Free walking tours in Riva del Garda and what to see

Must-sees

Riva del Garda lies at the northern tip of Lake Garda, in Trentino, wedged between mountains that drop almost vertically into the water. The centre revolves around Piazza III Novembre, with arcades and the 16th-century Torre Apponale, which you can climb for views over the rooftops and the lake. Close by, the Rocca, a castle surrounded by water, houses the MAG, the Alto Garda museum, with art, archaeology and history sections.

Above the town you can see the Bastione, a Venetian fortification on the slopes of Monte Rione with wide views. A few kilometres away, the Varone waterfall is visited along walkways inside a rock gorge. The old Ponale road, now a walking and cycling path, climbs the lake wall towards the Ledro valley. The steady winds at the northern end of Garda make the area a favourite for sailing and windsurfing.

Free tours and guided visits

Riva del Garda has no regular free walking tours. What is on offer are day trips from the lake: to the Dolomites, to Verona and to Venice, the last a long day. To stay closer, there are winery visits in the Garda area with tastings of wine and olive oil, one of this shore's typical products.

How long to spend

The centre, the tower and the Rocca can be seen in half a day. What takes time is the surroundings: allow at least two or three days for the Varone waterfall, the Ponale path, a morning swimming or sailing and an afternoon in Arco, with its castle on the rock. With a week you can add the trips to Verona or the Dolomites and tour the lake by boat.

Where to stay

The most convenient area is the centre or the strip by the lake, where there are hotels, apartments and accommodation designed for cyclists, with the beaches and the promenade on foot. If you windsurf, Torbole, a few kilometres away, is all about wind sports. Arco has a quieter, climbing-oriented atmosphere, and on the slopes towards Tenno there are country houses with views.