In this article, I present Venice gondolas and what you need to know to take a low-cost tour.
Here you'll find
- Information on the history of these gondolas
- How to take a gondola ride in Venice
- The ticket price and what it includes
- Practical tips to make the most of it
- What you can see on this water ride
- And much more!
If you're looking for information on Venice's gondolas, you'll love this article.
Follow the guide!
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Venice gondola: article summary
Gondola in Venice, the preferred means of transport for wealthy Venetians
There's no better way to discover Venice than on a gondola ride on the canals! Typical, pleasant and romantic, it's a activity to discover the city in a different way.
What is a gondola?
The gondola meets very precise specifications, and must be made from a variety of woods and metal parts, which make up its bow and stern.
It measures 10.8 metres long and 1.38 metres wideIt weighs 600 kg and is driven by a 4.2-meter-long oar, which the gondolier standing at the stern of the boat must learn to master.
Those with a keen eye for detail will notice 6 metal bars on the bow, each dedicated to a specific Venice district. As for the upper part, it represents the flag of a Doge, and recalls the importance of these rulers when they still sat on the throne. Doges' Palace.
You need to one month to build a gondola and this type of boat costs at least 20,000 euros.
The gondola in Venice
The gondola has long been the means of transport for wealthy VenetiansThis enabled them to move easily around the city via its canals. During your stay in VeniceYou'll easily understand why it's the most practical, as you discover the winding streets of the Serenissima and the absence of roads!
First mentioned in books in the 11th centurye century, the Venetian gondola took on its familiar shape in the 16th centuryThis prevents wealthy merchants from competing to own the most beautiful boat. This prevents rich merchants from competing to own the most beautiful boat, with lavish decorations and bright colors.
Until the middle of the 20th century, the wealthiest had their own private gondoliers to ply the city, before this type of transport fell into disuse and became an exclusively tourist activity. From 10,000 gondoliers in our heyday, we've moved on to 433 licensed gondoliersWith a permit and a drastic selection process that requires a lot of training. Competition is tough!
Gondoliers are easily recognized by their their striped shirtsAnd they sometimes sing Italian songs, much to the delight of the many visitors who take part in this activity. If you come to tourism in VeniceIt's time for a gondola ride!
And as I explain below, you can climb aboard a gondola to cruise the waters, without breaking the bank.
What's included in this gondola ride in Venice?
As a general rule, a gondola tour in Venice is very expensive, costing at least 100 euros/tour, depending on your negotiating skills. But it's possible to get on board at a low price, with this ticket that includes :
- 20 minutes of explanations (in French, English and Italian) on the history and operation of these gondolas
- 30 minutes of sailing on the canals of Venice
- A multilingual application if you wish to follow the comments with headphones
- A experienced gondolierthat guarantees an unforgettable experience
There will be a maximum of 5 of you on the gondola, for a shared experience which allows you to enjoy it at a low price. And the tour takes in the city from a privileged vantage point.
What will you see on the gondola ride?
The 30-minute itinerary takes you past famous monuments and into nooks and crannies not easily accessible by any other means than gondola. You'll see
- Visit Grand Canal and its secrets
- The theater of la FeniceVenice's leading opera house
- The collection Peggy Guggenheim
- Visit Mozart's house
- Several Venice bridges
- And so much more!
This is the best way to discover the Serenissima and appreciate its inimitable architecture. If you're looking for what to do in Venice and you have the romantic souldon't hesitate!
How do you get to your gondolier?
The Venice gondola tour departs from the following address: Calle Larga Ascensione, 1257, Venice
It's right in the center of town, not far from St Mark's squareIt's easy to get to:
- Walk to Place St. Marc, a must-see during your stay.
- Visit vaporetto (1 or 2), get off at Vallessero stop
All you have to do is find the Gondola tour and the person wearing a T-shirt with the same inscription, to present your ticket and follow it to your gondola.
Gondola in Venice: Rates, reservations, opening hours, practical information
Here's what you need to know to enjoy this gondola ride in Venice!
Rates and booking
- Adult ticket: 28 euros
- Couple ticket (to ensure you're on the same gondola): 33 euros
- Free for children under 2, if they do not occupy a seat
Reservations are mandatory and can be made online. You'll receive your tickets instantly on your mobile devices and simply present them to the staff at the meeting point!
Opening hours
Gondola tours are available every day of the year, at the following times: 10am, 11.10am, 2.10pm, 3.20pm, 4pm, 5.15pm and 6pm.
If you visit Venice in winterWhen the sun goes down early, opt for a ticket at the end of the day to take advantage of the romanticism conferred by the luminosity. It's superb and your gondolier might even light a candle on the boat... !
Useful info
If the weather is too fickle, your gondola ride may be postponed until the following day.
What to see and do in the area?
The departure and arrival points for this gondola tour are identical, so you'll disembark at around St. Mark's Square. From here you can :
- Visit Saint Mark's Basilica and discover the treasures it houses
- Climb to the top of the Venice Campanile
- Discover the doges palace and its iconic prison
- Walk along the Grand Canal to enjoy the view
What to do in Venice in 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 5 days, a week?
Whatever the length of your stay, I invite you to download my special Venice guide.
It's free and in PDF format.
All you have to do is tell me below which e-mail address you'd like to receive it at.
EDIT: you can't enter your email?
Take the quiz at the top of this article and you'll be able to register your email address to receive the special Venice guide!
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