Taking a gondola ride along Venice’s canals is a rite of passage for many tourists to the city. Find out everything you need to enjoy your own romantic moment in the floating city in this guide.
“A wondrous city of fairest carving, reflected in gleaming waters swirled to new patterning by every passing gondola.”
There is certainly no experience which captures a trip to Venice as much as a gondola ride through its canals.
Gliding along the blue, expertly shepherded by a gondolier in smart trousers and a candystripe shirt, ducking under ancient stone bridges and looking upward to the pastel facades of this masterpiece of a city, it's an iconic experience pregnant with romantic notions of love, poetry, and the enchantment of a bygone era.
There's a reason why it's high up on so many traveller's bucket-lists.
In this post, we've shared essential advice from our own gondola experience and a lot of pre-trip research not to dispel any of these notions, but to answer the key questions you'll have right now on cost, booking, the best routes and mistakes to avoid, as well as arm you with practical advice so that you can make the absolute most of your own Venice gondola ride experience (or choose not to have one if that's what you decide).
A HISTORY OF THE VENETIAN GONDOLA RIDE
Why Are There Gondolas in Venice?
In this floating Italian city, the narrow waterways have acted as the roads for centuries. Ferrying goods, people, and treasures from palace to cathedral, business to buyer, and home to home, gondolas (pronounced gone-duh-la) have existed since the 11th century.
About 11 metres / 36 foot long and surprisingly roomy, they are propelled by a solitary 'gondolier' at the back of the boat with his single curiously shaped long, broad oar. Once you see the canals which branch out like a capillary network through the islands, you'll appreciate just why these flat-bottomed asymmetric wooden boats are so narrow and low-lying - and proved so enduring amongst Venetians for nearly a thousand years despite competition from a number of other boat types.
In the 17th century, it's estimated that there were about 10,000 gondolas in Venice, reducing to 4,000 in the latter part of the 19th.
Today there remain only 400 or so.
Why are the gondolas in Venice black?
Besides their navigational practicality, gondolas came to be somewhat of a status symbol amongst the city's elite. Festooned in gold and colourful lavish decoration, they tried to lay claim to the fanciest boat on the water in a Venetian version of 'Pimp My Ride' or 'Fast and Furious'. Alas, the spoilsports of the Venetian government, concerned at such pomp decreed in 1562 that all (nearly) all gondolas had to be painted black.
Little known fact - this sumptuary law was the inspiration behind The Rolling Stones' excellent 'Paint It Black' song, with Jagger & Richards simply replacing 'gondola' with 'door' in the lyrics. No, not really - but how cool would it be if this was true?
It is true however that not all gondolas in Venice are actually black; those owned for sport (i.e. rowing competitions) or non-tourism activities can be painted in brighter colours.
A sombre change of colour was not only step in the evolving design of the gondola. Earlier in the 1500s, its hull became longer and thinner to adapt to the city's growth, and this was taken further in the 1800s due to the number of tourists clogging up the waterways (overtourism in La Serenissima ain't a new thing), leading to the hull on the port side being made 23 centimetres longer than on the right, allowing the boat to manoeuvre more easily and creating more space.
In the post-Renaissance period, a felze was added - a cabin covering to provide privacy from prying eyes and the elements - but is now incredibly rare to see, given that most want to see and be seen from their glide along the water. In that previous epoch, gondoliers were also the height of discretion, given the trysts and liaisons which may occur during a moonlight ride.
The boats are handmade and sell from €20,000, sometimes fetching upward of €50,000.
Travel Tip | As we mention in our 13 Wonderful Things to do in Venice post, you can enjoy some of the city's finest cichetti for lunch canalside at Al Squero, named due the gondola workshop opposite - which is called a 'squero'!
Are they just for tourists?
These days, pretty much every gondola is exclusively for tourist rides. They are no longer used for transport from point A to point B, but for a pleasant glide along the water from point A back to point A.
There remain a few traghetto on the Grand Canal, which fit 12 passengers and ferry locals from one side to the other in less than a minute for €2. Given that there are only four bridges spanning the canal's 4 km length, a lot more of these existed in the past; the vaporetto (public waterbus) has however supplanted them, having removed much of the custom (although there were moments on our explorations where a boat to take us over would have been very appreciated). The traghetto are gondola parada, a larger version of the usual gondola da nola which you'll be taking in the canals.
Venetians will sometimes use a gondola for weddings, funerals, or other special events.
Who are the Gondoliers?
The gondoliers are such a charming and essential ingredient into the elegant tapestry of Venice. Kicking walls to manouver, continuing yesterday's conversations from other canals, ducking under bridges, whistling, chattering, and (very occasionally) serenading as they glide their breadwinner along a secret network of navigability known to them only, transforming every scene into a beautiful Venetian memory.
Venice currently licenses 433 gondoliers and 180 substitutes, and the ability to become one has always been strictly controlled by bloodline, money, gender, and The Gondoliers' Guild. The latter association, effectively a union, is responsible for maintaining ancient traditions and skills (prices too we imagine), and all gondolieri must be a member.
The licences, limited in number each year, require intense training, study, and an examination in a course which is also limited to around 40 students per year. It's a bit like the taxi Medallion in New York, before the rise of Uber.
Historically, the valuable license was passed down from father to son, making this trade which been a cornerstone of Venice since 1094 effectively a family business. Indeed, Franco, the gentleman gondolier in his 60s who accompanied us on the waters around Campo Santa Maria Formasa was a second-generation gondolier, and his son was also wearing the stripes
In late 2020 however, the guild introduced a new measure: the offspring of gondoliers could take over their father’s coveted licence without needing to take the exam. Instead, the main requirement is to demonstrate that they can "row the gondola and have had four years’ experience of operating their family’s vessel".
The position was also exclusively male until 2010 when Giorgia Boscolo broke 900-odd years of tradition (albeit with strings attached).
Did you know? | The iconic uniform of a t-shirt of white or blue stripes only arrived after World War Two - prior to that black was the principle colour worn. They are still required to wear dark trousers, but the rule about dark shoes seemed to no longer be strictly enforced given the number of white trainers we saw... The straw hat, which should have a band coordinated with the t-shirt, is always on the boat but not always worn.
2021 GONDOLAS RIDE PRICES & BOOKINGS
How much is a gondola ride in Venice?
Prices are fixed at €80 for a 30 minute ride, or €100 for 35 minutes after sunset or 7 p.m. - we paid this in August 2020 and they are correct as of November 2020. You will also find prices listed on a sign at each gondola station several languages, and there is no longer any need to negotiate.
We did however get offered a couple of cheaper rides (€60 for 30 minutes) during our visit, as we imagine the two guys had had a slow morning. It would be poor form for you to try and negotiate any gondola price unless the gondolier is the person who opens that up with you as an option.
Additional time, in 20 minutes slots, is €40 and should be agreed in advance. In this case, if you're booking a bespoke ride time over the standard 30/60 minute slots, we'd actually suggest trying to negotiate a better overall price.
It's cash only, paid after the ride ends, and very important to note that this fixed price is for the gondola, not per person; if sharing with others, then you can save quite a bit overall.
And yes, we know that's bloody expensive (and is the reason you want to make it very clear that you know exactly what minute you should be ending it so they don't arrive back early - although they do arrive back a few minutes early sometimes if weather or conditions aren’t great).
The official price list is posted here, but isn’t always updated frequently (if prices have changed when you visit, please let us know in the comments so we can keep it updated for travellers like you!)
How many people can you fit in a Gondola?
You and five others, plus the gondolier. The price does not increase for the gondola if there are 2 or 5 of you, so don't let yourself be taken advantage of.
The gondolier will have to arrange and rearrange you in order to keep the boat balanced depending upon size/weight differentials. It didn't look like that tight a squeeze, so families or groups of friends will be able cut down the cost dramatically on a per person basis if doing the gondola ride together.
However, the...increasing...weight of the average tourist has led to recent calls from the president of Venice's Gondola Association to reduce the number of total passengers permitted from six to five - so don't be surprised if this is in place by the time you visit.
We are certain this move to reduce capacity on a blanket, rather than ad hoc, per boat basis is in any way linked with making more per group and increasing the number of boats required by groups...
How and where do you book a gondola ride?
You will see gondoliers hanging out on bridges and canalside, which is something we always found beguiling.
The little gondola stations (often just a chair, sign, and a parasol) are scattered all over the city and attended from about 8 or 9 a.m. Some, like this one (Google Maps) and this one (Google Maps), both a short walk from St Mark's Square, have a bunch of gondoliers and boats, whilst others will simply have one or two there sitting in the sun and waiting for a fare. You won't miss them though - gondoliers are pretty easy to spot due to their outfits - and you'll pass quite a lot as you explore the city. Our tip is to just make a note of the location of those that you like the look of if you're not going to do the trip right there and then.
You simply walk up, let them know you want a gondola ride, agree on the rough route and price, and hop into your surprisingly comfortable cushioned chair.
Don't pay in advance of the journey, always agree on the total price and the total time in advance, and it's good to have the exact money with you too.
It's also a good idea to have a little chat with your prospective gondolier and, if you feel he perhaps isn't going to add to you experience or make it as memorable as possible, to try another later on. In stations with lots of them, be aware that you may not necessarily be going out with the man you speak with too.
Where you book a gondola ride in Venice will however totally determine your gondola ride experience and route, and we discussed that in more detail later in the post (including advice on the best stations / routes and a specific accessible recommendation for wheelchair users).
Can you book a gondola ride online?
You certainly can, but there are some pros and cons to this.
The upside is certainty on time, location, and meeting point - if you are only visiting Venice for a few days, then this may be really convenient and allow you to better plan your itinerary.
The potential downside is that you may end up heading out in one long line of gondolas at the same time as others who have booked, although there's no guarantee of avoiding this happening if you just walk up and pay in person either. You also will not have a choice on the route or start points.
To get started, take a look at the gondola rides offered online here.
If you do book your Venice gondola online, please just read the reviews first! Also, we'd love to be able to share your personal recommendations here so, if you do book a gondola ride online and have a magical experience, let us know in the comments.
I'm on a budget - can I still ride a gondola in Venice?
Absolutely! If you're a backpacker, solo traveller, or on a budget in Venice, then the best bet would be to group together with others from your hostel to do a ride together. You could always linger by a station and try to join a family or honeymooner couple, but that may just be a little weird for everyone involved...
Alternatively, a follower on our Instagram let us know about an app she used in Venice called Kishare which allowed you to meet other people to share and split the cost of the experience at an agreed time and place.
Lastly, if you want something totally different, check out Row Venice, a non-profit association that several of our Instagram followers recommended whilst we were in Venice. They offer a 90-minute hands-on experience with an instructor in the canals where you get to learn to row like a Venetian in a tradtional batella coda di gambero. It's €40 per person (CHECK), and proceeds go towards supporting their local female rowing club.
By the way, feel free to follow us on over on Instagram - you'll find us at @alongdustyroads.
Do I Have to tip the Gondolier? Will he sing?
At that price per half hour, are you having a laugh?
Seriously though, tipping is imported into Italy by tourists and you are not expected to tip your gondolier. If he does a sterling job at helping your large group, truly adds to the experience, and gives you five minutes extra for nothing, then feel free to do so.
We should note there that the gondolier is not there to act as a tour guide, but may point out a few things along the way for you (Franco literally did this twice).
The singing part of a gondola ride in Venice is something all us Brits will instantly associate with Cornetto adverts of our youth (this one), and it's understandable assumption that it's part of the whole package.
Sadly, or thankfully, it is not.
It's part of the myth of the movies, rather than the reality. By all means ask your gondolier is he sings before going out with him if it's something you dream of, but just be aware that a lot of them will not and, for those that do, you will have to pay or tip extra (and you should fully agree this in advance).
THE VENICE GONDOLA RIDE EXPERIENCE
What exactly does a Gondola Ride involve?
All gondola rides will end at the same place you began.
The gondolier helps you aboard, you'll take a seat in a surprisingly comfortable padded seat and be able to stretch out your legs. If you're a group, there will be a little more arranging at the beginning and it'll be a bit less spacious, but that's all there is to it.
Surprisingly smooth and stable when on the small canals, you will just be expected to enjoy the views, take some photos, and duck your head as and when required going under a vertically-challenged bridge. You can also move around it for different photos, but it's worth checking with the gondolier when you can / cannot do this.
You will be exposed to the elements so, if gliding along under the peak summer sun, bring your own hat or umbrella. In winter, don't let yourself become too cold half way through.
The gondolier takes care of the route and the rest, bringing you back hopefully without shaving off too many minutes from the agreed time before you pay and say arrivederci!
Where is best place for a gondola ride in Venice? Should you do a gondola ride down the Grand Canal?
This is probably the most important point to note in this Venice Gondola guide.
Quite simply, you should not take your gondola ride in the Grand Canal. Yes, you may have seen some beautiful photos of people in gondolas in the canal, or lovely photos taken from the canal looking out to Rialto Bridge or the Doge's Palace. However, that is not the best way to spend your 30 minutes or €80.
As mentioned, as beautiful as it is, the Grand Canal is the main thoroughfare for all the boats in Venice. This means water taxis, vaporetti, private boats, delivery boats, and (unfortunately) even those ghastly gargantuan cruise ships - please get your shit together on that Venice. For you, this means congestion, traffic, and noise - and a much rougher ride due to the resultant waves. This is an issue recognised by the work of the Gondolier's Guild who have protested against the increasing number of motorised boats on the Grand Canal, further eating into your already brief time on the water. These waves reduce the average lifespan of the traditional wooden boats by 75%, and tragically contributed to a tourist's death on a gondola ride in 2013.
Further, rides departing from nearby St Mark's Square, Rialto, the Bridge of Sighs et al - the most tourist-trafficked places in all of Venice and a mecca for tour groups and day trippers - means the longest queues and the highest chance of a 'gondola caravan'. This traffic-jam phenomenon is a symptom of the number of tourists in Venice and the size of the canals - with your thirty-minutes becoming a slow follow the leader procession without much solitude. We were incredibly fortunate, visiting in summer 2020, not to have had this issue during our gondola ride, but seeing pictures online means it has to be known in advance.
In contrast, the relatively tranquil, relaxing, and intimate experience of a gondola ride in the narrow neighbourhood canals will be more pleasant. Our recommendation is to explore Venice on foot anyway, which will bring you to less busy gondola stations which access equally scenic and memorable routes.
Of course, if you've long dreamed of going under the famous white bridge in a gondola, then we are not here to tell you not to make that happen. Also, if you want to pass or see a certain spot on your ride, then it makes sense to find a station close by and discuss that with the gondolier to ensure their route will accommodate your request.
One way to avoid it? Get out early before the cruise ships and day trippers arrive (ideally before 10 am), or do it in the late afternoon once they've all departed.
With its narrow streets and the majority of its bridges having steps, we imagine this would be a challenging destianation for wheelchair users. However, a specific wheelchair accessible pier at Piazzale Roma was created in 2016 after the hard work of a group called Gondolas4All. You can find the station here on Google Maps, and read more about it and book here.
Should You Do A Gondola Ride at night?
We did ours at 5 p.m. so that we had less harsh light for photography, so we cannot give a recommendation either way. Cruising the waters under starlight and streetlamps would add a very romantic bent and perspective to the sights and sounds of Vencie, but it would also remove the joys of seeing the city from a different perspective during the day.
Are gondola rides in Venice worth it?
And this, dear traveller, is the question we have to leave you to answer.
Can you go to Venice and not ride a gondola?
We are of the firm opinion that, for half an hour, the standard price of €80 for a gondola is overpriced. At half of that, it would still be expensive but at least more palatable given its brevity (and we were a bit annoyed when we discovered the standard ride used to be 40 minutes for the same price). It is the principal reason why a number of travellers find the experience to be underwhelming after having such high expectations.
However, that price reflects 1) the never-ending demand in a city which can receive the crazy amount of 55,000 tourists per day, 2) the inescapable truth that you can only do a gondola ride in Venice in, well, Venice (we're not counting the Las Vegas imitation), and 3) this is an ancient tradition being kept alive solely by tourism.
If the price is too prohibitive for you, then don't dwell on it. You will still be able to have a glorious experience in Venice (especially if you read our 13 Wonderful Things To Do in Venice post), walking around its neighourhoods, taking the vaporetto or a boat tour down the Grand Canal, or gazing upon those who are in the gondolas beneath the many bridges.
However, if you have your heart set on a gondola ride and don't have any qualms about the price, then you should 100% go for it! It is the way this masterpiece of a city has been seen, and is meant to be seen, for centuries - and a singular travel experience in Europe - and you don't want to leave here with a long-boat shaped regret.
If money is no object, then we'd definitely recommend considering going for the hour-long option to make the experience last longer and offer more opportunity to savour it and take photos.
And let us know in the comments what you thought!
Read Next | 23 Things To Know Before You Visit Venice
YOUR NEXT STOP
Now you know all about how to take the perfect gondola ride in Venice, it’s time to plan your the rest of your time in the Floating City - we’ve got you covered with our in-depth guides!
13 Wonderful Things to Do in Venice
23 Things to Know Before You Visit Venice
How to Get From Marco Polo Airport to Venice
Where to Find the Best Views of Venice
How to Plan Your Venice Travel Budget
Burano | The Perfect Day Trip From Venice
Where to Stay in Venice (published soon)
23 Things to Know Before You Visit Italy (published soon)
