Riva del Garda – beauty at the beginning of Lake Garda

Riva del Garda was originally supposed to be just a short stroll through the town – to soak up the local atmosphere, test about 150 espressos that we had on our travels in Italy and move on, but…

As soon as you pass the cooler north of Italy from Bolzano to Trento, the most beautiful lake in Italy opens up – Lago di Garda, also known as Lake Garda. Right at the north of this lake is a town I never thought we would ever visit – and that we would be happy to return to.

Riva del Garda captivated us actually completely by chance. We set out from Limone sul Garda, where we were discovering the magic of lemons, to the nearby Cascate del Varone waterfalls and saw the town along the way. A town where all that beauty begins, and we said: yeah, we have to see this. And so we unhesitatingly found a parking lot right in the centre for 8 euro per day and headed into the streets.

What you definitely shouldn’t miss in Riva del Garda?

The best view of the very beginning of the lake you’ll have at the top of Bastione di Riva – you can take the cable car up for 9 euro (I don’t think you can even go up on foot – and with that steep view no one would want to anyway). At the top there is a restaurant with great seating right on the cliff, so you enjoy exactly what you paid for – peace and a great view. If you continue on and “walk through” the restaurant, you can go straight up to the Bastione ruins for iconic photos and to soak up the local history.

A walk through the historic part of the town is a must, and whether you want to or not, you’ll run into Torre Apponale, from which you can unexpectedly see the whole of Lake Garda. Outside you’ll almost traditionally come across some musician and local dancers, and it complements the atmosphere of the whole town.

You’ll also find a ton of small restaurants here that are quite transparent when it comes to food prices and coperto (the Italian service charge).

For ice cream, definitely go to GELATERIA FLORA® DOWNTOWN. Coffee is great everywhere, we can’t pick just one place – you have to hand it to the Italians, they have great coffee everywhere!

Thanks to the winds Ora and Pelèr, Lago di Garda is among the best places in Europe for windsurfing and kitesurfing. If you’re not into wind, no problem – you can easily rent a paddleboard or kayak here and set off along the rocky shoreline – rentals for all water fun are on every corner by the lake.

If you’re drawn more to the mountains, you just need to step away from the town centre for a while. The surroundings of Riva offer plenty of hiking trails – from easy strolls to proper climbs. Very popular are the routes towards Monte Brione or trips into the mountains above the lake, from where you have Garda literally in the palm of your hand.

Riva is also a great starting point for boat trips. Regular boats will easily get you to Limone sul Garda, Malcesine or Torbole. It’s an ideal way to get to know the lake without a car and enjoy it again from a completely different perspective – the ride doesn’t take long and the sights are amazing!

Cascate del Varone – enchanting waterfalls where a raincoat is a must

The biggest attraction around Riva is definitely a place called Cascate del Varone. The more than 20,000-year-old waterfalls are located about 5 minutes from the town. We recommend arriving early in the morning (they open at 9:00, at 10:00 from November to February) and you’ll comfortably park right at the entrance to the area (have a parking disc with you – it’s required and two hours are free). Two hours is quite a lot of time and is more than enough – honestly… even if you dawdle, it’s done in an hour. Admission comes to 7 euro, a raincoat 3 euro – and it really pays off! From April to October there is also a free shuttle bus to the falls from the Baltera car park (Via Marone 26), every 15 minutes from 10:00 to 17:00 – in April, May and October at weekends and on public holidays only, from June to September daily.

If you arrive at opening time, I recommend running straight up about 70 longer steps to the main waterfall – it’s almost guaranteed that no one else will be there. You’ll get a view of a massive waterfall that, however, isn’t covered by anything and that’s why a raincoat is your best friend at that moment. After checking out this gem, you head back down the stairs to the “smaller” but all the more photogenic waterfall, which is beautifully lit.

Tip for a great restaurant in Riva? We have one!

Antica Cantina. If anything soothes the soul, it’s this restaurant. It’s a place where you can have great Italian and local specialties in a pleasant atmosphere, whether it’s traditional pasta, wines or regional dishes. The great combination of classic cuisine and modern execution makes it an ideal choice for dinner after a day spent by the lake. Romance and local atmosphere guaranteed.

Do you want to know more about accommodation in Italy? We have more tips not only in Riva in our article Italy by car: Accommodation 👌 You’ll find all our accommodations on the road trip there, honest reviews and tips.