8 Best Places To Visit In Lake Garda, Italy
If you are a beginner traveler to lake garda, Italy, here are the 8 best places to visit in the town. Lake Garda is a popular tourist destination in Northern Italy that draws travelers from all around the world due to its many excellent attractions. There are many interesting sites to explore, including the Garda Golf Club, Villa Vermenton, and the Borromeo Islands. Get our free Travel Checklist
Lake Garda is a spectacular tourist destination, and there are so many beautiful spots to explore and enjoy, from being out on the water with a private boat tour to exploring the gardens of Monte Baldo.
The historical importance of Lake Garda
As you will read from Lago di Garda tourism, Lake Garda began to form, approximately 1.5 million years ago, from a glacier. the largest natural freshwater lake in Italy was formed when a large mass of ice slid to the base of the mountains and started to melt into a depression leading to what is today known as Lake Garda. At present, the lake has a circumference of 144 kilometers and a total surface area of 370 square kilometers.
“The human history at Lake Garda,” said the publication, History of Lake Garda, “began around 300 BC, when the lake became part of the Roman Empire. After eight centuries of Roman dominion, the lake and its surrounding villages fell to the rule and domination of the Lombard people, of Franks, Spaniards, and Austrians.
The greatest and most famous battle ever fought near Lake Garda was the Battle of Solferino, in 1859, when more than 25,000 soldiers lost their lives and 20,000 were wounded. Austrians, Frenchmen, and Italians took part in this battle. The Austrians lost the battle and were subsequently forced to retreat.” Read more about the story at Lago-di-garda-tourism.com/en/history-of-lake-garda.
With that understood, here is a list of some of my favorite attractions around Lake Garda that you should check out for your visit!
1. Grotte of Catullo – Ruins of a Roman Villa
Grottoes of Catullus is the name given to the ruins of a Roman villa built between the end of the 1st century BC and the beginning of the 1st century AD at the northernmost end of the Sirmione peninsula.
The ancient ruins are located near the town of Sirmione which is near Cazzago San Martino in the province of Brescia. Housed in the archaeological area are the remains of the large patrician Roman villa, also known as the “Grotte di Catullo” since the Renaissance times.
The site was first discovered and investigated by an Austrian archaeologist, Wilhelm Fabricius in 1886. He made two more trips to the location in 1926 and 1931, as well as Italian archaeologist Paolo Graziosi who conducted excavations over several months during the summers of 1924 and 1925.
This is a nice historic site to visit in lake Garda if you are a lover of history.
2. Visit Desenzano del Garda
Desenzano del Garda is a beautiful resort town on the southern shore of Lake Garda, in northern Italy.
Desenzano del Garda was one of the most luxurious in the Roman Empire with its elaborate mosaic floors and a water supply system. The remains of the Roman Villa are still evident today in Desenzano. The impressive ruins are still used as a public park for picnics and sunbathing, though visitors should keep their swimwear on since it’s illegal.
The Antiquarium in the town is home to a variety of artifacts from the villa, consisting of a collection of lamps and kitchenware.
In a former convent, the Rambotti Archaeological Museum showcases a collection of items ranging from Paleolithic to Bronze Age times.
The Desenzano Castle is an enchanting tourist attraction that provides a perfect view of the scenic surroundings. The beautiful site will surely delight any tourists that are visiting! Consider visiting when you come around.
3. Tour the Gardaland Resort theme park
Gardaland Resort is a theme park in Italy that offers a variety of different rides and attractions. The theme park has a wide range of roller coasters to choose from, including the world’s first looping coaster. The park also features several other theme rides, all with a special touch to them.
Opened on July 19th, 1975, the Gardaland Resort complex includes Gardaland Park, Gardaland Sea-Life, and the Gardaland Hotel. It is adjacent to Lake Garda and covers an area of 445,000 square meters. The theme park itself measures 200,000 square meters.
Discover the attractions of Gardaland Park, the new Legoland Water Park.
Gardaland Park has it all! A huge, fun amusement park for thrill-seekers, adrenaline junkies, and magic lovers of all ages. Experience the attractions like Spider-man, Gardaland Maze, or GoKarting.
4. Enjoy the Caneva World Resort (all-inclusive resort)
Caneva World is another interesting location to spend your time in the Lake Garda area. Located in the heart of the beautiful countryside of Italy, Caneva World is an all-inclusive resort with something for everyone.
Nearby Caneva World includes a movie-themed park with shows and features based on popular films, as well as the beautifully landscaped Aqua Paradise Park with palms, white-sand beaches, pools, waterslides, and much more.
Caneva World is a family-friendly waterpark with tube and chute rides, as well as a lazy river, adult pool, and restaurants to ensure that there is something for everyone.
Farther away from the lakeshore, you can explore the African wildlife that is found at Parco Natura Viva. You can get closer to lions, giraffes, and hippos and marvel at realistic models of fascinating prehistoric creatures like dinosaurs.
All these are what make the location magical for tourists from different parts of the world.
5. Visit Riva del Garda
Riva del Garda is a stunning resort, located on the northern shores of Lake Garda. It has become well-known for its strong winds, which are perfect for the sport of windsurfing. MAG Museo Alto Garda is home to an array of displays that cover archaeology and history, as well as a picture gallery that contains many pieces from the 15th to 19th centuries.
Come to Riva del Garda, it’s endowed with pretty squares that are at the center of the town’s social life. These squares are perfect for picnics, people watching, and enjoying the warm sunshine.
The town of Riva del Garda is surrounded by historic buildings and lively eateries, and it’s buzzing with people and activity throughout the day. Don’t hesitate to check it out if you came near the area.
6. A Walk around the Two Harbors of Riva del Garda
With a constant stream of boats coming in with trade goods and wares, the town of Riva del Garda has always had one of the most important harbors on Lake Garda.
While you’re exploring Riva del Garda, don’t forget to check out some of the nearby sights. For example, feel free to stop by Porto San Nicolo’. Dozens of boats are stationed there and if you want to rent one out for an hour or so, this is your best bet.
You can also visit the Varone waterfalls in Riva del Garda. It’s a 5-minute drive from the center of Riva del Garda town.
If you are ready for the adventure, the Varone waterfalls can take you back to the heart of the mountains, where you will see water flowing rapidly and falling through the rocks, creating incredible water features. Sound interesting to you?
7. Visit The Scaligero Castle
The Scaligero Castle is an old fortress from the Scaliger era, which is the access point to the historical center of Sirmione. This castle, which is one of Italy’s best-preserved, was visited by a whopping 308,459 people in 2019 alone.
This well-preserved fortress provides a spectacular view from the top of the tower. A striking construction with a fairytale-like vibe makes this medieval castle unique and worth visiting if you ever find your way around the area.
8. Monte Baldo
Located in the provinces of Trento and Verona, Monte Baldo is a mountain range in the Italian Alps. Its ridge spans mainly northeast-southwest and is bounded from the south by the highland ending at Caprino. The southern side of Monte Baldo falls steeply down to the valley of Dovato, where it forms a natural boundary to the Valpolicella wine region.
Monte Baldo is certainly a powerful attraction for tourists, coming from far and near.
Experience the incredible view from the top of the mountain, hiking trails, and cable cars. This is a must-visit location in Lake garda.
Concluding note on the 8 Best Places To Visit In Lake Garda, Italy
It was tough to fit in 8 amazing places to visit in Lake Garda on this list, but we did our best and we can assure you that you’ll get an unforgettable experience. All of these locations will give you unique insights into the landscape and culture and help you find your personal favorites!
Let us know your best pick on the comment section below.
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