Tours and Tickets to Experience Grand Canal

Q: How much does it cost to visit the Grand Canal in Venice?

You don’t need Grand Canal tickets, as it’s a public waterway, but if you want to see it by boat, you’ll need to book a tour by gondola. Gondola rides start at around US$35, while walking tours and gondola combos start at about US$50. Private boat tours can cost US$200 or more.

Q: How much does a vaporetto ride on the Grand Canal in Venice cost?

According to the most recent information, standard tickets for the vaporetto—a public water bus or water taxi system that connects the city of Venice and nearby islands—cost €7 and are valid in one direction for 60 minutes. Travel cards valid for 12, 24, 48, 72 hours, or one week cost between €20–60.

Q: What are the most famous landmarks along the Grand Canal in Venice?

The most famous (and visited) landmarks along the Grand Canal in Venice are the Rialto Bridge; Ca’ d’Oro, a prestigious Gothic palace; Palazzo Venier dei Leoni with its Peggy Guggenheim Collection; Santa Maria della Salute Church; and Ca’ Rezzonico, a palace turned museum that displays Venetian art and 18th-century furnishings.

Q: What are the top photo spots along the Grand Canal in Venice?

The top photo spots along the Grand Canal in Venice are the four bridges crossing the public waterway—these are the Rialto Bridge (the oldest), the Accademia Bridge, the Scalzi Bridge, and the Constitution Bridge. Other great photo vantage locations are Punta della Dogana and the Fondaco dei Tedeschi rooftop terrace.

Q: Are there any free ways to experience the Grand Canal in Venice?

You can experience the Grand Canal in Venice for free by walking along its promenades and bridges, like the Rialto Bridge, or by stopping at public vaporetto stops to view the canal from the docks. The Accademia Bridge and St. Mark’s Square also offer top canal views without any cost.

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Charming Gondola Ride on the Grand Canal & Gondola Gallery™

Nothing takes the shine off a gondola ride more than standing in line. Say goodbye to long waits as you cruise the Grand Canal aboard a shared gondola. As you glide past churches, bridges, and canals. Learn about the sights using an app or brochure in your choice of nine languages. Lastly, experience a ride in a unique virtual reality as you glide over the Grand Canal's tranquil waters at sunset, and then discover the craftsmanship and secrets behind Venice's iconic boats with an up-close look at a sectioned model.

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4.0

(1,325)

Charming Gondola Ride on the Grand Canal & Gondola Gallery™

Free Cancellation
45 minutes

from $50

Price varies by group size

Likely to Sell Out

Venice Private Gondola Ride: Explore Hidden Canals and Sights

Experience the tranquil beauty of Venice from the water on a private gondola ride that takes you through the city's less-traveled canals. Relax onboard a traditional Venetian boat as a professional gondolier navigates past historic palaces, churches, and landmarks that most tourists miss. Booking in advance guarantees your party’s seats and saves you the hassle of payment on the spot, so you can sit back and enjoy the ride.

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3.8

(346)

Venice Private Gondola Ride: Explore Hidden Canals and Sights

Free Cancellation
30 minutes to 2 hours

from $93

Price varies by group size

Grand Canal Gondola Experience with Live Commentary™

Experience the magic of Venice on a small-group gondola ride through its enchanting canals, guided by skilled gondoliers who share stories of the city’s history and iconic landmarks. Glide beneath centuries-old bridges, marvel at the Grand Canal, and enjoy breathtaking views of St. Mark’s Square and San Giorgio Island. Enhance your journey with a visit to the Gondola Gallery to uncover the history and craftsmanship of Venice’s iconic gondolas, see an original gondola on display, and take a 3D journey through Venice across the centuries.

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Grand Canal Gondola Experience with Live Commentary™

Free Cancellation
1 hour

from $48

Small Group Venice Grand Canal Panoramic Tour

3.2

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Small Group Venice Grand Canal Panoramic Tour

Free Cancellation
1 hour

from $53

Discover a side of Venice many tourists never see on this real secret Venice walking tour. Join your Venetian guide for a stroll through authentic local neighborhoods and past captivating hidden gems. Delve into the history and lore of the Jewish Ghetto, Cannaregio, and San Polo districts, stopping to admire its quiet canals and tiny artisan workshops that still make traditional handicrafts.

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4.9

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Tour of The Real Hidden Venice

Free Cancellation
2 hours

from $69

Price varies by group size

The Secrets of the Grand Canal - Special Private Boat Tour

The most exclusive and unique tour of the Grand Canal, discovering its stories, legends and mysteries. A true Venetian will guide you in this fascinating itinerary to live the city from a different perspective: the water! Through this experience you will explore the entire city in just 1 hour, immersed in a magic 100% Venetian atmosphere! Please note: pictures are for illustration purposes only and to present the experience in its entirety. The boat is a private deluxe water taxi. A specific boat cannot be granted, since it is upon availability. For any inquiry or customization, feel free to contact us.

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The Secrets of the Grand Canal - Special Private Boat Tour

Free Cancellation
1 hour

from $205

Price varies by group size

Classic 30-Minute Gondola Ride in Venice

Explore Venice's famous canals on a guided gondola ride through the city. Meander beneath bridges and along quiet, peaceful stretches in a traditional Venetian boat, taking in sights such as the Rialto Bridge and Campo Manin as you go. Join our expert gondolier in enjoying one of Venice's most leisurely and original pastimes, and don't miss this chance to experience the Grand Canal from the water.

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3.2

(969)

Classic 30-Minute Gondola Ride in Venice

Free Cancellation
25 to 30 minutes

from $46

Venice Boat Tour on Grand Canal with Local Guide

4.4

(60)

Venice Boat Tour on Grand Canal with Local Guide

Free Cancellation
1 hour 30 minutes

from $116

Price varies by group size

Venice In a Day: St Mark's, Doges Palace Gondola Ride & City Tour

Venice is home to hundreds of attractions, making it difficult to cover the highlights in limited time. Ideal for first-time visitors, this full-day tour of Venice checks off top sights. Stroll across the Rialto Bridge and browse the lively Rialto fish market, then hop aboard a traditional gondola for a romantic cruise along the Grand Canal. Finally, visit St. Marks's Basilica and enjoy skip-the-line entrance to the grandiose Doge's Palace.

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Venice In a Day: St Mark's, Doges Palace Gondola Ride & City Tour

Free Cancellation
4 to 6 hours

from $122

Price varies by group size

Venice Street Food Tour with Local Guide with Local Food Market Visit

Taste your way through the canal city on a street food tour of Venice. Meander through the Floating City without having to navigate or overcome the language barrier in a small group that guarantees personalized attention. Pass top sights such as Rialto Market and the Grand Canal, while you savor Venetian specialties including cicchetti (small plates), buranelli (butter cookies), and much more.

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Venice Street Food Tour with Local Guide with Local Food Market Visit

Free Cancellation
2 hours 30 minutes

from $52

Cinematic Photoshoot in Venice: Capture Venice Hidden Gems

Capture a cinematic experience of your trip to Venice with a professional photographer who can customize anything to your preferred style. The day begins with a pre-shoot consultation, confirming locations and providing tips on clothing and poses. The shoot itself doubles as a guided tour of iconic Venice spots, complete with a curated visual journey through hidden alleys, quiet canals, and iconic views.

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4.9

(114)

Cinematic Photoshoot in Venice: Capture Venice Hidden Gems

Free Cancellation
1 to 2 hours

from $116

Per group

Morning Walking Tour of Venice with Mini Cruise

Start your day walking along Venice’s historic streets and over its famous bridges before crossing the Grand Canal on a gondola. You’ll see Piazza San Marco in the heart of the city and visit the Rialto Bridge before stepping into a gondola to discover the ancient Rialto Market. You’ll pass through the Venetian Ghetto and see the railway station before taking a motorboat back to San Marco.

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Morning Walking Tour of Venice with Mini Cruise

Free Cancellation
2 hours

from $29

Grand Canal Romantic Serenade – by Crafted Gondola

Experience the beauty of Venice from the water with this exclusive small-group gondola ride that includes a live singer and musician for a romantic serenade. Learn about the history and traditions of Venetian gondolas with a short introduction, then settle on board for an unforgettable ride. Relax to the strains of classic Italian ballads while taking in some of the city's most famous sights from the water, snapping keepsake photos along the way.

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4.0

(166)

Grand Canal Romantic Serenade – by Crafted Gondola

Free Cancellation
40 minutes

from $69

Grand Canal boat tour and Murano glass experience with Hotel pick up

Nip through Venice the stylish way, in a comfortable water taxi, on this private tour, with one convenient flat rate for groups of up to 10. Admire ancient palaces, secret gardens, the Rialto Bridge, and more, as your guide introduces the city’s signature buildings and the families that made them great. Finish at Murano island, famed for glass for centuries, with a private tour of a historic workshop.

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4.5

(41)

Grand Canal boat tour and Murano glass experience with Hotel pick up

Free Cancellation
3 hours

from $293

Per group

Guided Venice Street Food Tour and City Sightseeing

Experience the sights and flavors of Venice during this small-group, sightseeing and street food tour. Explore bustling Rialto Market, filled with seafood and produce stalls. Pass by iconic landmarks like Basilica dei Frari and Campo San Bartolomeo while sampling local specialties like bite-sized cicchetti, regional cheeses, traditional cakes, and buranelli biscuits. Tours are capped at only 15 participants to ensure a personalized experience

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4.5

(21)

Guided Venice Street Food Tour and City Sightseeing

Free Cancellation
2 hours 30 minutes

from $58

Price varies by group size

Explore the famous sites and hidden charms of Venice on this walking tour, followed by a ride through the city’s canals on an iconic gondola. Follow your local guide through a romantic maze of surrounding backstreets to discover some of Venice’s lesser-known gems. Learn the fascinating history of Venice as you wander through narrow alleys and over stone footbridges, and then hop aboard a Venetian gondola for a leisurely ride along the Grand Canal.

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Venice Walking Tour and Gondola Ride

Free Cancellation
2 hours 9 minutes to 2 hours 27 minutes

from $70

Venice Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone

Explore Venice at your own pace on this self-guided walking tour, which brings together top landmarks like the Doge’s Palace and Rialto Market with hidden corners you might otherwise have missed, including a whimsical statue and tucked-away church. Using an app on your smartphone, you’ll hear stories about each of the 25 stops and keep on the right track with a map that has all the sights marked ahead.

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Venice Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone

Free Cancellation
2 hours

from $8

Rialto Market Food and Wine Lunchtime Tour of Venice

Enjoy a real taste of Venice on a tantalizing lunchtime tour of the Rialto Market and discover the city’s impressive culinary credentials. Follow your guide on a tour of Venice’s foodie hotspots, browse the fresh produce at the city’s famous markets, and tuck into traditional cicchetti (Venetian tapas) at a local inn. Finally, sample fine regional wines and prosecco at the city’s legendary Bacari bars, then leave armed with plenty of recommendations for where to shop and dine in the city.

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Rialto Market Food and Wine Lunchtime Tour of Venice

Free Cancellation
4 hours

from $110

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Discover DOP Olive Oil

Free Cancellation
2 hours 30 minutes

from $70

From Milan: Venice Full-Day Guided Tour With Boat Ride

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From Milan: Venice Full-Day Guided Tour With Boat Ride

Free Cancellation
13 hours

from $187

Price varies by group size

From Florence to Venice: A Day Trip to the Floating City

4.5

(90)

From Florence to Venice: A Day Trip to the Floating City

Free Cancellation
14 to 15 hours

from $141

Likely to Sell Out

Venice's Best: Basilica, Doge's Palace, Gondola & History Gallery

Skip the lines at Saint Mark’s Basilica and Doge's Palace and opt for a small-group guided tour instead. Then, enjoy the quintessential Venice experience—a gondola ride through the city’s canals and waterways. Your ticket also includes access to several landmarks surrounding Saint Mark’s Square, as well as access to a mobile app that provides commentary to a walking tour of the city at your own pace.

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4.7

(2,775)

Venice's Best: Basilica, Doge's Palace, Gondola & History Gallery

Free Cancellation
3 hours 30 minutes

from $116

Venice Like a Local: Food, Wine & Spritz Tour with Traghetto Ride

Taste your way through the backstreet bars of Venice—and discover sights and bites you'd be unlikely to find on your own—on this small-group tasting tour. Follow your local guide to a range of bars where Venetians go to drink and mingle. At each stop, sample regional wines alongside plates of the popular Venetian appetizers called cicchetti. Along the way, visit multiple neighborhoods and discover key city landmarks.

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4.8

(1,873)

Venice Like a Local: Food, Wine & Spritz Tour with Traghetto Ride

Free Cancellation
2 hours 30 minutes

from $104

Price varies by group size

Likely to Sell Out

Venice Day Trip from Rome by High-Speed Train with Happy Hour

Take this independent day trip to Venice from Rome for a chance to wander the city’s maze of alleyways, visit St. Mark’s Square, and float down the famous canals by water bus. Travel from Rome to Venice by high-speed train and explore the city however you wish. See St. Mark's Basilica, go shopping, or get lost in the city's maze-like alleyways. End the day with a Venetian "happy hour," aperitivo, before your return journey to Rome.

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4.4

(448)

Venice Day Trip from Rome by High-Speed Train with Happy Hour

Free Cancellation
15 hours

from $297

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What are people saying about Grand Canal

Grand Canal boat tour and Murano glass experience with Hotel pick up

Art_W, Mar 2026

Selena was an excellent...

Selena was an excellent and very friendly tour guide. She ensured we had a great view of the Grand Canal and the glass blowing was great to see.

Grand Canal Gondola Experience with Live Commentary™

ZacharyR, Mar 2026

We had an excellent...

We had an excellent gondola ride. We had trouble finding the meeting point and ended up being a few minutes late. Our hosts were gracious and took us to the gondola site. Wonderful customer service. We couldn’t be happier. Our gondolier, David, was charming and knowledgeable about the area. Highly recommend!

Charming Gondola Ride on the Grand Canal & Gondola Gallery™

Erin_K, Mar 2026

The tour itself is...

The tour itself is wonderful, but the directions to the meeting point are really poor. We almost couldn't find it, and with so many gondola tour operators, clear directions are super important.

Grand Canal Gondola Experience with Live Commentary™

Lauren_D, Mar 2026

Amazing customer service

The two women working at the check in office were some of the nicest people we encountered. We had delays checking in to our hotel so we missed our reserved time. The tour operator responded very quickly to my message. Those two ladies worked very hard to get us on the next available tour, which of course they did not have to do! The tour itself provided some history of Venice and gondolas! Our gondolier was very nice. The trip was the perfect length of time.

Grand Canal Gondola Experience with Live Commentary™

Nomi_R, Nov 2025

Fun Gondola Experience on the Grand Canal!

We went as two couples and had such a great time! The gondola ride was beautiful, and cruising along the Grand Canal (unfortunately no live commentary during the ride). But It was still fun, scenic, and a memorable way to experience Venice. Definitely recommend it for couples or friends looking to enjoy a classic Venetian moment!

Grand Canal Gondola Experience with Live Commentary™

Patrick_M, Nov 2025

Great Experience

Very nice / short tour experience. Guide was great! We did the late afternoon tour. The Super Moon was worth the trip. We come out of the canals to the Grand canal & BAM! We left our room early and experienced the views and really had the chance to shop. We also had time to take in St. Marco Square. The tour started in that area also.

Grand Canal

4.5

(34,516)

Venice

Know before you go

Most Grand Canal gondola rides begin or end in St. Mark’s Square, home to St. Mark's Basilica (Basilica di San Marco) and Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale), and include a few picturesque minor canals along the way.
As one of the most popular destinations in Italy, Venice can get extremely crowded. To avoid a long wait at the motor launch, book your tour tickets in advance.
The palaces along the Grand Canal have architectural styles that span from the Byzantine to the Renaissance periods, and are best appreciated with an expert tour guide who can explain their history and importance.
Note that Venice and the Grand Canal feature a great number of bridges, many of which are not wheelchair accessible.

Tours and Tickets to Experience Grand Canal

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