Lake Garda (Riva), Italy

Lake Garda Riva

The north end of Italy's largest lake, surrounded by steep mountains.

  • Apr–Oct
  • 2 nights
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Nearby hidden places
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Things to do

2 days in Lake Garda

Day 1

  1. MorningWalk the old town of Riva and its harbour.
  2. AfternoonTake a boat to Limone or Malcesine across the lake.
  3. EveningHave dinner by the lake as the wind drops.

Day 2

Take the rotating cable car up Monte Baldo from Malcesine.

What to eat

Lake fish and Garda olive oil.

Local tips

Make the most of Lake Garda

Beat the crowds

Summer is busy, especially at weekends. Spring and autumn are lovely.

Best photo spot

Riva del Garda's harbour from the Bastione tower above the town.

Getting there

Buses run from Rovereto station, about 30 minutes. Boats link the lake towns.

Don't miss nearby

Arco and its castle, and the village of Limone on the lake.

Good to know

The north end is windy in the afternoon, great for windsurfing. The Ponale path is a scenic walk or ride above the lake.

Secret spots

3 secret spots near Lake Garda

Our most hidden places around Lake Garda: fewer people, same wow. Unlock them with a route in Google Maps and a PDF guide of Lake Garda to take with you.

62 km away
99 km away
100 km away
Unlock the secret spots · €2.99+ VAT · one payment, valid for a year

Plan your visit

Getting to Lake Garda

Getting there

  • Verona Airport (VRN)55 km away
  • Milan Bergamo Airport (BGY)90 km away
  • Verona50 km away
  • Bergamo95 km away

Reachable by car or public transport; a car gives you more freedom to explore the area. Distances are in a straight line.

At a glance

Best timeApr–Oct
TypeNature spot
Good forNature, Coast
Getting thereCar or public transport
Stay2 nights
CountryItaly

Questions

Lake Garda: good to know

Is Lake Garda worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you like nature and the coast. The north end of Italy's largest lake, surrounded by steep mountains.

How many days do you need in Lake Garda?

Plan 2 nights. Our free 2-day plan above shows how to spend your time.

When is the best time to visit Lake Garda?

The best time to visit is Apr to Oct. Summer is busy, especially at weekends. Spring and autumn are lovely.

How do you get to Lake Garda?

The nearest airport is Verona Airport (VRN), about 55 km away. Buses run from Rovereto station, about 30 minutes. Boats link the lake towns.

What is there to see near Lake Garda?

Nearby hidden places include Verona (51 km), Bergamo (94 km) and Padua (96 km).

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