is informational and opinion only, not facts.

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