Italy · GONDOLA RIDES
The fare is set by the city and charged per boat, not per head, so the real question is who you share with and which canals you get. These 14 rides are compared on route, length, commentary and price per person.
Shared Grand Canal gondola with app commentary, Gondola Gallery, and VR history, plus a short intro walk near San Marco.
“Great experience! Beautiful Gondola, nice views and great guide! He was so friendly and funny ! Gave us a lil background of Venice and Gondola history. Would definitely do it again !”
Shared Grand Canal gondola ride with live guide stories, an orientation walk, and the Gondola Gallery with 3D history and VR.
“Our guide Elizabeth was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about sharing the history of Venice the tradition of the Gondola. The virtual reality experience at the end was very cool although my daughter’s equipment didn’t work so she missed out on that.”
Shared Venice gondola ride with up to 5 others, gliding from quieter side canals into the Grand Canal, plus La Fenice views and Rialto area.
“A gondola is a must in Venice. The gondola ride was a great amount for the experience, the time on the gondola starts when you get onto the water. We ventured under many bridges, saw beautiful buildings, and got to really feel the luxury of Venice.”
Cruise Venice’s Grand Canal on a small gondola group with live narration or an app. Optional private ride, plus VR history.
“A really lovely afternoon experience in Venice. Warm summer afternoon by gondola tour with the audio guide to explain the city. Definitely recommend.”
St Mark’s to canals: walk past Scala del Bovolo and La Fenice, then a 30-minute gondola down the Grand Canal.
“Our guide Elena was excellent, and we had a great time on this tour and the gondola ride. Elena was highly knowledgeable and told the story of venice throughout the tour extremely well. The gondola ride started down the grand canal before turning down a side canal, with plenty of opportunities for pictures! My only negative comment would be that its hard to find the tour start, maybe having a brighter / more obvious sign would help. The area the tour starts in is quite busy, so it was hard to find which group was ours.”
Half-hour shared gondola in Venice near San Marco, gliding small canals and the Grand Canal, often under Bridge of Sighs. From $42.
“It was great, we had fun even in the awful weather! Thank you.”
Private gondola for up to 5, gliding the Grand Canal and side waterways in about 30 minutes, day or night, for a small group.
“Beautiful sights and gondola. Water traffic was busier than expected but I know that can’t be controlled”
Skip-the-line Basilica di San Marco and Palazzo Ducale, shared gondola ride with mobile commentary, and VR History Gallery.
“Our guide for the Doge Palace was so great! She knew her history and really made it come to life. Her knowledge of art was outstanding. When we were finished we did not end where we started so we were left to find our way out through the prison and rush to the gondola ride. The gondola ride was ho-hum. Got on in a long queue followed the gondola in front of us in a big circle and then got out. Done!”
Private 30-minute gondola ride on Venice's Grand Canal, plus Gondola Gallery. Dock near St Mark's, for up to five.
“The gondolier was nice and informative. The ride was short and enjoyable. Booked 30 min and the gondolier offered to take us around for a bit longer. Paid a few bucks more. Didn’t mind it. Overall we had a great experience.”
Shared gondola ride near St Mark’s Square with app commentary, a shot at passing under the Bridge of Sighs, and lagoon views.
“Memorable precious moments 🥰🥰 good value for money. Location a bit hidden and hard to find, would be easier if the meeting point would be somwhere on the main street. We nearly missed it due to not being able to find the meeting point even using Maps, it just takes you to a different location, so careful to walk to the location at least 1.5 hours before, specially because it tends to be busy and full of tourists too. the ride itself was amazing and really beautiful and staff was very nice.”
Secret Venice walking tour of hidden piazzas and Renaissance palaces, ending with a gondola ride near San Marco for $71.
“Our guide Mateo was wonderful and knowledgeable. We learned many things about Venice.”
A 30-minute gondola serenade on Venice’s canals, with singer and musician positioned for great sound while you glide past iconic waterfront sights.
“A must do experience when in Venice. The children loved it.”
Shared gondola in Venice with live onboard serenade, 30 minutes through San Marco canals and Grand Canal views, great value for the price.
“This is a lovely chance to have a gondola ride with some Italian singing. I have done this trip a few times and it is always really enjoyable.”
Florence Arno river boat tour with a live English guide, passes iconic bridges, and includes a chilled glass of wine for aperitivo.
“the tour guide was very knowledgeable about the historical events that happened in the area.”
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