VENICE
The Venice shortlist.
The 15 most popular grand canal tours in Venice. The ones worth your time in a city with plenty to choose from, each with prices, running times and the operator behind it.
Shared Grand Canal gondola with app commentary, secret canals, and VR history plus a Gondola Gallery. 30–60 minutes.
Most Popular“Just as described. Service was excellent and the activity was really nice! GYG is excellent too!”
Grand Canal gondola with live guide stories, a short walking intro, and the Gondola Gallery with 3D and virtual ride in Venice.
“Our tour guide Beatrice was very friendly. We asked for the tour in French and she was able to speak to us very fluently. she had good knowledge about the history of Venice and the gondola. The gondola ride was very fun and finished with a VR presentation of Venice. The gondolier’s were helpful for…”
A 30-minute shared gondola ride on Venice’s canals with a master gondolier, from San Marco docks to the Grand Canal area.
Glide the Grand Canal in a small gondola with optional live commentary, VR history, and classic Venice views near St Mark’s.
“You’re in Venice, don’t cheap out and not do this! It is a cool way to see the city and it’s so worth it!”
Shared gondola on Venice’s Grand Canal plus a guided walk, multilingual commentary, and VR gondola history, in English.
“Gondola ride experience depends upon where do you get seat.. If you do not get the primary seat, you cannot even click picture with your partner as you are sitting on opposite side of gondola. The gondola rider was extremely rude and was not bothered about experience. Did not let us take picture even at…”
1-hour motorboat ride on Venice’s Grand Canal with live English narration, Rialto Bridge views, and the modern Della Costituzione glass bridge.
Skip lines at Doge’s Palace and St Mark’s Basilica, then cruise the Grand Canal by motorboat on a private guided 4-hour Venice tour.
“Christina was very professional but not stuffy! So much great information and told to us in a very fun way.. but she also was accommodating for our family when we needed breaks. She gave many good tips for when we were on our own later. Highly recommend!”
Serenaded 30-minute gondola on Venice’s Grand Canal and side canals, with live singer and musician in a small flotilla.
“We booked in a hurry and didn’t realize it was a shared ride… but we had an amazing time and the music was beautiful! I don’t think the couple in the gondola with us realized it was shared either though, and they definitely didn’t seem happy about it… maybe an extra, extra note in the…”
Shared gondola on Venice’s canals with live Italian serenades, plus a Gondola Gallery workshop of tools and craftsmanship near San Marco.
“The music and serenade made the Gondola ride one of the highlights of our trip! Highly recommend it! Would definitely do it again and have already recommended it to others!”
Venice on foot and by gondola with a guided city center walk, Rialto photos, 30-minute shared ride, La Fenice stop, and an audio guide.
“Very good walking tour and excellent finish with Gondala ride. Highly recommended and good value for money”
Private 2-hour Venice canal cruise featuring the Arsenale, Jewish Ghetto walk, gondola workshops, and a Grand Canal run past Rialto.
“There were 8 of us on this cruise and the boat used only had seating for 3 to 4 outside the cabin. Those seated inside the cabin really couldn't see what the tour guide was discussing/telling us to look at.”
Venice Grand Canal private small-group boat trip with a guide. See Rialto Bridge, Ca d’Oro, Accademia, and Giudecca in 1 hour.
“Excellent value for money. The guide was fantastic and you get to see so much of Venice whilst learning about its history. Try and get a seat at the back of the boat as you can stand and take great photos - especially lovely on a sunny day.”
Small-group motorboat on Venice’s Grand Canal with an art-historian guide, iconic bridges, and palazzi views in about one hour.
“Small group tour with guide on part of the grand canal. Easy to find. Easy to book. Lovely start to Venice.”
Small-group Grand Canal speedboat tour with local guide and headsets, passing Rialto and major palaces from the water in 90 minutes.
“This is a great way to see parts of Venice that many don’t get to see. The friendly and knowledgeable tour guide is willing to answer any questions you may have.”
Private 1-hour Grand Canal boat tour with hotel pickup: Rialto, St Mark, Bridge of Sighs, Ca’ d’Oro, Doge’s Palace.
“Our guide, Giovanni was exceptional. He is very knowledgeable and has a fun personality. It is so peaceful to leave the crowds of Venice and experience the city from the water. Giovanni took us to parts of Venice we would not have seen on foot. Very fun and worthwhile experience. Would highly recommend.”
The historic centre, the lagoon islands and the art the city was built around.
