Campanile di San Giorgio Maggiore

Campanile di San Giorgio Maggiore rises on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore in Venice, directly across the water from Piazza San Marco. Overshadowed by its far more famous namesake on the main square, this bell tower quietly offers one of the finest panoramic views in the entire city.

What is the history behind this tower?

A first bell tower was built on this spot in 1467, part of the Benedictine monastery complex that once occupied the island. It stood for over three centuries before collapsing in 1774. The reconstruction, completed in 1791, was carried out in Neoclassical style, with proportions deliberately echoing the campanile on Piazza San Marco across the basin — a visual dialogue between the two towers that still defines the Venetian skyline today.

The tower forms part of the Basilica di San Giorgio Maggiore, designed by Andrea Palladio, one of the most influential architects of the Renaissance. Construction of the basilica ran from 1566 to 1610, and its bright white marble facade remains one of the most recognizable silhouettes along the lagoon.

How do you get to the island and the tower?

San Giorgio Maggiore is a separate island, cut off from the rest of Venice by the waters of St Mark's Basin. The easiest way to reach it is by vaporetto line 2 from the San Zaccaria stop, a short walk from Piazza San Marco. The crossing takes only a few minutes, and a single ticket costs around €9.50 (valid for 75 minutes, including any connections within that window).

Inside the basilica, a lift takes visitors straight to the top of the tower — a welcome contrast to many other Venetian towers, which require climbing narrow, steep staircases. Access to the top requires a separate ticket, typically a few euros (prices fluctuate, so it's worth checking the current rate on site).

What will you see from the top?

The tower stands roughly 63 metres tall. From the viewing platform, the panorama is widely considered among the best in Venice: Piazza San Marco with the Doge's Palace and the Basilica di San Marco sit in full view across the basin, gondolas and vaporetti crisscross the water below, and further out the lagoon islands unfold, including Giudecca. Unlike the often-crowded terrace of the Campanile di San Marco, this viewpoint tends to be noticeably quieter.

When is the best time to visit?

Early morning right after opening, or late afternoon before sunset, are the best windows — the light flatters the facades along the waterfront, and the island sees far fewer visitors than the opposite shore of the basin. Keep in mind that the basilica and tower can close temporarily during religious services, so it's worth checking opening hours before setting out.

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit the tower without long queues? San Giorgio Maggiore receives far fewer visitors than Piazza San Marco, so lift queues here are usually short, even during peak season.

Do you have to climb stairs to reach the top? No — a lift carries visitors to the top, making this tower accessible even to those who cannot or prefer not to tackle the steep staircases typical of other Venetian bell towers.

How much time should you set aside for the island and tower? Visiting the basilica and riding up the tower usually takes about an hour in total, including the round-trip vaporetto crossing.

Is the view different from the one atop the Campanile on Piazza San Marco? Yes — from here you see Piazza San Marco itself from the outside, along with the Doge's Palace and the basin, a perspective impossible to get while standing on the campanile across the water.