Welcome to Venice Travel Tips and to my gondola eBook.
When it comes to the best gondola ride in Venice, there’s nothing more iconic than the image of a gondola sailing the Grand Canal waters if you really think about it.
Gondolas are the oldest means of transport in Venice and while in the past were only used to transport wealthy Venetian families, today everybody can ride one.
You can spot a gondola in every corner of Venice and recognise it from its black colour, the sinuous long shape, luxurious fabrics and ornaments decorating its interiors and an iron-prow head.
Despite being a very touristic activity, a gondola ride in Venice is a must and possibly a once-in-a-lifetime experience for those that visit the city.
Riding a gondola in Venice is definitely not the cheapest thing to do, but it’s worth it and there are even ways to save money on a ride, if you wish to do so.
Best gondola ride in Venice
If like me you are intrigued by the world of canals and gondolas in Venice, you will have probably found yourself asking at least one of the following questions:
- Where can you start a gondola ride?
- How much does it cost?
- How can you ride a gondola for less?
- Where are gondolas built in the first place?
Also, you wouldn’t be wrong in thinking that there is a whole world around the gondola, and if you really want to know everything worth knowing about gondolas and how to find the best gondola ride in Venice for you, keep reading below!
I have designed this gondola ebook to share with Venice travellers the insider information they need to have an all-round experience. What do I mean by this?
As you’ll already know, there are thousands of people doing gondola rides in Venice every single day, why? Because it’s mainstream, everybody does it while in Venice.
What can actually make a difference when it comes to YOUR experience of riding a gondola in Venice is how knowledgeable you are about this means of transport.
My gondola handbook can help you to get the knowledge you need about gondolas and to experience the perfect gondola ride for your needs and budget.
Why Ride a Gondola in Venice?
If it wasn’t already obvious, this is a very good question to ask. If you’re a hesitant type of traveller then one of the first questions you might have asked yourself is:
Is it worth riding a gondola in Venice? To answer this question, I’ve gathered a couple of reasons why I believe it’s worth living this one-of-a-kind experience.
Three reasons why doing a gondola ride in Venice is worth it:
- To see the city from a completely different perspective yet the best of all: its canals! You can choose to ride a gondola exclusively on the Grand Canal and see the most beautiful Venetian palaces overlooking it, or start the ride from minor canals and enjoy the peace before navigating the Grand Canal.
- To cherish the gondola memory for years to come when thinking about your trip to Venice. Whether it’s because you shared the ride with a special person or with complete strangers, you’ll always remember a gondola ride in Venice.
- Take the opportunity to ask questions to your gondolier. Gondoliers are the best people to ask information and local’s advice about things to do, where to eat and drink, etc. like a local while in Venice. Just get ready with the right questions when you board the gondola.
Who am I?
My name is Maddy and I’m the face (and hand) behind Venice Travel Tips, a travel blog all about travelling to Venice and the Veneto region in Northern Italy.
If you’ve read my about page you’ll know that Venice holds a special place in my heart. I’ve been lucky enough to visit Venice countless times since I was a little girl.
My hometown, Castelfranco Veneto, is only 45 minutes by train away from Venice and over the years I would keep travelling back and forth, getting to know the city.
My goal was always to learn more about the city on a deeper level by hanging out in neighbourhoods and places mostly frequented by locals (and locals only).
Even though now I live abroad, I travel to Venice on a regular basis because I’m still in love with the city, its people and of course the exquisite Venetian cuisine as well!
Things I personally will never get tired of in Venice:
- Exploring new corners of the city
- Trying new restaurants
- A nice plate of cicchetti at the bacaro
- Ordering a glass of Venetian Spritz
Why did I decide to create this Gondola guide/eBook?
I decided to create this resource for the curious Venice traveller who wants to dive deeper into Venice culture and get to know its past and traditions.
The gondola is a symbol of the city and through this eBook you can learn why and even get to know some very curious facts about this ancient lagoon rowing boat.
It is thanks to this gondola guide that I have created you now have all the essential information about gondolas in Venice at your fingertips. This includes: exactly where to start gondola rides (with a map), updated prices and gondola tours suggestions.
I also share my personal tips on how to ride a gondola in Venice as a local, so you can make the most of this experience + knowing the best time of the day to do it, where to go for a gondola ride and even how to save money on this experience.
What’s inside this Gondola guide/eBook?
Here are some of the main topics I cover inside:
- History of the Venetian Gondola. 33 pages packed with insightful information and curiosities about gondolas.
- Types of Gondolas in Venice. Learn different the types of gondola rides you can experience so you can choose the right one based on your budget.
- Unique features of a Venetian Gondola. Why is this ancient boat so special? Find more about the unique features of a gondola and why they make this boat such a great piece of art.
- Ins and outs of doing a Gondola ride in Venice. Find answers to all the most popular questions about gondolas.
- Gondoliers and how to communicate with them. Get to know the gondolier and what this job involves.
- Facts about the Gondola. Interesting information about gondolas you want to know if you decide to ride one.
- Maddy’s best tips for taking a Gondola in Venice. All my best tips for you to have a great gondola ride experience in Venice.
Venice Gondola Bonus Content:
I’ve also added some bonus content to help you navigate Venice by gondola. These are interactive maps that can be accessed through a private page that include:
1. Squeri (Gondola workshop) Map Legend. Get to know the few gondola boatyards left in Venice. You can add this squeri map to your personal Google Maps or download to view offline when you’re here in Venice, before, and after.
2. Stazi (Gondola piers) Map Legend. A complete map of the official gondola piers in Venice that you can download and add to your Maps to use while in Venice.
Download my Venice Gondola Guide
Are you ready to go on the best gondola ride of your life?
If yes, download my gondola eBook today to learn all about the world of the gondola! That way you’ll see exactly why this is a must-try experience in Venice.
With this guide you’ll learn all you need know about the oldest and most fascinating form of transport in Venice and all the tips to plan the best gondola ride in Venice.
I wish you a wonderful time in Venice!
📌 Like this article? Click to Pin it…
If you found this Venice travel guide helpful, feel free to buy me a virtual coffee here.
“Dear traveller! Some links in this post contain affiliate links. Meaning, if you click through and make a tour booking or reserve a hotel, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Your support means a lot to me and helps me to keep creating and maintaining the quality of this site for you.”
