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 will ask you if you want a commentary during the experience or you can silently take in the sights and enjoy the 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
1 Hour
Duration: 1 hour
Gondola ride
90 minutes
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Gondola ride
2 hours
Duration: 2 hours
Gondola ride
2 Hours Night Rate
90 minutes Night Rate
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
1 hour Night Rate
Duration: 1 hour
30 minutes Night Rate
Duration: 30 minutes
30 minutes
Duration: 30 minutes
Gondola ride
Reviews
334 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
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.
Gondolier was late. Tour...
Sarah R,,Jan 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
2.00Gondolier was late. Tour good but very expensive going through Viator. Avoiding the grand canal which we enjoyed.
Awesome
Joecool,,Jan 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Awesome ride on the gondola ride , the driver is very friendly , helpful . Coming back next year with the family to do it all over again. .
What’s not to love!
Todd H,,Dec 30, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Fun gondola ride! Our Gondelier, wove his way through the big and small canals with ease. Great way to see the city.
Negative experience
GEORGIAANNA B,,Dec 25, 2025
- Review from Viator
1.00The gondola ride was not what we expected at all. Specifically, the canals that we explored were kind of abandoned, some were working sites or filled with floating garbage. Additionally, the whole ride lasted a total of 20mins instead of the expected 30mins that we paid for.
We saw both the Geand...
Rustine T,,Dec 20, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We saw both the Geand Canal and side canals where locals reside. The experience was excellent due to the contrast in locations. Our gondolier was informative but not too chatty, so we enjoyed serenity for many stretches. I recommend this experience to peek into the background of the Grand Canal.
Very Disappointed Gondola Tour Suckers.
Rodney L,,Dec 16, 2025
- Review from Viator
2.00For a 90 minute gondola ride … which was put back in time making it later on a winters night .. wasn’t value for money. It cost us quite a lot of money. There wasn’t much commentary on it at all. No music. Definitely no offer of a knee rug… which the four of us certainly needed as we came back as icebergs. Our friend has spent the day in bed as she came back so cold. We left so rugged up but a blanket offer would have been nice. Not value for money. Maybe just grab a gondola outside your motel room instead of paying a fortune to go on a gondola tour through Viator.
Terrible experience
Lori T,,Nov 28, 2025
- Review from Viator
1.00We showed up at 3:10pm for a 3:30 appointment. No one was there working the Gondolas. A couple from Australia that had a 3pm appt was also there waiting. They contacted Viator with no luck. I te t at 3:17pm and emailed at 3:27 pm. We finally left at 3:40. Finally reached Viator thru email after requesting a refund and they said that the tour company said we never showed. That’s a LIE. I submitted the texts and email time stamps and they still won’t give me a refund. I went back to the gondola stand at 4:45 a surprise, the gondlier was there. I confronted him, he said he was here the entire time. I provided proof that wasn’t true with pictures and all he said was “you can come back at 6pm.” What a disappointment. Viator won’t refund our money. I would not recommend Viator or this Gindola company to anyone. If I could give it zero stars I would.
Nice But.
Randall W,,Nov 17, 2025
- Review from Viator
2.00I enjoyed the ride, but the gondolier talked on the phone the entire hour. I would use a different service.
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