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Trip

North Lake Garda

Experience the best of the northern part of Lake Garda, which is the closest point from the Austrian border and the Dolomites.

Martin & Tina Trip author
North Lake Garda

Day 1

If you’re coming from the north, specifically from Brixen, we recommend making a short stop on the SS240 road before you start descending from the highway toward Lake Garda. There’s a beautiful view of the entire area from there.

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Lake Garda Viewpoint

Panorama Sul Garda, SS240, Nago–Torbole, Trentino, Itálie

A beautiful viewpoint overlooking the northern tip of Lake Garda and the surrounding mountains. We recommend stopping here to take a photo and perhaps enjoy a small snack. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a nicer spot for a break with such a stunning view.

 

Now, let’s move on to our first “major” stop in northern Lake Garda: the town of Arco. Arco offers not only beautiful architecture and vineyards but also plenty of activities for hikers and cyclists.

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Arco

Arco
Lago di Garda

Near Italy’s Lake Garda lies one of the most charming towns – Arco. This picturesque town is a base camp for all mountain climbers and mountaineers. There are plenty of ferrata and hiking trails in the area. There is a climbing wall right in the town. For road cycling enthusiasts, there is a perfect cycle path from Arco to Riva del Garda away from the car traffic along the water. Along the way you will meet several bistros where you can refresh yourself or recharge your batteries in the form of Tiramisu. The cycle path is also used by walkers, runners and inline skaters. On the other hand, the route is even longer. If you are heading in the direction of Riva del Garda, we recommend a stop at Bike & Wine – a refreshment place among the vineyards.

There are plenty of beautiful accommodations in Arco. We can recommend the tried-and-tested Casa Dei Maestri apartments, or the beautiful smaller Arcolive Hotel, with views of Lago di Garda and a homemade olive tree to take away as a souvenir. They were also very nice at Villa Italia and the former Monastero Arx Vivendi looks very good too.

There are plenty of great restaurants and small cafes in Arco. During the summer holidays you may have trouble finding a spot or a free bike in the rental shop, so we recommend booking these things in advance. Arco is a great destination for an active holiday spiced up with great wine, delicious food and the charm of its historic streets. It’s also a mecca for rock climbers in southern Europe, who head here every year to tackle one of the hundreds of routes of all abilities.

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Just a few kilometers from Arco is our final destination—the famous town of Riva del Garda, which offers beaches, great restaurants, and serves as an ideal base for the northern part of the lake. You can find more information about what to do and see in the area in the location details.

4.7 km (9 mins)

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Riva del Garda

Riva del Garda
Italy

Riva del Garda is a picturesque town located on the northern shore of Lake Garda in Italy. Its picturesque streets, colourful houses and charming squares attract visitors from all over the world. So be prepared for more tourists, but it’s quite common around Garda. It’s also a great base for exploring the area around Lago di Garda.

There are also several beaches right in the town where the lake is accessible for water activities, including swimming. Thanks to the many trees, it is also easy to find a nice spot in the shade.

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If you’re getting hungry, it’s time for pizza and pasta! In Riva del Garda, we can recommend a rooftop restaurant that serves excellent Neapolitan pizza, and of course, high-quality mozzarella is a must.

Pizzeria Sud Riva del Garda

Riva del Garda • $$

Very good restaurant in the centre of Riva del Garda on the north side of Lake Garda. They offer good Neapolitan pizza, fresh pasta and good German beer. Despite the restaurant being on the roof of a smaller shopping centre, dogs are allowed.

After your meal, it’s time to relax and check into your accommodation. There are several options in Riva del Garda; we can recommend the quite affordable Hotel Savoy Palace, which offers a small pool, breakfast, and free parking.

If you’re traveling by motorhome, the popular Camping Garda is located near the mentioned hotel, boasting very good reviews and direct access to the lake.

Hotel Savoy Palace

Riva del Garda • $$

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A larger hotel near the centre of Riva del Garda, with the lake, beaches and full centre just a few minutes’ walk away. The hotel offers an outdoor swimming pool, restaurant and evening programme for a rather older clientele.

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North Lake Garda is a one-day trip in Italy, with an interactive map, linked places and practical tips — part of Retkee's collection of guides for experienced travelers.

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