Best of · PRIVATE GONDOLA RIDES

Private Gondola Rides in Venice: the 15 Best Boats to Book

60 tours  ·  from $7 a head

A private booking buys the whole gondola, up to five aboard, at a flat rate rather than a fare per seat. That is expensive for a couple and good value for a family. These 15 are compared on the price of the boat, the route and the length of the ride.

Venice: Private Gondola Cruise for up to 5 Passengers - Starting near the Royal Gardens
Gondola and Boat Cruises, Gondola Rides, Italy Gondola Rides, Private Gondola Rides, Tour Reviews, Venice Gondola Rides

Venice: Private Gondola Cruise for up to 5 Passengers

1.Private Gondola Cruise for up to 5 Passengers

★★★★★★★★★★3.7 · 3,106 reviews Our pick

Share a private 30-minute gondola ride with up to four companions. From the Alilaguna ticket office near the Royal Gardens, you’ll pass along the Grand Canal, slip into smaller canals, and see Venice from its most traditional viewpoint. No guide or commentary is included.

“What an amazing experience! Definitely worth it doing a private ride. I had my elderly mother (65), young son (8), teenage daughter (16), and myself and we all had a great time. Venice is GORGEOUS!!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Venice: Private Crafted Gondola Ride Along Grand Canal - The Grand Canal from a low seat on the water
Gondola Rides, Grand Canal Gondola Rides, Italy Gondola Rides, Private Gondola Rides, Tour Reviews, Venice Gondola Rides

Venice: Private Crafted Gondola Ride Along Grand Canal

2.Private Crafted Gondola Ride Along Grand Canal

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 2,854 reviews · 30 min · from $88

Take a private gondola for up to five people from Rio dell'Orso or Campiello Traghetto. You’ll glide along the Grand Canal and quieter canals past La Fenice, Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Santa Maria della Salute, and Punta della Dogana. Commentary may come from your gondolier or the multilingual audio guide app.

“Loved being able to take photos and film other gondolas passing by. Especially under bridges!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Venice: Private Gondola Ride - Starting at Santa Maria del Giglio
Gondola Rides, Italy Gondola Rides, Private Gondola Rides, Tour Reviews, Venice Gondola Rides

Venice: Private Gondola Ride

3.Private Gondola Ride

★★★★★★★★★★3.6 · 757 reviews · 20 min · from $85Best value

Take a private 20-minute gondola from Santa Maria del Giglio, near the Gritti Palace. Your Italian or English-speaking gondolier handles the boat through smaller canals, the Grand Canal, and past La Fenice. This is a ride, not a guided tour, and the route can vary with canal traffic.

“Very quick ride but my family enjoyed every minute. Very friendly driver.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Venice: Off the Beaten Path Private Gondola Ride - The 30-minute ride through San Paolo
Gondola Rides, Italy Gondola Rides, Private Gondola Rides, Tour Reviews, Venice Gondola Rides

Venice: Off the Beaten Path Private Gondola Ride

4.Off the Beaten Path Private Gondola Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 703 reviews · 30 minutes - 2 hours · from $94

Take a private gondola through Venice with a local gondoliere such as Fabio or Stefano. Choose 30 minutes to 2 hours, from quiet San Paolo canals and Palazzo Zenobio to Rialto, St. Mark’s Square, the Bridge of Sighs, and Santa Maria della Salute.

“Thanks so much we enjoyed the ride and I believe and hour is perfect amount of time to really see Venice”

Check availability →Read our full review

Venice Private Gondola Ride: Explore Hidden Canals and Sights - The 30-minute route: Santa Croce and quiet canals
Gondola Rides, Grand Canal Gondola Rides, Italy Gondola Rides, Private Gondola Rides, Tour Reviews, Venice Gondola Rides

Venice Private Gondola Ride: Explore Hidden Canals and Sights

5.Venice Private Gondola Ride: Explore Hidden Canals and Sights

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 334 reviews · 30 minutes to 2 hours (approx.) · from $95

Glide through Venice with only your group aboard, choosing 30 minutes, 1 hour, 90 minutes, or 2 hours. The route mixes quiet canals near Santa Croce and San Polo with sights such as Rialto Bridge, Ca’ d’Oro, San Marco, and the Bridge of Sighs. Commentary is available on request.

“We had an amazing tour guide. He was funny and had a great voice/singing voice. This is a great way to see Venice by the water!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Private Tour: Venice Gondola Ride with Serenade - The Grand Canal from a gondola seat
Gondola Rides, Gondola Rides with a Serenade, Italy Gondola Rides, Private Gondola Rides, Tour Reviews, Tours, Venice Gondola Rides

Private Tour: Venice Gondola Ride with Serenade

6.Private Tour: Venice Gondola Ride with Serenade

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 207 reviews · 30 minutes (approx.)

You’ll take a private gondola from central Venice past the Grand Canal, Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Accademia Bridge, Santa Maria della Salute, and Palazzo Barbarigo. A singer and guitarist or accordion player provide the serenade, though meeting instructions and music availability require careful checking.

“The meet spot was not clearly noted on the tickets. We arrived 10 minutes before our time slot and we're confused on the meeting spot because it did not state a business name or any information beside a location correspondence. My wife and I walked up and down the the main area of where all of the Gondolas take out of and no one could point us in the right direction. We called the number on the tickets no answer. We continued to walk around and finally saw a small sign on a window of a small booth that stated Gondola rides. We checked in at this time where we…”

Check availability →Read our full review

Venice: Private Grand Canal Gondola Ride from Rialto - Crossing the Grand Canal from the water
Bridge of Sighs Gondola Rides, Gondola Rides, Grand Canal Gondola Rides, Italy Gondola Rides, Private Gondola Rides, Tour Reviews, Venice Gondola Rides

Venice: Private Grand Canal Gondola Ride from Rialto

7.Private Grand Canal Gondola Ride from Rialto

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 178 reviews

Start beside Rialto Bridge at Riva del Carbon and glide along the Grand Canal before turning into Venice’s quieter inner canals. Your private gondola holds up to five people and lasts 30 to 45 minutes. Commentary is not included, so treat narration as a possible extra, not a promise.

“It was a great evening ride on the gondola! Our gondolier was engaging and did a great job sharing Venice’s history throughout.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Venice: 30 min private Gondola Ride with Guide - Meeting near St. Mark’s Square
Gondola Rides, Guided, Italy Gondola Rides, Private Gondola Rides, Tour Reviews, Venice Gondola Rides

Venice: 30 min private Gondola Ride with Guide

8.30 min private Gondola Ride with Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 143 reviews · 30 minutes (approx.)

Meet near St. Mark’s Square for a private 30-minute gondola ride with an English-speaking guide and gondolier. Cruise Rio della Madonnetta, the Grand Canal, and quieter canals past Rialto Bridge, Ca’ d’Oro, Accademia Bridge, and major palaces while hearing Venice stories and gondola traditions.

“The gondolier was talking on his cell phone the entire time, and our tour guide had a cold personality, was impersonal, and all about business. When our ride was over, the guide got off first and fled with only saying goodbye to one person in our party due to the rest of them being still in the boat.Our gondola ride was also cut short by 15 minutes without explanation, even when we paid for an hour. Definitely not worth the price, I travel often and I’m not shy about paying good money for a quality private tour. This tour was barely enjoyable.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Best of Venice Private Tour: St. Mark's Doge Palace Gondola Ride - Doge’s Palace and the machinery of Venetian power
Doges Palace Gondola Rides, Gondola Rides, Italy Gondola Rides, Private Gondola Rides, St Marks Basilica Gondola Rides, Tour Reviews, Tours, Venice Gondola Rides

Best of Venice Private Tour: St. Mark’s Doge Palace Gondola Ride

9.Best of Venice Private Tour: St. Mark’s Doge Palace Gondola Ride

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 98 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $544Top rated

Explore Venice with a private guide, priority entry to St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace, a walk through Rialto and Campo Santa Maria Formosa, and a 30-minute private gondola ride. Guides such as Marie, Pamela, Nico, and Matteo tailor the pace to your group.

“Sarah was awesome! Private tours are the best in this case. You learn the details, can customize your pace and not feel like you are rushing through checking boxes.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Private Photo Shoot in Venice with Gondola Ride Included - Ponte dei Sospiri and the quieter canals
Gondola Rides, Gondola Rides with a Photoshoot, Italy Gondola Rides, Private Gondola Rides, Tour Reviews, Venice Gondola Rides

Private Photo Shoot in Venice with Gondola Ride Included

10.Private Photo Shoot in Venice with Gondola Ride Included

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 90 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)

Meet Enzo at 8:30 am in St. Mark’s Square for a private one-hour photo walk through Venice, followed by a 30-minute gondola ride. He provides posing guidance, local insight, and edited images, often delivered the same day or next day.

“I'm glad you were so kind. They contacted me the day before and waited for me without being late. The shooting was also smooth. It is safe even for the first time because it also teaches the pose. Best of all, my smile when I'm filming is so amazing!! We could smile too(^^) I also liked the fact that they took photos both on land and on water! I was so happy to ride the gondola that I had hoped for and even had a photo shoot(^^) Thank you very much.Auto-translated”

Check availability →Read our full review

45-Minute or 1-hour Private Gondola Ride from Rialto - What you see along the Grand Canal
1-Hour Experiences, Bridge of Sighs Gondola Rides, Gondola Rides, Italy Gondola Rides, Private Gondola Rides, Tour Reviews, Venice Gondola Rides

45-Minute or 1-hour Private Gondola Ride from Rialto

11.45-Minute or 1-hour Private Gondola Ride from Rialto

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 85 reviews · 45 minutes (approx.)

Set out from central Venice for a private gondola ride along the Grand Canal and quieter side canals near Rialto. Your group of up to five shares one boat for about 45 minutes, with views of Rialto Bridge, old palaces, and canal-side life. Commentary and singing are not guaranteed.

“This was a wonderful, relaxing way to view Venice. Gave us an authentic gondola experience. I wish I requested an English speaking gondolier however.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Private Gondola Ride in Venice - The Grand Canal and Venetian palaces
Gondola Rides, Italy Gondola Rides, Private Gondola Rides, Tour Reviews, Venice Gondola Rides

Private Gondola Ride in Venice

12.Private Gondola Ride in Venice

★★★★★★★★★★3.0 · 85 reviews · 25 to 30 minutes (approx.)

Set out from Santa Maria del Giglio for a 25 to 30 minute private gondola ride for up to six people. You’ll pass palaces, the Grand Canal, La Fenice, and the Bovolo staircase. This is a scenic boat ride, not a guided tour, and the gondolier may or may not provide commentary.

“arrived on time to be told we were in the wrong place and were sent somewhere else. after more walking and asking we were sent back to the original place where we had to argue that we were in the right which the gondolieri said we were not. Eventually managed to convince them we were in the right place by which time we were 15 mins late for our 30 minute ride. We were literally given a 10-12 minute ride (despite paying for 30). Asked viator for a refund this was refused. feels like they want to make you waste time so you do not get what you pay for…”

Check availability →Read our full review

Private Photoshoot on Personal Gondola in Venice - Meeting at Caffè Florian in St. Mark’s Square
Gondola Rides, Gondola Rides with a Photoshoot, Italy Gondola Rides, Private Gondola Rides, Tour Reviews, Venice Gondola Rides

Private Photoshoot on Personal Gondola in Venice

13.Private Photoshoot on Personal Gondola in Venice

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 82 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)

Meet your English-speaking photographer at Caffè Florian for photos at St. Mark’s Square and Doge’s Palace, then board a personal gondola for 30 minutes before finishing near Rialto Bridge. Guides such as Mary, Manjola, and Daniele help with poses, candid shots, and finding less crowded corners.

“Mary was our photographer and she was very friendly and sweet. Took great pictures, and we enjoyed our time with her. Although, the website says you get 50 pictures and 1 video. They haven't sent my video yet and I messaged them days ago and didnt hesr back from them. Because this we are very upset.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Private Photo Shoot in Venice with Gondola Ride - Starting around Piazza San Marco
Gondola Rides, Gondola Rides with a Photoshoot, Italy Gondola Rides, Private Gondola Rides, Tour Reviews, Venice Gondola Rides

Private Photo Shoot in Venice with Gondola Ride

14.Private Photo Shoot in Venice with Gondola Ride

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 81 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Spend two private hours photographing Venice with a professional such as Michael Zennaro, Marco, Mauro, or Giuseppe, then cruise the canals for 30 minutes by gondola. Pickup is available from hotels, apartments, the train station, Piazzale Roma, and Accademia Bridge. You receive 50 edited digital photos by mail about a week later.

“We had a great experience with our photographer Michael! It is hard when you are traveling from another country and not sure how to contact a photographer, so this agency service where they will arrange the photographer for you is great! Michael Zennaro was an amazing photographer and you can see all of his work on his website as well. The photos he took will be cherished for a lifetime ❤️”

Check availability →Read our full review

Venice: Private Walking Tour with Optional Gondola Ride - La Fenice, Venice’s theater rebuilt after fire
Gondola Rides, Gondola Rides with a Walking Tour, Italy Gondola Rides, Private Gondola Rides, Tour Reviews, Tours, Venice Gondola Rides

Venice: Private Walking Tour with Optional Gondola Ride

15.Private Walking Tour with Optional Gondola Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 79 reviews · from $150

Walk Venice’s narrow calle with a local guide, passing La Fenice, Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo, Marco Polo’s house, and Rialto Bridge. Add a 30-minute gondola ride from Santa Maria del Giglio. Guides speak English, Italian, French, German, or Spanish.

“Charming tour with an amazing guide who took us off the beaten track, so we got to experience the less touristy side of Venice!”

Check availability →Read our full review

New in Private Gondola Rides

★ 3.8Private Gondola Cruise for Special Occasions4 reviews
★ 4.5Vip Semi-Private Walking Tour with Gondola RideFrom $9017 reviews
★ 4.7Romantic Palace Dinner and Private Gondola RideFrom $3396 reviews
★ 4.3Private Venice Walking Tour and Gondola RideFrom $2623 reviews
★ 5.0Private Photoshoot In Gondola13 reviews
★ 5.0Private Tour with Doge’s Palace, St. Mark’s, GondolaFrom $4407 reviews
★ 5.0Private Evening Stroll with Gondola RideFrom $2822 reviews
★ 4.5Highlights with Local Private Walking Tour & GondolaFrom $13410 reviews
★ 4.9Private Gondola Ride with Professional Photographer30 reviews
★ 4.6Private After Dark Tour and Gondola RideFrom $28211 reviews
★ 4.9Private Gondola Ride with Photo Shoot29 reviews
★ 3.5Venice Private Tour for Families with Gondola RideFrom $2533 reviews
★ 4.5Private Gondola Ride with Professional Photographer in Venice17 reviews
★ 4.5Venice Highlights with Local: Private Walking Tour & Gondola RideFrom $15530 reviews
★ 5.0Private Half Day Guided Tour and Gondola ExperienceFrom $2092 reviews

Keep browsing

Shared Gondola Rides12Romantic Gondola Rides20Gondola Rides with a Serenade7Gondola Rides with a Photoshoot10Gondola Rides with Dinner12
Scroll to Top

Pick a canal

By the kind of ride, not the postcard.

The route

Grand CanalDoge’s PalaceSt Mark’s BasilicaBridge of SighsAll of Venice

Seat or boat

Shared SeatsPrivate BoatsTwo AboardWith DinnerWith a Photographer

On board

With a SerenadeAfter DarkGondola and BoatWalk and RowEvery Ride

Beyond Italy

KrakówSiem ReapOahuDurbanUnited States