Before you go

Your trip to Riva del Garda.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Riva del Garda – Trentino-Alto Ádige Destination Verona and Lago de Garda

How to get there

Aeroporto di Verona-Villafranca Valerio Catullo (VRN) Villafranca di Verona · 90 km
Rovereto Rovereto · 20 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Check before booking. The most used airport is Verona Villafranca (VRN), about 90 km away. By train, get off at Rovereto on the line between Verona and Trento/Bolzano, then take a bus to Riva in about 40 minutes. In the season, typically from late March to early November, boats arrive from the southern part of the lake.

How many days

One day is enough for the town centre, the Rocca, Torre Apponale and the Cascata del Varone. With two or three days you can add the Strada del Ponale on foot or by bike, the Bastione and boat trips to Malcesine and Limone.

When to go

From May to September, with boats, beaches and trails in service. The lake's constant wind, the Ora, which blows from the south in the afternoon, attracts sailors and windsurfers, especially in nearby Torbole. April and October are usually good for walking and cycling. In winter, from December to February, it is cold and some attractions close or operate reduced hours.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

No. The centre is flat and walkable, and the town has cycle paths. Buses connect Riva with Rovereto, Arco and Torbole, and boats in the season link the north with the rest of the lake. The historic centre has a ZTL (restricted traffic zone): leave your car in the car parks outside the centre.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Riva del Garda

Morning
Piazza III Novembre and Torre Apponale
Start at Piazza III Novembre beside the old harbour and climb the steps of Torre Apponale to see the northern lake. Then stroll through the town centre streets to the church dell'Inviolata, with its baroque interior.
Afternoon
Rocca and MAG
Have lunch in the centre around 1:00 pm. Afterwards, visit the Rocca di Riva and the MAG Museo Alto Garda, with its art gallery, archaeology section and regional history.
Late afternoon
Cascata del Varone
Take a bus or taxi to the Cascata del Varone, about 3 km away. Descend along the walkways through the gorge to see the nearly 100-metre waterfall and return to the centre before closing.
Evening
Walk along the lake
Walk along the waterfront from the beach to the harbour, and dine in the centre from about 7:30 pm. Try a Trentino dish like canederli (bread dumplings), or a lake fish.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

Is Riva del Garda in Italy or Austria?

In Italy, in the autonomous province of Trento. The town belonged to the Austro-Hungarian Empire until 1919, which explains the architecture and the many German-speaking visitors.

How to get to Riva del Garda by train?

There is no station in Riva. Get off at Rovereto on the line between Verona and Trento, then take a bus to Riva in about 40 minutes. Check the timetables.

Can you take a boat from Riva to Malcesine and Limone?

Yes, in the boat season, which usually runs from late March to early November. In winter passenger boats largely stop.

Is the Strada del Ponale difficult?

It is an old wide road, steadily uphill but without technical sections. On foot you reach the first viewpoints in about 1 hour. Bring water and closed shoes.

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