Sight guide · Venice · Italy
Visiting San Giorgio Maggiore
Palladio's white church faces St Mark's from its own island across the basin.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Anton Volnuhin, CC BY 4.0
Quick answer
San Giorgio Maggiore is a religious site in San Giorgio, Venice. Allow 1 hour; it is low cost. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Religious site
- Area
- San Giorgio
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- views, architecture, art and couples
- Best months
- March and October–November
About San Giorgio Maggiore
Palladio's white church faces St Mark's from its own island across the basin. Inside are two late paintings by Tintoretto, including The Last Supper, and a lift climbs the bell tower to one of the finest views of Venice, usually with far shorter queues than the Campanile.
Tip: Take vaporetto line 2 from San Zaccaria for a two-minute crossing, and go up the tower in late afternoon.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 1 hour.
- Cost: Low cost.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: San Giorgio, a residential island across the canal with Palladio's Redentore and skyline views.
Best time to visit San Giorgio Maggiore
To avoid the biggest crowds, aim for the quietest of the good months:
- November: 12°C (54°F) highs, about 8 rainy days, quiet crowds.
- March: 13°C (55°F) highs, about 7 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- October: 18°C (64°F) highs, about 7 rainy days, busy crowds.
For the view at golden hour: in mid-November the sun sets at about 16:41 local time (calculated for Venice).
When to visit Venice has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
San Giorgio Maggiore is not on our short itineraries, so plan it as an extra once you have seen St Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace.
- No. 15 of the 20 sights in our Venice things-to-do list.
If you like San Giorgio Maggiore
- St Mark's Basilica — San Marco, 1–1.5 hours
- Doge's Palace — San Marco, 2–3 hours
- Grand Canal by vaporetto — Grand Canal, About 45 minutes
- Peggy Guggenheim Collection — Dorsoduro, 1.5–2 hours
Staying near San Giorgio Maggiore
Stay in Giudecca ($$$) to walk here: a residential island across the canal with Palladio's Redentore and skyline views. All areas to stay in Venice.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at San Giorgio Maggiore?
Plan 1 hour.
+Is San Giorgio Maggiore free?
No, it is low cost. Tickets are usually available on the day.
+When is the best time to visit San Giorgio Maggiore?
March and October–November, the quietest of the good months. Take vaporetto line 2 from San Zaccaria for a two-minute crossing, and go up the tower in late afternoon.
+Do I need to book San Giorgio Maggiore in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.