San Giorgio Maggiore Church

Beautiful church with impressive art and the unique mindset to have some modern art as part of the worship space. Forward thinking monastic curator and community. So sad that the elevation was broken- no stairs to go up the bell tower! Worth the short ferry ride, with a beautiful view. Not much else on the island.

Worth the effort to get across the lagoon to see the church (free) and to take the elevator to the top of the tower for 8 euros per person (cash only) It's not crowded and the views are fantastic. I found it interesting to watch the choreographed chaos of the boats from this vantage point. It's a wonder there aren't more collisions

Was a dream to step foot here, some of the best architecture venice has to offer, only negative was that we weren't able to go up to the bell tower because its cash only so keep that in mind if you are looking to get up there. Regardless i would still recommend to anyone going to venice. A must see

I visited September 2nd. I studied Palladian architecture at Cambridge when I was younger and this was my first time to Italy so I had to visit this beautiful church. It was truly amazing the composite pilasters and columns, the Diocletian windows and especially the high altar. Later that morning Isabella gave me a wonderful behind the scenes tour. Beautiful art, and the room where the conclave met 1799-1800 to elect Pius VII. Pro tip: I enjoyed going up the campanile here more than the crowded San Marco one! Next time I return to Venice I will visit this lovely church again!!!

An inconspicuous basilica with a rich history. In the past, it even hosted conclaves. Entrance to the basilica is free, you can walk up to the bell tower, which offers unique views. This place is definitely not to be missed when visiting Venice.

it was so worth going 2 mins across the water for the view and also cheaper to go up the campanile here than san Marco's. it was €8 cash only to go up via lift only. you get a fantastic view of the main island and san Marco without a crowd. entry to the church itself is free. can't recommend coming here enough

Not worth it IMHO. The labyrinth is expensive and it's a tribute to a rich man by another rich man's foundation. Yawn. Go instead to the campanile at the top on a clear day to enjoy nice views. But save the 15 euros and save the insect bites

Free entry to the church, 8 euros (in cash) to take the lift up to the bell tower. The view from the bell tower is amazing! Way less crowded than St Mark's Bell Tower too.

Buy yourself an all day vaporetto ticket, and take the ride to San Giorgio. We went in the church (free), and if you walk about half way, and then go left to the back of the building, to find the entrance to the Bell Tower. It's 8€ to take the elevator to the top. No lines, no crowds....just great views. And a free bathroom, at the steps to the elevator.

San Giorgio Maggiore is a Benedictine church built in the 16th century,. The architect is Andrea Palladio in a classical Renaissance style. The church's facade is made of a brilliant white marble. It is located on the island directly opposite Saint Mark's Square. The church of San Giorgio Maggiore is just a 5 minute vaporetto ride from the S. Zaccaria stop. The number 2 vaporetto takes you to the island and the church. A mass is held on Sunday at 11 am and conducted in Gregorian Chant. Entrance to the church and mass are free. The church is filled with great works of art like the "Adoration of the Shepards (Bassano)," The Last Supper" (Tintoretto) and" St, George and the Dragon" (Carpaccio) to name a few. The interior is of white Istrian stone and is illuminated by natural sunlight in a most magical way. There is a bell tower which has a lift. It costs 5 Euros and gives you magnificent views of Venice, St. Mark's Square, the Adriatic sea and on a clear day the Alps. It is significantly less visited than other sites and therefore has short lines or no lines at all. When you are at the top of the bell tower you are not crowded and can take your time with photos. Built by Palladio (1566) the architecture became the inspiration for the Thomas Jefferson Monticello.

What more could you ask for than an island church built by Palladio decorated by famous artists with commanding views from its companile? That is San Giorgio Maggiore. This church is worth the vaporetto ride over from St. Mark's Square. Most tourists just take pictures of this church in passing. The church is richly decorated by Tintoretto, Bassano, and Carpaccio. We have visited this church many times before; but, this time we decided to take the elevator to the top of the campanile (€ 6 each). Wow, we were treated to spectacular views of all of Venice. There was hardly a cloud in the sky; so, the views in all directions were wonderful.

I decided to take the tour boat over to the island church it was a great view of St Marks Square across the bay. I wish my church was built like this one I would go every week. The architecture is amazing and has to be seen in person to get the full effect. You can't beat the view of the square across the bay it's worth the boat ride.

You know that classic photo of a distant church in a lagoon with gondolas in front? That photo that always appears in travel websites? That church is the little-known S. Giorgio Maggiore! Located on an isolated island even from the nearby Giudecca, the only way you can reach this island is by private boat or the infrequent vaporetto route 2, so this island church is extraordinarily tranquil even when Piazza San Marco across the lagoon is crowded. While the church itself may be not worth the cross-lagoon ride, the bell tower view is, especially during sunset! For €6 (€4 reduced), you can access the top of the church bell tower via a modern elevator and see the view of the Venetian skyline that is perhaps even better than from the more famous St. Mark's Campanile! But even if you do not intend to pay for a bell tower view, the quiet bank where you can see St. Mark Square from a distant yet clear view without the crowd. Because of the infrequent vaporetto route, I recommend coming here only if you have plenty of time to afford getting stranded on this isolated church for a bit. I would not place this destination as a must-go, but its peace and quiet is certainly worth a ride if you can afford the time! --- tl;dr version: 1) Isolated island across from the bustling St. Mark's Square 2) Reachable only by few boats, so not recommended if you are short on time 3) Tranquil refuge from the bustle with a terrific skyline view on the bell tower

forget the campanile de San Marco, take the vaparetto to the other side of the canale grande to the Chiesa San Giorgio and the included tower. Free entry for the church and some euros for the tower, no waiting time without the water bus :-) a nice and quite place, a beautiful look over venice up to the beach (lido) and also the harbour with the very big cruise ship like costa and aida but bigger the MSC, twice as high on the horizon enjoy the view from the tower, the ar in the church and the area around

Fabulous, must do! It is so beautiful to see the church grounds, Giudecca, boat traffic, and the many island that Venice. It is a short 8 minute water bus ride from San Zacchariah stop. Wonderful, wonderful.