Venice Biennale 2026: Tickets, Dates & Practical Guide
Everything you need to visit the Venice Biennale 2026 — ticket prices, opening hours, what to expect at Giardini and Arsenale, and how to plan your day. Updated April 2026.
Most contemporary art biennials are events you attend if you're "in the art world." Venice is the exception. Two million people visited the 2024 edition. Not all of them could tell you what a biennale is. They came because the setting sells itself — contemporary art inside a 16th-century shipyard and across manicured gardens on the lagoon.
The 2026 edition, "In Minor Keys," is curated by Koyo Kouoh. The theme moves away from the political urgency of recent editions and leans into quieter, more intimate work. Expect installations that reward patience over spectacle.
How much are Venice Biennale 2026 tickets?
All tickets cover both Giardini and Arsenale — the two main exhibition venues.
Full price: €30. Under 26 / students: €16. Seniors (65+): €20. Children 0-6: free.
The 3-day pass costs €40 and is worth it if you want to split the visit across two days without rushing. A weekly pass is €50 for those staying longer.
Buy tickets in advance at labiennale.org to avoid queues at the entrance, especially during the first two weeks. If you're also visiting the Doge's Palace or civic museums, the Venice Museum Pass is a separate pass worth considering for those venues.
When is the Venice Biennale 2026?
May 9 to November 22, 2026. Preview days for press and professionals run May 6-8.
Opening hours change by season: May 9 to September 27: 11:00-19:00 (Arsenale stays open until 20:00 on Fridays and Saturdays). September 29 to November 22: 10:00-18:00. Last admission is 15 minutes before closing.
Closed every Monday with a few exceptions (check the official calendar — some Mondays in May, September, and November stay open).
What's at Giardini vs Arsenale?
Giardini della Biennale is where most national pavilions stand — 30+ permanent structures built by countries over the past century. Each country commissions an artist or curator. The architecture of the pavilions is part of the experience. This is where you'll find the most variety in a compact space.
Arsenale is the former Venetian shipyard — long industrial halls converted into exhibition space. The curator's main exhibition fills most of it. Installations here tend to be larger and more immersive. Plan for longer viewing times.
The two venues are a 10-minute walk apart, both in the Castello district. Start with whichever interests you more. If contemporary art installations are your priority, begin at Arsenale. If you prefer the variety of national responses, start at Giardini.
Forte Marghera (mainland, near Mestre) hosts a third section called "In Minor Keys" extended projects. Worth the trip if you have an extra half-day.
How to get there
Vaporetto lines 1 or 4.1 from Piazzale Roma, Santa Lucia train station, or San Marco. Get off at "Giardini Biennale" or "Arsenale" depending on which venue you visit first. From San Marco, it's about 15 minutes.
Walking from central Venice takes 25-35 minutes depending on your starting point. Follow signs toward Castello.
Tips most sites won't tell you
Skip opening week (May 6-15). The art world descends on Venice for Vernissage and the first days. Queues are longer, restaurants are booked, and the vaporetti are packed. Come from late May onward for a calmer experience.
Wear proper shoes. This sounds obvious, but the Biennale involves 5+ hours of walking across cobblestones, gravel paths, and concrete floors. Blisters at the Arsenale with two hours left is a specific kind of misery.
Bring water and snacks. Food options at both venues are limited and overpriced. There are refillable water fountains in the Giardini.
Don't try to see everything in one day. The Biennale covers an enormous amount of ground. Two focused visits of 3 hours each beat one exhausted 7-hour marathon. The 3-day pass (€40) exists for a reason.
Bathrooms. Visitors consistently report that facilities at both venues are basic. Plan accordingly.
Where to book
Our take: The Biennale entry is only sold at face value through the official site — there's no reseller discount, and resale guided-tour packages run far above the €30 ticket. Buy direct, then spend your money on the Venice museums that actually reward a guided visit (below).
Pair your Biennale day
The Biennale puts you in Castello and Dorsoduro — a short walk from two collections that work as a natural companion to a day of contemporary art. Skip-the-line entry is worth booking ahead in summer.
The Peggy Guggenheim Collection is the obvious pairing — modern art in Peggy's own palazzo, 20 minutes from the Giardini. If the Biennale is one stop on a wider trip, our one-day Venice itinerary and the Venice Museum Pass guide cover the rest.
- Dates
- May 9 – November 22, 2026
- Venues
- Giardini + Arsenale, Castello, Venice
- Standard ticket
- €30 (both venues) · Under 26: €16 · 3-day pass: €40
- Hours
- May–Sep: 11:00–19:00 · Oct–Nov: 10:00–18:00
- Closed
- Mondays (with exceptions)
- Book at
- labiennale.org (official) — entry sold at face value only
- Getting there
- Vaporetto 1 or 4.1 to Giardini Biennale / Arsenale
- Time needed
- 3 hours per venue · 5–7 hours total
Frequently asked questions
How much are Venice Biennale 2026 tickets?
Full-price tickets cost €30 for both venues (Giardini + Arsenale). Under 26 pay €16. Seniors (65+) pay €20. Children under 6 enter free. A 3-day pass costs €40.
When does the Venice Biennale 2026 open and close?
The 61st Venice Biennale opens May 9 and runs until November 22, 2026. Preview days for press and professionals are May 6-8.
How long do you need for the Venice Biennale?
Plan 3 hours per venue (Giardini or Arsenale), or 5-7 hours to see both in one day. Most experienced visitors split it across two days.
Is the Venice Biennale closed on Mondays?
Yes, the Biennale closes every Monday except during special weeks. Check the official calendar for exceptions — some Mondays in May, June, September, and November stay open.
Venice during the Biennale is at its most culturally charged. If you're spending more than a day, the Doge's Palace is 15 minutes from both venues and covers Venice's political history — a good counterbalance to contemporary art. The Gallerie dell'Accademia is also running Marina Abramović: Transforming Energy through 19 October 2026, timed to this Biennale and threaded through its Renaissance rooms. For other Italian museums, see our Rome and Florence guides.
Last verified: April 2026