Campanile di San Giorgio Maggiore - Image 1
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Campanile di San Giorgio Maggiore

4.3
·254 reviews·Venice, Italy

Ascend the Campanile di San Giorgio Maggiore for breathtaking, crowd-free panoramic views of Venice and its lagoon.

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Early mornings or late afternoons

Fewer crowds, better light

CrowdLow
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Campanile di San Giorgio Maggiore - Image 1

Campanile di San Giorgio Maggiore

Best Time

Early mornings or late afternoons

Fewer crowds, better light

CrowdLow

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Ascend the Campanile di San Giorgio Maggiore for breathtaking, crowd-free panoramic views of Venice and its lagoon.

4.3
(254 reviews)

"Compared to the one on Piazza San Marco, it is a little lower, but architecturally very similar. Here you will definitely appreciate the peace and fewer people."

Vertical photo
TIP

🎯 Cash Only for Bell Tower

Bring cash for the €8 bell tower ticket. No cards accepted! :moneybag:

🚶‍♀️ Escape St. Mark's Crowds

A short vaporetto ride offers stunning, less crowded views than St. Mark's Campanile. ⛴️

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Rating

4.3 · 254 reviews

Type

Church

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Panoramic Venetian Lagoon Views

Panoramic Venetian Lagoon Views

Bell Tower

Ascend the bell tower for unparalleled 360-degree vistas of Venice, St. Mark's Square, and the surrounding lagoon.

Peaceful Basilica Exploration

Peaceful Basilica Exploration

Basilica di San Giorgio Maggiore

Wander through the serene basilica, a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture, before or after your tower ascent.

Lagoonfront Sunset Spot

Lagoonfront Sunset Spot

Seaside in front of the Basilica

Experience a magical sunset over Venice from the tranquil shores of San Giorgio island.

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Planning Your Visit

Escape the Crowds for Epic Views

Skip the queues at St. Mark's Campanile and head to San Giorgio Maggiore for stunning, less crowded panoramic views of Venice. It's a short vaporetto ride away and offers a more peaceful experience. Remember to bring cash for the ticket!

Cash is King for Bell Tower Access

The €8 ticket for the Campanile di San Giorgio Maggiore bell tower is strictly cash-only. Ensure you have enough euros on hand to avoid disappointment, as card payments are not accepted at the entrance.

Best Times

When
Early mornings or late afternoons
Why
Fewer crowds, better light
Crowd
Low
When
Weekdays in shoulder seasons
Why
Quieter atmosphere
Crowd
Low
When
Sunset
Why
Golden hour magic
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

We were able to enjoy the best 360 view of Venice at the San Giorgio Maggiore Church. The church itself is gorgeous and the views are stunning from the bell tower which is only accessible by lift. #venice #italy #budgettravel #veniceitaly #europedestinations #exploreeurope
@tripsbytroinski
270 likes • 8.9K views

🎯 Cash Only for Bell Tower

Bring cash for the €8 bell tower ticket. No cards accepted! :moneybag: Reddit

🚶‍♀️ Escape St. Mark's Crowds

A short vaporetto ride offers stunning, less crowded views than St. Mark's Campanile. ⛴️ TikTok

Some views are just instantly recognizable. That moment when you step up to the water's edge and see the Campanile di San Giorgio Maggiore towering over the lagoon? Pure Venice magic. From the busy water taxi dock, it’s a perfect mix of ancient history and bustling modern life. Had to stop and get a closer look with the telescope—a classic tourist move, but totally worth it to soak in all the deta...
@wasispeaks
57 likes • 838 views
Venezia è unica 💜 #venezia #sangiorgiomaggiore #viaggiare #consiglidiviaggio
@rossella_corea
303 likes • 17.7K views

🌅 Best Sunset Views

The island offers a prime spot for breathtaking sunset views over Venice. :city_sunset: TikTok

🔭 Telescope Views

Enjoy detailed views of Venice with the telescope at the top of the tower. 🔭 TikTok

The most stunning sunset view of Venice from the bell tower at San Giorgio Maggiore 🌅 @Brandon Godsey #venice #venezia #italy #italia #sunset #sangiorgio #sangiorgiomaggiore #belltower #bell #tower #campanile #stunning #beautiful #honeymoon #love #church #cathedral #mass #water
@lindsey_godsey
376 likes • 13.2K views

Tips

from all over the internet

🎯 Cash Only for Bell Tower

Bring cash for the €8 bell tower ticket. No cards accepted! :moneybag: Reddit

🚶‍♀️ Escape St. Mark's Crowds

A short vaporetto ride offers stunning, less crowded views than St. Mark's Campanile. ⛴️ TikTok

🌅 Best Sunset Views

The island offers a prime spot for breathtaking sunset views over Venice. :city_sunset: TikTok

🔭 Telescope Views

Enjoy detailed views of Venice with the telescope at the top of the tower. 🔭 TikTok

⛪ Free Basilica Entry

Explore the beautiful Basilica di San Giorgio Maggiore for free before heading up the tower. ⛪ TikTok

What Travellers Say

4.3
(254 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors consistently praise the Campanile di San Giorgio Maggiore for its breathtaking, less crowded panoramic views of Venice, often deeming it a superior alternative to St. Mark's Campanile. The peaceful atmosphere and the free entry to the beautiful basilica are also highlighted as major positives. Some travelers have experienced unexpected closures and note the cash-only policy for tickets.

"The Campanile offers breathtaking and unique views of the entire Venetian lagoon. Compared to the one on Piazza San Marco, it is a little lower, but architecturally very similar. Here you will definitely appreciate the peace and fewer people. Welcome, just walk through the basilica, buy a ticket for 8 EUR (cash only), get on the elevator and Venice is at your fingertips. I definitely recommend it, let's face it, you will enjoy it here more than in the crowded square opposite."

Peter Seno

"8 Euro entrance, only cash, only at the entrance. But the views are absolutely worth it. We visited the San Marco tower and this was way better. Very few people, so you can enjoy the views as much as you want. If you have a day pass, it's worth to take the water bus here and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere. The church is free."

Václav Johanna

"Only cash! 8 euro full price. Best place to observe the city! In the beginning of November is almost empty. Very enjoyable view. Totally worth visiting this small island."

Olga Udod

What People Like

Spectacular panoramic views
Fewer crowds
Peaceful atmosphere

What People Dislike

Cash-only tickets
Occasional unexpected closures

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

The easiest way is to take Vaporetto Line 2 from the San Marco Vallaresso stop directly to the San Giorgio island. It's just one stop and takes only a few minutes. TikTok Many visitors find this a much more relaxed journey than navigating the crowded main island. Reddit

Yes, Vaporetto Line 2 is a frequent service that connects San Giorgio Maggiore to major points in Venice, including St. Mark's Square and Rialto. TikTok It's a convenient and scenic way to reach the island. Reddit

No, San Giorgio Maggiore is an island, so you must take a boat (vaporetto) to reach it. Walking is not an option. TikTok

The vaporetto ride on Line 2 from San Marco Vallaresso to San Giorgio takes approximately 5-10 minutes. TikTok

While water taxis are an option, they are significantly more expensive. The vaporetto is the most common and cost-effective public transport method. TikTok

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

The ticket price for the bell tower is €8 per person. TikTok+1 It's important to note that this fee is strictly for the bell tower ascent; entry to the basilica itself is free. Reddit

Currently, tickets for the Campanile di San Giorgio Maggiore are only available for purchase in person at the entrance. Reddit It's recommended to have cash ready, as card payments are not accepted. Reddit

The bell tower typically opens around 10:00 AM and closes at 6:00 PM, with the last entrance usually around 5:30 PM. TikTok However, hours can vary seasonally and due to unforeseen circumstances, so it's wise to check locally if possible. Reddit

Yes, there have been instances where the Campanile was unexpectedly closed, even with indications online or at the church. Reddit It's advisable to confirm its operational status on the day of your visit if possible, especially during off-peak seasons. Reddit

Information regarding specific discounts for children or seniors is not widely available. The standard ticket price is €8. TikTok+1

📸 📸 Photography

The absolute best photo opportunities are from the top of the bell tower, offering panoramic views of Venice. TikTok+2 The seaside in front of the basilica also provides a fantastic vantage point for capturing St. Mark's Square across the lagoon. Reddit

Yes, photography is allowed from the top of the bell tower. You'll get incredible shots of the entire Venetian lagoon, the city skyline, and even the Dolomites on a clear day. TikTok+1

Absolutely! The Campanile di San Giorgio Maggiore is highly recommended for sunset photos, offering a magical golden hour glow over Venice. TikTok+1

Generally, photography is permitted inside the basilica, but it's always a good idea to be respectful and avoid flash photography, especially during services. TikTok

From the Campanile di San Giorgio Maggiore, you get a unique, slightly elevated perspective of St. Mark's Square and the Doge's Palace across the water, often with fewer people in your frame. TikTok

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

Yes, there is a cafe located next to the Basilica that offers coffee and pastries, including seasonal fritelle during Carnival. Reddit It's a nice spot for a break. Reddit

The cafe offers typical Italian cafe fare like coffee and snacks. For a wider range of dining options, you'll need to return to the main islands of Venice. Reddit

It's a pleasant spot for a coffee or a light snack with a view. Reddit However, for a full meal experience, most visitors opt to dine back in the more central areas of Venice. Reddit

While there are no specific rules against it, it's generally more considerate to dine at designated cafes or restaurants. There are beautiful spots to sit and enjoy the view, though. Reddit

The cafe next to the Basilica offers a pleasant view, but for full-service restaurants with direct views of St. Mark's Square, you'd typically find those on the main Venetian islands. Reddit

🎫 💡 Onsite Experience

Visitors describe it as a peaceful and rewarding experience. You take a modern lift to the top for stunning panoramic views, often with far fewer people than at St. Mark's Campanile. Reddit The basilica itself is also a beautiful and serene space to explore. TikTok

The bell tower is accessed via a lift, making it accessible for most visitors. Reddit However, there is no option to walk up the stairs. Reddit

A visit to the bell tower and basilica can take anywhere from 1 to 2 hours, depending on how long you spend enjoying the views and exploring the church. TikTok

The Campanile di San Giorgio Maggiore is generally less crowded, offering a more relaxed viewing experience. Reddit While slightly lower, the views are considered by many to be equally, if not more, breathtaking and unique. Reddit

Yes, entry to the Basilica di San Giorgio Maggiore is free. TikTok The fee is only for ascending the bell tower. TikTok