Shared Gondola Ride in Venice
Venice, Italy
- 30 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Overview
Explore the romantic canals of Venice the way that locals have for centuries on a 30-minute shared gondola ride. Climb aboard one of the ornate carved vessels and settle into your seat as a professional gondolier navigates past ancient palazzos, under footbridges and through scenes of daily life in the captivating city-on-the-sea. It’s a quintessential Venetian experience not to be missed!
- 30-minute shared gondola ride in Venice
- Glide through the city's famous canals on an ornate Venetian gondola
- Relax as a professional gondolier navigates through the winding waterways
- Get a unique perspective on historic palaces, romantic bridges and scenes of daily life
- A classic Venetian experience!
What's Included
- 30 minutes ride on a shared Gondola
- Boarding assistance
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Commentary of any sort during the gondola
- Musicians
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Calle larga de l'Ascension, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy
Calle Larga Ascensione, in front of the Post office just next to St.Mark's Square.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
Canal Grande (Pass By)
San Marco (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Most travelers can participate
- Please note that it is a shared gondola (up to 5 people each gondola) so the gondola will be shared with other people
- Please note that since it's a shared tour, there might be a queue, so you might wait a while to get on your gondola.
- Please note that no refund will be accepted for no shows or late arrivals. The Gondola Ride will take place also with rain, in the event of exceptional high tide in Venice or heavy rain the tour might be cancelled by the organization and full refund will be provided
- No luggage, bags or strollers allowed
- At 18.30 departure, 4 people per gondola max capacity
- Please be aware that on certain dates, registration and payment of an access contribution will be necessary to visit the city of Venice. We encourage you to check all the information and procedures for registration or payment on the dedicated website of Comune di Venezia.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 100 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Barbara_M
I loved the charming and traditional boat ride on the Gondola. I only wished that I had booked a longer ride. The views were spectacular of the open river and canals.
Reviews
3.5
based on 169 reviews
Mike_I, Feb 2026
Less than 20 min ride. Still had to wait in a line despite having to book a specific time. The route was a small loop with lots of gondola traffic and little scenic value.
Pam_B, Oct 2025
The boatman was incredibly skilled. He was able to steer our boat expertly around many obstacles. My husband and I were lucky to get the very comfortable seats in the back of the gondola. The other couple was quite displeased to have to sit on small benches without backs for the ride. When she complained, the helper on shore told her, “I don’t make the gondolas or the rules, if you don’t like it, get off the boat.” This seemed to be the basic attitude of the folks associated with the tour. I was surprised. We spent over a week in Florence and around Tuscany and it’s the first time we encountered anyone who was less than kind and polite. For them, it’s only about making money. The trip itself was good. The gondolier was silent, but extremely skilled.
Heather_W, Jul 2025
We had too many for a single gondola so we had to split up. My husband and I took one while our teens took a second. My husband and I had a great captain who pointed out interesting sights and was very kind. My kids had a very different experience. Their driver pulled the gondola parallel with his friends and they talked to each other the whole time. That may have been fine but their conversation consisted of insulting their customers and mocking each other’s passengers. My guess is they were assuming no one understood his Italian. Unfortunately, one of my kids understood Italian enough to translate his insults. Such a shame since my husband and I had a good driver. There are a lot of gondola companies in Venice, I can’t say I would chose this one again if we went back.
Ruth_D, Jun 2025
For the price I had expected a private gondola ride, not to be shepherded with a large group and filed onto a gondola with others who we didn’t know, without any explanation of the activity, or where it would end. The instructions for the meeting point were also unclear and several people were lost.
Sofia_A, May 2025
Some groups with same number of people as my group were able use the gondola for themselves…when everyone paid the same amount….
Barbara_M, May 2025
I loved the charming and traditional boat ride on the Gondola. I only wished that I had booked a longer ride. The views were spectacular of the open river and canals.
Turuvekere_M, May 2025
Finding location was very difficult. The organizer was very rude and uncooperative. The Gondola operator also wa totally not bothered. An unhappy experience though the ride was ok
Charles_F, Apr 2025
My wife and I turned up at the arranged time and no know was there. I complained to Viator and they were not helpful at all refusing to give me a refund. I even sent pictures of my location, time and evidence to show the kiosk at the meeting point was locked with no one in sight.
Luckily, my wife suggested we go the next day to find the local office. We couldn't find their office but went to the same meet up place and saw some tour operators that were the same as ours. We explained the situation to them and they were so helpful and put us in the next Gondola experience. We had such a lovely time and are so thankful to Andrei for putting us in the next ride.
All i can say is if your experience is cancelled or they don't show up, try and go there the following day and the locals are far more helpful than any customer service they advise you to contact on the brochure.
Thank you Andrei and the Gondola people.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thank you so much for your 5-star review – we're truly happy to hear that you enjoyed your gondola experience and that Andrea and our team were able to assist you.
We would, however, like to clarify a few important details for the benefit of future guests. Our tours operate on a strict schedule, and it is essential to arrive at the meeting point on time and to contact our emergency number immediately if any issues arise. In this case, the call came too late for us to assist at the originally scheduled time, and unfortunately, we were not informed of the plan to return the following day.
While we were glad to accommodate you the next day — thanks to the kindness of our team and the fact that there was availability — this is not something we can guarantee for everyone.
Amy_L, Aug 2024
Guide talked way too much. He was good but we paid to get in early and when he was done talking we were not early! The buildings were amazing. Wish my guide did not tell me so much. I was tired of all the info.
Simon_V, Jul 2024
Would have loved to go under the Rialto Bridge? And the option for a longer ride.
Otherwise, the ride was great!
Leanne_T, Jun 2024
The cheapest gondola ride you can get. It was a little disappointing as we had to walk about 7 minutes from the meeting point to where we boarded the gondola, and then most of the gondola ride we were experiencing "traffic jams" and waiting for the gondolas ahead of us to move. However, if you are looking for a classic Venice experience, it does the trick.
Asma_F, Jun 2024
We couldn't get a hold of the tour person and we couldn't find them at the location. We were unable to do the tour.
Nneka_M, Jun 2024
Good visit to Venice, lovely experience on the Gondola through the streets of Venice. Had the experience with my family and it was very exciting for us all.
Pankhuri_M, May 2024
The weather was amazing but we had a short ride .I am not sure but the canals aren't that clean and charismatic only when it comes to the main river that it starts to feel good .
Kerry_F, May 2024
The Gondola ride was wonderful. It was a little confusing trying to find the meeting point however we found it in plenty of time. Great experience.
Stacey_M, May 2024
The gondola ride was just as it was described. Short, sweet and to the point. If you pay for a gondola without this tour, you will pay $90 for the 30 minute ride. We were able to use some of our Viator reward points to make this a little more affordable. While a gondola ride is an iconic experience you MUST do in Venice - it is not worth the money. If you can walk away from the experience and not be disappointed for not checking this off your bucket list, I would do that. I felt that it was necessary so I was willing to pay the money for it - however it really isn't that great. This tour did not provide any information what so ever about Venice. The tour guide did not share any details at all. Not really worth the time and money - however I still am glad I checked it off my list. I wouldn't do this again.
Graciela_C, Dec 2023
A must in Venice! I didn't book this days in advance and ended up regretting it as the available spots were limited with short notice, so I would recommend to book ahead of time.
Gloria_B, Oct 2023
Expected more. It was a beautiful ride however it was very short, no more than 20 min. Walked in large group over to gondola boarding area. Then it was like boarding a Disney ride. If you’re looking for a romantic gondola don’t book this. There are gondolas all over the city! And you can ride privately. When you book with this they try to fill the gondola which holds 5 people
Leanne_B, Sep 2023
Our gondaleer sang songs and gave some sightseeing tips. Great route as well.
Pretty city, loved our breakfast and supper and walk around Venice.
Julie_S, Sep 2023
It was fun and happy and a real experience, it was our first time on a gondola and Venice is the only place to do it.
Deborah_H, Jul 2023
The tour stated it was a 30 minute Gondola ride. In truth it was about 13 minutes waiting while they checked everyone in and divided us into groups, while the actual ride lasted 17 minutes. We bought a night time ride from a separate company and paid less for a full 30 minutes.
Janine_R, Jul 2023
We were told that you just have to do a Gondola ride while visiting Venice and they were right. It’s a must do and a very special experience. A memory for life
Jacob_G, Jul 2023
This booking was a joke. The ride lasted about 15 minutes, half of which were along the grand canal and then one loop through local canals and back. We spent more time waiting to board than we spent onboard.
Tiffany_W, Jun 2023
Beautiful ride down different waterways (quiet and then grand canal). Our gondolier sang quietly and added to the experience.
Joann_K, Jun 2023
This is something that you have to experience when in Venice. Not sure if booking a tour like this is necessary.
Allen_R, Jun 2023
Excellent outstanding worth the money
That’s all folks stop fishing for more printable compliments. Xxxxxxx
Stephen_M, May 2023
Quick 30 minute ride. Gondeleer was smooth and handled the gondela well saw alot and really enjoyed this
Rene_D, May 2023
If you are looking for a cost saving experience this will suit you. But I wish now that we had spent more on a more comfortable ride with a friendly guide who could tell us a little about the gondola, his job and the area we visited. We shared the gondola with a family of 3. Since we were the last in, we got the uncomfortable wooden seats. We weren't even together in the boat. It was awkward, hard on the back and knees and very uncomfortable. Instead of relaxing and enjoying the ride we were trying to hang on and get comfortable. They need every seat to be cushioned and facing front or back, not sideways. We were happy to see some of the back canals where it is quieter.
Erin_P, May 2023
I spent over an hour trying to find the meeting spot. Never located it. Never went on the gondola ride. Had to buy another different one. Wasted too much time. And money.
Response from Host, May 2023
Dear Erin,
we are sorry to read your comment. The meeting point was indicated inside your voucher. If the instructions were not clear enough you could have called our emergency number and we would have helped you meet our staff at the meeting point.
Nathalie_L, Jul 2022
The tour is a typical 30 minutes gondola ride. This deal is about $7USD cheaper than what you pay a regular gondola ride but it’s a shared ride and at a specific time. It’s so easy to hop on a gondola anywhere at anytime that I don’t think it’s worth pre booking.
From $53.29
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
Compare Similar Experiences
Current
Shared Gondola Ride in Venice
169
30 minutes
Free Cancellation
From
$53.29
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Attractions in Venice, Italy
- Church of Santa Maria Formosa (Chiesa di Santa Maria Formosa) Tours & Tickets
- Piazzale Roma Tours & Tickets
- Venice Basilica dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo Tours & Tickets
- Correr Museum (Museo Correr) Tours & Tickets
- Museo del Vetro Tours & Tickets
- Bridge of Sighs Tours & Tickets
- Cannaregio Tours & Tickets
- Villa Foscari (La Malcontenta) Tours & Tickets
- Mazzorbo Tours & Tickets
- Querini Stampalia Foundation (Fondazione Querini Stampalia) Tours & Tickets
- Bovolo Staircase (Scala Contarini del Bovolo) Tours & Tickets
- Mocenigo Palace (Palazzo Mocenigo) Tours & Tickets
- Ponte delle Tette Tours & Tickets
- Campo Santa Margherita Tours & Tickets
- Frari Church (Basilica dei Frari) Tours & Tickets
More attractions near Venice, Italy