Some gondola tours have additional services. We started our gondola ride close to Rialto Bridge and found this to be the perfect starting spot since it allowed us to see some very scenic views (I mean just look at those photos of Rialto Bridge!) gondola sunset Strange. Also if you do a gondola ride close to Piazza San Marco you will have to cruise part of it in the open sea, where it can get a bit choppy due to the waves from all the boats. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. The rowing lesson will last 90 minutes, during which you can make your own way through the city by water!. while also spending some time in the narrow back canals. So its much quieter on the canals and gondoliers are more relaxed and friendlier. It will be calculated proportionally. Experience Venice city through its smaller canals, many of them hidden away, and above all learn to row like a real gondolier! For just 2.5 EUR, you can cross the Grand Canal in a real Venetial gondola. Glide silently on the water and let yourself be lulled by the gentle sway of the gondola, for a relaxing and unforgettable experience! Its here that you get to see the most impressive Venetian palaces dating from the 13-18th centuries, the glory days of the Republic of Venice. Our experience: On our most recent trip to Venice, we took a gondola ride with our three boys (age 9, 9, 11) and I thought they might find it too boring. All the visitors would agree on this : there are some must-do activities in Venice, such as: In fact, a traditional Venetian gondola tour along the canals is the most authentic way to experience this unique city. San Marco 4538, 30124 Venice, Italy, Tel. (authorization no. Those special gondolas, like water taxis, take you from one side of the Grand Canal to the other. Youre only in Venice once so Id aim to make the most of it while youre there, gondola rides are unique to Venice and you dont want to miss this once in a lifetime experience. Find out! Some parts of Venice are more relaxing than others, around the Grand Canal and Piazza San Marco it can get quite busy with all the other boats so its up to you whether you want to see the main sights, but risk a bit of boat traffic, or if youd rather be away from the chaos in smaller side canals. Many people want to do gondola rides close to Piazza San Marco or on the Grand Canal as they think that will have the best views, however in my opinion there is a more tranquil beauty to doing a gondola ride in the quite back canals. Very very romantic experience! We recommend waiting to take a gondola until youre quite close to the Grand Canal, but not directly at it. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Discover the canals of Venice with dim light and admire the picturesque architecture from a different perspective ! Romantic Getaway to Venice & Tuscany: From Hidden Canals to Enchanting Family-Friendly Tour of Italy: Rome, Tuscany, Venice, Rome to Venice: Immersive History & Culture Tour, Romantic Escape to Italy: Amalfi Coast, Rome, and Venice Tour, Jewels of the Adriatic Sea: Croatia and Italy Tour, The Best Weather for a Gondola Ride in Venice, How to Avoid Crowds for an Uninterrupted Gondola Ride. You should also consider planning a gondola ride during first light or sunset as the spectacular scenery of landmarks like St. Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace are more romantic under orange sunrise hues or twinkling stars. So dont just walk up to a gondolier asking him to bring you to San Marcos Square or to Rialto Bridge. A Venetian gondola ride is a real bucket-list experience. Not cheap, but if you are looking for something truly special So even if youve been on a gondola in Venice before, chances are very small that your second experience will be similar to the first one. I couldnt publish this article without adding this small section for families. Also, you may want to think about the itinerary of the tour. Zicasso works with local specialists who understand the spirit of Venice and also know the hidden corners of the city, resulting in unforgettable discoveries from the moment you arrive. As for where to take one, there are just so many options. If you absolutely want to be sure you have a gondola at a specific place and time, you'll have to book in advance. How early in the morning did you do your gondola rides? Why ? Being marginally outside meant it was slightly cheaper than the average and a great value for money. So make sure you have enough money on you. Whereas if you take a gondola with someone who is in a bad mood or spending his time on a smartphone, it might ruin the whole experience. Lets start with the basics : A tour usually lasts from 30 to 40 minutes. Just let us know what you are thinking about : itinerary, music, drinks and we will make it happen ! If you are wondering if its worth taking a gondola ride in Venice, how much it costs, where to (not) do it, or how to make the most of your experience, then read on. The duration of your Venetian gondola ride will highly depend on how busy it is on the canals. At the end of the day, we only regret the chances we didnt take, dont we?! gondola This private night gondola ride in Venice lasts 40 minutes, a little longer than the standard gondola rides, and lets you discover the magical atmosphere of Venice by night, with the silence of its streets and the play of the reflections of lights on the water surface. No idea yet what it will look like and they said it will be easier to book for those who actually stay in Venice. We match you with top tour companies that specialize in the trip you want, whether it's a customized private tour or a group tour. If you are in the city earlier, see if you can find a happy and awake gondolier to take you for a morning ride. Good to know: Unless you pre-book a gondola tour, youll have to pay cash for your gondola ride. If you are in family, it could be interesting to get the guided tour, with a guide on board giving live commentaries. TIP: For a really cheap gondola ride in Venice, you may try the traghetto gondola service. Ideally, you find 2-4 other people to share a ride with. Because it takes you back to a time when motor boats didnt exist, and the only way to move around the city was walking or rowing. Now, if you cant afford this ride, you have one last option : the traghetto. You can share a gondola with other people and split the cost. The customary boat stands at points along the Grand Canal that are absent of bridges and acts as a ferry to cross the water. There are quite some rules and regulations meant to ensure a similar authentic experience for all tourists and fair business for gondoliers. Hi were going to Venice on Tuesday 2nd august to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary staying in lido de jesolo jetsetter If youre planning a trip to Venice, chances are youve seen your fair share of gondola photos and videos. If you are looking for something extra special, this could be it. Another thing to think about is the best time of the day to go for your ride. If you want to try a unique Venetian experience, but prefer to stay in the city then why not try your hand at rowing yourself and discover the secrets of Venetian rowing? See tip #5 for more information. Some gondoliers wish to fill their boats capacity, so consult with them about this before paying. Lets get started ! For example, gondoliers have their own standing places and the routes they take. Get Top Travel Specialists to Help Plan Your Trip. Cruising the canals of Venice in our gondola. Today, legendary gondoliers use single oars to gently row tourists sitting comfortably in stylishly painted and upholstered gondolas along the web of canals that connect the city's dazzling Venetian districts. Yes, agondolaride inVeniceis absolutelyworth it! Pin this image! If you want to go massively off the beaten canals (see what I did there?) Just want to ensure I have sufficient cash available. Can you tell us where should we find and board the gondola from? And even gondola ride times and prices are uniform everywhere in Venice. Im Jurga, a traveler with a camera, a mom of three boys, and the founder of Full Suitcase, one of the world's leading family travel blogs. So if you can let us know how it went after your trip, it would be very useful to the other readers. If a private gondola ride in Venice is an unforgettable experience, imagine a gondola ride at night ! gondola rialto bluejayphoto istock di Venezia. For that, its best to avoid busy times and summer heat. Below, you can find our recommendation for the best time for a gondola ride in Venice. Its very narrow and powered by the gondolier, a man that stands at the back of the gondola and uses a long rowing oar to move the boat. In case of bad weather, the tour may be suspended. So even if you have just 1 day in Venice, a ride on a traditional Venetian gondola is one of the experiences that you really shouldnt miss! You can find this service at the following locations: Dogana, Santa Maria del Giglio, San Tom, Riva del Vin, Riva del Carbon, and Santa Sofia. And how often will you be in Venice? However, today, Venetian gondolas are no longer used as a means of transportation. As I said before, no two experiences will be the same, but we enjoyed both rides very much. It depends so much on where your ride starts. TIP: If you are planning a trip to Italy and are looking for more info and inspiration, make sure to check our Italy travel guide. In 2017 I left my life as a management consultant and started chasing waterfalls, sunsets and views around the world. If you already know Venice, then we advise that you skip this one, and book a tour taking you to the smaller canals : you will be seduced by the beauty of the lights reflecting on the bridges through the water, the ancient houses, the everyday life of people : the real Venezia ! Viale Ancona 24, 30172 Venice Mestre, Italy Regardless of whether you travel to Italy in winter, when there are less tourist crowds, or in summer when its busier but nicer weather, youre sure to love Venice and doing a gondola ride. You can take traghetto, which is a gondola-ferry service used to get from one side of the Grand Canal to the other. 2052/2012), Insidecom s.r.l. Gondola rides in Venice can be pretty pricey. For example, already in the early 17th century, it was decided that all Venetian work gondolas should be black. No tour availability for this date. Gondolas are one of the most iconic and traditional Venetian experiences, so its just normal that you would want to go for a gondola ride while in Venice. Lets see what are the different options ! This is the price you pay for a private gondola that can be shared with up to 5-6 people. We had a wonderful quiet and relaxing time. Is it also customary to tip at the end of the ride? If a complete gondola tour of the canals is not your preference, you can also try the traditional Venetian method for crossing the canals, known as a traghetto. I dont think that you can have a really bad gondola ride anywhere in Venice. It remains a truly special experience and Id absolutely do it again next time we are in Venice. We recommend you book all your activities in advance when you organize your trip, and we are not just talking about the gondola ride ! Personally, I think you should do a gondola ride in Venice. Hu Juanita, it's not customary to tip Italy, but some people do that and it's always appreciated. 0397834027 - R.E.A. The route of this gondola ride depends on the water height and on other factors. More inspiration and travel tips for Italy: If you found this post useful, dont forget to bookmark it and share it with your friends. If you want to be right on the Grand Canal, you'll find gondolas next to Rialto Bridge. Private gondola ride by night - 40 minutes, Explanations on the palaces and tourist attractions. Being the famous tourist destination it is, accommodation in Venice can get very expensive. It might be different in the lower season, but in summer try to avoid going on a gondola in the middle of the day. From the famous Grand Canal, spanned by the imposing Rialto bridge, to the edge of St Marks Square steps away from the majestic St. Marks Basilica, or gliding under the Bridge of Sighs, you cant miss them ! And you only know how it was when you are done. We created this little guide to help you pick the best option(s) for you and book easily your activities for a hassle-free experience ! Otherwise, if it's busy, you might have to wait or look for another one. excluded Saturday, Sunday and holiday days. Our route included some very quiet canals, but also a small part of the Grand Canal. Why does it matter ? Gondolas are the traditional Venetian boats that were used in the canals of Venice for hundreds of years. You will notice the entrance of some old houses or palaces directly opening on the water of the canals, only remaining witnesses of these lost times. It guarantees all the intimacy you need to appreciate the authenticity of this experience, which uncovers Venice after the crowds of tourists have left and Venetians reclaim their city. You should also know that rates are higher after 7 PM. The pictures on this page may not exactly represent the itinerary of the gondola ride. AUSTRALIA. The current shape of the gondola has remained unchanged since the beginning of the 20th century The only thing that differs is how each gondolier chooses to decorate their gondola. gondola venice gondola guide private romantic ride professional tour AUSTRALIA. If you dont take a gondola ride in Venice, youll probably end up regretting it later on. gondola Prices are also determined based on the specific gondola routes, so feel free to consider the options available to you and make a selection based on your Italian sightseeing preferences. Venetian gondolas and canals are among the most iconic and most recognizable images in the world. Or maybe rather under the Bridge of Sighs? Join us as we discover the world one beautiful adventure at a time! In general, it's not the best idea to stand up or walk around the boat during the trip. gondola However, you cant compare this experience with a regular gondola ride. Even people whove never been to Italy would identify the city just by seeing a picture of a black gondola. We recommend going for a gondola ride in the morning. It was 6 when we went, but I see now that most gondolas only allow bookings for 5, so maybe something has changed recently. from Monday to Friday 9.00 am - 6.00 pm CET On my last trip to Venice I stayed at Hotel alle Guglie, which was just inside Venice city, but just outside the main tourist area. This post may contain affiliate links, which means that we may earn a small commission, at no cost to you, for qualifying purchases. Its a short 15-minute walk away from Rialto Bridge and Piazza San Marco. - Authorized Tour Operator: license no. acts of nature, strikes, exceptional closures,serious unexpected events or health problems experienced by the person in charge with the service after which it is really impossible to find a substitute) the service you booked might be cancelled. So a 45-minute tour will cost you 120 EUR and a 1-hour trip 160 EUR. If you ask them theyll tell you a bit of sightseeing stories of the places you see during your gondola ride. One of the first images that come to mind when thinking about Venice is the traditional black venitian rowing boat that so often is represented in postcards : The Venice Gondola ! We offer a rowing course based in the Cannaregio district, suitable for adults and children! So, these are our top tips for a gondola ride in Venice. This gondola ride by night was beyond our expectations, we were very satisfied! The standard 30-minute gondola ride in Venice costs 80 EUR during the day and 100 EUR in the evening or at night (from 7 PM to 8 AM). 2. Gondolas at night on a canal in Venice, Italy. gondola Nowadays, gondolas are mainly used for the entertainment of tourists for sightseeing, romantic evenings, or simply to experience Venice in a similar way as people have done it for centuries. UNITED KINGDOM. ), you can just round up the bill, and for the gondola - I'd say let it depend on how enjoyable the ride/ gondolier was. There used to be about 10,000 but the number has dropped to around 500 today. At the restaurants (taxis, etc. PS From June, Venice will require reservations in order to visit the city. We're going in about 3 weeks and I'd love to do a morning one. Say if a friend and I went and wanted to take pictures of each other in the fancy chair and then switch spots mid-ride, would that be permitted? There is no shade on the gondolas, so youll be in full sun all the time. Please choose another day. Hi, and thanks for stopping by! Group of friends Just ask your gondolier and he should be able to help. 62027 dated 09/07/12 with determination no. Savor moments relaxing on the water and hop off at waterside cafes, restaurants, palaces, and other attractions that your knowledgeable and experienced gondolier will tell you all about as you glide through Venice. Hi Wendi, I think it was around 10-10.30 am. However if you like planning your trips ahead and want to know you have your gondola ride booked and confirmed, you can book your gondola tour online. So talk to the gondoliers before you get on the boat, get the feel how friendly they are, and dont be afraid to walk away and find somebody else if they look and sound overly arrogant. However, gondoliers will be more tired in the evening. If done right, it will make your whole trip to Venice so much more special! Its very hard to negotiate the price of a standard gondola ride. The gondola can only welcome a small group of 5 persons, so it will still be cosy. Thank you for this write-up. gondola Im sure that it will be one of the few things theyll remember from the city even many years later. For centuries, black gondolas have been the unmistakable symbol of Venice. If you do want to book your gondola tour in Venice, you can find the best deals here. Musical scale, harmony, notation are all based on italian innovations. Alternatively, you can also choose to take a Venetian gondola ride in the early evening, at sunset, or even in the dark. Hi Tracey, I really don't think you can go wrong with any route - it depends on your preference of which area you'd like to explore. 2019 Vivo SRL, P.Iva 04383730274 - All Rights Reserved By the way, check our post on Venice with a baby or a toddler if planning to visit the city with very young kids! The brightness of the day brings intensity to colours, the sunset warms up the atmosphere and adds fire like background, and at night, the city lights up and the canals reflect both the obscurity of the sky and the glow of the lights Which one would you go for ? This cultural heritage is very much alive today, and during your trip you will have the occasion to see it for yourself ! More info:Disclosure. The method lacks the mythical flair and romance of a private gondola cruise through the tranquil canals but does provide a chance to enjoy the bustling life of the Grand Canal in its purest, contemporary form. This one is pretty cool because it takes you to smaller canals of the city, which is not easy to find for shared gondola tours. Click here to book your private gondola cruise in Venice! Youll have an entire gondola to yourself. Have a great trip! 62027 dated 09/07/12 with determination no. Most gondoliers work with tourists every day and should be able to speak at least a little bit of basic English, maybe some French and German too. For that, youll either have to take a water taxi, a vaporetto (public water bus), or walk. Schlick 2000 in Summer: Stubaiblick & The Best Hike in Stubai, How to Visit Venice by Car (+Tips for Best Parking in Venice). Please make a new search! Travelers flock to Venice to indulge in the time-honored tradition of cruising the famous canals, and our complete guide to planning a gondola ride in Venice will help you to get the most from this essential Venetian experience. My wife and me were very well received. gondola canales veneto tours ride wine sunset gondola venice In fact, the iconic flat bottomed, banana shaped black boats are everywhere! gondola He also took his time on the Grand Canal so our ride was longer than expected. At the same time, you dont want to take a gondola that only tours the busy Grand Canal or the waters close to St. Marks Square and skips smaller and quieter canals. Some of the smaller canals dont even have pedestrian sidewalks so doing a gondola cruise is the only way to reach them. Gradually, gondolas became a popular means of transportation, especially among the upper classes. It costs more than 1/6th of the price of a private tour, but thats because you wont always have a full gondola and its hard to know that in advance (for you, but also for the gondolier). If you make a purchase through them I will receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. In this article, we share our top tips for a better Venice gondola experience. Agenzia viaggi "VIVO EXPERIENCE" n.2466/2017, prot. If you ask a photographer, he would explain to you how much difference it makes ! Have a great trip! Yes its an extremely touristy attraction and yes its very expensive, but its also one of the most traditional and unique experiences you can have in Venice, as well as a must on any Italy bucket list or Italy itinerary. They all loved it! Also, bear in mind that dawn and dusk are the least popular times for a tour due to the increased prices, so book rides during these times when speed limits are lowered for more peaceful and intimate tours.