Villages on Lake Garda, which ones to see: 10-step itinerary

Lake Garda: it is unspoiled nature nestled between the plains and the Alps, it is still living testimony to a very ancient past and the cradle of artistic and architectural masterpieces(here we talked about the 10 must-see art destinations on Lake Garda), but it is also a place to experience by immersing yourself headfirst in the quiet everyday life of its villages. Starting from the enchanting Sirmione and then going up to Riva del Garda every town, every village, every hamlet has a tradition to tell and some excellence to be proud of. If, on the other hand, the beauty of these places has made them among the most popular tourist destinations for both Italian and foreign travelers, the villages of Lake Garda still manage to keep intact their peculiarities so much so that they can offer those who arrive there leisure and attractions truly suited to all tastes. Whether you are looking for a relaxing vacation, want to devote yourself to art and culture or want to go wild in one of the most glamorous atmospheres in the Belpaese, on the shores of Lake Garda you can always find what you are looking for. Here is our ten-step journey to discover the villages of Lake Garda.

1. Sirmione

The Scaliger castle, the caves of Catullus, the views of Lake Garda, and its historic center that seems to have been created by an impressionist painter. Sirmione is a pearl to be discovered by penetrating meter after meter through its medieval streets and letting yourself be enraptured by the evocative glimpses you come across literally after every corner. The Scaliger Castle with its unmistakable profile reflected in the crystal-clear waters of the lake is certainly the best-known symbol of Sirmione and the first thing to enrapture the eye, and the heart, of the visitor, but it only takes a few more steps to realize immediately that masterpieces are at home in Sirmione. One example above all is the 18th-century Palazzo Callas, which is located in the central Piazza Carducci and continually hosts exhibitions and major events. It was precisely the great soprano whose name it bears who stayed in Sirmione for a long time, and what follows the traces of her passage represents an interesting itinerary to discover the village.

2. Bardolino

On the Veronese shore of Lake Garda, Bardolino is one of the best-known and most popular towns on what is called the Riviera degli Ulivi, which starts in Peschiera and reaches as far as Malcesine. Surrounded by lush and luxuriant nature, Bardolino attracts many tourists every year who come here to enjoy the mild climate and its many typical products, from wine to oil. Starting from its picturesque lakefront that runs from Punta Mirabello to Punta Cornicello, it is nice then to delve into the center of Bardolino with its walls, its aristocratic villas, its ancient churches, starting with those dedicated to San Severo, San Pietro and San Zeno, and again its museums that tell the story of the civilization that revolves around oil and wine.

3. Limone sul Garda

Limone sul Garda is literally a corner of the Mediterranean overlooking the Alps. Famous since antiquity for its mild climate, it is the northernmost place in Italy where one can find the citrus crops that are a true excellence here on par with extra virgin olive oil. Limone sul Garda, however, is also a popular destination for travelers not only for its lemon groves, but also because here it feels like living in a real tableau vivant with the deep blue of the lake acting as an evocative backdrop to breathtaking views framed by the village’s pastel-colored houses. Whether you want to get lost in the narrow alleys rich in history or walk suspended between water and sky on the lakeside Limone is a must-see.

4. Riva del Garda

Nestled between the lake and the Brenta Dolomites, Riva del Garda is the jewel of the Trentino part of Garda. With its large harbor, it is a very important crossroads for all these lands, but above all it is the perfect destination for outdoor sports, which here can be unleashed by wind surfing on the crystal-clear waters of the lake, relaxing on a beach, trying your hand at climbing on one of the many rock routes in the surrounding area, or walking or biking along the many trails. However, Riva del Garda also offers tourists a vital social and cultural life that is as rich as ever, including exhibitions, concerts, and clubs where they can let loose in the evening or sip an aperitif while admiring the spectacle offered by the lake. The village of Riva del Garda itself, however, is worth a visit on its own with its many characteristic views and from where, also thanks to the beautiful panoramic elevator, in three minutes you can reach the Bastion, the imposing fortress that towers over the town.

5. Gardone Riviera

Best known for housing the dazzling Vittoriale degli Italiani wanted, conceived and built by Gabriele D’Annunzio, Gardone Riviera also has much more to offer. It is undoubtedly one of the most characteristic places in the entire Garda bresciano area, so much so that it has been included in the list of the most beautiful villages in Italy. Starting from the enchanting Gabriele D’Annunzio lakefront, one can begin a fascinating tour of discovery of Gardone Riviera among its magnificent palaces, picturesque alleys and houses colored by a thousand colors of flowers. Among the most interesting architectural monuments are then surely the churches of St. Nicholas of Bari and the Evangelical Lutheran churches. Also very interesting is the Museum of the Divine Infant, which houses more than 200 sculptures dedicated to the Baby Jesus, the Madonna and the Neapolitan nativity scene.

6. Salò

In a picturesque gulf at the foot of Mount San Bartolomeo, Salò is the de facto capital of the upper Garda area of Brescia. Always a resort town, Salò found itself, despite itself, at the center of international political life during the dark years of World War II, only to return to the placid tranquility that has always distinguished it. Beaches and clubs where you can unplug from the daily routine are certainly not lacking in Salò today, but there are also plenty of artistic and cultural attractions that can be reached from the splendid lakefront. Among palaces, churches and monuments, a visit to MuSa, the Salò museum that, in the sixteenth-century spaces of the church of Santa Giustina, also houses among other things the Civica raccolta del disegno, a stable collection fund established by a group of tried-and-true citizens in 1983 that puts together graphic testimonies of Italian art from the post-World War II period to the present day, is certainly not to be missed.

7. Garda

Garda is one of the most picturesque places on the Verona side of the lake. Perched at the foot of the Rocca di Garda, the town of Garda is a perfectly preserved medieval village that blends delicately and harmoniously with the architecture of later centuries and the magnificent villas that have sprung up in front of the crystal-clear waters. Definitely not to be missed on your journey of discovery around Garda are the ancient Pieve, dating back to the 12th century, and then again Palazzo Carlotti, Villa Albertini, Palazzo Fregoso and the Palazzo dei Capitani, an example of the town’s prosperous past and its ties with the Republic of Venice.

8. Cassone of Malcesine

Olive and lemon trees are at home in Cassone di Malcesine. The area around the port, in particular, is still that of centuries past, dotted with houses in the classic Veneto style, and from here you can easily reach the many beaches where you can cool off in the waters of the lake. Unique is the experience that can be had starting from the nearby pebble beach called Val di Sogno from which, at certain times of the year, the small island of Sogno can be reached on foot. Cassone then also preserves other peculiarities, including the Aril River, the shortest in the world at 175 meters, and many truly characteristic ancient churches and palaces. However, it is all of Cassone as a whole that captivates the visitor, so much so that even Gustav Klimt fell in love with these places and even painted his famous painting The Church in Cassone here in 1913.

9. Tremosine sul Garda

Tremosine begins to captivate its visitors long before they can glimpse the first offshoots of the village. One of the beauties for which this small village on the Brescia side of Lake Garda is famous, moreover, is precisely the road one travels to reach it, the Forra road, built in the last century literally in the middle of the mountain, there where the Brasa stream over the centuries has carved a rift and where the creeks create a unique landscape. Upon arriving in Tremosine, however, one soon realizes that one has stumbled upon an authentic jewel that, not surprisingly, figures among the most beautiful villages in Italy to be unveiled at a slow pace through squares and alleys to the incredible thrill terrace, located near the church of San Giovanni Battista, literally suspended in the void at an altitude of 350 meters.

10. Lonato del Garda.

On the southern slopes of Mount Rova, overlooking the plain and the southern shore of Lake Garda, the village of Lonato is gathered around the ancient Rocca. This is, together with that of Drugolo, today one of the two castles that can be visited while staying in Lonato. No less fascinating, however, are also the Duomo dedicated to St. John the Baptist, characterized by a large dome, and then also the Maestra tower and the Podesta’s house. Finally, after so much wandering, one cannot skip a bit of relaxation at the Lonato Lido, a small beach not far from the town center and also the place where most of the bars, restaurants and clubs are located.

Villages on Lake Garda, which ones to see: 10-step itinerary

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