ROW LIKE A VENETIAN
Empowering Through Tradition
Row Venice is a non-profit organization of passionate women experts and professional athletes who believe in preserving and sharing the unique tradition of Venetian rowing: the voga alla veneta, made famous by the gondoliers. Designed for first-timers, we invite everyone to experience the most immersive and authentic Venetian activity there is.
Find out why people say that Row Venice was the highlight of their trip to Italy!
ROW LIKE A VENETIAN
Empowering Through Tradition
Row Venice is a non-profit organization of passionate women experts and professional athletes who believe in preserving and sharing the unique tradition of Venetian rowing: the voga alla veneta, made famous by the gondoliers. Designed for first-timers, we invite everyone to experience the most immersive and authentic Venetian activity there is.
Find out why people say that Row Venice was the highlight of their trip to Italy!
All Women
We are an all-female organization, and our instructors are passionate experts who’ve mastered the art of this unique activity and love sharing it with you.
In addition, your booking encourages and supports our athletes’ participation in the traditional Venetian racing season and other organized events.
Maintaining the Tradition
It’s rowing, not punting! Naturally green and sustainable, this centuries-old stand-up rowing technique is unique to Venice and its lagoon.
Not only will you learn it yourself, your contribution helps Row Venice keep this invaluable tradition a part of the city.
Private & Personalized
All our lessons are private, in our hand-crafted, traditional batele. This means that everyone from a single traveler to a celebratory group will enjoy ample, individual attention.
OUR ACTIVITIES
Choose Your Lesson
Whether you prefer to explore beautiful, intimate side canals, include stops at two bàcari to sample traditional cicchetti and a Prosecco, or experience the unique spectacle that is the Grand Canal, one of the options will be perfect for you!
The VENETIAN
ROWING LESSON
This is our classic introduction to Venetian rowing. Row your batela through the typical, picturesque canals and discover a Venice that can only be experienced from water level.
To start your lesson, your instructor will introduce you to our hand-crafted traditional batela, and demonstrate the basic stroke for you. With the boat still moored, each of you will then give it a try, and once everyone is comfortable, we’ll depart!
As we glide along the wide, quiet canals, each rower will take turns and if you like, we’ll find a spot where you can also try the steering position. We’ll then return through the evocative side canals back to the original meeting point.
• Lessons are 80 minutes
• Start times are from 10am-4pm (also 8:30 Apr-Oct).
Cost is
- €100 for 1 or 2 people
- €130 for 3, and
- €150 for 4;
- groups of 5 can reserve our larger batela for €220.
Row to our favorite bàcari on the
CICCHETTO ROW
Combine learning to row Venetian-style with learning to eat and drink Venetian-style, with Row Venice’s exclusive Cicchetto Row! Your lessons includes stops at two bàcari to slake your appetite with tasty cicchetti and regional wines.
You’ll start with the regular Venetian Rowing lesson, and row yourselves to two bàcari wine bars for cicchetti and drinks (with ample non-alcoholic selections as well). You’ll be the envy of all passersby as you relax in your bella batela.
• Lessons are 2h15 minutes
• Start times are 17:30 Jun-Aug, 11.30 and 17.30 Apr-May & Sept-Oct, and 11:30 Nov-Mar due to early sunset and chilly temps.
Cost (includes lesson, food and drink):
- €225 for 1 person
- €275 for 2
- €325for 3
- €375 for 4
- groups of 5 can reserve our larger batela for €500
Evenings, Sundays and holidays, row the
GRAND CANAL
Row the grandest of Venice’s canals of an evening, or on a Sunday / holiday when work boats are moored away. Discover the spectacle unique to this water city that can only be experienced by oar.
Propelling your own batela down the spectacular Canal Grande, allows you to viscerally comprehend an experience available only to those who seek it out.
After your rowing intro, we’ll row down the side canals to enter the expansive Canal Grande. You’ll glide past majestic palazzi, the Rialto market to behold one of Venice’s most famous landmark, the Rialto Bridge.
• Lessons are 80 minutes
• The Evening Row starts at 8 pm Apr-Sept, 7 pm in March and October, and at 5.30 pm Nov- Mar.
• The daytime Grand Canal row starts from 10:00 (8.30 am Apr-Oct) on Sundays and holidays.
For the Grand Canal. the cost is per boat:
- €160, 1-4 people for Sundays and holidays, €180 for the Evening Row.
- €260 for a group of 5 daytime, €280 for the 5-person Evening Row.
A FEW MORE DETAILS
- We row all year-round!
- We row a traditional batelina, the perfect first-time rowing boat: stable and comfortable.
- Perfect for families. Kids love to row! Most can row themselves, but smaller children can always row alongside their parents.
- Three children under 10 years count as two (so you can reserve the 4-person batela for the five of you).
- Lessons always start and end at our single meeting point.
- No charge for children under 4 years-old.
- Costs are calculated for the number of people in the boat, rowing or riding along.
- Check our calendar for available time slots and book yourself.
- For the Cicchetto Row, there are plenty of non-alcoholic drinks for kids and non-imbibers.
Still have questions? Have a larger group?
Chat with us below—if we’re not available immediately, we’ll get back as soon as possible. Contact Us here, or email info@rowvenice.org directly.
TESTIMONIALS
Rave Reviews
An absolutely magical experience! The instructors were patient and encouraging. I never thought I could row a Venetian boat, but by the end of the lesson, I was navigating canals like a local.
This was the highlight of our Venice trip. Learning from women who are so passionate about their city and traditions made it incredibly special. Highly recommend!
I’ve been to Venice many times, but Row Venice showed me a completely different perspective. The hidden canals, the stories, the skill—it was unforgettable.