Private Tour
Venice Private Gondola Ride: Explore Hidden Canals and Sights
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
Step aboard your private gondola and glide through the canals of Venice. Whether you want to meander through hidden corners or glide under famous bridges and sights – this tour satisfies all tastes. Fabio, one of the gondoliers, says, ‘Being a gondolier is so much more than operating a gondola. Over 400 hours go into getting a Gondolier license, learning the ins and outs of the canals, Venetian art and history. You’re really in the safest hands.’
The shortest tour focuses on the San Paolo district. Discover an intimate side of Venice and lesser-known gems. Canal-facing facades are a unique characteristic of Venetian buildings before streets came along – the canals were the streets – and they were a way of showing style and wealth.
If you want to continue to the Grand Canal you can choose the 1-hour tour and If you’re bursting to see Venice’s more famed locations, the 1.5-hour tour showcases the Rialto Bridge area and the longest ride adds St. Mark’s Square to the itinerary.
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
This activity takes place rain or shine, but please note that in the event of exceptionally high tides or heavy rain, the tour may be cancelled by the local supplier and a full refund will be provided
Each gondola carries a maximum of 5 people (infants included). Larger groups will be divided between multiple gondolas
Please note that babies count as adults. You need to book a ticket even for them
Please arrive 10 minutes before the tour departure time. If you arrive late, the ride will be shorter and for those more than 15 minutes late, this will be considered a no-show
Dogs are allowed on the boat and don't count towards the maximum number of people
Your gondolier can provide commentary and answer any questions you might have about the city , or you can take in the sights and soak up the atmosphere on this relaxing ride
Duration is subject to traffic conditions
Tour starts from the moment of boarding
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Chiesa di Santa Maria dei Carmini
Drift past the elegant Carmelite church and feel centuries of history echo off its Renaissance façade. Then swoon at the fairytale charm of Torres’ neo-medieval home—so romantic, it practically whispers sweet nothings to passing lovers.
Ca' Zenobio degli Armeni
Wander through the lavish halls of Palazzo Ca' Zenobio, where elegance meets intrigue—and if you're lucky, you might just stumble upon a film shoot .
What‘s Included
Friendly and expert local gondoliere
2-hour tour enjoys the full itinerary
1.5-hour tour goes up to Rialto Market before going back to the meeting point
30-minutes tour goes up to Palazzo Briati before going back to the meeting point
60-minutes tour goes up to San Polo before going back to the meeting point
Choice of a 30-minute, 1-hour, 1.5-hour or 2-hour tour
Transportation to the meeting point
Options
2 hours
Duration: 2 hours
Gondola ride
1 Hour
Duration: 1 hour
Gondola ride
30 minutes Night Rate
Duration: 30 minutes
90 minutes Night Rate
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
30 minutes
Duration: 30 minutes
Gondola ride
90 minutes
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Gondola ride
1 hour Night Rate
Duration: 1 hour
2 Hours Night Rate
Reviews
342 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Family gondola ride
Krista B,Mar 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our gondolier did a wonderful job and answered all of our questions.
Venice Gondola
Bruce T,Mar 16, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Luca was a great gondolier. The trip was scenic and peaceful. The church bells were ringing. It was a wonderful experience.
Lovely gondola ride
Peter W,Mar 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Very much enjoyed our gondola ride. The guide was very polite and pointed out some of the key sights and explained a little about the history of the city.
Romantic gondola ride
Gary L,Mar 3, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Highly recommend, myself and my partner loved the experience, was very peaceful and romantic, would definitely do this again
Quiet canal view of Venice
Joel D,Feb 26, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Leo, our gondolier, was excellent with not only his navigational ability but with his knowledge of Venice, her buildings, her history and famous historical people as well glided down quiet back cabals. We would highly recommend this experience. We did 90 minutes and worth every penny!
Superb experience and well worth the money
Steve C,Feb 26, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a wonderful experience on our gondola ride. Our guide so great and full of local knowledge. He also took us deep into the quieter area away from the main hustle and bustle. Definitely recommended
A great, fun and interesting tour of the Venice waterways
SaintPat1976,Feb 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Thank you Lorenzo - a great tour around the waterways of Venice. Lots of local information and history and a great sense of humour. Very polite and professional and included all 3 of us in the conversation. Fun facts and knowledge.
Beautiful experience!
Trina M,Jan 25, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Absolutely wonderful experience. No commentary though but we preferred the silence so we could truly enjoy the ride. Venice is so beautiful from the water. The company was professional, kind, and helpful. No complains at all. But it is much colder in the water than on shore, January was very very cold. We had such a good time!
Night time Gondola Ride
Roy L,Jan 18, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We booked a night time 6pm gondola ride with Viator through their online chat…the agent was super helpful and made it all so easy and then when we arrived 30 mins early for the gondola ride the gondolier let us start early which was really nice of him…he was very friendly and very knowledgeable and pointed out local landmarks in good English and was extremely skilful at guiding it through the canals…it was so magical to do this at night …I would highly recommend both Viator ( who booked this for us and a trip to Murano/Burano) and the gondola ride which was amazing!!
Great
MarcosAntonio Z,Jan 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The meeting place was easy to find, the staff was friendly and knowledgeable. A lovely ride that can be shorter or longer.
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