Learn to row in the canals of Venice

Venice, Italy

1 hour 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Explore our promoted experiences

Venice, Veneto

Real Venetian Kayak - Tour of Venice Canals with a local guide

389

from $71.38

Venice, Veneto

Private Tour Murano and Burano - K1

from $351.40

Per group

Special Offer

Venice, Veneto

4 hours Private Boat Tour to Murano, Burano with local real guide

130

from $164.13

$164.72 $0.59 savings

Viator earns higher commissions on experiences featured here

Overview

Take a rowing lesson in the heart of Venice, aboard a traditional Venetian boat. The experience starts in the lively Cannaregio neighborhood at a boatyard run by a sports association who maintain the city’s traditional boats. Under the expert guidance of one of their local instructors, you’ll discover the generations-old art of Venetian rowing amid the city canals.

Book online to organize your Venice rowing experience in advance
Pick up a new skill while learning about the history of Venetian boats
Learn about the art of rowing from a local, born and raised in Venice
See more of Cannaregio from the canals and avoid the sidewalk crowds

What's Included

Boat and equipment for rowing

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Cantiere Nautico Navale Casaril S.r.l.
3009/H Cannaregio, Venezia, VE 30121, 30121 Venezia VE, Italy
You will find us in Fondamente Contarini at a shipyard

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Not wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation

Infants must sit on laps
Most travelers can participate
On certain dates, most travelers staying outside of Venice who are planning to visit for the day will be required to pay a €5 access fee. For further details (including exemptions) and to learn what days this fee is applicable, please visit: https://cda.ve.it
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 6 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Featured review

Nicole_F

Such a great experience to learn to row a gondola rather than just sit in one ! Absolutely brilliant tour and fascinating to find out so much about rowing a gondola and life in Venice and support a local business. Our guide was the perfect story teller and all family enjoyed trip immensely! Thank you.

Reviews

5.0

62 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

We perform checks on reviews

Showing 1-10 of 62 reviews

Epic and memorable experience!

Chris_G, Apr 2024

This was the highlight of our trip to Venice. Our instructor/ guide was very personable and explained the history and significance of gondolas to the city. Learning to row these unique boats was so much better than just getting a ride. This was a memorable experience, I highly recommend this specific company- they’re dedicated to restoring historic boats and preserving their culture.

Lifetime experience

Thomas_C, Apr 2024

What an incredible experience not to miss!! Not many people can claim they have actually rowed a boat on Venice canals. Stefano was an awesome teacher and you learn so much more than an overpriced tourist trap ride with a Gondolier. Highly recommended!!

Best Experience

Donna_M, Mar 2024

I rowed a Gondola on the picturesque canals of Venice! Can't stop smiling! Emiliano was our fantastic guide teaching a hands-on lesson on rowing a Gondola, explaining Venetian history and preserving Gondola restoration and traditions. An absolutely unique experience. THANK YOU EMILIANO and your boat and forcola are beautiful. Highly recommended.

Extra special way to see Venice!

Susan_C, Aug 2023

What a fantastic way to see the quieter side of Venice with Stephano’s wonderful guidance. I can’t recommend this enough. So great to find something just that little bit different which made our trip to Venice extra special.

Horrific

Anneliese_B, Jul 2023

Worst service ever this is the second vitar horrific experience we had in one week needed to cancel this experience followed the guidelines and they refused to refund us The second tickets we had not this experience but another the time slot didn’t exist we had to chase their guide around the pier till we finally received what we bought two hours later. We weren’t the only party with a problem getting the services we prepaid for

Response from Host, Jul 2023

The guest never arrived at the meeting point as, by his own admission, he was stuck on the other side of the city. He informed us about his issue with no advance at all but only half an hour after the starting time, and only after we contacted him. About the cancellation policy, this is clearly explained on the site. Finally, where is our role or responsibility in issues related to an experience not operated by us?

A must do in Venice

Christine_S, Jun 2023

This was a fantastic experience, our guide Emiliano was incredible. He taught us about the history of rowing in the canals and told us about how it has changed in the last few decades. We rowed in quiet serene canals in a residential area away from the hustle of the more touristy areas. A one of a kind experience.

Unique experience

Stefan_J, May 2023

Had a really great time with Stefano. After a short introduction about the history and different styles of rowing, we went on the boat and after a demonstration rowed ourselves along the relaxed canals of northern Cannaregio along nice bars and beautiful houses. Would definetly recommend the activity for everyone who want to try something unique and aside the touristy masses!

Highly Recommended - Active, Peaceful and No Crowds

Shana_M, Nov 2022

This was a great introduction to Venice and very nice “off the beaten path” activity. The guide was very knowledgeable and passionate about Venice’s boats and boating traditions and also a very patient teacher. We had plenty of opportunity to row our own boat, and we were lucky enough to have the guide’s dog accompanying us!

Excellent trip and experience

Nicole_F, Jul 2022

It was awesome. The guide...

Mariana_C, Mar 2022

It was awesome. The guide has a lot of knowledge about venezian and boats history and made the experience absolutely fantastic.

Ramer comme un vénitien avec Stefano

Nathalie_Z, Apr 2023

Stefano est passionné et passionnant. Nous avons beaucoup apprécié ce moment privilégié sur les canaux où nous avons eu la chance de découvrir un autre aspect de Venise. Les vénitiens ont délaissé les rames au profit des moteurs et c'est dommage mais il est peut-être temps de faire machine arrière !

Etwas wirklich ganz besonderes

Reinhard_B, Jul 2021

Total empfehlenswert. Mit unserem guide Stephano haben wir eine spannende Zeit verbracht. Wir lernten etwas über das alte, traditonelle Verona kennen - haben rudern können und ein Teil Cannaregios per Boot erkundet. Wir sind auch nach einem Tag begeistert und würden es nochmal buchen: Besser als Gondelfahren und auch billiger :-)