Gondolas are black boats (sometimes ornate) which have been a part of Venice’s history and culture. Once used by upper-class Venetians, today the gondolas are the primary means of transportation and riding it is one of the top things to do in Venice.
A Gondola is an 11 metres flat bottomed, wooden boat made in special workshops called squeri and some 500 gondolas are commuting on the city canals at present. A gondolier is the one owning and taking care of their boats; they also have a dress code of black pants/trousers with a red and white striped shirt, dark shoes and a straw hat.
A gondola ride in the Venetian waterways will cost you €80 for a daytime ride and €100 for rides after 7 pm, with additional cost for an extended trip.