Saint Mark's Basilica Night Tour: Exclusive Visit

There’s nothing quite like seeing Venice bathed in moonlight. As night descends on the city’s twinkling canals, the captivating charms of the Serenissima have to be seen to be believed. On this special night tour of Saint Mark’s basilica, we’ll have the rare chance to visit Venice’s extraordinary cathedral after dark, getting up close and personal with the church's spectacular artworks without the crowds. In the company of an expert guide you’ll learn all about the story of Saint Mark and the history of Venice, as well as how the basilica rose to become the city’s most iconic landmark. Come face-to-face with the precious Pala d’Oro, and gaze up at the basilica’s world-famous mosaics, beautifully illuminated by state-of-the-art lighting. On our exclusive tour we’ll also get to visit the crypt, final resting place of the patriarchs of Venice.

With its awe-inspiring array of domes, arches and turrets, there is no mistaking St. Mark’s basilica. Dominating the piazza of the same name, St. Mark’s stands at the very epicentre of the city. And it looks even more spectacular at night. On our night tour of St. Mark’s, you’ll meet your guide in beautiful St. Mark’s Square, for centuries the spiritual and political centre of Venice - the Doge’s palace also stands silent watch over the piazza. To start our tour, your guide will explain the significance of the square to the history and geography of the city - for good reason Napoleon described the Piazza as the ‘drawing room of Europe,’ and the elegant cafes that line the square, including Caffe Quadri and famous Caffe Florian, have lost none of their old-world charm. 

During our time in the piazza we’ll learn about some of the other highlights on show here, including the stunning Torre dell’Orologio - a Renaissance clock tower decorated with fabulous sculptures, as well as St. Mark’s Campanile, the soaring 12th-century brick bell tower that is still the tallest building in Venice.

As this is a walking tour through various areas of the city centre, comfortable walking shoes and a bottle of water are strongly recommended.

Wheelchairs and motorised scooters are not permitted on this group tour.