RIVER CRUISES · CANAL CRUISES IN ITALY
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 8 canal cruises in Italy worth the fare, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you board.
Review of Milan’s 50-minute Navigli Canal boat cruise, with electric boat details, canal sights, audio guide tips, price advice, and honest drawbacks.
“We went on the 4:20 in early December. It was beautiful to see the Christmas lights going on throughout the canal.”
Cruise Milan’s Naviglio Grande with an Aperol spritz, snacks, canal views, and historic sights on this relaxed 50-minute boat tour.
“Lovely calm cruise in the Nivigli area, long enough to relax with the drink and snacks offered onboard. It was on time, staff were pleasant and professional, no issues at all. We had the later cruise so missed the sunset but was still beautiful.”
Venice Grand Canal boat tour review with landmark views, guide tips, pricing, meeting point, comfort notes, and advice on who should book.
“We loved it, information and comfortable and right amount of time.”
See Venice from a quiet electric boat, exploring lesser-known canals with an English-speaking guide in a small group of six.
“Very nice opportunity to see unusual places around Venice with some history given during the tour. Host was funny and informative when asked questions.”
Review of Venice’s private canal cruise, including the Grand Canal, Jewish Ghetto, Arsenale, gondola workshop, price, boat comfort, and practical tips.
“Tour was in a taxi and not in a wooden boat like the photos. Taxi was old and run down. Tour guide talked badly about “tourists” and the way they shop. His knowledge about the history was limited. We found ourselves correcting him several times. One strange thing was he kept asking us to leave our belongings (purse and backpack) on the taxi when we got off. Felt sketchy. Tour guide left us in the shopping district and not back where we started like it said. It was a 40 minute walk back. We mentioned we wanted to go back and he ignored us. Just awful experience. This was our…”
Review of Venice’s one-hour private boat tour, with Grand Canal views, Giudecca, Rialto Bridge, practical tips, value, and accessibility advice.
“Very nice, guide was pleasant and offer a lot of info. Guide took us to where locals live and shows the difference between areas.”
Explore Chioggia’s canals and Venetian Lagoon on a small Topa boat with a local captain, useful history, fishing traditions, and views away from Venice crowds.
“We really enjoyed our trip with Damiano, a great guy and really easy to be with. He was very helpful before our trip, helping me sort luggage storage and an airport taxi transfer that really helped our plans. He’s very knowledgeable about Chioggia (a hard C pronounced as in Chianti) and gave us a most enjoyable on the water experience. Highly recommended and very good value for money. Thank you”
Ride Venice’s Grand Canal by private motorboat, see palace façades and quiet side canals, and hear local stories in one memorable hour.
“So busy and not too easy to find our guide at first, but once we did it was an experience that we will never forget. We learnt so much about Venice in such a short time. The guide was very friendly and passionate about the area.”
By water, by hour, or by how many nights you want aboard.
