We're going to be in Venice in a few weeks and are trying to time our entry into the church to catch the midday illumination. We've been to Venice a few times in the past during summer and the lines were fairly horrendous at midday. Has anyone been to Venice in early December that can speak to the lines during the offseason?
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
6046 posts
We booked timed entry on both of our visits, last was 2019
Not sure if that is still offered but it was only a few euros
https://basilicasanmarco.skiperformance.com/en/store#/en/buy
Posted by
Brooklyn, NY
3836 posts
Don’t skip the museum in the second floor. It’s just a few euro and worth the time. Also, you can walk outside, there are great views.
Posted by
Washington DC
27104 posts
I arrived at San Marco around opening time in late September. The line looked pretty awful, but someone waiting near us said it would move fast, which it did indeed. It took just about 30 minutes to get inside. You can buy advance-entry tickets online for a few extra euros; I'd recommend doing that. I don't know how early you'll need to buy them. I'd guess not terribly far in advance, but there were definitely none available as of opening time for the day of my visit. It appears they sell a fairly limited number of those timed tickets; if you can't get one, it doesn't mean you won't get inside, just that you won't get inside quickly.
Posted by
TN, USA
2114 posts
In October, several years ago, we also saw the long lines for tourist visits. We also checked the mass schedule, and on a Sunday morning, we arrived a few minutes after the scheduled mass time, went in (using the door to the left where ushers were greeting), took a seat, and had the full well-lighted experience. We followed along with the mass, reminding us of the days of masses being said in Latin, only this time Italian. As a kid, I had no idea what the priest was saying back then...so no problem this time. Made an offering when the baskets came around. If someone has never been to a mass before, they would do fine...just stand/sit/kneel when everyone else does. Shortly after the mass ended, lights were turned off/dimmed, and we could see the big difference. Then after the mass, we just asked an usher if we could go upstairs...we were shown a little stair case (and we either paid the modest fee before or immediately after going upstairs). Maybe we were just lucky (we did ask in a very kind manner), but it kept us from having to line up outside for regular entry.
The link below provides mass times; there is one every day, but I am GUESSING the weekday ones are more modest in nature, with smaller # of parishioners attending (which I am guessing MIGHT mean the whole basilica may not be lighted inside for those masses....but I could be wrong).
As another poster mentioned, do not miss going upstairs and also on the balcony that overlooks St. Mark's Square.
http://www.basilicasanmarco.it/calendario-liturgico/orari-messe/?lang=en