Gondola drivers — called gondoliers — power the boats by hand. They row the boats along the canals using long oars. Gondolas were once the main mode of transportation in Venice. Today, they are mainly used by tourists.

The people who navigate the iconic, flat-bottomed boats through the canals of Venice are called gondoliers (gondolieri in Italian). This is an ancient and highly prestigious profession that is often passed down through families, though modern regulations now require aspiring gondoliers to pass a rigorous exam and attend a specialized school. To earn their license, they must master the unique "rowing" technique where they stand facing forward and use a single long oar (remo) resting in a carved wooden crutch called a fòrcola. Beyond physical skill, they must demonstrate knowledge of Venetian history, landmarks, and the Italian language, as they often act as unofficial guides for their passengers. In 2026, the profession is still largely dominated by men, though the first female gondolier, Giorgia Boscolo, broke the traditional barrier in 2010. Recognizable by their traditional black-and-white (or red) striped shirts and straw boater hats, gondoliers are a protected cultural symbol of Venice, and their numbers are strictly limited to around 400 active licenses to prevent overcrowding in the narrow waterways.