June 23, 2025, 3:29 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
In the “City of a Thousand Bridges,” one of the most spectacular and expensive weddings of our time is taking place this week. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his partner Lauren Sánchez are tying the knot—not amidst the hustle and bustle of Venice, but on the picturesque island of San Giorgio Maggiore, right in the middle of the lagoon. Discover what this special island has to offer when it’s not hosting a billionaire wedding.
Although San Giorgio Maggiore, a small island in the Venetian Lagoon, is only about 200 meters from the old town, it offers a somewhat quieter alternative to the often crowded St. Mark’s Square. It is even closer to the larger neighboring island of Giudecca–at its narrowest point, only a roughly 30-meter-wide canal separates them. Despite this proximity, San Giorgio Maggiore is a true island, as it is not connected to Giudecca by any bridge. Measuring 490 meters in length and 320 meters in width, it is not particularly large, yet there is much to see here.
Overview
Attractions on San Giorgio Maggiore
The Namesake Church
Particularly popular with tourists and also the place where Bezos and Sánchez will eventually tie the knot is the namesake church San Giorgio Maggiore. It is considered a masterpiece of Venetian Renaissance architecture and owes its current appearance to the architect Andrea Palladio, who, according to “smarttravelers,” was commissioned to rebuild it starting in 1565.
Palladio designed the facade of San Giorgio Maggiore in the style of an ancient temple: with large half-columns and a classical pediment made of light stone. This makes the church stand out clearly from the flat monastery buildings and become a striking landmark in Venice’s cityscape. The orientation is particularly clever: From St. Mark’s Square, the view falls directly on the gleaming white facade–instead of just the open sea. A special highlight for visitors is the church’s 60-meter-high bell tower. An elevator conveniently takes you to the top, where an impressive panoramic view of Venice and the lagoon awaits–many consider it the most beautiful in the city.
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Art and Gardens on San Giorgio Maggiore
In addition to the architecture, you can also admire some art treasures on San Giorgio Maggiore. These are also located in the bright, open church. Particularly well-known are two works by Jacopo Tintoretto in the chancel. There hangs his monumental “Last Supper” and the “Entombment of Christ.”
Additionally, next to the church on San Giorgio Maggiore is a former monastery, which, according to “venedig-reiseinfo,” can only be visited as part of a guided tour–usually on weekends. During the tour, you also discover the beautiful monastery gardens, including the green labyrinth “Labirinto Borges” and the antique-looking open-air theater “Teatro Verde.”
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How to Reach the Small Island in the Venetian Lagoon
San Giorgio Maggiore is easily accessible by Vaporetto–the water bus that serves as public transportation in Venice and its lagoon. Line 2, according to “Venicewelcome,” departs from St. Mark’s Square at the San Zaccaria stop and takes visitors directly to the island in just a few minutes. The landing stage is located right in front of the basilica.
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The Basilica of San Giorgio Maggiore is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and admission is free. There is an entrance fee of 8 euros (reduced to 6 euros for students and seniors over 65) for the ascent to the bell tower, which offers an impressive panoramic view of Venice. Those who wish to delve deeper into the island’s history and art can also join a guided tour. The best times to visit are early morning or late afternoon when it is quieter and the lagoon is bathed in particularly beautiful light.