What is St Mark's Campanile?
The Campanile is the tall brick bell tower in Piazza San Marco, about 98 m high and the tallest structure in Venice. The original tower stood for centuries until it collapsed in 1902. It was rebuilt exactly as it had been, "where it was and as it was", and reopened a decade later.
Unlike most Italian bell towers, there are no stairs to climb: a lift takes you up to the open belfry, where you look out through the arches over the domes of St Mark's, the Doge's Palace, the lagoon, the islands and, on clear winter days, the Dolomites.
Ticket prices
Buy from the official Basilica ticket site or at the ticket office. Resellers sell "skip-the-line" tickets for more, sometimes with an audio guide, but they use the same lift and the same queue for it.
Not in the Basilica combos
None of the Basilica's combined tickets (Pala d'Oro, Museum, Loggia of the Horses) include the bell tower, and the Basilica's free-entry rules (such as children under 11) don't apply to the Campanile. Buy it separately.
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How busy is St Mark's Campanile?
The bell tower is busy every day of the week in our crowd data, with Saturday, Sunday and Monday very slightly ahead. What matters is the time of day: it fills up from late morning and stays busy until early evening.
The lift is small, so even a modest queue moves slowly. Summer, Carnival and Easter are the busiest seasons.
Crowds by day and time
From the typical weekly visitor pattern for St Mark's Campanile, based on Google’s popular-times data.
How to skip the queues
- Book a timed ticket on the official site to skip the ticket line.
- Go at opening. The first hour is the calmest, before the day-trippers arrive.
- Go up in the evening in summer, when the tower stays open late and the light is golden.
- Do the Campanile right after the Basilica, while the piazza is quiet in the morning.
- Check the weather. It closes in fog, strong wind and extreme cold. Clear winter days give the best mountain views.
- Mind the bells. If you're up there when they ring on the hour, it's very loud.
What you'll see
- St Mark's Basilica's domes and the Doge's Palace right below.
- Piazza San Marco and the long arcades of the Procuratie.
- San Giorgio Maggiore, the Giudecca and the lagoon to the south.
- Murano, Burano and the outer islands to the north.
- The Dolomites, on very clear days, especially in winter.
Campanile vs San Giorgio Maggiore
The bell tower of San Giorgio Maggiore, across the water, has a lift too and is usually much quieter, with a view back *at* St Mark's and the Campanile. If the queue in the piazza is long, it's a great alternative, a short vaporetto ride away.
Mistakes to avoid
- Assuming your Basilica ticket or combo includes the tower.
- Expecting kids under 11 to go free, as they do at the Basilica.
- Queueing at midday in summer.
- Going up in fog or haze.
- Paying a reseller premium for "skip the line" when an official timed ticket does the same job.
Is St Mark's Campanile worth it?
Yes. It's the classic bird's-eye view of Venice, it's quick thanks to the lift, and it's the best way to see how the city sits in its lagoon. Go first thing or in the evening, and book online.
FAQs
How much does St Mark's Campanile cost?
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€15 for individual visitors on the official site, with an automatic online discount and extra reductions for students under 26, over-65s and ages 10-18.
Is the Campanile included in a St Mark's Basilica ticket?
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No. None of the Basilica combined tickets include the bell tower.
Are there stairs in St Mark's Campanile?
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No. A lift takes you to the top.
How tall is St Mark's Campanile?
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About 98 m. It's the tallest structure in Venice.
When is St Mark's Campanile least busy?
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At opening (9.30 am) and in the evening in summer. From 11 am to 6 pm it's busy every day. See our crowd forecast for your date.
Heading to St Mark's Campanile?
See how busy it is right now and the quietest hours for your date, then walk in when the line is short.
Check live crowds →Sources
How we research: every guide is written by the BeatTheCrowd team from official sources and recent traveller reports, cross-checked against each other, and dated so you know how fresh it is. Last checked 1 November 2026. Prices and rules change, so always confirm on the official site before you book.
