Verdons Gondola - white concrete building during daytime
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Verdons Gondola

3.9
·677 reviews·Courchevel, France

Experience Venice like a local with a budget-friendly Traghetto gondola ride, or dine at Verdons Gondola for a potentially lively, albeit mixed, culin...

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Lunchtime

Enjoy the lively atmosphere

CrowdMedium
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Verdons Gondola - white concrete building during daytime

Verdons Gondola

Best Time

Lunchtime

Enjoy the lively atmosphere

CrowdMedium
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Experience Venice like a local with a budget-friendly Traghetto gondola ride, or dine at Verdons Gondola for a potentially lively, albeit mixed, culinary adventure.

3.9
(677 reviews)

"Skip the pricey gondola ride and opt for the €2 Traghetto for an authentic Venetian experience!"

Vertical photo
TIP

💰 Budget Gondola Hack

Take a Traghetto for a €2 gondola experience across the Grand Canal.

🍽️ Snack Bar Option

Consider the snack bar for quicker, potentially better value food.

Third hero image

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Traghetto Ride

Traghetto Ride

Various crossing points on the Grand Canal

Experience a traditional gondola for a fraction of the price. A quick, authentic Venetian journey.

TikTok
Atmosphere and Music

Atmosphere and Music

Restaurant/Bar area

Enjoy a lovely ambiance with music, creating a pleasant backdrop for your visit.

Reddit
Magician's Performance

Magician's Performance

Restaurant/Bar area

Be entertained by a magician, adding a unique and engaging element to your experience.

Reddit
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Planning Your Visit

Skip the Tourist Trap, Embrace the Traghetti

Gondola rides in Venice are iconic but pricey. For a budget-friendly experience, opt for a 'Traghetto' – a traditional gondola ferry crossing the Grand Canal for just €2. It's a quick, authentic way to get a feel for the ride without the hefty cost. TikTok

Manage Expectations for Food Quality

While some visitors praise the food, others find it overpriced and disappointing, especially for dishes like steak or omelets. Consider the snack bar for a more casual and potentially better value experience. Reddit

Best Times

When
Lunchtime
Why
Enjoy the lively atmosphere
Crowd
Medium
When
Afternoon
Why
Catch the magician's act
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

If you need help planning your trip, visit the link in bio and we’ll help you find a group trip! This is the best Venice Travel Hack, and most people don't know about it. If you plan on visiting Venice, you need to experience the city from the water— a true gondola ride is a must, but you can also try a water taxi across the Grand Canal for only €2! It only lasts about 3 minutes, but it's a great...
@efultimatebreak
57K likes • 1.1M views

💰 Budget Gondola Hack

Take a Traghetto for a €2 gondola experience across the Grand Canal. TikTokReddit

🍽️ Snack Bar Option

Consider the snack bar for quicker, potentially better value food. Reddit

📌 Save this location for when you visit Venice 🛶 📍Librairie Acqua Alta 📚 #veniceitaly #venice #gondola #gondolatok #visititaly italy travel, italy vacation, venice, venice italy, gondola, gondola venezia
@helloangelia
38.1K likes • 893.2K views
GREAT lunch at La Gondola. I recommend the pizza bread and the crayons. #lagondala #lunchdate
dorianmuza
54 likes • 0 views

💧 Tap Water Request

Politely inquire about tap water; some guests found it unavailable. Reddit

✨ Service with a Smile

Look for staff like Yanis who provide exceptional hospitality. Reddit

Noted: La Gondola's pizza bread to-go is served open faced and is less driver friendly than Avantis 🤣. Now I know.. though it didn't stop me from trying to eat it on my way to class 😜
prettywellfed
15 likes • 0 views

Tips

from all over the internet

💰 Budget Gondola Hack

Take a Traghetto for a €2 gondola experience across the Grand Canal. TikTokReddit

🍽️ Snack Bar Option

Consider the snack bar for quicker, potentially better value food. Reddit

💧 Tap Water Request

Politely inquire about tap water; some guests found it unavailable. Reddit

✨ Service with a Smile

Look for staff like Yanis who provide exceptional hospitality. Reddit

📸 Gondola Photo Op

Get a gondola picture without the high cost via Traghetto. TikTok

What Travellers Say

3.9
(677 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Verdons Gondola offers a pleasant atmosphere with music and entertainment, but dining experiences are highly polarized. While some guests rave about the service and specific dishes, many others find the food overpriced and disappointing, with some even reporting negative interactions with staff. The high cost for perceived low quality is a recurring complaint.

"Atmosphere is lovely. Nice spot with music and a magician.

Staff didn’t seem too interested in us or generally in their job unfortunately. Would expect them to ask how the meal is at least for the £££. It would be nice to have tap water to avoid the unnecessary ££ when you are hot and bothered from skiing. I appreciate they don’t have a ‘filter’ but everywhere else does.

Food was personally a big let down. My friends seemingly enjoyed their food so this is my PERSONAL experience, not my groups. Firstly it is unnecessarily expensive - in no world should an omelette be 22 euros. Even the chicken who laid the eggs would be upset at that!

But I ordered their 40 euro steak ‘a point’ which is medium rare (which in France should be pretty rare for an Englishman). It was an awful cut of meat - very chewy and barely red. You can get great cuts of meat in the local area for reasonable prices - I am happy to pay 40£ for a steak but not a chewy mess.

Next time, I would just chose their snack bar as it looks quick and easy and the atmosphere is lovely."

Charles Bennett

"Les Verdons is an absolute gem! From the moment we walked in, we were treated to exceptional hospitality and professionalism. A special mention goes to Yanis, who truly made it all great.

His attention to detail, warm demeanor, and thorough knowledge of the menu were outstanding.

He went above and beyond to ensure every aspect of our meal was perfect, making us feel genuinely valued as guests.

Highly recommend this restaurant, and kudos to Yanis for being a shining example of top-notch service!"

Henrietta Gali

"This place is terrible. I cannot even say it is too expensive because your could not pay me to eat their food. All of the food (burgers, pizza, carbonara pasta and tuna bowl) was disgusting. Do not eat here. The price is obscene for the awful quality. We wish we went to Il Refugio or La cabane des skieurs instead. I cannot stress how terrible this restaurant is. Oh and don’t even start me on “we can’t serve tap water because it isn’t safe to drink” just bullsh*t - don’t go!!"

Matthew O'Sullivan

What People Like

Lovely atmosphere
Music and magician
Exceptional staff (Yanis)

What People Dislike

Overpriced food
Poor food quality
Uninterested staff

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Verdons Gondola is a restaurant and bar, not a transportation service. If you're looking for gondola rides in Venice, consider using the Traghetto service for a budget-friendly option. TikTok

No, Verdons Gondola is a restaurant located in a ski resort area, not in Venice. The gondola experience mentioned in TikTok videos refers to Venice's traditional gondola rides or the Traghetto service. TikTok

For an authentic gondola experience in Venice without the high cost, take a Traghetto. These gondola ferries cross the Grand Canal for around €2. TikTok

Yes, water taxis are available in Venice and can be a faster, though more expensive, way to get around compared to gondolas. Some videos mention them as an alternative to traditional gondola rides. TikTok

Traghetto crossings are located at various points along the Grand Canal in Venice, offering a quick way to get to the other side. Look for signs indicating Traghetto stops. TikTok

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Verdons Gondola is a restaurant, so no tickets are required for entry. You pay for food and drinks consumed. Reddit

Opening hours can vary depending on the season and day. It's best to check their official website or contact them directly for the most up-to-date information, especially if visiting during ski season. Reddit

There is no admission fee to enter Verdons Gondola restaurant. You will be charged for any food or beverages you order. Reddit

It is advisable to book a table, especially during peak hours or seasons, to ensure you get a spot. You can usually do this via their website or by calling them. Reddit

No specific entry requirements are needed for the Traghetto. You simply pay the small fare when you board. TikTok

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

Reviews are mixed. Some guests praise the food, mentioning dishes like burgers and crème brûlée. However, others found it to be a big letdown, describing it as expensive and of poor quality, with specific complaints about steak and omelets. Reddit

Yes, many reviews indicate that Verdons Gondola is considered expensive, with some dishes like omelets costing around 22 euros and steaks around 40 euros. Reddit

Based on reviews, the burger and crème brûlée have received positive mentions. However, some guests strongly advise against dishes like pasta and steak due to quality concerns. Reddit

Some guests reported being told they couldn't serve tap water, which they suspected was an excuse to upsell bottled water. It's worth politely asking. Reddit

The snack bar at Verdons Gondola is mentioned as a potentially quicker and more casual option, which might offer better value than the main restaurant. Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

The restaurant itself offers a pleasant atmosphere with music and a magician, which can make for interesting candid shots. If you're referring to Venice gondolas, the canals and bridges provide endless picturesque opportunities. Reddit

Yes, you can take photos during your Traghetto ride. It's a great way to capture the essence of Venice from the water. TikTok

Generally, there are no specific restrictions on personal photography at Verdons Gondola restaurant or on Traghetto rides. However, always be mindful of other patrons' privacy. Reddit

For Venice, early morning or late afternoon can offer softer light and fewer crowds. At Verdons Gondola, daytime might be best to capture the magician and ambiance. TikTok

You can get a gondola picture without paying for a full ride by using the Traghetto service, which uses traditional gondolas. TikTok

For Different Travelers

Tailored advice for your travel style

👨‍👩‍👧 Families with Kids

For families visiting Venice, the Traghetto offers a fun and affordable way to introduce children to the iconic gondola experience without the high cost. It's a short, exciting ride that kids will likely remember. TikTok In terms of dining, Verdons Gondola might be a gamble for families due to mixed reviews on food quality and high prices. If you do dine there, consider the snack bar for simpler options. Reddit

If you're looking for a more reliable family dining experience in Venice, research restaurants known for being kid-friendly and offering good value. Many trattorias offer pasta dishes that are usually a hit with younger eaters. Reddit

💰 Budget Travelers

The Traghetto is your golden ticket for an authentic gondola experience in Venice without the hefty price tag. For just €2, you can cross the Grand Canal like a local, capturing that quintessential Venice photo. TikTok This is a must-do for budget-conscious travelers seeking iconic experiences. TikTok

When it comes to dining at places like Verdons Gondola, budget travelers should be wary. Reviews consistently point to high prices for questionable food quality. It might be wiser to seek out local markets, smaller bacari (wine bars) for cicchetti (Venetian tapas), or pizzerias for more affordable and satisfying meals. Reddit

Deep Dives

In-depth insights and expert knowledge

The Traghetto: Venice on a Budget

For travelers dreaming of a gondola ride in Venice but daunted by the price tag (often €90-€110), the Traghetto offers a fantastic alternative. These are traditional gondolas used by locals to cross the Grand Canal at specific points where bridges are not available. For a mere €2, you can experience the unique sensation of gliding across the water in a gondola, standing up as the locals do. It's a quick, authentic, and incredibly cost-effective way to get a taste of this iconic Venetian experience. TikTok

Several Traghetto crossings are available along the Grand Canal. While they don't offer leisurely tours, they provide a genuine glimpse into daily Venetian life and a memorable photo opportunity without breaking the bank. It's a tip frequently shared by savvy travelers looking to maximize their Venice experience on a budget. TikTok+1

When using a Traghetto, remember it's a functional ferry service. You'll likely share the gondola with locals commuting, so be respectful of the space and the experience. It's a short but sweet journey that captures the essence of Venice's waterways. TikTok

Dining at Verdons Gondola: A Mixed Bag

Verdons Gondola, a restaurant often associated with ski resorts, garners a wide spectrum of opinions regarding its food and service. While some patrons describe the atmosphere as lovely, complete with music and even a magician, the dining experience itself is frequently a point of contention. Reddit

Several reviews highlight the exorbitant prices for what is perceived as mediocre or even poor-quality food. Specific dishes like omelets (€22) and steaks (€40) have been criticized for being overpriced and unsatisfactory, with one reviewer describing a steak as a 'chewy mess.' The availability of tap water has also been questioned, with some suspecting it's a tactic to encourage bottled water purchases. Reddit

On the other hand, some visitors have had positive experiences, praising the exceptional hospitality of certain staff members, like Yanis, and enjoying dishes such as burgers and crème brûlée. However, the recurring theme of high cost versus perceived value suggests that diners should approach Verdons Gondola with managed expectations, perhaps opting for the snack bar for a more casual and potentially less disappointing meal. Reddit

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