Riva del Garda is an elegant historic resort town situated at the northern tip of Lake Garda in Trentino. Because of its scenic beauty, warm and sunny climate, and direct rail access from Austria and Bavaria, Riva is a hub for international tourism.

Understand

Lake Garda from the Riva

Picturesque Riva lies on the northern shores of Lake Garda at the foot of Mt. Brione. Since the second half of the 19th century the town became popular with European royalty and American billionaires. Crown Prince of Austria-Hungary Francesco Ferdinando, Russian Great Duchess Olga Alexandrova and American businessman Alfred Vanderbilt I, were frequent visitors to this charming lakeside town. Lavish buildings surrounded by evergreen parks were constructed to accommodate and entertain Riva's distinguished guests. The majority of visitors are still of German and Russian nationality.

• 1 Ufficio Informazioni Riva del Garda, Largo Medaglie d’Oro al Valor Militare, 5, ☏ +39 0464 554444. May-Sep: 09:00-19:00; Oct-Apr: M-F 09:00-18:00, Sa Su 09:30-12:30, 14:00-18:00. (updated May 2016)
• Municipal government website

Get in

The nearest airports are in Verona (85 km), Brescia (75 km), Bergamo (130 km).

The nearest railway station is in Rovereto (20 km from Riva del Garda). The DB Bahn has daily connections to/from Rovereto Station.

Get around

The historic centre of Riva is compact enough to easily be traversed on foot and, to that effect, mostly pedestrianized. To improve access from residences and hotels farther afield, the provincial authority operates four bus routes reaching as far as neighbouring municipalities. Visitors overnighting in Trentino may receive a Trentino Guest Card at their place of accommodation, which provides the right to travel on all public transit within Trentino for free.

See

Interior of Santa Maria Assunta in Riva del Garda

• 1 Palazzo Pretorio (Municipio). dating from 1375 (updated Feb 2016)
• 2 Torre Apponale. The Apponale Tower is a landmark of Riva. It is the medieval belfry Torre Apponale dating from 13th century. It is possible to ascend the 165 steps that lead to the top of the tower. €2. (updated Feb 2016)
• 3 Rocca Scaligera (Rocca di Riva), 3/A, Piazza Cesare Battisti, ☏ +39 0464 573869. An old fortress surrounded by a moat with a drawbridge houses Museo di Riva del Garda (MAG) the civic museum. There are 3 permanent exhibitions there. The Picture Gallery includes landscape paintings by 19th-century artists. (updated Feb 2016)
• 4 Chiesa dell'Inviolata, Largo Medaglie d'Oro, 5, ☏ +39 0464 554 444, +39 0464 520 308. Church of the Inviolata is a good example of Baroque architecture designed by a Portuguese architect. (updated Feb 2016)

Do

Ponale trail

Trekking

• The Path of Ponale, (or Alpine trail D 01), running from Riva to 1 Ledro Lake, is the easiest and most rewarding of all the trekking routes. It's a former highway constructed between 1848 and 1851 and closed to traffic in 1998.
• 2 Busatte-Tempesta path - easy panoramic path starting at the adventure park.
• 3 Nago's giant kettle, A path from Nago will lead you to the "Marmitte dei Giganti", glacial excavation wells dating back from the Quaternary era.
• 4 Mount Baldo is accessible through a network of panoramic routes or through a cable car from the village of 5 Malcesine.

Golf

• Altogarda Golf, ☏ +39 0464 123456. A driving range on the road toward Arco village. (updated Feb 2016)

Events

• Riva Music Festival. (updated Feb 2016)
• Garda Jazz Festival. (updated Feb 2016)

Eat

• 1 Ristorante Il Veliero. Yummy pizzas baked in the oven. (updated Feb 2016)
• Emozioni ristorante (Emozioni restaurant), Viale Giosue' Carducci 17, ☏ +39 380 497 4191, ristoranteemozioni@gmail.com. Daily 12:00-15:00, 19:00-22:00. Gourmet restaurant with refined dishes and quality ingredients. 4€. (updated Feb 2024)

Drink

• 1 Marina Beach Club. The most glamorous dance club in town. (updated Feb 2016)
• 2 Sailing Bar, 136, Viale Rovereto (Saint Nicolo Marina), ☏ +39 338 215 8584. Cocktail bar. (updated Feb 2016)

Sleep

Budget

• 1 Benacus Youth Hostel, 14, Piazza Cavour, ☏ +39 0464 554911. (updated Feb 2016)
• 2 Al Lago Camping, 112, Viale Rovereto, ☏ +39 0464 553186. (updated Feb 2016)
• 3 Bavaria Camping, 100, Viale Rovereto, ☏ +39 0464 552524. (updated Feb 2016)
• Residence Trieste, 17, Via Fiume, ☏ +39 0464 567449. (updated Feb 2016)
• Hotel Gabry, Via Longa, 6, ☏ +39 0464553600, hotelgabry@gmail.com. Check-in: 12:00, check-out: 11:00. (updated Oct 2018)

Splurge

• 4 Lido Palace Hotel, 10, Via Carducci. 5-star hotel. (updated Feb 2016)
• 5 Du Lac et Du Parc Grand Resort, 44, Viale Rovereto. 4-star hotel. (updated Feb 2016)
• Hotel Savoy Palace Riva del Garda, 10, Via Longa, ☏ +39 0464 554242. 4-star hotel. (updated Feb 2016)
• Grand Hotel Liberty, 3/5, Viale Carducci. 4-star hotel. (updated Feb 2016)
• Astoria Park Hotel, 9, Viale Trento. 4-star hotel. (updated Feb 2016)

Go next

• Rovereto — for Mart, a fascinating Contemporary and Modern Art Museum. And for the nearest railway station.
• Arco — for climbing and hiking.