You have 15 days off and you are willing to visit Lake Garda. That is great!
Here you find some useful information about how to get there and move around easily and a short description of what is worth seeing and doing as well as advice, recommendations, and tips.
First, consider flying into Verona airport. As an alternative, Milan-Bergamo airport is also a good option. Milan airports (Linate and Malpensa) are quite far away in comparison to the previous ones, but still manageable: the trip to get to Lake Garda will be a little bit longer.
Secondly, consider hiring a car so you can see as much as possible. If hiring a car is not an option for you, then read further about how to get to Lake Garda using public transport.
The very first question I am quite always asked is: “Should we spend a week in the south and a week in the north possibly?” Well, the northern and southern coasts of the Lake are very different from each other. Looking at the lake’s shape, you will notice that it is thinner in the north and larger southward. That is why spending one week on each side would be great to discover both.
North lake Garda is – of course – my favorite one: this is the place where mountains meet the sea. Here, Lake Garda is much like a mountain lake.
On the contrary, in the south the lake seems much more like the sea. This area is closer to the Po Valley, meaning much closer to airports and train stations and the main cities of the area (e.g., Verona, Venice, Milan), but also warmer and more crowded than the north.
However, you have 2 weeks to travel around! You do not have to choose, just plan the trip.
I would suggest starting from north Lake Garda, where mountains are closer to the sea than anywhere else. Riva del Garda is the main town and a destination worth visiting. Here we are in the heart of Trentino, once the Episcopal Principality of Trento, today well represented by the Rocca di Riva, almost a sort of island, and by the large town square overlooked by the clock tower and the town hall.
Riva del Garda is known worldwide as the paradise of outdoor activities. Here you can practice biking (street bike, gravel, mountain bike and e-bike with many tracks), trekking / hiking, running, wind surf and sailing thanks to the Ora wind, SUP, canoeing and swimming in the lake water of course. Whatever your sport and level of training, you are sure to find an activity that suits you here. You can do it by your own or rely on an organisation / school.
Outstanding destinations here are: Sentiero del Ponale (Ponale Path), to be covered by bike or on foot, the local part of Ciclovia del Garda (bike lane along the lake) from Sperone beach to Torbole, Varone and Ponale Waterfalls.
Many cultural events take place in town during the spring-summer season too. Among the others: Music Riva Festival in July and Notte di Fiaba (the fairy tale night) at the end of August. The Museum of Alto Garda, hosted in the Castle of Riva del Garda (called “La Rocca”), presents a permanent collection of important local, Italian and foreign artists as well as temporary exhibitions. Many concerts and performances take place in its garden at the lake front and in its inner courtyard: unique events in an evocative setting.
Being based in Riva del Garda, you can easily visit the other towns on the north shore of the lake. Torbole can be reached by bike through the lake bike and foot lane; Limone and Marcesine by ferry boat.
Limone sul Garda (on the west shore of the lake) is an ancient fishing village and olive and citrus cultivation village. Today Limone sul Garda is a delightful town where you can stroll through the narrow streets and ancient houses of the historic centre and on the lakefront.
In Malcesine (on the east shore of the lake) you cannot miss the castle and the old town as well as the cable car Malcesine-Monte Baldo.
The public ferry line connects directly Riva del Garda to Torbole, Limone and Malcesine. From here, you can reach the other towns of the lake by changing the line.
Also consider some little villages in the inner area, such as Arco (well known and loved by climbers), Dro and Monte Brento (for base jumping lovers), Tenno (with its wonderful lake), Canale (one of the niciest Italian villages).
The Dolomites are about one hour away by car: they are well worth a visit.
Should you like to visit the main towns of the Trentino region, at a short distance you can reach the city of Trento with its Science Museum (MUSETrento) and the Buonconsiglio Castle, and the city of Rovereto with its Museum of Modern and Contemporary Arts (MART).
Don’t forget to taste local food, and wine! Here you will eat divinely, discovering the local EVO olive oil, the plims of Dro, the golden apple of Trentino and our wines, including TrentoDoc (the local white wine with bubbles).
A car would be better to easily reach the north side, but public transport can work too. From Verona railway station, you must catch a train to Rovereto (direct and express trains) or Mori (only regional trains stop here). The journey lasts around 40-45 minutes. From Rovereto or Mori (they are on the same bus line), you take a bus which takes you to Riva del Garda in about 45 minutes. As an alternative, consider a taxi or a private transfer (more comfortable but certainly more expensive than the bus!).
Should you look for accommodation close to the lake with parking, air conditioning and close to amenities, look at Palazzo Riccamboni | Holiday Apartments. An elegantly renovated historic building, located in the historic center of Riva del Garda, a few steps from the lake.
A unique experience: an environment combining ancient charm and modern design, where you can breathe history surrounded by every comfort, for an emotional, relaxing and purely pleasant experience. This is how our “charming abodes” come to be.
Relax: you are just half the way your tour around lake Garda.