St. Mark’s Basilica is the spiritual heart of Venice, hence why it is also the city’s must-see attraction. Honestly, there’s no way to completely avoid bumping shoulders with other tourists on a visit to this grand basilica. There are, however, certain times of day where crowds at St. Mark’s thin out. You can have a more intimate experience of Basilica San Marco if you follow these simple tips.

BEAT THE CROWDS
We’ve all heard that the “early bird catches the worm,” but does that saying hold true with the Basilica San Marco? Unfortunately for early-risers, morning is not the best time to visit St Mark s Basilica. It’s not uncommon for there to be an hour’s long wait to get into the Basilica San Marco on sunny days during the height of tourism season (spring and summer). Sure, you could be one of the first people in this line, but you’re going to have to get up extremely early. For those who want to chance it, be sure to check what times the Basilica San Marco opens.  When in Venice, be sure to try to get there at least one hour ahead of time. For those in Venice during the summertime, be sure to bring a fan, sunscreen, and plenty of water so you don’t pass out while waiting in line.

There is a way around this. Take a guided skip-the-line St Mark’s Basilica Tour. You can beat the crowds and spend that time wisely by having a pre-lunch drink and Venetian snack!

You might expect the line at the Basilica San Marco to diminish by the afternoon. Sadly, the line never really gets any shorter from morning through noon. You’re better off exploring other attractions or eating a delicious Venetian lunch mid-day rather than waiting in tourist lines at the Piazza San Marco. Try to come back to this central square later in the afternoon for a calm experience of St. Mark’s Basilica.

BEST TIME TO VISIT ST MARK’S
The later it gets, the better chance you have of having a quiet, stress-free tour of St. Mark’s Basilica. Since most tourists have already passed through the basilica for the day, nighttime is the best time to visit St Mark s for people looking for relative privacy. Use your limited time wisely to admire the grand columns, rare artifacts, and brilliant Byzantine mosaics. Take a long look at the Pala d’Oro altarpiece’s intricate details on the life of St. Mark. Also, spend some time admiring the Sacramental Altar in the south and the original Horses of San Marco.

If you really want to experience St Mark’s in a unique way, book an exclusive Alone at Night in St Mark’s Tour and be the ONLY tour company in this gorgeous basilica. It is a picture perfect, once in a lifetime experience.

There’s nothing like experiencing Venice’s first-hand. You must visit the “city of canals” at least once to see why so many people have deemed Venice the most beautiful city on earth. Please don’t be discouraged by the crowds at the Basilica San Marco. There are plenty of way to see St Mark’s in all its glory!