Gondola excursions are among the most romantic things to do in Venice and are perfect for exploring the city’s hidden waterways.
We’ve selected the 13 best gondola rides in Venice to help you decide which one to book, or see our 3 top picks in the list below!
| # | Activity | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Walking Tour + Gondola Ride | From 59€ | 3h |
| 2 | St. Mark´s Basilica + Gondola Ride | From 75€ | 2h |
| 3 | St. Mark´s Basilica, Doges Palace + Gondola Ride | From 139€ | 6h 30min |
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1 – Guided Walking Tour with Gondola Ride
Rating: ⭐️ 4.5/5 (968 reviews)
Amazing experience, much much cheaper, Gondola ride was fantastic. Venice town tour was great, lot of nice places visited. Very recommend to everyone. Natalja. HEADOUT
Explore Venice by land and water on these comprehensive combination tours. This is the best of both worlds, showing off the city at its finest.
The excursion focuses on the classic areas and landmarks, making it an excellent option for your first day in town. You’ll begin by wandering along the canals with your guide, stopping at popular spots like St. Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge.
Then it’s time to embark on one of the best gondola rides in Venice. Admire the medieval architecture along the Grand Canal before heading down lesser-known waterways away from the bustle.
Our review
The energetic guides bring Venice to life on these engaging combination tours. This is a cost-effective way of exploring the city on foot and by boat. You’ll have heaps of fun and tick off many of the top attractions at the same time.
2 – St. Mark’s Basilica Tour with Gondola Ride
Rating: ⭐️ 4.4/5 (1120 reviews)
Great experiences in Venice, with both the basilica and the gondola. Monica. HEADOUT
These gondola trips in Venice combine two of the city’s most pleasurable tourist activities. As well as riding the waterways, you’ll also get to see inside the magnificent St. Mark’s Basilica.
First up is a gondola trip along the famous Grand Canal. You’ll see many of Venice’s most celebrated attractions, including Desdemona’s House and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection building.
Back on dry land, it’s time for the cathedral. Head straight in with your skip-the-line tickets and listen as your guide reveals some of the basilica’s secrets. Admire the Byzantine and Gothic architecture and lavish gold mosaic interiors.
Our review
The guides on these tours really enhance your visit with their in-depth local knowledge and quirky anecdotes. This is a solid choice for travelers wanting to experience the essence of Venice, without the hassle of arranging it themselves. The skip-the-line tickets make such a difference to queueing time too.
Read more: Best city tours in Venice
3 – St. Mark’s Basilica, Doges Palace Tour & Gondola ride
Rating: ⭐️ 5/5 (1588 reviews)
Our guide Mosses was so knowledgeable and amazing. I would recommend this to everyone who would enjoy a walk down history in Venice. jaya. Viator
Unlike most Venice gondola tours, these excursions last a full day. This means you can pack in multiple sights and get a better feel for the city than you would on a whirlwind trip.
Starting at the Rialto Bridge, you’ll learn about Venice’s food culture and visit the famous fish market. Discover what life was like for explorer Marco Polo, who used to live in this area.
A gondola ride along the Grand Canal follows and then you’ll have free time for lunch. Finish with a flourish by visiting the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica in San Marco.
Our review
The guides on these Venice gondola tours are some of the most experienced in the city. They’re full of interesting facts and amusing anecdotes, giving you an entertaining and educational day out. If you need suggestions for lunch just ask – they know all the top spots where locals go to eat.
4 – Gondola Ride with Live Commentary
Rating: ⭐️ 4.4/5 (491 reviews)
Very pleasant experience, guides speak several languages and is clear to hear them all along the way, rich information about the city and great organization from the start to finish. diandra. tiqets
These gondola tours are the real thing, with a professional gondolier propelling you along the waterways. Your host will be wearing a traditional striped shirt, just like in the movies.
You’ll glide down the Grand Canal before venturing along some of the more secluded channels that carve up the city. Highlights of the route include Mozart’s House, the Fenice Theater and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. Get your cameras ready for the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Square too.
These Venice gondola rides are popular with first-time visitors looking for that quintessential canal experience. Live commentary helps bring your surroundings to life.
Our review
This is one of the best gondola rides in Venice for visitors looking for a classic boating experience. It’s easy to arrange and takes in some of the city’s dreamy views. Book a twilight tour for an even more atmospheric outing.
5 – Private Gondola Ride with Serenade
Rating: ⭐️ 4/5 (186 reviews)
Favorite experience in Italy! Blew us away with accordion player and singer. We were the envy of everyone on the canal! amy. viator
Enjoy a bit of VIP treatment on these private gondola tours in Venice. If you want to escape the crowds and have the boat to yourself, this is the way to do it. It’s the perfect trip for families and couples looking for an exclusive experience.
Relax in your seat and watch ancient palaces and imposing cathedrals pass by. You’ll feel like visiting royalty, so remember to wave as you cruise beneath the bridges.
As an extra special touch, you’ll be serenaded by your gondolier. The traditional ballads follow you along the canals, setting the scene for Venetian adventure.
Our review
There’s nothing that says Venice more than these traditional gondola rides. This is an incredible experience, especially when the accordion player and singer begin their performance.
The gondoliers know their trade well, and it’s a joy to see them navigate the narrow waterways with such ease and passion.
6 – Private Photo Shoot with Gondola Ride
Rating: ⭐️ 5/5 (75 reviews)
The gondola ride was so nice and pleasant. The gondolier was great and the photographer was awesome, going above and beyond to help with restaurant ideas, tourist attractions and shopping. Amanda. Viator
If you want everlasting memories of your gondola experience, then these private photo shoots are perfect. The blend of sightseeing and photography ranks these trips among the best gondola rides in Venice.
You don’t need to worry about taking awkward selfies or think about lighting – your photographer guide does all that for you. Just relax in your comfortable seat and enjoy the scenery.
Whether you’re posing beneath bridges or creating touching moments with your loved one, it’ll all be captured on camera. You’ll receive a digital photo book by email about a week after your shoot.
Our review
Photography tours are a great way to bag all the key snaps without spending every moment looking through the lens. Having a professional photographer on board means you can enjoy the experience and let someone else do the hard work. These guides go above and beyond to give you a memorable time.
7 – Private Gondola Ride on the Grand Canal
Rating: ⭐️ 4.4/5 (19 reviews)
The gondola ride was superb! The journey was calm, peaceful and with so much to see. Our gondolier was very kind and helpful. What a fantastic experience! patricia. tiqets
These gondola experiences in Venice are just the ticket if you’re looking for a peaceful and personal outing. As you float down the Grand Canal, you’ll feel like you’ve finally arrived in Venice.
Whether you want a romantic trip with a loved one or are visiting with friends, this gondola ride is the business. The jaunt takes you alongside some of Venice’s most atmospheric buildings, with majestic residences fronting onto the water.
You’ll see everything from museums to bridges on this popular canal route. Keep an eye out for the Gritti Palace – this is where the rich and famous stay when they’re in town.
Our review
This is a very relaxing way to experience Venice’s most famous canal. It’s a boat ride rather than a guided tour, which means you can just soak up the views with your companions.
The boats are clean and well-maintained, with pretty decorations for that quintessential gondola vibe.
8 – Private gondola tour off the beaten track
Rating: ⭐️ 4.2/5 (17 reviews)
The gondolier was Friendly, knowledgeable and the quiet back canals we travelled were fascinating. Steve. Musement
The canals of Venice are packed with gondolas and water taxis, all buzzing up and down. Wash created by the vessels can make for a bumpy ride, which isn’t the serene experience you’re looking for.
To combat this, these Venice gondola excursions take you off the beaten track, to explore quieter canals running through the heart of the city. It’s a relaxing trip, and you’ll be surrounded by authentic architecture on all sides.
Many tours focus on the San Polo district. Here, waterside palaces stand proudly with their façades decked out in fading grandeur.
Our review
If you want to explore far from the crowds and the busy Grand Canal, then these are some of the best gondola rides in Venice. It’s a romantic experience and a great place to get engaged if you’re thinking of popping the question. The gondoliers are super knowledgeable, so you’ll learn a lot too.
9 – Gondola Ride and Aperitif in a Venetian Palace
Rating: ⭐️ 5/5 (3 reviews)
We had a wonderful gondola ride thru the beautiful canals of Venice and ended with an aperitif overlooking the canal from a palace veranda. Such gorgeous views! Very special! kim. viator
Fancy sipping wine in a real-life Venetian palace? On these tours, you can do just that. You’ll begin with a Venice gondola ride before toasting your adventures in style.
The excursion begins with a guided tour around St. Mark’s Square – this is the true heart of Venice. Then you’ll jump in a gondola and float down the Grand Canal, admiring the waterside architecture as you go.
Head off the tourist trail along some of the side canals to see Venice from a different perspective. Finally, end on a high note with traditional aperitifs on the terrace of an opulent palace.
Our review
These trips go far beyond the standard gondola ride. You’ll also be treated to a private walking tour around St. Mark’s Square and a glass of wine in a palace. This is a great way to elevate your experience while enjoying some of Venice’s top sights.
10 – Renew your Wedding Vows on a Romantic Gondola
Rating: ⭐️ 4.5/5 (2 reviews)
Since we were in such a romantic city we decided to renew our vows. The ceremony was simple and sweet and a wonderful memory! jessica. viator
Looking for a unique way to renew your wedding vows? These romantic gondola experiences in Venice offer the perfect opportunity to celebrate your marriage.
Love is in the air everywhere you go in Venice, but the waterways hold a little extra magic. A celebrant will join you on board for the renewal ceremony, with all the details taken care of for you.
As your gondolier leads you along the atmospheric canals, savor these precious moments with your other half. You’ll receive a rose bouquet and signed certificate as mementos of your day.
Our review
There’s nowhere more romantic to celebrate your wedding vows than Venice, especially if gondolas are involved. The gondoliers and celebrants on these trips do their utmost to ensure your day is one to remember. They go the extra mile with thoughtful touches like roses to add an extra dash of romance.
11 – Art Walking Tour with Traditional Spritz and Gondola Ride
Rating: ⭐️ 4.5/5 (13 reviews)
This was a perfect tour for Venice! We really enjoyed the experience and it was a perfect length of time to get in all the highlights. stephanie. viator
See Venice in a different light with these immersive art walking tours. Your guide will be an expert in both history and culture, so you know you’re getting your money’s worth on this excursion.
You’ll begin your explorations in St. Mark’s Square, learning about the Gothic style and sampling a traditional Venetian spritz. Then you’ll head to the Bridge of Sighs to discover the unique architecture behind one of Venice’s most famous landmarks.
Finish with a relaxing gondola ride along the Grand Canal. From here, you’ll be able to appreciate the medieval building façades from a new angle.
Our review
This is a great tour that focuses on the classic city sights. Everything from Venice gondolas to Gothic palaces features on the itinerary, which gives a comprehensive introduction to the old town. If you’re looking for that quintessential Venice experience, then this is the excursion to book.
12 – Sunset Gondola Ride & Guided Walking Tour
Rating: ⭐️ 3.5/5 (10 reviews)
Good organization Nice walk in the lagoon. Jean pierre. Viator
Gondola trips in Venice are romantic at any time of day, but at sunset, they come into their own. You’ll begin your evening with a gentle boat ride and a celebratory glass of spritz.
As the sun sinks below the horizon, it floods the ancient canal-side buildings with color, so keep your camera handy. Watch the sunset reflections on the water and savor the moment when day turns to dusk.
After your mini voyage, you’ll enjoy a guided walking tour of the Rialto, Cannaregio and Castello districts. Learn about the city’s intriguing mysteries as you explore hidden squares and alleys.
Our review
Cruising into the sunset by gondola is undoubtedly one of the most romantic experiences in Venice. This evening tour is just made for lovers who are looking for something extra special. If you’re planning on proposing to your other half, opportunities don’t come better than this!
13 – Hidden Venice Walking Tour & Gondola Ride
Rating: ⭐️ 4.3/5 (15 reviews)
Tour guides were friendly and we enjoyed the tour. We highly recommend it. andrea. tiqets
This excursion is for travelers looking to explore beyond St. Mark’s Square. You’ll be checking out some of the hidden parts of the city often missed by other tourists.
Delve down some of Venice’s most secret streets in search of areas where time has stood still for centuries. Your guide will take you to places like Marco Polo’s House and regale you with entertaining tales of the explorer.
After your walk, you’ll hop on board a gondola and see some dazzling Venetian architecture. Keep an eye out for highlights like the Ponte de le Ostreghe, Palazzo Dario and Desdemona’s House.
Our review
These are some of the most engaging Gondola tours in Venice, with highly knowledgeable guides accompanying you on your adventure. If you want to escape the crowds and explore the hidden side of Venice, this is an experience to remember. You’ll learn a lot and enjoy unobstructed views of dreamy palaces and canals.
Read more: 16 Best Walking Tours in Venice
How to book gondola tours in Venice?
There’s a lot of choice when it comes to gondola rides in Venice. Many companies provide these iconic experiences, which can be booked online.
Some operators offer discounts which means the pricing can vary between websites. Read our article on “How much do gondola rides cost” for a handy overview. Or use TourScanner to hunt out current deals and read reviews.