San Giorgio Maggiore at a glance
San Giorgio Maggiore is a small island across the Bacino San Marco from the Piazzetta. From the waterfront by the Piazzetta you see its church and tower on the other side of the water. A short boat ride takes you there.
This page is about the church and the island. The bell tower is temporarily closed for extraordinary maintenance, and the operator has announced no reopening date. Do not plan a visit around the tower until the operator confirms it is open again.
The bell tower is closed
The operator's website shows a closure notice.
The tower of San Giorgio Maggiore is closed for extraordinary maintenance. The notice gives no start or end date, and a reopening is only to be announced. That means there is no ticket to buy and no lift ride to plan for now. Older blog posts and videos about the view from the tower describe a situation that does not apply at the moment.
The church is a separate matter. Church hours are not tower hours, so a church that is open says nothing about the tower. If the tower reopens, the operator will announce it on its own website. Check there before you cross the water for the view.
If you want a high view over the lagoon today, the Campanile on St Mark's Square is the alternative. It has a bell chamber at about 60 m and is reached only by lift. Our Campanile guide has the details.
Tours around St Mark's Square and the lagoon
Guided walks around the square, boat trips and combined tickets, with live prices and availability. Check what each offer includes before you book.
What you can visit on the island
Opening times as the operator publishes them.
The basilica
The church is open daily from 09:00 to 18:00 according to the operator. Check the website on the day, because services and events can change access.
Sunday Mass
Sunday Mass is at 11:00 in the Cappella della Deposizione. If you come for the service, arrive in good time.
The view back to the square
Even without the tower, the crossing gives you the reverse angle. From the water you look back at the Campanile, the Doge's Palace and the Piazzetta. The crossing is short, so you can make it just for this view.
How to get to San Giorgio Maggiore
The island has its own stop, San Giorgio, on the public water bus.
| Start | Boat | Time to the island |
|---|---|---|
| San Zaccaria, near the square | Line 2 | About 3 minutes |
| Santa Lucia station (Ferrovia) | Line 2 | About 45 minutes, per the operator |
| Piazzale Roma | Line 2 | About 40 minutes, per the operator |
The longer times are for the trip to the island, not for the faster Grand Canal run to the Giardinetti stop. Giardinetti and San Zaccaria are different stops on different branches, so there is no single San Marco jetty. From the square, walk along the waterfront to the San Zaccaria stop and board there.
Line 2 follows the autumn timetable since 14 September 2026, and its extension from San Marco to the Lido has ended. Do not plan with a summer timetable. A normal 75-minute ticket costs €9.50 in 2026, and 24-hour, 48-hour, 72-hour and 7-day passes cost €25, €35, €45 and €65. Validate your ticket when you board. For the full water-bus system and the Grand Canal, see getting around Venice. Our page on getting to St Mark's Square covers the way to the square itself.
Plan the crossing with the rest of your visit
The island fits easily into a day on the square.
Best time for St Mark's Square
Light, crowds and seasons around the square.
History of St Mark's Square
How the square and its buildings came about.
A sensible order is a morning on the square, lunch, and a late-afternoon crossing, so that you are back before the basilica closes at 18:00. The island is small, and the boat ride itself is short. Allow extra time for waiting at the stop. Line 2 runs from San Zaccaria via San Giorgio towards the Giudecca, so check the direction before you board.
Before you leave, do three quick checks: the closure notice for the tower and the church hours on the operator's website, the current line 2 timetable, and the weather. The crossing is short, but an open boat deck is not much shelter in rain or wind.
San Giorgio Maggiore: frequently asked questions
Is the San Giorgio Maggiore bell tower open?
No. The tower is temporarily closed for extraordinary maintenance, and a reopening is only to be announced. The operator's notice gives no dates. Do not buy or plan a tower visit until the operator confirms it is open again.
Can I still visit the church?
Yes. The basilica is open daily from 09:00 to 18:00 according to the operator. The closed tower does not affect the church.
How do I get to San Giorgio Maggiore from St Mark's Square?
Walk to the San Zaccaria stop and take line 2 to San Giorgio. The ride takes about 3 minutes. A 75-minute ticket costs €9.50 in 2026.
Is there Mass at San Giorgio Maggiore?
Sunday Mass is at 11:00 in the Cappella della Deposizione. Hours can change, so check the operator's website on the day.
Where is the best view of St Mark's Square from the water?
From the water bus you look back at the Campanile, the Doge's Palace and the Piazzetta. For a view from height today, use the Campanile on the square.