The finely crafted marble facade foreshadows a luminous interior featuring at least four Tintoretto masterpieces, created with the assistance of his son Domenico.

Breathtaking aerial vistas

Accessible by elevator, the bell tower offers panoramic views of the Venetian skyline, rivaled only by those from San Marco Campanile.

San Giorgio Maggiore : View over the Piazza San Marco with San Marco Campanile and Doge's Palace easily identifiable

Discover more about San Giorgio Maggiore through 24 photos with explanations.

Open gallery

What to expect here

Enter a bright, spacious church graced by Tintoretto's dynamic works.
Enjoy breathtaking views like those from San Marco Campanile - 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

San Giorgio Maggiore : From its waterfront, you can enjoy incredible views of Venice

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.

Waterbus Guide

The panoramic views, compared

San Giorgio Maggiore : View towards the Venetian skyline

The obvious choice to see Venice from above is the iconic San Marco Campanile.

So how do the two viewpoints compare?

From this spot, you can see the Campanile itself in the frame, along with the Doge's Palace and other iconic landmarks of the Venetian skyline - all across the water, with the endless lagoon unfolding behind.

Another advantage is that the ticket price is about half that of the Campanile.

San Marco Campanile, on the other hand, excels as Venice's highest viewpoint, offering spectacular views over Piazza San Marco and the crowds below: stunning by day and magical at night.

Choosing between the two depends on whether you prefer a broader panorama with more landmarks in view, or the dramatic height and energy of St. Mark's Square itself.

In our opinion, both towers are worth visiting, offering breathtaking views of a city that’s just as scenic from above.

Explore the Campanile

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).

Cini Foundation Website

Your questions, answered

We've answered some of the most common questions about San Giorgio Maggiore to help you plan your visit:

Are the bells loud if I'm at the top of the tower when they ring?

Yes. On the hour, the massive bells will ring right next to you. It's a thrilling, but very loud experience, so if you have sensitive ears, try to time your ascent outside that time window.