The Best Way to Experience Venice

Drift beneath bridges, beside cafes, by tourists and local Italians and through the atmospheric Venetian streetscape as your singing gondolier escorts you down the Grand Canal for a gondola ride you’ll always remember. A romantic Gondola ride in Venice unmasks all the charm that consumes Venice.

The magic of Venice will become evident as you drift by gondola down the shimmering Grand Canal and turn down narrow canals spanned by small bridges that comprise a labyrinth of land and water. Gondolas have existed in Venice for centuries. At first, gondolas were used to transport goods down the narrow canals of Venice, today gondolas are mostly used for sightseeing and ceremonial functions. Taking a gondola ride in Venice gives you a completely different view of the city than exploring it by walking. The ideal time for a gondola ride in Venice is later in the day when the canals are less crowded with other boats.

A gondola ride along the Venice’s Grand Canal is believed to be one of the most romantic adventures in the world. Two people can fit comfortably in the seat at the back and enjoy the sights along the Grand Canal.

Having a gondolier propel your gondola down the Venetian canals and sing beautiful Italian songs is something you will always remember. On your romantic gondola trip you will pass stunning buildings, historic churches and cozy cafes that make Venice so beautiful.
Unfortunately, gondola ride scams are relatively common. The rule of thumb in Venice is that a gondola should be painted black and that the gondolier should be a local Venetian to have learned the techniques and trades of being a true gondolier.

You must still decide to go through with a romantic gondola ride, just be weary of potential scams. Head on over to the Tronchetto, or the Piazzale Roma to the Ponte di Rialto and the Doge’s Palace. At any one of these locations, you will usually run into gondoliers that offer that uniquely Venetian experience.

The cost of a gondola ride in Venice varies. You can expect to pay at least €70. However, these so-called official rates are not usually followed, so you will most probably end up paying €100. This doesn’t even guarantee you the promised 50-minute gondola ride. Price hikes may also occur if you request a song from the gondolier. This occurs because gondoliers invest a large amount of money in their gondolas. It costs about €20,000 for a hand-built wooden gondola that can last up to 20 years. Aside from having to recoup their investment, their standard of living is also relatively higher, as living in Venice can be quite expensive.