One of the most iconic and romantic images in the world has to be a Venetian gondola, complete with a gondolier serenading a couple along a canal.
Gondolas were once the main mode of transport in Venice (especially for the upper classes) and remain one of the best ways to view this magical city. A dying trade mostly passed down from father to son, it’s believed there are now less than 100 gondolas still left.
What to expect from a gondola ride
A gondola is a traditional, long, Venetian flatboat, steered by a gondolier in a striped shirt with dark trousers, with a long pole. It remains one of the best and most romantic ways to view Venice, giving you access to parts of the city you would otherwise be unable to see.
The boats are surprisingly comfortable, with padded seats and lots of legroom depending on how many of you there are. Some will even offer blankets for cover. Though mostly painted black (a requirement passed in 1562 to standardize competition), decoration is a matter of personal choice, so walk around and pick whichever one you like the look of.
Consider taking your ride either earlier in the day or later in the evening in the hot summer months, as they don’t have a covering. It will cost you a little more but the views and less congested waterways will more than make up for it.
Your gondolier may point out places of interest to you but is not obliged to, nor is he obliged to sing. If this is what you want from your experience, then discuss it with him before the ride begins, he may do so for a little extra cash. There are also guided tours that you can take (see below).
Most rides will start and end at the same place/area.
Cost
Although there is a set official tariff for a ride, which takes about 30 minutes, some gondoliers may try to charge more. Make sure you agree on the fare before setting off. It may be cheaper to take one from the less crowded areas, which also allows you to make the most of your experience. Gondoliers from the crowded areas may be tempted to cut your ride a bit short in a rush to take the next customers.
A gondola sits up to six people and is charged per ride, so unless this is the moment you’ve been waiting to make ‘that grand gesture’, share your ride as it will reduce the cost.
Most of the gondoliers speak a little English. Some may offer sightseeing narration on the way, but again they are not obliged to. Establish what you would like to see before setting off. It may cost you a little extra, but it means you see what you set out to.
Types of gondola rides
Whether traveling on your own, with family or in a group, there are ways to explore the famous Venice canals by gondola together. Here are some options available to you.
The classic ride
This ride is suitable for a family of up to six, plus children under three go free as long as they sit on someone’s lap. A suggested tour will depart from Giardini Ex Reali along the Grand Canal. You will go under the famous Rialto bridge, Venice’s oldest and most famous bridge that connects San Marco and San Polo – one of the oldest parts of Venice. The ride continues past Campo Manin and the Hard Rock Café, ending at Bacino Orseolo: a busy gondola stop, just behind St Mark’s Square.
The private ride
This may be the best way to take a gondola ride and experience Venice’s romantic canals. It’s suitable for a family or groups of up to six. As it is a private ride, you could plan your route exactly how you want. A suggested route would be starting and returning to Calle Larga. This ride will take you along the Grand Canal to its smaller and quieter waterways.
The route passes by Palazzo Molin del Cuoridoro, where Mozart lived for a month in 1771 but is now being converted into apartments. Then, you’ll pass under the Rialto Bridge, by Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute, as you head towards the Punta della Dogana. This thin, triangular point that divides the Grand Canal and the Guidecca canal now houses a museum. The view of the canals as you head back from here is spectacular.
The romantic ride
It truly doesn’t get more romantic than Venice except, of course, if you include a gondola ride. Treat a loved one to the ultimate experience, take the ride either early in the morning or evening to enhance the adventure.
Starting at Santa Maria del Giglio, you will head towards Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute. A symbol of hope and survival, the church was built as a sign of gratitude after Venice survived a particularly dreadful outbreak of plague in 1630. The ride continues past the Peggy Guggenheim Museum, taking in the Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo: a small palazzo famous for its multi-arch spiral staircase found on the outside of the building. You’ll also pass Teatro La Fenice, Venice’s famous and only Opera house, before heading to the Ponte de le Ostreghe. It’s thought to be named after the oyster market that was once in the area.
The serenade ride
One of the best ways to experience a gondola ride if traveling in a group (although you could also join others) is to take a serenaded ride. Pick from a selection of starting points, depending on what you want to see.
A flotilla of gondolas (up to eight), each with six people, ride together and at some point during the ride, a singer will get onto one of the boats and begin serenading you with traditional Venetian songs as you float your way around the canals.
A typical ride will start from Piazza Santa Maria del Giglio, along the Grand Canal, and pass the terrace of the building that houses the Peggy Guggenheim collection. As you ride along, you get to see the only wooden bridge in Venice, the Accademia Bridge, which is quite a feat given the number of bridges there are here. Later, you’ll be confronted by the ever-imposing structure of the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute before heading back. A truly remarkable experience, it offers a glimpse of what life may have been like when gondolas ruled the canals.
The guided ride
This is the ride to take if you are looking for a narrated tour. You can either join a group (if you do, you may have to listen to the guide via a device if they’re not in your gondola) or take a private tour.
Most of the rides will take similar routes, taking in the usual suspects like the Teatro La Fenice: Venice’s only Opera House that, like a phoenix, has risen three times from the ashes. It is one of the most famous landmarks in the history of Italian theater. Verdi and Rossini, among others, premiered their works here.
The ride will also take you by the Island of San Giorgio on which there’s a beautiful Renaissance Church with a bell tower similar to the one at St. Mark’s Square. The island was once the home of Benedictine monks. You will be able to enjoy a different view of St Mark’s Square with the Golden Basilica with its bell tower and the Doge Palace taking pride of place. It’s a view that has inspired many an artist, including Canaletto.
Where to take your gondola ride
The routes suggested above are mostly tours of the Grand Canal, the main waterway, which may get crowded especially in the summer months of the high season. If you have good negotiating skills and are happy to use them, wander around the San Polo, Dorsoduro and Santa Croce areas where you will find some gondolas available.
If you are pressed for time and can’t wander around, look for the Accademia Bridge or San Tomà, which also have gondola stations.
