Travel guide Riva del Garda
Over the Brenner Pass to the south in Riva del Garda
Riva di Garda is located on the northwestern shore of Lake Garda in the Italian region of Trentino-South Tyrol. The provincial capital
Trento is about 40 kilometers away. You can reach your private holiday apartment in Riva di Garda via the train station in Rovereto, which is 20 kilometers away. From there, a regular bus service takes you to Riova di Garda. Good flight connections are available to Valerio Cullo Airport in
Verona. By car, you can reach your holiday accommodation or house in Riva di Garda via the Brenner motorway. Take the Rovereto Sud – Lago di Garda Nord exit. Book a holiday apartment, a cheap house, or an apartment with a balcony in the middle of the province now and take trips and walks in the surrounding area during your relaxing holiday.
Almost Mediterranean weather at the foot of the Alps
The climate at Lake Garda is sub-Mediterranean. Despite its location at the foot of the Alps, the average annual temperature is around 14 °C. Summers are warm and winters are relatively mild and dry. Mediterranean vegetation such as cypresses, oleanders, the first olive trees on the way south, and dwarf palms testify to the pleasant temperatures all year round. Lake Garda was once famous for cultivating the northernmost oranges in Italy. Today, the eastern shore around your holiday home in Riva di Garda is known for its olive groves. The best time to travel for a
beach holiday in Riva di Garda is between June and September. The water temperature rises to 23 °C in high summer.
Walking through the centuries
Riva has been a popular spa town since the 19th century. The promenade with its restaurants, cafes, and shops attracts visitors with a mix of Italian joie de vivre and alpine coziness. Above it towers the mighty city castle Rocca di Riva. The old train station, which connected Riva di Garda with Arco and Mori, is worth seeing and now houses a restaurant. The Baroque church Chiesa dell'Inviolatam dates back to the 17th century. Much older is the small harbor at Piazza III Novembre, which dates back to the 14th century. The three city palaces Palazzo Municipale, Palazzo del Provvenditore, and Palazzo Pretorio from the 14th and 15th centuries, as well as the arcades in the Lombard-Venetian style, make the Piazza unique. Riva's pride, however, is the Inviolata Church from 1611. End your tour at the Porto San Nicolò marina at the exit of the town at sunset. Here, bars and restaurants invite you to enjoy a cozy sundowner. At the harbor, there are remains of the Austrian fortifications on the border with Italy. The Batteria San Nicolò dates back to the end of the 19th century. What many do not know: Mini-submarines were assembled here for Lake Garda during World War II.
Fairy-tale Riva – The city is a stage
The biggest cultural festival in the holiday resort Riva di Garda is the Notte di Fiaba. Actually, it is not just one night, but several. In the warm summer nights, the whole city turns into a stage for theater, animation, music, readings, and art. Everything revolves around stories between the Occident and the Orient. The city becomes a fairy-tale world. At the end of the week, a large fireworks display takes place over the lake. More down-to-earth, but no less exciting, is the city museum in Riva del Garda. The premises are located in a medieval castle on the lakeshore. Here you can expect an exhibition of landscape painting of Lake Garda from the 19th century. In addition, there is an archaeological exhibition with a focus on the Copper Age. From the tower of the castle, you can enjoy a sublime view of the town, the lake, and the surrounding mountains after a walk. Also, stroll along the shores of Lake Garda Trentino or take trips to the impressive sights of the province.
Lake Garda culinary – A Mediterranean Alpine cuisine
The cuisine of Lake Garda uniquely combines the traditions of the Alpine region with those of the northern Adriatic coast around Venice. From the mountains come specialties such as cheese or bacon dumplings, sausage and ham, dumplings, or game dishes. These are accompanied by risotto with porcini mushrooms or polenta. The cuisine of Venice mainly contributes dishes with fish and seafood. From the lake come pike, carp, trout, eels, and whitefish. Oh yes, let's not forget the western neighbor of Lake Garda – Lombardy. Try Tortelli di zucca – pumpkin-filled pasta pockets. The surrounding forests provide chestnuts and mushrooms. Among the wines, the red and fruity
Bardolino from the eponymous town and the white, fresh Lugana are the classics of Lake Garda. They go perfectly with the versatile cuisine of the region. For hearty game dishes, we recommend a strong and spicy Amarone from the Valpolicella area or from the province in Veneto.
Active holidays on the water and in the mountains
Your holiday home or apartment in the resort of Riva del Garda is an ideal starting point for hiking, cycling, and climbing tours in the surrounding mountains with your family. For children and adults, there are also regular events on the pebble beaches of Lake Garda. The numerous well-marked hiking trails are perfect for a
holiday with a dog in Riva di Garda. For example, at Monte Brione and in the town of
Torbole sul Garda. On warm summer days, the four-legged family members can jump into the cool water after a day on their feet. Water sports enthusiasts will find opportunities for windsurfing, sailing, surfing, water skiing, or stand-up paddling on the lake and its pebble beaches. A popular excursion destination in the mountains is the waterfall at Varone. The water plunges almost 100 meters here. Mountain bikers will find a challenge of 700 meters in altitude on the old Via Ponale. The route leads through the picturesque village of
Molina di Ledro. A must during your holiday! Be sure to take a day trip to Verona as well.
Of castles and ships in Riva del Garda
The landmark of Riva del Garda is the Il Bastione fortress made of gray natural stone. It sits on the slope of Monte Rocchetta and has been watching over the city since the 16th century. At the beginning of the 18th century, General Vendôme destroyed a large part of the fortification buildings of the complex. Stroll from the harbor through an old pine forest up to the castle. For several years now, it has also been possible to take a lift from the shore to the castle. Another highlight leads up to the lake. The Sc