San Giorgio Maggiore

"Did you know famous Impressionist painter Claude Monet was artistically inspired by the view from this church, too? Chiesa di San Giorgio Maggiore, also the name of the island on which it is located, is dedicated to Saint George and was the home of the San Giorgio Monastery from 982 to 1812.  The Fondazione Giorgio Cini cultural center and library archive, the Labirinto Borges labyrinth, the open-air theater Teatro Verde, and the Vatican Chapels are also located here on San Giorgio Maggiore island. You'll find it quieter than many other parts of Venice, and it's easy to get there by water taxi.  While San Giorgio Maggiore itself is a beautiful church, the view from the top of the bell tower is magnificent. The Campanile di San Giorgio has one of the most incredible views of Venice, with the entire city spread out in front of you."

"It is free to visit the church but you will pay €8 per person to visit the bell tower. When we did this, payment was by cash only. To get to the top of the bell tower, no steps are required. An elevator zips you to the top in just a matter of seconds. And once at the top, you get 360° views of the area."

"Take a vaporetto (water bus) to the islands of Giudecca and San Giorgio Maggiore. Be sure to check out the view from the bell tower. This is one of the few places you’ll find a sweeping panoramic of Venice."