Riva del Garda is a small tourist centre located in Trentino Alto-Adige, on the northern shores of Lake Garda: immersed in a breathtaking landscape, among the nearby Dolomites and trees including lemons, olive trees, oleanders, it is one of the most beautiful places to spend a weekend or a whole week and have completely new experiences!
Riva del Garda: what to do and what to see
Riva del Garda was founded during the Roman age: the historic centre is full of small characteristic streets and several buildings to visit. Among these is the Rocca di Riva which today houses the Alto Garda Museum, where there are permanent sections, which house works by Ricchi, Hayez, finds dating back to the Copper Age and also temporary exhibitions. Forward the central court of the Rocca is a perfect stage where events of all kinds are organized throughout the year.
During the walk in Riva del Garda, you arrive quite easily in Piazza III Novembre where there are the Palaces of the Town Hall of Riva del Garda, the Palazzo Pretorio and many typical medieval facades. One of the symbols of the small town that can always be seen in the same square is the Apponale Tower, dating back to 1200: 34 meters high, on the top of the tower after having walked 165 steps you can enjoy a unique view of the lake.
Another place to see absolutely is the Church of Santa Maria Assunta in baroque style or the “Morocco” district, with its small streets where there are remains of ancient towers and historic buildings incorporated into the houses.
Unique experiences in Riva del Garda
Riva del Garda in addition to being a real architectural and cultural gem, is also a town where you can have many different experiences: thanks to the favorable climatic conditions it is possible to practice windsurfing practically all year round, take boat trips to sail and circumnavigate Lake Garda on a ferry. In addition, there are many paths that can be traveled by mountain bike and for the more adventurous there is the possibility of climbing or canyoning.
Events in Riva del Garda
Furthermore, the town is very famous for an event appreciated by tourists from all over the world: every year the Notte di Fiaba takes place at the end of August, a party celebrated to greet the summer that ends with typical dances, games and music and over 40 minutes of fireworks that illuminate the waters of Lake Garda.
Another important event is the Riva del Garda Bike Festival, during which there is an expo area where there are over 100 exhibitors who present the news on mountain biking every year. Riva del Garda is also an ideal place for families with children: for example, nearby there is the very famous Gardaland amusement park with the Gardaland Sea Life Acquarium next to it.
In addition, right around the lake there are several adventure parks where it is possible to zipline and climb in the midst of nature. But that’s not all: for nature lovers, a few kilometers from Riva del Garda there are the Varone waterfalls, with numerous caves and the water that has been falling violently for about 20,000 years.
Explore the surroundings of Riva del Garda
Riva del Garda is about an hour’s drive from nearby Trento: between Piazza Duomo with the famous fountain of Neptune, the historic center and its Renaissance frescoes, the Buonconsiglio castle, ancient seat of the bishops and the Cathedral of San Vigilio, the city will not cease to amaze you with its numerous historical beauties.
If you decide to stay in the surroundings for several days, you can also visit Verona: among the most beautiful places to see there is certainly the Verona arena, which every year hosts some of the most important events both nationally and internationally. Among the other stops to do in Verona there is also the Palazzo della Gran Guardia, of late Renaissance style and Juliet’s house, with the famous balcony that is said to have inspired the famous work of Shakespeare.
The courtyard of the house is full of padlocks, vows of love promises and there is also the bronze statue of Juliet: tradition has it that tourists must touch one of the breasts of the statue to have luck, especially in love.
Practical advice for a holiday in Riva del Garda
For your holiday in Riva del Garda, it is essential to organize everything well in advance: in particular, there are numerous cheap and non-cheap accommodations, with a view of the lake. Some of these also have spas with Turkish baths, saunas, salt caves and indoor pools, for a luxurious stay.
You will also be surprised by the local delicacies: the apple fritters, the pandolce di Bolzano, the raw carne salada carpaccio, the Tastasal risotto, the pork ribs with sauerkraut and the buckwheat cake with cranberry jam, will delight your palate and will make your stay in Riva del Garda perfect.
Cover Image: Alamy
