Venice: Exclusive Grand Canal Gondola Journey with Guide
✨ Experience Venice from its most iconic perspective — a guided gondola ride paired with a journey into gondola history and tradition. • Secrets of the Gondola Begin with a short walking tour as your expert guide reveals the fascinating history of gondolas and gondoliers, sharing hidden legends and stories passed down through generations. • Gondola Ride – Venice on Water Glide through quiet canals and iconic sights like Mozart’s House, La Fenice Theatre, and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. Sail past the domes of the Salute Church and Punta della Dogana, ending with breathtaking views of St. Mark’s Campanile and the Doge’s Palace. • Gondola Gallery – History & Innovation Step inside a Venetian palace to explore a real gondola up close. Touch handcrafted parts, learn how it's built, and enjoy a virtual Grand Canal journey through the ages — just like Venetian nobles once did. © Venice Tours S.r.I. - format created by Venice Tours and licensed to City Tours Co. Ltd. All rights reserved.
Reviews
Reviews and Rating (Tripadvisor)
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Reviews by Tripadvisor travelers
williamsfam1325, 11/6/2025 9:16:28 AM
The first part of the walking tour was very interesting historically but also very short. You do not see very much of the city or learn much of the history. The gondilier was on his phone part of the trip and waited for another boat so they could have conversation as we rode side by side, which took away from the trip. We were supposed to hear commentary for part of the ride but the whisper set did not pick up anything. It was not a bad tour but certaintly not what we were expecting per the other reviews and what was stated in the description.
Wanderer557911, 11/6/2025 9:11:49 AM
Our tour guide was very kind and knowledgeable. I felt very well informed the whole time. The ride itself was gentle and picturesque
826ozgeo, 11/5/2025 11:04:52 AM
46 euros or 53 dollars per person for a 30 min ride. Way above the rest of the canoe rides you'll see at each corner. Elsewhere you can easily rent the entire canoe (which takes up to 5 people for a total of 90 euros; lowering the price/person to 18 euros.) The only difference here is the additional 5-10 minutes of VR experience in a tent with loud stranges, who do not stay quiet while watching a VR video. Our guide was a friendly local who shared some facts and info on Venice before our ride started. I liked her involvement, but I cannot get over the fact that we paid almost 30 euros/person more than the alternatives.
Donna_M, 11/5/2025 6:22:15 AM
This was ok for a tourist experience. For 3 of us I think we could book a private gondola on our own. The narration was good for first time Venice visitor. One of us was first time the other two have been multiple times.
L2998ZHfredh, 11/4/2025 10:40:01 PM
The gondola ride was amazing, however the “ English commentary” was during the short walk from the meeting place to where you get in the gondola. None of the gondoliers we meet, 5 or 6 spoke any English!
Deborah_R, 11/2/2025 7:48:16 AM
Perfect Gondola Experience, easy to find tour office, great pre virtual video and short walking tour! The Gondola ride was lovely and the tour company offered an audio tour to download to our phone.
audss2025, 11/1/2025 7:26:09 AM
Our gondola ride was such a pleasant way to see a bit of the city. The gondoliers are so skilled and the journey so peaceful. Our guide was so engaging and informative. Wonderful!
garyjbirch1975, 11/1/2025 3:33:11 AM
After signing in at the office, you then go to a meeting point to get your listening device and gondola number. Then a 10 min walk with description to the gondola. You have to share if there are not 5 of you, which is a bit of a shame, but the ride was nice and about 20/25 mins. Then back to the office where there is a small museum / bookshop where you have a 5 min VR experience on the history of Venice.
Leslie_h, 10/31/2025 11:49:45 PM
Gondolaier was great. Gave us lots of history. Would definitely recommend this. Tour guide was great as well.
Ilaria Z, 10/31/2025 4:24:09 PM
I really enjoyed the tour! Alvise was amazing and very knowledgeable about the history of Venice! Very recommended to everybody
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Each gondola can host maximum 5 people; the seat aboard cannot be chosen but will be assigned by the gondolier depending of guests weight.
- The Gondola Ride does not operate in case of exceptionally bad weather or high/low tide (in these cases it can be postponed the days after otherwise it will be refunded)
- The itinerary may change in the event of wind or bad weather
- The guide will be only on one gondola, the participants on the others gondola will listen to her/him with the audio-devices
- The live commentary will be only in English, French and Spanish. The commentary on German, Japanese, Chinese, Hindi, and Russian will be provided by mobile app downloaded on the own devices.
- The live commentary IS NOT included in the PRIVATE OPTION
- Please be at the meeting point 10 minutes before the departure time
- On certain dates, most travelers staying outside of Venice who are planning to visit for the day will be required to pay a €5 access fee. For further details (including exemptions) and to learn what days this fee is applicable, please visit: https://cda.ve.it
- SHARED GONDOLA RIDE OPTION (if option is selected): 20 minutes walking introduction to the gondola experience and 30 minutes shared gondola ride
- Please note that the activity may follow two different itineraries, the Grand Canal or St. Mark’s Basin, depending on the option chosen.
Departure point
Venice Tours is in Campo San Gallo, beside San Marco Square. Having the Basilica of San Marco behind you, stay on the right side of the square and go under the arches. Find Olivetti Museum, turn right, pass under the archways, cross the little bridge and go straight to “Campo San Gallo”.Return details
✨ Experience Venice from its most iconic perspective — a guided gondola ride paired with a journey into gondola history and tradition. • Secrets of the Gondola Begin with a short walking tour as your expert guide reveals the fascinating history of gondolas and gondoliers, sharing hidden legends and stories passed down through generations. • Gondola Ride – Venice on Water Glide through quiet canals and iconic sights like Mozart’s House, La Fenice Theatre, and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. Sail past the domes of the Salute Church and Punta della Dogana, ending with breathtaking views of St. Mark’s Campanile and the Doge’s Palace. • Gondola Gallery – History & Innovation Step inside a Venetian palace to explore a real gondola up close. Touch handcrafted parts, learn how it's built, and enjoy a virtual Grand Canal journey through the ages — just like Venetian nobles once did. © Venice Tours S.r.I. - format created by Venice Tours and licensed to City Tours Co. Ltd. All rights reserved.Redemption
- Each gondola can host maximum 5 people; the seat aboard cannot be chosen but will be assigned by the gondolier depending of guests weight. - The Gondola Ride does not operate in case of exceptionally bad weather or high/low tide (in these cases it can be postponed the days after otherwise it will be refunded) - The itinerary may change in the event of wind or bad weather - The guide will be only on one gondola, the participants on the others gondola will listen to her/him with the audio-devices - The live commentary will be only in English, French, Spanish. The commentary in Italian, German, Japanese, Chinese, Hindi, and Russian will be provided by mobile app downloaded on the own devices. - The commentary IS NOT included in the PRIVATE OPTION - SHARED GONDOLA RIDE OPTION (if option is selected): 20 minutes walking introduction to the gondola experience and 30 minutes shared gondola ride24 hours before travel date - 100% refund
Less than 24 hours before travel date - 0% refund