San Giorgio island
Abbazia di San Giorgio Maggiore
Church of San Giorgio Maggiore
Island church offering stunning panoramic views of Venice from its bell tower.
San Giorgio
www.abbaziasangiorgio.it
+39 375 632 3595
While entry to the church is free, elevator tickets to the bell tower (€6) are purchased on site.
Additional resources
What makes it special
So photographed!
Because of its location opposite Piazza San Marco, the church often appears in everyone's holiday photos, sometimes without them even realizing it.
A dazzling interior
Its facade, meticulously crafted from fine marble, hints at the grandeur inside: a luminous, spacious interior showcasing two major Tintoretto masterpieces — The Last Supper and Gathering the Manna.
Breathtaking aerial vistas
Accessible by elevator, the bell tower offers panoramic views of the Venetian skyline, rivaled only by those from Campanile di San Marco.
Your experience here
- Enter a bright, spacious church graced by Tintoretto's dynamic works.
- Enjoy breathtaking views like those from Campanile di San Marco — but this time, with the iconic tower included in the shot.
- Not a fan of heights? The waterfront in front of the church offers stunning ground-level views of the San Marco Basin.
How to get to San Giorgio
Take vaporetto Line 2 directly from Piazza San Marco — after just one stop, you’ll arrive right on the waterfront in front of the church.
If you plan to explore Venice by waterbus throughout the day, a day pass is a practical and cost-effective choice.
More to discover on the island
If you’re not in a hurry to return to Venice’s main island, take a detour to the adjacent monumental former Benedictine abbey (later used as barracks and prison) that now houses Fondazione Giorgio Cini.
This non-profit cultural hub features art exhibitions, a vast library and archive, and outdoors, a 1km-long trail through a green maze and an open-air amphitheater framed by lush botanical greenery.
Don’t miss the free glass exhibition, Le Stanze del Vetro, and if you’re interested, Le Stanze della Fotografia (which requires an entry fee).
What to see nearby
These top spots are just a short walk from San Giorgio Maggiore:
10-15 min away
Riva degli Schiavoni
10-15 min away
Punta della Dogana
10-15 min away
Chiesa della Pieta (Vivaldi Church)
10-15 min away
Bridge of Sighs
10-15 min away
San Zaccaria
10-15 min away
Naval History Museum
10-15 min away
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