Lake Garda, Italy - Attraction and Guide
It is the largest lake in Italy with 50km length from north to south. It is the most popular of northern Italian lakes. It is full of golf courses, theme parks such as Gardaland.
Westen Shore of Lake Garda
Valtenisi
The rolling hills, known as Valtenisi, have villages such as Padenghe, San Felice and Moniga.
Isola di Garda: It is the largest island on the lake.
Salò: The town is located on a bay. There is the 15th century Gothic cathedral which has a Madonna and Saints by Romanino. Museo Civico Archeologico and Museo del Nastro Azzuro are two museums in the town.
Gardone Riviera is located on the north of Salò where the climate gets better comparing to the other areas of the Italian lakes. Giardino Botanico Hruska is worth visiting garden which has more than 8000 plants. It is open between 09:00am and 12:00pm and from 14:00 to 18:00 between March and October.
Above Gardone there is the villa called il Vittoriale which was the home of Gabriele d'Annunzio who was a poet. It is a museum that illustrates the nature of man. There is a library, an open air theatre and d'Annunzio mausoleum. It is a worth visiting attraction but it is better to keep in mind that especially during the high season it gets very crowded therefore it is better to arrive as early as possible. It is open every day between 08:30am and 20:00 from April to September and between 09:00am and 17:00 from October to March.
Toscolano-Maderno
It is a combination of two villages. During Roman times it was the largest town on Lake Garda. Paper making is an important industry in the area. The Romanesque Church of Sant'Andrea and Villa Feltrinelli are the attractions that are worth visiting. There is a ferry from Toscolano-Maderno to Torri del Bernaco.
Gargnano
It is a well known sailing center.
Limone sul Garda
It used to be a fishing village which is belived to be ruined by tourism. It was the first place in Europe that grew lemons. Today there are a few lemon groves at Lake Garda because it is different to grow it when the temperature drops below -3 degrees.
Riva del Garda
It is located at the north of the lake. It is the most stylish resort on Lake Garda. The Rocca (castle) was built in the 12th century by the Scaligeri. Within the castle there's the Museo Civico which is open between 10:00am and 18:00 every day except Mondays and from 09:30am to 22:30 on July and August. The castle is located on the Piazza III Novembre. At the square there are also the 13th century clock tower, Torre Apponale, the Palazzo Pretorio which was built in 1376, Palazzo Communale which was built in the 15th century.
Inviolata is one of the most interesting churches in Riva which was built in 1603.
Reptiland Museum is located in Piazza Garibaldi which has a collection of reptiles like snakes, tarantulas etc... It is open between 11:00am and 20:00 everyday from April to October.
Cascata del Varonne is the waterfall in the village of Tenno.
Museo delle Palafitte is located in the village Molina di Ledro at the east of the lake. The museum has jewellery, pottery and weapons found at the site.
Lake Garda's Eastern Shore
It is known as the Olive Riviera due to the numbers of olive trees in the area.
Tòrbole
It is a windsurfing resort. The River Sarca passes through the town. It is a popular town for young visitors of roller bladers, joggers and mountain bikers.
Malcésine
It has a 13th century Scaligeri castle and a museum inside. One of the rooms in the museum is devoted to Goethe. Another attraction is the Palazzo dei Capitani del Lago which was built in the 15th century, is now the town hall.
There is a cable car to Monte Baldo which takes about 30 minutes to the top station which is at 1650m. It operates from March to October everyday, every 30 minutes.
Torri del Benaco
It is the most attractive lakeside village at Garda Lake. There is a fery to Maderno. The Scaligeri castle which was built in 1383 is a museum today, displaying the trades of the area. Another attraction is the church Punta San Vigilio.
Garda
The name Garda is derived from the German word fortress. There is a market on Fridays. There is the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Garda.
Bardolino
It is known for wine and olive oil production. The Museo del Vino and Museo dell'olio d'oliva are two museums dedicated to wine and olive oil. During mid September and mid October there is the Festival of Grape, Fresta del Uva, in Bardolino which makes the town live.
Other attractions of the town are the 11th century Romanesque San Severo and the 8th century San Zeno Churches.
Lazise
There is the 12th century Church of San Niccolò and a theme park called Gardaland which is one of the biggest in Italy. It is open everyday between mid March and September between 09:30am and 18:00.
Lake Garda's Southern Shore
Peschiera del Garda
It is located on an area where the River Mincio drains Lake Garda. The first defensive walls of the town were built by the Romans. The walls were extended by Scaligeri of Verona, Venetians and the Austrians. Another attraction is the 18th century Church of San Martino.
Sirmione
The town was protected by the castle, Rocca Scaligeri which was built in the 13th century by the Verona dynasty. It is open for visitors everyday except Mondays between 08:30am and 19:00. The Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, Grotte di Catullo, a museum are worth visiting. Church of San Pietro was built in Romanesque style in the 8th century.
Desenzano del Garda
It is located at the southwest of the lake. It is the largest town on the Lake Garda.
There are some attractions to be visited such as the Baroque Church of Santa Maria Magdalena and Roman Villa in Via Crocifosso.
