Gondola rides in Venice

[vampsterdam]

Did you do one?

If so, did you enjoy it? If not, any regrets?

I've heard some people (who normally don't like overly touristy activities) say that it's still a necessity when there and to embrace it.

Also, if you did one, what was the price you paid? Any recommendations on where the best spot to get a gondola ride from (scenery and price)?

Thanks!

[mdgirl]

I'm going to be annoying and not give you an actual answer to your question, but for about what gondola rides cost we did a kayak tour and it was fucking amazing. We went through areas gondolas can't fit, as well as out into the Grand Canal.

www.venicekayak.com/

[vampsterdam]

mdgirl No, that's not annoying response at all! I'll actually pass the info on to H since I didn't know that was an option. Thanks!

[clseale]

We decided not to do it, and I don't regret it. I'm sure we would have enjoyed it if we did do it though, it just wasn't a must for us. There are other things that I enjoyed much more (than I think we would have enjoyed the ride), that we preferred to spend our money on. We saw them anywhere from 80-100 euro. They looked lovely, so I doubt anyone would regret it. The kayak thing looks awesome!

[majesty318]

There is a set price - 80 euro during the day and 100 euro at night.

I had done it once before, in college, and was not super gung-ho to do it on our recent trip. But my H was interested and it was our honeymoon so we did. We shared with 3 other people to reduce the cost. The gondolas can fit up to 6.

I am definitely not an overly touristy person and did enjoy it. Our gondolier was not great - didn't sing to us or talk at all, actually. Perhaps I would have enjoyed it less if we didn't share, because 80 euros is a lot especially for a silent ride.

We just picked a random gondola spot and waited in line so no advice on the best spot.

[phillyrunner]

I went when I was a senior in high school and did not do it because I didn't want to spend the money. I later regretted it. I went a couple years ago with my family (husband, parents and grandmother) and the 5 of us shared one. Split between all of us, it wasn't that costly, and I really enjoyed the experience. The kayak does sound like a neat idea though!

[sunshinedaydreams]

We did one because it was our honeymoon, and I don't have any regrets. The first time we saw the Grand Canal and the Rialto Bridge was after dark from the water as a gondolier serenaded us. It was pretty unforgettable.

We only paid EUR40. We weren't planning on a gondola ride at the moment we walked past and they were trying to get us to ride. We said we only had EUR40 on us and would have to come back later, and they took EUR40 for a private ride.

[shel]

For me, was worth it, and since Venice might have been just the one time, no regrets.  

Felt like we got to see Venice in a way that we wouldn't have just on foot, to have the experience of traveling under the bridges, a little sad and fascinating to see how the sea is gradually re-absorbing the buildings, and being a part of the traffic of the canals.  Gondolier didn't sing but helpfully pointed out the sights, spoke about the history of the gondolas, and his own.  Tried not to take too many pics so I wouldn't miss any of the experience but the ones that I got, amazing.  

[Deleted]

We didn't do it when we were in Venice - I thought it was on my Venice must-do list, but once we were there, I wasn't as into it. For that price we had an amazing romantic dinner instead. The others in our group went, and they said it was a let-down because it was crowded and rushed. This was our experience - we didn't regret NOT doing it, but I doubt I would have deeply regretted doing it.

[Deleted]

We didn't do it, but I really, really, really wanted to. H didn't want to do it at all and I couldn't convince him.

I regret not doing it.

Next time I go to Venice I'm going to do it, even if I have to do it alone.

[Deleted]

I've never been to Venice but I cant imagine NOT doing it when / if I go. It would be like not going to the Vatican in Rome or the Eifel Tower in Paris.

[anna7602]

We did it, but mostly for DD's benefit (she was 5 when we went). I would have regretted NOT taking her, but for myself, it was just okay. I enjoyed taking the vaporetto around and probably wouldn't have sprung for the gondola ride if I were by myself.

[cheezer]

To me, it's a must do. While it wasn't cheap, neither was the town of Venice in general.

[stever]

No but I would love to. I used to pretend the vaporetto was a good substitute, but it's really not.

[Susie]

We passed, and just rode the vaporetto around and did a lot of walking. We were only in Venice for about 24 hours. I took pictures of the gondolas, but didn't feel the need to ride one.

[jordylee]

We didn't do one, no regrets. It seemed kind of cheesy and super touristy, which is usually not my thing. I much prefer wandering and getting lost in Venice. The exception would be if you were going with kids. In that scenario, I think the gondola could potentially be fun.

[Deleted]

Yes, it was pricey, but a lot of fun. We had a great gondolier.

[sent]

No, we didn't do one. It seemed so touristy, like the equivalent of taking a horse drawn carriage through Central Park. 80 euros is also a lot of money in a city that is not cheap at all. We rode the vaporetti a lot.

[Brit]

I didn't do it, no regrets. I wish I had known about the kayak option though!

[lya]

We did it and loved it. Ours was 80 euro and we had the gondola to ourselves. We got ours by the Hard Rock Cafe - its slightly less crazy to get a ride from there. Depending on when you are there, I would recommend going in the late afternoon/ early evening. We were there in June and it was so hot during the day I couldn't imagine sitting out in the direct sun for 45min. We went around 5 or 6 and the weather was much nicer and there were fewer people as well.

[bronxgirl]

I did it and loved it. I know it's touristy, but I've always wanted to do it since I was a kid, so why not? I loved Venice so much.