What Makes Venice so Special

Glide underneath bridges, alongside cafes, under balconies and through the atmospheric Venetian streetscape as your singing gondolier escorts you down the Grand Canal for a gondola ride like no other. A relaxing Venice gondola ride unmasks all the beauty that characterizes Venice.

The magic of Venice will come alive as you glide by gondola through the shimmering Grand Canal and turn down inner canals spanned by small bridges that make up a labyrinth of land and water. Gondolas have been a tradition in Venice for centuries. At first, they were used for transporting goods through the narrow canals of Venice, today gondolas are primarily used for sightseeing and ceremonial functions. Taking a gondola ride in Venice offers a totally different view of the city than experiencing it by walking. The best time for a gondola ride in Venice is in the evening when the waterways are no longer crowded with other boats.

A gondola ride down the Venice’s Grand Canal is believed to be one of the most romantic experiences in the world. Two people can fit snugly in the seat at the back and enjoy the sights along the Grand Canal.

Having a gondolier propel your gondola down the Venetian canals and sing beautiful Italian songs is and unforgettable experience. On your romantic gondola trip you will pass stunning buildings, historic churches and cozy cafes that Venice is known for.

Unfortunately, the gondoliers may try to scam you. The rule of thumb in Venice is that a gondola should be painted black and that the gondolier should be a local Venetian to have learned the techniques and trades of this profession.

You must still decide to go through with a romantic gondola ride, despite the scams. Seek out the Tronchetto, or the Piazzale Roma to the Ponte di Rialto and the Doge’s Palace. At any one of these places, you will most likely find gondoliers that offer that special Venetian experience.

The cost of a gondola ride in Venice varies. You can expect to pay at least €70. However, these so-called official rates are not usually followed, so you will most probably end up paying €100. This doesn’t even guarantee you the promised 50-minute gondola ride. Price hikes may also occur if you request some live entertainment from the gondolier. This occurs because gondoliers invest a large amount of money in their gondolas. It costs about €20,000 for a hand-built wooden gondola that can last up to 20 years. Aside from having to make a profit off of their investment, their means of living is also relatively higher, as living in Venice can be quite expensive.