If you’re planning a trip to Lake Garda, Riva del Garda is one town you definitely shouldn’t skip. In this video, we’ll show you exactly where Riva del Garda is, why it’s one of the best places to visit on Lake Garda, and all the top things to see and do to help you plan your trip.
Where is Riva del Garda? (and why it’s a great base for exploring)
Riva del Garda is located right at the northern tip of Lake Garda in the Trentino region of northern Italy. It’s around a 1 hour 45 minute drive from Verona, about 2 1⁄2 hours from Venice, 2 1⁄2 to 3 hours from Milan, only about a 2 hour drive from Lake Como and less than an hour from the foothills of the Dolomites, making it easy to add to a northern Italy road trip. Whether you’re visiting for the day or staying a little longer, Riva del Garda also makes a fantastic base for exploring the northern part of Lake Garda.
This is actually where we started our day on the ferry with Navigarda that stops at some of the lake’s most beautiful towns, and because we had our car parked here, we ended the day back in Riva as well. Many of the Navigarda routes begin here, which makes it the perfect starting point if you want to explore the upper lake by boat.
Things to see & do in Riva del Garda
Parrocchia di Santa Maria Assunta
Before hopping on the boat, we visited a church called Parrocchia di Santa Maria Assunta, which we highly recommend. From the outside it doesn’t look like much, but the inside is absolutely stunning. If you enjoy churches like this, there’s also Chiesa di Santa Maria Inviolata, though we didn’t have time to go inside because we had to get to the port to make our ferry.
Other things you can see in Riva are…
Walk along the lakeside promenade
Walk along the lakeside promenade for some incredible views across Lake Garda and the surrounding mountains. It’s especially beautiful in the early morning or around sunset. And if you feel like taking a nice long stroll, you can easily walk all the way to Torbole if you have time, it’s about 50 mins away. You can also bike there, this is a place where you can rent them.
Climb Torre Apponale
Climb Torre Apponale for one of the best views in Riva del Garda. This medieval clock tower overlooks the main square, with views over the rooftops, marina, and lake.
Go up the Bastione Panoramic Lift
One of the best things to do in Riva del Garda is take the Bastione panoramic lift. This glass funicular takes you from the edge of the old town up to the Bastione, a 16th-century Venetian fortress overlooking the town. The ride only takes about 3 minutes, but the views over Riva del Garda, the marina and the northern end of Lake Garda are incredible the whole way up.
At the top, you can walk around the historic Bastione, enjoy the viewpoints and stop for a drink or meal at the restaurant with stunning panoramic views. A one-way ticket costs €6, while a return ticket costs €10 during the summer season and €9 for the rest of the year. The lift runs continuously throughout the day during its opening hours, so you usually won’t have to wait long for the next ride.
Visit Spiaggia Sabbioni Beach
Spend some time at Spiaggia Sabbioni, Riva’s largest beach. Even if you don’t plan on swimming, it’s a great place to relax by the water, have a picnic, or just enjoy the scenery. During summer you can also rent paddleboards, kayaks, and pedal boats at this location.
Have dinner by the marina
Finally, enjoy an aperitivo by the marina. It’s one of the best ways to end a day in Riva del Garda and soak up the town’s laid-back atmosphere. After arriving back in Riva at sunset, we decided to have dinner at a lakefront spot called Bellavista Ristorante Pizzeria. And the name fits perfectly. The views of the lake and mountains at sunset, with all the lights, were absolutely stunning. The food was good, maybe not mind-blowing, but definitely worth it for the vibe, and the service was excellent. The whole experience felt really romantic, so if you’re travelling with your partner, this is a great spot for a date night.
If you’d like some more restaurant recommendations, here are some more highly rated options for all budget sizes.
Where to Eat in Riva del Garda
Bellavista Ristorante Pizzeria (4,3 ⭐): https://maps.app.goo.gl/qBHHcfBie5oV78W96
Osteria de l’Anzolim (4,6 ⭐): https://maps.app.goo.gl/dQJXqUUH7eaB3VAR6
Ristorante Pizzeria Leon D’oro Riva (4,8 ⭐): https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZxoYEXRJygZ274vf6
L’Officina Easy (4,7 ⭐): https://maps.app.goo.gl/zkapnTqPp2E2WLcg6
La Còrt Cucina & Vino (4,8 ⭐): https://maps.app.goo.gl/qSowVDWSBvJGAYS19
Our best insider tips for visiting Riva del Garda
1. Bring a light jacket, even in summer.
One thing that surprised us was how strong the afternoon wind can get. Even on really hot days, the breeze coming off the lake can make it feel much cooler, especially if you’re on a ferry or having dinner by the water. We were glad we had a light jacket with us.
2. Don’t drive into the historic centre.
If you’re driving, don’t follow your GPS straight into the old town. A lot of the centre is a restricted traffic zone, and it’s monitored by cameras, so it’s very easy to accidentally drive where you’re not allowed to and end up with a fine. It’s much easier to park outside the centre and walk in.
3. You don’t have to hike the entire Ponale Path.
The first part of the trail has some of the most incredible views over Lake Garda, so don’t feel like you have to complete the whole hike. We simply walked until we felt like turning around and still got to enjoy some of the best scenery.
4. Book your ferry or go early in summer.
If you’re planning to catch a ferry to places like Limone sul Garda or Malcesine during the summer months, don’t assume you can just turn up. We found that the most popular sailings can fill up quickly, so either book ahead or catch one of the earlier ferries to avoid disappointment.
5. Stay in Riva if you want to explore the northern part of Lake Garda.
If your itinerary includes places like Limone sul Garda, Torbole or Arco, we’d definitely recommend staying in Riva rather than further south. It saves a lot of travel time and means you can spend more time actually exploring instead of sitting in traffic or on ferries.
6. Take the Bastione Funicular one way and walk the other.
One of our favourite things we did was ride the funicular up to the Bastione and then walk back down through the forest. You still get the amazing panoramic views from the top, but you also get to enjoy the beautiful walking trail without having to hike uphill.
7. Don’t wait until sunset for photos.
Because Riva sits at the northern end of Lake Garda and is surrounded by mountains, the sun disappears behind the peaks earlier than you’d expect. We found the best light for photos was around 45 minutes to an hour before sunset rather than at sunset itself.
Related Posts You’ll Love…
Planning more trips around northern Italy? Check out our full Northern Lake Garda itinerary (visiting Malcesine, Limone Sul Garda & more). We also recommend our guides to the Dolomites (2-3h drive from Lago di Garda) and Lake Como (4h drive from Lago di Garda).
We also have a guide on everything you need to know on visiting Rome in a day!
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