Venice & the Veneto · GRAND CANAL CRUISES
Two miles of palace fronts, and every one of them built to be seen from a boat. These 15 compare the gondola routes, the motor launches and the evening runs on price, duration and how much commentary you get.
Review of Venice’s $39 shared gondola ride, with Grand Canal views, quiet side canals, app commentary, a gondola workshop, and VR.
“Very educational and informative. The gondola ride was relaxing and enjoyable.”
Ride Venice’s Grand Canal by gondola, hear live stories, explore the Gondola Gallery, and enjoy a virtual tour for $44.41.
“Everything was amazing. We loved learning about the places we walked through and the 3D tour at the end. the gondola ride undescribable! Emma and Federica were great!!”
Share a 30-minute gondola through Venice’s Grand Canal and quiet side waterways, with views near Rialto Bridge and La Fenice for $46.
“I did this activity as a solo traveller and was fortunate to be on the gondola with only two other people! 30 minutes was just perfect for this journey - enough time to take in the gorgeous scenery and get a real feel for riding round on a gondola with plenty of time to take pictures. There is no interaction from the driver but I don’t think this was needed as I was just taking it all in. I would very much recommend as an affordable way to go in a gondola!”
Compare this Venice gondola ride with private options, including Grand Canal views, narrow canals, live commentary, VR, group size, and practical drawbacks.
“There was a virtual reality presentation before the tour but some of the headsets didn’t work which was disruptive to everyone and especially disappointing for the folks who didn’t get to see the show. Then the audio boxes were so static filled we couldn’t understand what our guide was saying. If we had it to do again we’d just hire a gondola and ask the guy our questions.”
Glide through Venice on a private 30-minute gondola ride along the Grand Canal, with quiet canals, grand palaces, and optional audio commentary.
“Great guide but the boat is a lot weathered … all in all a fantastic experience !! We would highly recommend!”
A practical review of Venice’s shared gondola ride, Grand Canal sights, VR gallery, seating, timing, value, and booking tips.
“A waste of time and money. It was a whole lot of nothing. A cheesy 10 minute VR presentation. Then they hand you headphones to listen to the “guide” tell you the same things you just heard on the VR presentation while you walk 10 minutes away to the gondola pick up spot. You then turn in the audio remote and throw away headphones you used for 10 minutes. So wasteful. No briefing on how the gondola works. We were seated on chairs facing in to the boat. You have to download an app to get an audio guide for the “sights” along the canal which were underwhelming at best.…”
See Venice from the Grand Canal on a one-hour motorboat tour with an English-speaking guide, famous palazzos, Rialto Bridge, and La Salute.
“So good very informative. The guide was light , humorous and welcoming.”
See Venice’s Doge’s Palace, St. Mark’s Basilica, hidden lanes, and the Grand Canal by private guide, with skip-the-line entry and a motorboat ride.
“This is the best way to see venice our tour guide eleanor was exceptional with so much info on both Doge's palace & St marks basilica”
Review of Venice’s 30-minute shared or private gondola ride, with Grand Canal views, smaller canals, live music, price, route, and tips.
“we were a little concerned at first that we were only going to float around in the grand canal but then we went up a few small canals and the singer's voice really hit another level. loved her voice and the gondola ride was very special.”
Share a 40-minute Venice gondola ride with live Italian serenade, Grand Canal views, canal lanes, Gondola Gallery, and optional dinner.
“Our sunset gondola ride with on board singer and accordion player was nothing short of a dream come true. It met every expectation and checked off one of my bucket list items. Highly recommended if you have ever dreamed of having the true Venice experience.”
Review of Venice’s private Grand Canal gondola ride from Rialto, with route details, price value, timing tips, and what to expect.
“Had a wonderful time and information given was really informative, such a special experience”
Walk Venice’s landmarks, explore gondola craft, and glide through St. Mark’s Basin on a practical three-hour city and canal tour.
“the guide was fab. Very informative and ending with a gondola just amazing. Very good value for money and highly recommend”
Cruise Venice’s Grand Canal, Arsenale, Cannaregio, Jewish Ghetto, and Dorsoduro in a private two-hour motorboat tour.
“Christina B. was an exceptional guide, she answered many questions about Venice and it’s history. She was knowledgeable about her beautiful city and she made is comfortable and entertained. There was only 6 of us on the tour so it was a nice size for that tour.”
See Venice from the water on a one-hour private boat tour, with the Grand Canal, Rialto Bridge, Giudecca, and local history from a live guide.
“Very nice, guide was pleasant and offer a lot of info. Guide took us to where locals live and shows the difference between areas.”
Review of Venice’s 75-minute Grand Canal boat tour, with a private water taxi, local guide, small groups, and views of top sights.
“My boyfriend and I had the best experience with this tour. It was small enough to really get to know the tour guide (who was AMAZING) and really see the sights. Our guide was a true Venetian, born and raised in the city; she also raised her own children in Venice. This set up an amazing perspective and really helped me feel like I got to know the city from a local perspective. The view from the bell tower was so iconic and beautiful--one of the best kept secrets as there was hardly any line and was included in the price of the tour. Would recommend to anyone!”
Pick a canal, a counter or a hillside.
