Venice Gondola Rides resembles a luxury car ride that offers the perfect way to relax and soak in the spectacular views of the surroundings. There are some gondolas that are black in color, while some are embellished with ornate and have comfortable seating. You can walk around and select the best one according to your preference and comfort.
Every gondolier wears black pants, a striped shirt, and closed dark shoes with a majority of them speaking in English while some may speak French or German. They also carry a banded straw hat, which they usually do not wear. It is advisable to be careful in the busier areas as the gondoliers may cut short the 40 minutes ride if they find the next load of tourists is waiting to give them the money. Hence, you must select the gondola ride Venice Italy from the less congested areas.
You will not find the gondoliers singing as you would in Hollywood movies and you must also not keep any expectations at the beginning of the ride. Some may even guide you along the Venice Gondola Tour about the interesting facts, but you should not expect it.
You can explore different attractions on a gondola ride. If you want to visit a specific place, you must talk to the gondolier beforehand as there may be additional charges involved. The gondola rides cost more during the sunset and post darkness as it becomes romantically beautiful. Alternatively, you can enjoy the pleasant temperatures and soft light of the sun if you go on an early morning ride.
On your Venice Gondola Tour, you can witness the Gothic-style architecture of the Doge’s Palace. Constructed in 1340, this famous attraction was formerly the residential palace of Venice’s Doge. Moving down the time in 1923, the palace was entrusted to be operated in the form of a museum by the Venetian municipality. Currently, 1.4 million visitors are attracted to the museum on an average throughout the year, making it one of the most renowned places to visit in Venice. If you wish to explore the Doge’s Palace even more, you should not miss a chance to witness the armory, the Great Council’s Chamber, and the courtrooms.
Another famous attraction to see on the Venice Gondola Rides is the St. Mark's Basilica. It is a church constructed in the 8th century to exhibit sacred relics, mosaics, and over 500 columns. Sprawling across an area of 8000 square meters, it took about 800 years to complete this impressive structure. Apart from this, you will be astonished to learn that the basilica stores innumerable treasures from the Crusades and Constantinople, including the crosses, four bronze horses, the Madonna Nicopeia, relics, and the Golden Altarpiece’s enamels.
You can also pay a visit to the bustling marketplace of the Grand Canal through a gondola ride in Venice Italy. Constructed from the 13th to 18th centuries, the market consists of over 170 buildings. Stretching across 3.8 kilometers, the Grand Canal creates one of the fundamental water route crossways in Venice, with an end of the canal located at the Santa Lucia railway station. The other end of the canal gives way to the San Macro basin, which forms an inverted S shape through different districts of Venice.
Visitors can also initiate their gondola ride to Venice Italy from one of the most ancient among the four bridges that stand across the Grand Canal, Rialto Bridge. Built in 1591, the bridge is well-known for its architectural gorgeousness. This bridge was constructed as an alternative to the demolished one so the commuters can have better access to Rialto, which is the financial capital of the city. People are drawn to this attraction due to its Renaissance-style architecture.
Timings: 11 am to 7.30 pm
Getting There: To experience the Venice Gondola Rides, you are required to reach the Grand Canal. Venice’s rail line service is the best way to reach the Grand Canal as it is connected by almost all the regional, local, and high-speed trains. All you need to do is alight at the Venezia-Santa Lucia train station, and you will find the Grand Canal in front of you. After reaching the Grand Canal, you will find numerous gondoliers waiting for tourists to board the gondola. Another best place to take a gondola ride is in and around the Rialto Bridge.
Should I pre-book a gondola ride in Venice?
No, you are not required to pre-book a gondola ride in Venice. Although booking online can save much of your time and remove the hassle of standing in long queues, the rate charged for a gondola ride is flat rate. You can easily make arrangements with the gondolier if you want to book two tickets for a gondola ride. Although plenty of Venice Gondola Tour is available, you can easily avail yourself of the tickets without any advance booking.
Is a gondola ride in Venice worth it?
Yes, a gondola ride in Venice is definitely worth it as it allows you to explore a variety of places that you would not have otherwise experienced. Although it is a little expensive and filled with tourists all the time, it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience you must do on your visit to Venice.
What time do gondola rides start in Venice?
Generally, the Venice Gondola Rides operate between 11 am and 7.30 pm throughout the week. It is advisable to visit early in the morning to avoid crowds or during the sunset to catch the beautiful views of the city.
What is the duration of the Venice Gondola Tour?
The duration of the Venice Gondola Ride Sightseeing Tour is around 30 minutes to an hour. However, the time of experiencing the gondola ride entirely depends on you. According to the gondolier’s possibilities, you can even request him to take you to some specific places that you would like. Hence, it may increase the duration of your tour.
Are guided tours available for gondola rides in Venice?
Yes, guided tours are available for gondola rides in Venice. In this tour, you will be able to get an insight into the history of the landmarks and the city, such as St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace. The gondola ride guided tour provides you with a professional multilingual guide that will take you through interesting facts and information throughout the journey.
What are Venice gondola rides prices for kids?
The prices of Venice Gondola Rides for kids under the age of two are free of charge if they do not require their own seats. However, children above two years of age need to pay a price of EUR 31 per person. It is the same price as that of an adult.
Italy is rich in historical attractions, and you can easily find tickets for popular sites online or at the attractions themselves. Here are the three attractions you mentioned, along with some additional historical sites and where to get tickets: