Scuole Grandi
The 7 Best Views Over Venice
From Above
Venice is breathtaking when viewed from above — its iconic landmarks, maze of canals, and shimmering lagoon create a view unlike any other city.
It’s only natural to seek out the best vantage points to soak it all in.
Luckily, the city offers plenty — each with its own historic charm and a unique perspective that reveals yet another layer of Venice’s timeless beauty.
Up next, you’ll find key details and photos to help you compare the options and choose the perfect views for your visit.
1
The highest view
From the belfry of Campanile di San Marco
This is perhaps the most iconic vantage point, and for good reason: it's located at the top of the tallest structure in Venice.
The view
Campanile di San Marco towers impressively high, providing far-reaching views over the city and all of Piazza San Marco.
Also unique is the chance to experience a nighttime view of the city from above, thanks to the tower's extended opening hours.
The view is panoramic in all directions, interrupted only by the white columns of the belfry.
View towards the west, with the entire Piazza San Marco at your feet
The same view by night, with the city cloaked in mystery
From here, you can already see the next viewpoint across the lagoon: San Giorgio Maggiore
Practical info
The climb is easy, thanks to an elevator.
You can theoretically stay as long as you like.
Standard onsite admission is €10. To avoid waiting in queues, consider purchasing an online skip-the-line ticket for €12.
2
The best view for the price
From the bell tower of San Giorgio Maggiore
Just one stop away on water bus #2, across the lagoon from Piazza San Marco, is the tiny island of San Giorgio, home to the church of the same name.
The view
From the belltower of San Giorgio Maggiore, you can enjoy breathtaking views similar to those from Campanile di San Marco — but this time, with the iconic tower included in the frame, fewer crowds, and at a fraction of the price.
Here too, the panorama stretches in all directions, interrupted only by the tower's brick pillars and their white stone exteriors. The view is especially striking for its sweeping vistas of Venice's monumental waterfront, Riva degli Schiavoni, and the endless lagoon beyond.
Take in some of Venice’s most iconic landmarks, framed by the distant Alps
There’s a whole tapestry of landmarks layered across the cityscape
In the opposite direction lies the vast expanse of the lagoon and the Adriatic Sea
Practical info
The climb is easy, thanks to an elevator.
You can theoretically stay as long as you like.
While entry to the church is free, elevator tickets to the bell tower (€6) are purchased on site.
3
The view you'll have to earn
From the outer balcony of La Cupola of Santa Maria della Salute
This spectacular baroque church dominates the southern entrance of the Canal Grande.
From a small balcony at the base of its towering dome, nestled between statues of angels and saints, you can enjoy up-close views of the boat traffic along Venice's main waterway, as well as the San Marco basin.
The view
La Cupola of Santa Maria della Salute offers the only vantage point that is both high and close to Canal Grande.
The climb is a bit of an adventure, but the effort is more than rewarded. From the top, the view faces north and spans just over 180 degrees.
The entrance to Canal Grande, seen from above the basilica's many statues
To the east, the San Marco Basin is alive with its usual bustling boat traffic
You'll be high above the waterfront
Practical info
The climb can be challenging, involving a very narrow staircase with about 150 steps.
Visits are guided and start every 30 minutes, with about 20 minutes allowed on the balcony.
The balcony is quite narrow, and there's even a chokepoint in the middle where you'll need to squeeze through to get to the other half.
Standard onsite admission is €8, with the option to book a timeslot online for the same price.
4
The highest open air view
From the rooftop terrace of Palazzo Pisani
This is the very same terrace where Poirot meets Ariadne for breakfast in A Haunting in Venice (2023).
In fact, the palace also appeared in two James Bond films (Moonraker and Casino Royale), as well as in the 2023 Mission Impossible.
The view
The terrace at Palazzo Pisani is the only true panoramic viewpoint in Venice, offering uninterrupted, sweeping vistas of the city from a prime location.
Like Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible - only higher
The colossal Basilica dei Frari dominates the skyline to the west of the Grand Canal
Are you there already?
Practical info
The climb difficulty is moderate, with many wide interior steps, but no one rushes you except for your eagerness to reach the top.
The terrace is spacious, surrounded by a metal railing, and can accommodate up to 40 people.
Visits are guided and last about 1.5 hours, including a captivating tour of the palace (now a music conservatory) and ample time on the terrace.
The price of the tour is €20.
5
The view that charms
The staircase at Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo
If, from a higher vantage point, you spotted the tip of the iconic staircase and thought it was struggling to rise above the other rooftops… don't just dismiss it yet.
The experience
The staircase at Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo must be the most charming ascent in Venice, offering glimpses outside as you climb and rewarding you with sweeping views over the city's rooftops.
At each level, partial 180° views are framed by the elegant white columns, gradually revealing the ascent's height. Only at the top does the full 270° panorama unfold.
Because who doesn’t feel better surrounded by bright, happy yellow?
Looking down - not so modest a height anymore, right?
Views across the rooftops in the direction of Piazza San Marco
Practical info
The climb difficulty is moderate, with around 80 wide steps spiraling up.
You can theoretically stay as long as you like.
Standard admission is €9.
6
The most insightful view
The upper terrace and rooftop of Torre dell'Orologio
You've likely passed through the portal at its base and admired the intricate clock face.
But did you know you can ascend to the rooftop, get up close to the giant bronze Moors, and enjoy one of the most striking close-up views of Piazza San Marco's iconic landmarks?
The view
The rooftop of Torre dell'Orologio offers offers some of the best close-up views of Basilica di San Marco.
The panorama is only partially interrupted by the tower's upper structure and the two giant bronze Moors. It's high enough to feel 'above Venice', even while remaining in the shadow of the nearby Campanile di San Marco.
Only 12 people per tour means you’ll enjoy the upper terraces without the crowds
The view winds through the most iconic sights in Piazza San Marco
Finally above the busy Merceria - and above all of Venice
Practical info
The climb can be a bit challenging at times, with some sections featuring narrow or spiraling staircases.
Visits are guided and last around one hour, with fascinating insights into the tower's construction, the clock mechanism, and the lives of its guardians.
Standard admission is €14. Reservation is mandatory. The ticket also includes access to the Correr Museum.
7
The most romantic view
Through the Gothic arches of Ca' d'Oro's upper loggia
Named the 'Golden House' for its once-glittering facade, this iconic palace now hosts Baron Franchetti's donated collection of paintings, sculptures, and ceramics.
Few ever discover that from the upper loggia, through the delicate lacework of the arches, you gain an exclusive, elevated glimpse of the bustling Canal Grande.
The view
Since Fondaco dei Tedeschi closed its doors, the loggia of Ca' d'Oro has become the rare spot for direct, crowd-free views of the Canal Grande. Facing southwest, it offers a sweeping 180-degree panorama.
Inside the palace, you'll also find a compelling art collection and a dazzling marble mosaic floor - making the experience as enriching as the view itself.
Gaze toward Rialto Bridge and notice the outside delicate lion sculptures
In the opposite direction, you can instantly recognize the colossal facade of Ca' Pesaro
Practical info
The climb is easy, and there's also an elevator connecting the palace's floors.
Take your time - the loggia invites you to linger as long as you wish.
Standard admission is €8. Free entry on the first Sunday of each month.