Riva del Garda is the main town at the northern tip of Lake Garda, where the water narrows between mountain walls and the mood shifts from Mediterranean to Alpine. Below you’ll find its sights and beaches, plus how to get there.
Overview of Riva del Garda on Lake Garda
Riva del Garda is a resort town on the short Trentino shore of Lake Garda, the only stretch of the lake outside Veneto and Lombardy. It belonged to the Austrian empire until after the First World War, and that past still shows in the grand hotels on the front and in the German-speaking visitors, many of whom know the lake as the Gardasee.
Mountains close in on three sides, and the lake’s two reliable winds have made the north shore one of Europe’s best-known bases for windsurfing and sailing. The Pelèr, a northerly, blows down the lake until late morning. The Ora, a southerly, takes over from around midday, so swimmers favour the morning and the sails come out after lunch.
Our overview of Lake Garda cities compares it with the towns further south.
Top Things to Do in Riva del Garda
The top things to do in Riva del Garda start in the old town around Piazza III Novembre and then head uphill, to the Venetian Bastione and the cliff-cut Ponale road.
Piazza III Novembre and Torre Apponale
Piazza III Novembre is Riva’s arcaded main square on the harbour, overlooked by the 34-metre Torre Apponale, first recorded in 1273. The small angel on its summit has become the town’s emblem. Climbing the tower costs €2, but it opens seasonally, so check the Museo Alto Garda opening times before you go.
MAG Museo Alto Garda in the Rocca
The MAG Museo Alto Garda occupies the Rocca, a moated medieval castle on the water a few steps from the square. Its collections run from local archaeology to art and historic maps of the region, and the museum ticket includes the climb up the Mastio, the castle keep.
Bastione and the Panoramic Lift
The Bastione is a 16th-century Venetian fortification on the slopes above the old town, reached from Via Monte Oro by an inclined glass lift in about three minutes. The Garda Trentino lift page lists current hours. The top station has a lounge restaurant overlooking the harbour, and walkers can continue uphill to the little church of Santa Barbara.
Strada del Ponale
The Strada del Ponale, also known as the Sentiero del Ponale, is a 19th-century road cut into the cliffs between Riva and the Val di Ledro, now a walking and cycling route signed D01. Built between 1848 and 1851 on the initiative of Giacomo Cis, it starts just past the hydroelectric power station on the road towards Limone. A gentle climb of around 180 metres, a little over an hour on foot, reaches the belvedere and refreshment stop above the Ponale gorge. It closes occasionally for maintenance and features in our roundup of hiking on Lake Garda.
Cascata del Varone
The Cascata del Varone is a waterfall in a gorge almost 100 metres deep at Tenno, about 3 km inland from Riva. It has been open to visitors since 1874 and opens every day except Christmas Day, with tickets sold only at the entrance. Urban bus lines 1 and 2 stop nearby. Bring a waterproof layer for the lower cave, where the spray is relentless.
Best Beaches in Riva del Garda
The best beaches in Riva del Garda line the lakeside promenade running east from the old town towards Torbole, starting about five minutes’ walk from the centre. Anyone picturing a sandy Riva del Garda beach should adjust: the shore is shingle and small pebbles, backed by wide lawns and shade trees. Water shoes help, and the lawns fill by late morning in summer.
Spiaggia Sabbioni
Spiaggia Sabbioni is Riva’s largest and best-equipped beach, and the easy choice for families. Summer brings lifeguarded swimming areas, showers, toilets and a beach bar, while the sailing school next door rents canoes and stand-up paddleboards.
Spiaggia dei Pini (Purfina)
Spiaggia dei Pini, also called Purfina, sits further east and has a looser feel, with a big green space behind the pebbles and a kiosk bar that draws a younger crowd on summer evenings. Windsurfers launch nearby, and once the Ora picks up, the water turns choppy, so mornings suit swimmers best here.
Spiaggia Miralago
Spiaggia Miralago is the beach closest to the centre, handy for a quick swim before lunch. For comparisons with the softer, shallower shores further south, our pick of the best Lake Garda beaches covers the whole lake.
How to Get to Riva del Garda
The easiest way to get to Riva del Garda without a car is by train to Rovereto and then a Trentino Trasporti bus. Drivers use the A22, and buses and ferries link Riva with the rest of the lake.
By Train via Rovereto
Rovereto, on the Brenner line about 20 km east, is the nearest station. Trentino Trasporti buses run roughly hourly to Riva via Torbole. Buying a ticket at the station before you board saves the onboard surcharge.
By Car
From the north or south, take the A22 Brennero motorway and leave at Rovereto Sud – Lago di Garda Nord. Verona airport is roughly 85 km away, about an hour’s drive in good traffic. Central parking fills quickly in summer, when the town runs the Rivetta park-and-ride shuttle from the Baltera area.
By Bus from Verona and the Western Shore
ATV line 484 runs north from Garda through Torri del Benaco and Malcesine to Riva, connecting at Garda with line 164 for Verona. On the western side, Arriva’s LN027 follows the Gardesana road from Salò via Gargnano and Limone.
By Ferry
Navigazione Lago di Garda ferries link Riva’s harbour with Limone and Malcesine and on down the lake. They’re slower than the bus but far more scenic, and sailings thin out in winter. See the official site for routes and tickets.
Book Your Riva del Garda Stay with Domus
Domus has a holiday rental in Riva del Garda and more along the northern shore in Malcesine and Limone, all chosen for short-term stays, with extras such as a private chef or boat tour arranged on request.
Browse Domus holiday rentals around Lake Garda to check availability for your dates.
