Best of · GRAND CANAL GONDOLA RIDES
The Grand Canal is wide, busy and the reason people photograph Venice, and a gondola crossing it competes with vaporetti the whole way. These 15 say which routes stay on the big water, which cut into the side canals, and what each costs a head.
Review of Venice’s $41 shared gondola ride, with Grand Canal views, quiet canals, VR history, app commentary, and practical booking tips.
“Very hard to find it but it was a good activity and the guide was really nice”
Ride Venice’s Grand Canal by gondola, hear live stories, visit the Gondola Gallery, and experience a historic felze for $48.
“I enjoyed the ride on the gondola and also the tour guide knowledge about the history of Venice and the Gondola.”
Review of Venice’s $46 shared gondola ride, including the Grand Canal route, meeting point, timing, value, and practical booking tips.
“Very much enjoyed. The gondola driver doesn’t interact though.”
Review of Venice’s Grand Canal gondola ride, with route details, live commentary, VR add-on, group size, price, tips, and honest drawbacks.
“We went as two couples and had such a great time! The gondola ride was beautiful, and cruising along the Grand Canal (unfortunately no live commentary during the ride). But It was still fun, scenic, and a memorable way to experience Venice. Definitely recommend it for couples or friends looking to enjoy a classic Venetian moment!”
Review of Venice's private 30-minute gondola ride, with Grand Canal views, quiet waterways, practical tips, costs, and honest drawbacks.
“We couldn’t come to Venice without a traditional gondola ride. Would recommend.”
Review of Venice’s shared gondola ride and Gondola Gallery, with Grand Canal views, VR history, practical tips, price, and honest drawbacks.
“Sadly it was not how we wanted.. it was very confusing it was unclear where to meet - after 90 minutes of walking around the city we located the office in a newspaper stand near the post office and vendi outside of St Marks square only to be told the location changed - it was frustrating but there was some communication via email with the office but there information was inaccurate… Next time we’ll wait until day of to do condola ride - and this company should learn too be sure to have easy to use directions for people many who are from out of town or the country -…”
Review of Venice’s St. Mark’s Basilica tour and 30-minute gondola ride, with practical advice on value, meeting points, dress rules, and weather.
“POOR - Misleading as labeled Doge's Palace OR Gondola Ride We wanted Gondola Ride but City Tours did not offer it .....................”
Review this 30-minute Venice gondola ride with live serenade, Grand Canal views, smaller canals, shared and private options, and practical tips.
“It was a wonderful experience. We were lucky enough to have the singer on our gondola. The only negative was that the gondola ride was cut shirt, so we only had about 20 minutes instead of 30.”
Review of Venice’s private gondola ride through quiet canals, the Grand Canal, Rialto, San Marco, pricing, route choices, and booking tips.
“Travellers to Venice should be aware that gondola rides throughout Venice can be found around almost every corner for less than charged by Viator. In addition, this particular tour was disappointing for the following reasons: (1) the gondola meeting place was in the commercial district near the train station and did not include any of the nice undiscovered canals -- indeed, 50% of the tour was on the main canal and commercial waterway; (2) the gondolier was merely going through the motions -- no attempt at friendliness or explaining any of the alleged sites (perhaps because there we none) along the route; (3) the meeting place for the gondola tour…”
Review of Venice’s shared gondola serenade, with Grand Canal views, live music, Gondola Gallery, pricing, route details, and practical booking advice.
“Absolutely loved my gondola ride The serenade was beautiful and I had such a great time. Great value for money with the aperitif beforehand”
Review of Venice’s private 30 to 45-minute gondola ride from Rialto, with Grand Canal views, inner canals, price, tips, and practical advice.
“Had a wonderful time and information given was really informative, such a special experience”
Review of Venice’s 30-minute shared gondola ride, including sights, timing, meeting point, price, crowds, and who should book.
“The view was amazing and staff was friendly. I didn’t like that we had to share a gondola with another couple. There was no singing or interaction with the man driving the gondola. There was no music and the trip itself just went too fast. I feel they should last an hour for that money. It’s still very romantic.”
Review of Venice’s 30-minute gondola ride, with Grand Canal views, quiet back canals, group options, price advice, and practical tips.
“Les + : on a eut un peu de retard à cause du vaporetto et ils nous ont appelés et attendus. On était à 2 alors qu'on aurait dû être à 5. Les - : le circuit était le même pour tout le monde (on se suit à la queue leuleu). Le gondolier n'est pas en tenue "typique". Les plages horaires étaient réduites (pas pu réserver pour le soir alors qu'ailleurs oui)”
Review of Venice’s private 30-minute gondola ride, including route, price, meeting point, views, value, drawbacks, and booking advice.
“Though touristy this was a must do in our opinion while in Venice. Having the private boat made it that much more special.”
Review of Venice’s 30-minute guided gondola ride, with Grand Canal views, smaller waterways, practical tips, price advice, and honest drawbacks.
“The guide was great but the ride was 40 minutes not an hour - I could have paid half what I paid for the same amount of time - and it was pretty boring for my teenager. The gondola service owner harasses you for a tip after the ride. I don’t recommend this.”
By landmark, by kind of ride, or by the city rowing it.
