20 Great Things to do in Venice 1/20 - Gondola
/Experience Venice: The Timeless Gondola Ride
A gondola gliding silently through the canals of Venice is one of the most enduring and iconic images of the city. For centuries, these elegant black boats have carried locals and visitors alike, offering a unique way to experience the charm, rhythm, and hidden beauty of La Serenissima.
Photo By: Marco Secchi
Why Take a Gondola Ride?
In a city built on water, there are many ways to move around—but none are as intimate or evocative as the gondola. More than transportation, a gondola ride is a slow, immersive journey through Venice’s living history.
From the plush, carved seats of your gondola, you'll float past ancient palazzos, under quiet stone bridges, and into narrow canals where few tourists wander. Along the way, you might catch a glimpse of a hidden garden, a passing gondolier humming softly, or the flicker of candlelight behind lace-curtained windows. It's a perspective that reveals Venice at its most poetic.
How to Plan Your Gondola Ride
The Istituzione per la Conservazione della Gondola e Tutela del Gondoliere—known simply as the Gondola Board—preserves the tradition and standards of gondola service in Venice. On their official site (www.gondolavenezia.it), you’ll find helpful information, including suggested routes and historical details that can enrich your experience.
🎟️ Official Gondola Ride Rates (2025)
Daytime (9:00 AM – 7:00 PM): €90 for a 30-minute ride
Evening (7:00 PM – 3:00 AM): €110 for a 35-minute ride
Additional Time:
Daytime: €40 for each extra 20 minutes
Evening: €50 for each extra 20 minutes
These rates are per gondola, accommodating up to 5 passengers. The reduction from 6 to 5 passengers is due to recent safety regulations.
💡 Tips for an Authentic Experience
Payment: Gondoliers typically accept cash only.
Tipping: While not obligatory, a tip of €5–10 is appreciated for exceptional service.
Route Planning: Discuss your preferred route with the gondolier beforehand to ensure a personalized experience.
Best Times: Early mornings or late evenings offer a more tranquil and romantic ambiance.
These rates are per gondola—not per person—and each gondola can accommodate up to six passengers. It's a flat fee, whether you're riding solo or sharing with friends or family.
What to Expect
Gondolas generally depart from fixed stations around the city, and while the route is often at the gondolier’s discretion, many are open to small detours or custom routes—especially if you speak with them in advance. Most rides explore the smaller, quieter canals, but some may also include sections of the Grand Canal.
Final Thoughts
A gondola ride is not just a photo opportunity; it's an experience that captures the soul of Venice. Whether you’re celebrating something special or simply want to slow down and absorb the city’s atmosphere in the most Venetian way possible, this timeless journey is worth every moment.
Loved the idea of a Gondola ride?
Get to know Venice like a local, through the lens of a photographer.
My Rexby guide includes personal tips, photo locations, and real stories from years of exploring the city.
s, and - in ideal cases - the direct measurement of intact boats, are the sources which allow the author to reconstruct their forms and the construction methods used. These have given rise to a series of books, construction plans, models for museums and private collections, restorations ans reconstructions of boats.With a group of friends who share the same interest, he founded the association Arzanà in 1992 which specializes in the study and conservation of historical Venetian boats.
The mascareta is a traditional, flat-bottomed Venetian rowing boat, well suited to the conditions of the Venetian Lagoon. For centuries gondolas were the chief means of transportation and most common water craft within Venice. In modern times the iconic boats still have a role in public transport in the city, serving as traghetti (ferries) over the Grand Canal. They are also used in special regattas (rowing races) held amongst gondoliers. It is similar to punting, except it uses an oar to propel it instead of a pole.
