We will be in Venice on June 30 and July 1. I know Venice will be crowded, and I am wondering what time of day is best to reserve our visit to St. Mark's. First thing in the AM? Lunch time? Late afternoon? Thanks!

There was a thread a couple of days ago (Venice in the title) that gave a link to a place where you can reserve your time for St. Mark's (for free).

Hi D,

Early in the morning when it is still cool and the tour buses haven't arrived yet.

Thanks Missypie! I saw that thread and that's why I was asking. I want to reserve the least crowded time. Thanks Ira!

ira,
can you show us that link? I missed it.

Janda, the website is www.alata.it/eng/booking/sanmarco.asp.

Ira, I just checked to see what the earliest reservation time is. It's 9:45. Sounds kind of late to me. Do you still think that would be the best time to visit? I'd love to miss the worst of the tour groups!

Groups use to visit San Marco in the morning and they leave the afternoon free for people going to Murano or strolling in the city (I went with a tour !) so if you in the afternoon you will see it better. That doesn't mean there are no visitors...but will not be as crowded.

Hi D,

The Basilica opens around 09:30.

We got there about 09:00, waited for opening time and got in in about 5 min.

Be sure to return at night. The square takes on a completely different personality.

I totally agree with Basingstoke1. The square in the eving/at night takes on an absolutely magical quality. If you are so-inclined, consider having a (very expensive) drink/coffee at one of the two venues such as Florian, kicking back, and listening to the music for a while. You will never forget it.

Like Ira, we arrived first thing in the morning, and waited in line. Although it looked intimidating, it moved very fast, and we were inside in ten minutes. We went straight upstairs to see the well-traveled horses, and go out on the balcony, which was incredible. Then we went downstairs for one "lap" of the basilica. We saw no tour groups until we went back outside to the piazza---they were just starting to show up.

Ditto the early morning for the Basilica and the Square, dusk for the Square. Sunset at the Square is amazing.

Although I also do find it a lot of fun being in the square when it's crowded with people. But then I just move along to somewhere else.

Thanks everyone for your input! Sounds like we ought to visit in the AM and then return in the evening. Intrepid--My husband and I had drinks at the Florian 15 years ago, and it was wonderful! This time, however, we will be travelling with our 3 boys. So we may be feeding pigeons in the piazza, rather than sitting back listening to music!

We found that the line was tremendous early in the morning. We ended up deciding to go to mass (we're Catholic anyway) and to visit the cathedral afterwards. We went to a mass that was around 5 or 6 p.m., if I recall correctly. It is closed to the general touring public by that time. The next day, we wandered by around 4 p.m. and noticed that there was no line at all.

Thanks Honeymoon! I wondered if that might be a good time to go.