Riva del Garda is the second-largest town on Lake Garda, located on the lake’s northern tip.

The views up here are dramatic, with steep-sided mountains meeting the lake’s sparkling waters.

The town enjoys a mild microclimate and is an incredible place for those who relish active holidays, especially for windsurfers, cyclists and hikers who enjoy long walks.

The town is small enough that you can visit for a day and enjoy a stroll, yet it is also dynamic enough to serve as a great base for exploring the northern part of the lake.

We visited Riva del Garda on a day trip from Malcesine and enjoyed strolling around on foot, taking photos of colourful buildings, the elegant historic centre, the 13th-century clock tower, and the Rocca, the town’s fortress.

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Centuries ago, Riva del Garda had one of the most important trading and strategic ports on Lake Garda.

A constant stream of boats brought goods and wares such as wood, ceramics, wool and even livestock from the towns of Torbole and Lazise to be taxed, traded, and sent further up north into the Alps.

Over time, the port became so valuable that the town built the moated fortress Rocca di Riva in 1124 just to protect the harbour, eventually gaining trading autonomy in the 12th century.

Today, the town’s streets are dotted with eateries serving both Italian and Tyrolean dishes and desserts, and it has various landmarks to keep you busy sightseeing.

In half a day, you can visit the historic centre, take a walk along the lakeside, and climb Torre Apponale; with a full day, you can add the MAG Museo Alto Garda, the Varone Waterfalls, and maybe an hour of relaxation on the beach.

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Best things to do in Riva del Garda

Although small, there’s quite a lot to see and do in Riva del Garda.

This charming town is home to viewpoints, museums, and a lovely little square with a medieval tower. Not to mention sweeping beaches that steal the spotlight during the summer months.

To make the most of Riva del Garda, I would recommend you plan at least one full day there. Two or more would be ideal for fully exploring the scenic hiking trails in the neighbouring mountains.

Read More: Must-See Attractions in Malcesine, Lake Garda: A Comprehensive Visitor’s Guide

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#1. Explore Riva Del Garda By Bike

Cycling is the number one activity in Riva del Garda due to well-developed and scenic trails, including the historic, car-free mountain route climbing up from the lake toward the Ledro Valley called Ponale Road.

While we mostly explored the town on foot, I noticed several shops where you can hire bikes for a day or two, or even arrange a bike tour and explore the area with a knowledgeable guide.

One of the popular routes from Riva del Garda is a cycle path which leads to Torbole. It takes around an hour to complete, passing by beaches and the Forte San Nicolò.

Other popular cycling routes:

• Giro della Busa: A flat 23.2 km loop connecting Riva del Garda, Arco, and Torbole through olive groves and vineyards.

• Riva to Mori Path: A 17.7 km asphalt path stretching from Riva del Garda to Mori, passing the Passo di San Giovanni.

• Sarca River Cycle Path: A smooth, family-friendly path that runs alongside the river toward Arco and the Sarca Valley.

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#2. Stop by the beautiful Riva del Garda Castle

Riva del Garda’s 12th-century medieval fortress, Rocca di Riva, is one of the town’s top attractions.

The well-preserved stronghold sits centrally and features four corner bastions.

The historic building is surrounded by a water-filled moat, and a small bridge leads to the main entrance.

The Rocca di Riva houses the MAG Museum of High Garda with vital artefacts of local art, history and culture and provides a scenic backdrop to the town’s centre.

Even if you’re not interested in visiting the museum, it’s totally worth taking a walk around and enjoying the viewpoints surrounding it!

Read More: Some Of The Most Beautiful Towns To Visit Around Lake Garda That’ll Make You Swoon

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#3. Climb to the top of Torre Apponale

If you’re willing to tackle 165 wooden stairs leading to the top of Torre Apponale, you’ll be able to enjoy unobstructed panoramic views of the northern Lake Garda, the colourful, historic town of Riva and the surrounding mountains.

The 34-meter-tall clock tower dates back to the 13th century and is an iconic symbol of the town.

We paid 3€ for the tickets, reached the top of the tower in a few minutes, and it ended up being one of our favourite things to do in the town.

If you are keen on climbing the steps, keep an eye on the clock because the tower bell chimes every quarter-hour, and it can be very loud if you are in the tower.

*Good to know –  the tower is closed in December, January and February. 

• Location: on the east side of Piazza III Novembre

• Opening times: 10am – 6pm

• Admission: 3 euros

Read More: The Dolomites: Your Guide To Visiting Val Gardena Valley in Northeastern Italy

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#4. Go on A Boat Tour

One of the best things in town is to board the boat and explore all the wonders of Lake Garda and admire stunning views from the boat.

Luckily, Riva del Garda is one of the main points of departure for ferry trips on the lake.

From Riva del Garda, the ferry boats take 15 mins to the town of Torbole, 45 mins to the town of Limone sul Garda, and just over an hour to the town of Malcesine

If you are keen on boat excursions on the lake, you have several options. There is a navigation service on Lake Garda, which connects Riva with the town of Peschiera, located on the southern shore.

 Or you can choose an excursion by sailboat or catamaran. 

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#5. Climb to the top of Bastion

The Bastion of Riva is an early-16th century fort, built by the Most Serene Republic between 1507 and 1508.

It is located high above the town, on the slopes of Mount Rocchetta, and you can easily reach it in about 20 minutes on foot from Riva’s harbour, or choose a comfortable brand-new panoramic elevator.

The cabin is entirely made of glass, so you can fully enjoy the 3-minute ascent. At the top, you’ll find the Venetian Bastione, a building the Serenissima built in the 16th century that now houses a bar-restaurant.

• Travel Time: About 2 to 3 minutes.

• Distance: Covers a 208-meter track with a 130-meter height gain.

• Cost: Around €6.00 for a single ticket or €8.00–€9.00 for a round trip (free if you hold a Garda Guest Card).

Read More: 6 Reasons Why You Should Travel By Train At Least Once In Your Lifetime

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#6. Enjoy the rest of Lake Garda

The main thing about Riva is, of course, the lake, but there is lots more to see and do in the area.

If you are staying for longer, you can walk directly from Riva del Garda to nearby lakeside towns, scenic viewpoints, and along historical mountain paths.

Some of the best places nearby can be easily reached on foot or with a bike, such as:

• Monte Brione: a wonderful ridge walk featuring old World War I bunkers that starts near San Nicolò Port and looks over the blue waters of the lake. The distance is around 10 km round trip and takes 2 hours to complete.

• Canale di Tenno: a well-preserved 12th-century medieval village where you can find stone houses and quiet piazzas. A short 10-minute walk from the village leads to Lake Tenno, an emerald-green alpine lake perfect for a quiet swim or a picnic.

Read More: A Day of Discovery: The Perfect Day in Bayonne: Food, Sights, and Stories

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 #7. Savour the beaches of Riva del Garda

Lake Garda is a great place to go to the beach on a hot summer day, and it has some of the nicest lake beaches for you to top up your tan.

The clear waters of Lake Garda are perfect for swimming, and most of the beach has floating platforms that include a pool and slides, making it fun for the whole family.

Water sports enthusiasts can rent canoes, kayaks, and even sailboats, and those who prefer land-based activities can use the volleyball court, playgrounds, and bike rentals.

Here are some of the most popular beaches in and around this lovely lakefront town:

• The beach of Punta Lido is the closest to the historic centre of Riva del Garda, at the confluence of the Albola and Varone streams.

• The largest beach, equipped with a bar, toilets, and showers, is the Sabbioni beach.

• Spiaggia dei Pini – a very popular local beach that attracts the young and hip crowd. 

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How to get to Riva Del Garda

Riva del Garda is easy to travel to by car or by bus.

From whatever direction you arrive from, whether it is the North/South motorway from Austria and Verona or the East/West motorway from Milan and Venice, it won’t take too long to reach Riva del Garda, located at the north end of Lake Garda.

Closest Airports

Fly into Verona Airport (VRN), which is roughly 55 km away, or alternatively Milan or Bergamo airports.

By ferry (Limone – Riva)

A scenic alternative is the ferry that connects Limone sul Garda to Riva del Garda.

Services are operated by Navigazione Laghi and run all year round, with increased frequency during the busy summer months. The journey takes just a few minutes and allows you to cross the lake while enjoying a unique view of the mountains and the shores of Upper Garda.

By car

From the North or South: Take the A22 Brennero Motorway and exit at Rovereto Sud / Lago di Garda Nord. From there, follow the SS240 state road down into Riva del Garda.

From the West/Milan: Use the A4 Motorway, exit at Brescia Est, and follow the SS45bis lakeshore road up the western side of Lake Garda.

Where to park

Riva del Garda has limited traffic in the historic centre, so finding parking requires some planning, especially in the busy summer months. The main parking areas are:

• Terme Romane Parking – one of the most central, paid, just a few minutes’ walk from Piazza III Novembre.

• Via Rosmini Parking – larger and generally less crowded, about 10 minutes from the historic centre.

• Parco Lido / Ex-Agraria area – large parking areas near the lakeside and beaches.

And there you have it

Having extensively explored Italy, I can confidently say that Riva del Garda is one of the most beautiful towns in the country.

It doesn’t have the medieval atmosphere of some or the famous landmarks of others, but the dramatic landscape, comprised of imposing mountains and a gorgeous lake, is hard to beat.

If you are headed to Lake Garda, I’d definitely recommend planning at least a day in Riva Del Garda

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Now, over to you!

Have you ever been to Lake Garda? Let us know in the comments!

Let us know if you are planning a visit to Lake Garda and have travel-related questions

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