We will be staying in Venice for two nights prior to our Villages of Italy tour. Since Saint Mark‘s Basilica and Doges Palace will be closed until the day we leave for Padua, do you recommend we wait in line to get in at 9AM or will the crowd likely be overwhelming?
Thank you.
Posted by
Bend, OR
1324 posts
I just googled Good Friday in Venice and it said they expect to see between 30,000 to 50,000 people depending on the weather.
Posted by
Washington DC
28928 posts
If you're willing to go over to San Marco very early, I think that could work. An awful lot of those expected visitors will be day trippers, and I don't know that many of them will get to Venice really early. Although I prefer to see sights in less-crowded conditions, San Marco is a huge building, and much of what you're looking at is high on the wall or on the ceiling. It's not like an art museum where throngs of other people block your view of the labels identifying the paintings.
The museum at San Marco is upstairs. It's very interesting, and it gives you a closer view of some of the mosaics. Highly recommended.
I'd go for it. Try to get a ticket for entry during the first time block so you don't have to stand in the ticket-buying line. Then do your best to show up at least 30 minutes early--earlier if you are early risers and have decent weather that morning and haven't been able to score an entry ticket online. The good news is that the entry line moves faster than you might expect.
Posted by
1 posts
I believe we are on the same tour as you and will also be in Venice that (Easter) weekend. I was able to purchase Secret Itineraries Tour of the Doge's Palace for Saturday, 19. On a quick internet search, I confirmed both sites will be open Easter weekend. We look forward to meeting you! Safe travels!