We will be in Venice for three nights over a weekend next May. I want to visit St Mark’s but was wondering when would be the best time. We are staying nearby so could be there very early but the church doesn’t open until 9:30 am. Do the throngs of people arrive by then? Is it better to go in the late afternoon like 4 pm?
I also have thought of going to mass there. We are Catholic but do not speak Italian. Has anyone done this?
And is the museum worthwhile?
I went May 15 2017, around 3 pm; there was a short line. No cell phones or photos, they are pretty strict about that.
May is a good time before the summer throngs.
If you decide to attend Mass, this link tells you where to enter and the times of the masses, etc.
http://www.basilicasanmarco.it/calendario-liturgico/orari-messe/?lang=en
We have attended masses in many of the countries we have visited, in the local language. The nice thing about the Catholic Mass - it's all the same, only the language differs. And all worshippers are welcome no matter what language they speak.
It was June, 15 years ago. Can’t personally say whether the amount of visitors has changed since then, but we visited in mid afternoon. Fairly short line, including people in shorts, trying to cover their knees with windbreakers, which looked ineffective. Shoulders and knees should be covered for entry. One of us took our bags to the bag drop across the square, while others kept our place in line. The short wait afforded a chance to look at the exterior in more detail.
Didn’t attend a service, but the Treasury truly had some amazing pieces of jewelry. Worth seeing just for the craftsmanship, design, and beauty alone, aside from religious significance. A mummified saint’s wrist and hand was unexpected, but other items on display were a really pleasant surprise.
I believe there are 3 separate "museums" within St. Marks. I don't recall whether I visited the Treasury, but I thought both the jeweled backside of the altar and the upstairs museum with the original bronze horses and great interior/exterior views were worthwhile. If you can, time your visit for when the ceiling mosaics are illuminated.
We went last July at 12:15 pm. I think the crowds inside are pretty much the same regardless of time of day; just the line outside gets longer or shorter. If you have a timed entry, it really doesn’t matter since you will skip the line.
Do what Frank recommends — go when the mosaics are lit up. They are stunning.
And yes, there are 3 museums inside. I think they are all worth visiting, and they are small so won’t take much time. I enjoyed most the one upstairs where you could see the mosaics and the horses (both the reproductions outside and the originals inside) up close.
We loved our visit. Don’t let the crowds scare you; it is pretty well managed inside.
The only thing I can comment is last time we went in St Marks, even tho the line was halfway across the square we were still inside within 20-25 min, so it wasn't horrible. It was prob just after lunch (it was 5 yrs ago now).
We enjoyed our visit to the upstairs museum, where you can (or could) see, I believe, the original horses (the ones outside are copies). Plus you can get a closer view of the mosaics on the ceiling.
Thanks so much for the replies. This is helpful. I do want to see the original horses so will put that museum at least on our list. I am glad to know that the crowds inside the church are manageable even if the line is long. The crowds are my biggest concern about Venice. And I would like to see the mosaics lit up but that is in the middle of the day so will have to consider that too. I recall reading that the mosaics are lit up during mass so maybe can see them then if not when touring.
The basilica is usually lit inside between 11:30 - 12:30 (or 12:45?), so getting in line sometime before 11:00 might get you inside at the time that it is easiest to see the mosaics. However, on Sundays the basilica does not open to the public until 2:00 pm, I believe. If you are going for mass, you are expected to use the side door to enter (the door farther away from the water), and indicate to the guard that you are coming for mass. However, if you are going to mass, I understand from a friend who did so, that following the conclusion of the service the congregants are expected to quietly leave the sanctuary; you wouldn't be able to then go upstairs to the museum, at that time, and would need to return another time to see the original horses, etc.
Here's the mass schedule, from the website:
Sundays and Feasts Days “of praecept”
07:00 a.m.; 08:00 a.m.; 09:00 a.m.; 10:30 a.m. (Sung Mass with brief remarks in various languages, St. Mark’s Chapel); 12:00; 06:45 p.m.
And here's a link to the well-organized and very useful Basilica San Marco website:
http://www.basilicasanmarco.it/?lang=en
Even in July, the crowds were manageable if you planned your day.
The crowds go up the Grand Canal in the morning to St Mark’s and back to the cruise ship docks and train station in the late afternoon. Between The Rialto bridge and St Marks was crowded from about 10 until maybe 5. Then it starts to thin out.
So avoid the traffic, go opposite the day trip flow, and explore the area around St Marks early or later. Do something away from the main drag during the day.
One of our favorite experiences was our Grand Canal ride leaving the train station area around 6 pm headed to St Marks (nearly empty vaporetto, as opposed to the jammed ones going the other way). We had a lovely evening in the near-empty Piazza — music, snacks, chill atmosphere. Just wonderful.
Have fun, don’t worry about the crowds. Just be smart about where you go when and you’ll be fine.
ETA: be sure to get a timed entry ticket to avoid the lines for the cathedral — pretty sure you can even get them online on your phone as you are standing in the Piazza, so you don’t need to plan too far ahead.
The mosaics are illuminated from 11:30 to 12:45 on weekdays ( which includes Saturday). You can see the schedule here:
http://www.basilicasanmarco.it/informazioni-per-i-turisti/orari-di-apertura/?lang=en
As a repeat visitor to Venice ( my favorite place) I recommend booking a timed entry for the 11:25 to 11:45 time slot. You can do this on the above website; the charge is 3€ per person.
The ticketed entrance is to the left of the queue entrance. Once inside, turn right and go upstairs for the balcony and the original horses. There is an additional charge for this area. It is wonderful to see the illuminated mosaics from this vantage point. Then return to the main floor and follow the path.
Thanks again for all the very specific replies. Perhaps we can get up early to see St. Mark's and other things before the day trippers arrive and then go back, relax, eat, ect at our apartment. Then brave the crowds for a late morning entry to St. Mark's (but have reservations) so we can see it lit up. I would do the museum too.
Then we would try to find a less crowded activity. A friend is from Milan and he recommended going to San Giorgio Maggiore. This same friend says he never goes to St. Mark's when he is in Venice because it is too crowded! So he was no help there.
Going to mass would be an additional time to be in St. Mark's. I realize that we would not be allowed to site see afterwards.
I'd def hit St Mark's early (go out by 7am if you can just to look around - it's wonderful). We just came off our 5th visit to Venice in Sept and we were able to avoid SMS except for one afternoon when we had to take a deep breath and take the plunge to get to the other side - ugh - now I know what cows feel like when they're being herded.
I find people start showing up by 9am, by 10am it's pretty crowded and by lunch time it's horrid. Also make sure to go back to SMS in the evening - it's great.
If you wanted to go up a bell tower and the lines at St Mark's campanile are daunting, head across the lagoon to San Giorgio - can almost guarantee no line and the views over to SMS are incredible.
By making a reservation, you won't stand in any line. This will give you info on not only the Basilica, but the other sites in Venice.
