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
Please note that all tours start and end at Piazzale Roma (near the train station)
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‘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
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 .
Options
30 minutes
Duration: 30 minutes
Gondola ride
90 minutes
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Gondola ride
90 minutes Night Rate
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
30 minutes Night Rate
Duration: 30 minutes
2 Hours Night Rate
1 Hour
Duration: 1 hour
Gondola ride
2 hours
Duration: 2 hours
Gondola ride
1 hour Night Rate
Duration: 1 hour
Reviews
322 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Whispering Waters Under Magical Moonlight
Kathy H,
Nov 2, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00What a wonderful evening! We booked a 60 minute daytime ride, beginning at 5:30, but Europe had just turned their clocks back, so the sun was setting as we arrived, and we basically ended up with a nighttime ride, which was just lovely. We arrived a few minutes early, as requested, and proceeded directly to the gondolier stand, as the ticket booth was closed. (We also had to look for it a bit, because Google Maps had it on the other side of the bridge’s stairs.). I showed my ticket from my phone, and we were directed THROUGH another (already occupied) gondola and into ours; that was an adventure in itself, as this is a relatively large canal with waves, and these boats rock! But the crew all offered strong hands/arms to ensure we crossed through and safely found our seats. My husband and I sat in the bench facing forward right in front of the gondolier, and the other two in our group sat in chairs facing inward on each side of the gondola. (The chairs faced inward, but they were able to sit facing in or toward the front.). Our ride began in the relatively large canal on which we boarded, and we spent a little time in the Grand Canal, but the majority was in smaller, quiet canals in quaint and beautiful residential areas, softly lit by “street” lights and/or the moon. We were afraid that an hour might get monotonous, but that was as far from the truth as possible. Every curve or turn resulted in another beautiful site, and the hour flew by. I would have happily stayed for another hour. Tommy, our gondolier, was friendly, funny, informative, and highly skilled. (Those larger canals have a lot of boats of all different types, and they do get close to each other - nerves of steel!). He seems to know everyone in the city, because several people called out to him as we floated by, and it was fun to hear their interactions - though it probably would have been even more fun had I known what they were saying. LOL We hadn’t had the opportunity for a gondola ride in our previous visit to Venice, and we regretted that greatly, so it was a top priority this time, and it did not disappoint. I 100% recommend it!
We had a great...
RHONDA S,
Nov 2, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00We had a great experience. Even though it started to rain, we still enjoyed the ride. Flavio was very nice, he lend us an umbrella, and he answered all our questions. There are times when the weather is not what you expect, but it the way one reacts to any unforeseen situation that makes the difference of any experience. Thank you Flavio we enjoyed it!
A Magical Gondola Trip with Fabio
Bernie H,
Nov 1, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We did the 1.5 hour Gondola trip and it was perfect for our family of four (two teenage boys). Fabio balanced very well what we needed to know (learned so much) versus letting us take in our surroundings at the same time. His vast experience showed as he expertly navigated the smaller quieter canals and also on the larger grand canal. Would recommend the 1.5 hour trip as 30 minutes just flew by so quickly. We had arrived a few minutes early and Fabio started our tour straight away.
Too expensive - do it yourself.
Barbra R,
Oct 28, 2025
- Review from Viator
3.00Way overpriced for the experience. Could have just walked up to pier and got on a gondola on our own.
Wonderful private gondola ride in less busy canals- loved it.
Joseph N,
Oct 27, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Great ride in beautiful and less heavily traveled canal network. Very good and friendly gondola captain.
Thru nice neighborhoods...
LuisEduardo G,
Oct 26, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Thru nice neighborhoods and back areas of Venice. One hour was enough for us to take in the flavor of Venice’s
Great Time
Athol C,
Oct 16, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00What a lovely way to tour the city. Our gondolier wasn't the most fluent in English he managed to get the message across and it was amazing to hear that he was a fifth generation gondolier
Do not book
Faina G,
Oct 15, 2025
- Review from Viator
1.00Do not book this tour. They are overcharging you. We found out upon arrival to Venice. There is a set rate for a gondola up to 5 pple. There are no surprises at the end because it’s a set fee set by the city. It costs $90 for 30 min. Cash only. The gondolier was supposed to ask us if we wanted a guided tour and he never did.
Private Gondola Ride
soniamM6619XQ,
Oct 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00We had a good private half hour gondola ride with Tomi. He was very friendly and explained a little about some areas of Venice. He answered our questions and was very passionate about his job. He also sang for us as we went down the canals of Venice. All though it rained a little, Tomi made the Gondola experience a memorable experience.
The walk is not down the...
Jose S,
Oct 14, 2025
- Review from Viator
3.00The walk is not in the best area of Venice, it is not walking in the area of San Marcos or the Grand Canal, it is NOT the best route. Additionally, they changed the time of the reservation by email and when we arrived they had another time, I forced me to lose a later reservation including the fee.
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