I'm going to Venice next week and wondering if there are long lines to enter St. Mark's Basilica at this time of year. Has anyone been there recently with or without reservations?

I've never made a reservation for St Mark's Basilica and although the lines look quite long they always seem to move quickly. Most visitors to the Basilica seem to wander around for 10 mins or so before leaving which means the bulk of the crowd gets through quickly. So there is plenty of room if you really want to look at the Basilica properly.

Make sure you visit behind the main altar (there's a small fee) and the Basilica's museum. This is on the top level, stairs are to the right of the entry, and from here you can walk on the terrace which contains the bronze horse replicas (the originals are in the museum) and inside there is a balcony that overlooks the main body of the church, quite spectacular.

Since entrance to the basilica is free, I don't see why they would run a reservations system. If the line looks very very long, try again later. We did pay to climb up to the balcony over the front entrance last time, the view of the piazza is wonderful.

Hi, EB,

there IS a reservations system, which operates from 1st April to 31st October. Here's the website for the Basilica, with the link to the reservations system - entry is free but they charge €1 to make the booking.

http://www.basilicasanmarco.it/eng/v...cat=6&subcat=5

if you get there early, i suspect that you can get in with no problem.

I strongly suggest you get reservations(unless you are going in the middle of winter!). I have been to Venice twice in the last few years (last time this summer)and both times saw the huge lines under the merciless sun, at any time of the day, early or late. Both times we had reservations and were able to just walk to the front of the line and go right in. Don't know why somebody would not want to avail themselves of making a reservation.

When it still worked during the off season, I did use the reservation system once and was glad I had. Standing in a line is not my favorite occupation in Venice.

It was well-worth it to us to have made the reservation. The line is held up by people who don't know you can't take your backpack in, or who aren't properly covered, etc. With the reserved entry time, you go to the front of a looooong line, show the paper to the guard and go right on in.

Thanks to all for your advice. I was in Venice last Sept with friends and we did have reservations and were glad we did because the lines were long and the sun was hot. I'm just planning our activities and haven't decided yet when to go, but I think I will follow the majority advice and make reservations.

We were just in Venice a week ago. Lines were long in the morning but we went back around 1300 and walked right in. Same thing with the Doge's Palace we went after lunch and there were no lines at all.

But the down side of making an advance reservation is that you are only allowed a 10 minute period within the Basilica. To me it's hardly worth visiting if you're only going to stay for such a short period of time. For those who wish to stay longer, maybe sit and absorb the atmosphere and view the mosaics, it's necessary to queue.

If you drop your bags off at the bag storage for St. Marks you will be given a plastic card that will allow you to go immediately to the front of the line. As you stand looking at St. Mark's Basilica there is an alley across from a side entrance of the basilica. Walk about half way down the alley and there is door to your right for the bag storage. They allow you to store bags for about 1 hour.

But the down side of making an advance reservation is that you are only allowed a 10 minute period within the Basilica. To me it's hardly worth visiting if you're only going to stay for such a short period of time. For those who wish to stay longer, maybe sit and absorb the atmosphere and view the mosaics, it's necessary to queue.>>

are you sure about this TAB? my understanding is that they try to hurry everyone through in 10 mins, and that once you are inside, there is no difference whether you have reserved or not.

Once you're inside, you can stay as long as you want. I'm one of those who's never made reservations - I prefer the flexibility of stopping by when I'm in the area. I've never waited more than 10-15 minutes to enter. Last year, we were in Venice right at this time of year.

But the down side of making an advance reservation is that you are only allowed a 10 minute period within the Basilica.
- - not true. I stayed as long as I wanted, no one 'tracked' me or rushed me, or hubby. Saw no one else being hustled out, either. And, there was a long line out front, as I mentioned.

Toastandbutter,

You have misunderstood. The window of time of 10 mins is for the time you can enter. Once you are in you can stay as long as you want.

I had to store my small daypack - so if have a reservation and a pack leave time to have to ferry it over to the left luggage as nwtraveler so helpfullu described.