It’s time to see Venice from Venice’s point of view!
Do you want to be a gondoliere for one day? Book a tour now and drive a typical Venetian boat with our expert guides
Pick the tour that best suits you!
Standard Tour
€30 per person/90 mins
One of our instructors will drive you through a classic rowing journey through Venice’s most hidden canals. A new experience that will definitely make you feel part of the city, the real one! :)
Send us an email at realvenetiankayak@gmail.com for more info (specifying the number of people and tour dates) so we can create the perfect tour for you
Private Tour
What’s better than a private and customizable tour? Spend some time side by side with your instructor to discover all the secrets of this ancient rowing technique. Definitely not for everyone :)
Wanna try?
Send us an email at realvenetiankayak@gmail.com for more info (specifying the number of people and tour dates) so we can create the perfect tour for you
Night Tour
Venice by night! It’s when the city goes to sleep that she unleashes all her magic and magnificence. Be part of this great beauty and dive into it. Rowing by night means only one thing: heavenly sensations! :)
Wanna try?
Send us an email at realvenetiankayak@gmail.com for more info (specifying the number of people and tour dates) so we can create the perfect tour for you
Why Venetian Rowing?
Be part of the actual city
You can’t say that you’ve really been to Venice if you haven’t seen it from the water. With Venetian Rowing an expert will teach you how to embrace the pure soul of the city, by showing you the skills and the secrets of the great masters of this ancient rowing technique.
Venetian rowing is a particular rowing technique developed in the area of the Venice lagoon and neighboring areas, in which a single rower equipped with one or two oars can be sufficient to move the boat forward.
A journey through the history
Venetian rowing is inextricably linked to Venetian history. The tradition dates back to the fifth century the first urban settlements in the lagoon, following the invasions of the Huns and the subsequent destruction of the Roman centers of Altino, Aquileia, and Padua.
The Venetian rowing "alla valesana" was used in the past to cover long distances in the open air in the sandbanks of the lagoon. Thanks to the double oar it made it possible to cover them in a shorter time.
Be a Gondoliere for one day
In a city closely linked to water, the development of a culture interconnected with the marine environment and coastal marshes was a natural outcome and since the distant past, sailors, ferrymen, and boatmen have been indispensable figures for the social fabric. economic of local communities.
The profession of gondoliere has been preserved to the present day, not as an anachronistic relic from the past, but as a vital and sought-after activity by many young Venetians.
What people say about us
“Very cool experience. I’ve got the chance to see some beautiful spots of Venice while also learning the basics of Venetian rowing. Recommended!”
— Harpo
“Great time learning this ancient skill. Much harder than it looks!! Arben was very knowledgeable and eager to help”
— Jpoov
“Truly unique experience! Ben was an awesome host and he really made me feel welcome and immersed in the Venetian culture and lifestyle. Keep it up, guys! 5-stars"
— Duarte
“This is another way to experience Venetian culture. Be careful, however, to have basic English! Interesting!”
— Maelys
Check what people say about us on Tripadvisor!
We believe that a real Venetian experience can be only achieved by immersing yourself in Venice’s secret culture. Rowing is the best way to do that.
Find out more about the history of rowing in Venice