Founded in the 5th century, Venice is one of the most unique places on earth — a collection of 118 islands built upon a lagoon.

One of the best ways to get around this city on the water is by hopping on a traditional boat and drifting through the canals. Gondola rides in Venice are a relaxing way to explore the city’s grand palaces and historic architecture from afar, and are the perfect activity for all the family.

To find out more about about gondola rides, continue reading our detailed guides with useful information and tips to make the most of one of the most captivating sightseeing tours in Venice.

What are the most popular gondola rides in Venice?

Grand Canal gondola ride in Venice

One of the most popular ways to explore the waterways of Venice is on a shared gondola ride. Begin your excursion by learning about the history of gondoliers and how they became some of the most iconic figures of the city. Then, you’ll make your way along the Grand Canal, admiring the many attractions along its banks with an audio guide to fill you in on each site.

Travel past the Peggy Guggenheim Collection palace, which was built in the 18th century and now houses the American socialite’s private art collection. You’ll see several other chateaus as you sail leisurely down the canal, including the noble residence-turned-hotel of Gritti Palace.

Along the way, you can also see religious monuments, such as the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute, which was dedicated to the Virgin Mary after the plague wiped out many of the city’s residents in the 17th century. Veer off onto the Rio dei Barcaioli to catch a glimpse of La Fenice Theater, where many celebrated composers had their operatic tunes performed, including Verdi and Rossini.

Private Rialto Bridge gondola ride in Venice

If you’re seeking a more personal experience, opt for a private gondola excursion in Venice. You’ll start your gondola ride by cruising along the smaller, but just as impressive, secondary canals of the city to see Venice’s most underrated sights.

You’ll pass the home that Mozart once lived in during his teen years before weaving your way down the Rio dell’Ovo to reach the city’s main channel — the Grand Canal.

The tour also includes a pass by the Rialto Bridge, the oldest of Venice’s four bridges, which has undergone several reconstructions since originally built in the 11th century, as well as Ca’ Farsetti - the setting of George Clooney’s wedding with Amal Alamuddin.

Moving away from the Grand Canal, your gondolier will guide you along the Rio San Luca to see the historic Palazzo Dolfin Manin, designed by Jacopo Sansovino during the Renaissance.

Gondola ride in Venice with serenade

One way to woo your partner in the romantic city of Venice is with your own musical serenade as you cruise along the water. As part of a group of gondolas, you’ll set off on your canal cruise to the spine-tingling sounds of romantic Venetian ballads, sung by a live musician.

Sit back and enjoy the light breeze from the water as you allow these melodies to take you on a musical journey of the city. Pass by the most celebrated landmarks of Venice, including the Peggy Guggenheim Collection and the Accademia Bridge.

Appreciate the baroque architecture of the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute, which bears many references to the devastating Black Plague of the 17th century and was designed by Baldassare Longhena, the architect behind the church of Santa Maria di Nazareth.

Sunset gondola ride in Venice

Make everlasting memories by watching the sun set on your Venetian vacation from the seat of a gondola. Beginning in the late afternoon, this romantic gondola ride reveals the true magic of Venice as the sun transforms the canals into golden streams of light.

Allow your professional gondolier to row you past a myriad of opulent palaces and monuments, as you whisper sweet nothings with your lover and watch the twinkling lights of the city appear.

Nighttime gondola tour in Venice

Take to the city’s waterways after dark for a locals-only view of Venice. On this private tour, you’ll step away from the tourist trail as your guide takes you on an adventure through the unexplored territory of the city.

You’ll be awed by how the city comes to life after the sun sets and you’ll see attractions that visitors to the city often miss. To ensure you won't miss out on anything, your gondolier will take you to the Grand Canal to see many tourist favorites, such as the Peggy Guggenheim Collection and the Rialto Bridge.

Are there any gondola ride combos in Venice?

Venice food walking tour plus gondola ride

Starting at one of Venice’s most esteemed wine bars, you’ll enjoy tasting traditional Italian snacks before wandering through the Rialto Fish Market with your guide. Kick off your Venice food tour with the fresh scent of perfectly ripe vegetables at the neighboring produce market.

You can then indulge in classic Venetian sandwiches as well as going on a tasting of local wines. Enjoy a thrilling ride along the Grand Canal and end your Venice tour with a sumptuous meal to revive you after your long walk through the city.

Photoshoot in Venice plus gondola ride

Capture your Venice experience forever by choosing to participate in a private photoshoot. Move through the city on a gondola, posing for iconic photos in your historic vessel, as you make your way to Piazza San Marco, near St. Mark's Basilica, where you'll continue your shoot.

Allow your photographer to guide you in positioning yourself perfectly against backdrops of romantic bridges, dazzling architecture and a myriad of gondolas as you admire the square.

What will I see on a gondola ride in Venice?

Rialto Bridge

The Rialto Bridge runs across the Grand Canal and is the oldest bridge in Venice. The current construct was built in the 16th century, however, a bridge was created on the same site during the 11th century. Because of the popularity of the bridge and the number of residents using it daily, it was redesigned less than a century later to be more sturdy.

In the early 14th century, the bridge was set on fire during a revolution and collapsed several years later. Once again rebuilt, the following design also collapsed. This led to the city governors carefully considering how best to ensure the crossing could stand the test of time, and five architects, including the esteemed Michelangelo, designed the current Rialto Bridge.

Peggy Guggenheim Collection

The Peggy Guggenheim Collection is housed in the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, which was built in the 18th century and served as the home of the American art collector, and socialite, for more than 30 years. In the later years of her life, Peggy opened up her home to display her colossal collection of artworks, which she had gathered from both Europe and America, much of which was purchased during WWII.

The collection boasts a range of 20th-century masterpieces painted in cubist and surrealist styles. There are also several abstract pieces for visitors to decipher. The collection is one of a kind and includes an impressive number of famed artists works, including that of Francis Bacon, Salvador Dalí, Vasily Kandinsky, and Pablo Picasso.

Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute

The Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute is a Roman Catholic Church that was consecrated in the latter half of the 17th century and is located between Grand Canal and Giudecca Canal. Begun in 1631, the church was originally constructed as an offering to the Christian God for deliverance from the plague that killed over 46,000 people, which was almost a third of Venice's residents at the time.

The place of worship is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, who is thought to be a giver of health and wellness. A competition was held in the city to design the church, in which Baldassare Longhena was selected over the esteemed Alessandro Varotari and Antonio Smeraldi.

The church was built in the shape of a crown, a design that was novel at the time, and its facade was decorated with intricate statues of the four evangelists — Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

How much do gondola rides in Venice cost?

A shared gondola ride in Venice with an audio-guided commentary costs approximately €30 per person, while sunset tours cost closer to €40 each.

You can expect to pay €50 per person for a gondola ride that includes a musician to serenade you as you make your way along the waterways. If you book a combination food and gondola tour, you'll pay around €90 each.

You’ll pay €130 per group of up to five participants for a private gondola ride to see the Rialto bridge. Broken down, with the maximum number of guests in your party, you’ll each pay between €20 and €30. You can also choose to extend this tour for an extra 30 minutes, for an additional charge.

If you choose a private gondola cruise in Venice at nighttime, the cost is €160 per group of up to five. This divides to just over €30 per person with the maximum party size.

Alternatively, photoshoots cost around €630 per group of up to four, which is around €160 each.

What do they include included?

Gondola tours in Venice always include some type of guide, whether that is via an audio headset or a knowledgeable local, to share interesting facts about each attraction you pass.

Combination gondola rides and food tours in Venice include eight food tastings, as well as four samples of Italian wines. Excursions that include a photoshoot provide you with 50 shots inside a digital photo book for you to print at your leisure.

Where in Venice do gondola rides start?

Gondola rides in Venice start at several points in the city, usually at the tour provider's office. These are typically found on the banks of the canals and are easily reached on foot.

One of the most popular starting locations is the Piazza San Marco. You'll be able to see the meeting point of each excursion before booking so that you can arrange any necessary transportation ahead of time.

How long does it last?

Generally, gondola rides in Venice last between 30 minutes and an hour, which is plenty of time to see the city’s main attractions from the water, and enjoy a brief account of each of them. However, if you opt for a combination tour, such as a private photo shoot or walking food tour, you can expect it to last between 2 and 3 hours.

When is the best time to go on a gondola ride in Venice?

A gondola ride in Venice is one of the most popular activities that tourists can participate in while in the city, and as such, they are available all day, every day. If your itinerary allows, choose a sunset or nighttime Venice gondola ride, as these are extra special.

Venice is one of the most visited destinations in the world, particularly during the height of summer. Consider planning your visit during the shoulder months of May or September, when the weather is balmy and the city is quieter than during the summer.

Travel tips

Gondolas are used only for sightseeing, so don’t expect to be using these vessels as transportation around the city.
All gondola rides in Venice take different routes, so read up on each excursion before booking.
The canals can become extremely busy during the summer months because of an influx of tourists requesting gondola rides. If you’re seeking an authentic experience, try and avoid this peak season.
Tipping is not required or expected, but if you particularly enjoyed your excursion and wish to show them a little appreciation, 10% of the tour is appropriate

Gondola Ride in Venice