Gardone Riviera Holidays

Slow down with a holiday to Gardone Riviera, where you'll spend lazy days pottering around gardens and historic sites.

Mountain setting

Its 19th-century heyday may be over, but Gardone Riviera still has loads to offer on the western shore of Lake Garda in northern Italy. Bordered by mountains, it's known for the Il Vittoriale complex, a tiny chapel and a pretty piazza, as well as verdant parks surrounding opulent villas and waterfront cafés.

Out and about

Gardone Riviera's subtropical climate is great for tourists but even better for the flora that thrives there. The Heller Botanical Gardens house around 2,000 species of plants and a peppering of sculptures. Take a bus to the mountain village of San Michele for a taste of rural life, plus some panoramic walking trails.

People watching

Snag a spot on the lakefront promenade – creamy gelato in hand – to watch passersby on a low-key afternoon. The weekly market that pops up every Friday morning is another good shout for people-watching. You might go home with a cool trinket or two as well.

Out and about

Here are some ideas of things to do when staying in Gardone Riviera:

• Lakeside promenade
• Boat trips
• Botanical gardens
• Museum
• Public villas and gardens
• Markets

At a glance

Throw roses on stage at an outdoor theatre
Photograph the landscape from a hilltop village
Embark on a daytrip to romantic Verona

Top things to See and Do in Gardone Riviera

BEACHES
SHOPPING
NIGHTLIFE
FOOD & DRINK
GETTING ABOUT
WALKING

Blue Flag beaches

In 2011, Gardone's pebble beaches were granted Blue Flag status - the only two to be awarded on Lake Garda. The Blue Flag is granted on stringent environmental, educational, safety-related and access-related criteria that are reviewed annually.
Lounging in the lidos

The Lido Cisano has a play area for children, sun lounger and parasol rental, and deck chairs, while Lido di Fasano has bar service, changing cabins, showers and toilets. Both of these lidos are free to access.
Take a dip

The majority of beaches near Gardone are pebble, so it can be stony underfoot when you're in the water – we recommend taking lake shoes for your comfort.

Bargain Buys

The weekly market arrives in Gardone every Friday from around 8am. While the prices may not be as low as you may expect at a market, the quality of the goods is usually really good. The market moves around the lakeside towns throughout the week, so if Friday is not convenient, you can travel to a nearby town on another day.
Mid-Range Buys

Gardone is not a large shopping town, but has a small selection of rather lovely shops to browse. For more variety, take a trip to the nearby town of Salò, or to the Il Leone indoor shopping centre in Desenzano - it has 120 shops, with a range of international brands, in the comfort of an air-conditioned mall.
Designer Buys

Small boutiques in the resort offer a selection of higher-end products, but if you’re looking to splash the cash, take a trip to Verona or Milan. Both towns are accessible by train from Desenzano on the south-west corner of the lake. Brands such as Gucci, Prada and Dolce & Gabbana are all available, and will leave you feeling a million dollars.

Laid-back evenings

The Gardone way of life is very relaxed and all about gentle strolls through the town and along the promenade. Get your favourite flavour of ice cream from Penguino Giallo, or a spritz from a café along the lakefront, and watch the world go by.
Lively evenings

Gardone is a relaxed, laid-back town, ideal for wandering and strolling. If you’re looking for something a little more lively, heading to nearby towns such as Salò or Desenzano will provide a little more buzz.

Eating out

The small town of Gardone Riviera has a good few pavement cafes, pizzerias, gelaterias and fine-dining restaurants dotted around, some with views of Lake Garda. As the eateries are quite spread out, it’s hard to be spontaneous when it comes to lunchtime, but you can definitely find some hidden gems if you look in the right places.
Creative twists at Locanda Trattoria Agli Angelli

Hidden away in Gardone Sopra is the Locanda Trattoria Agli Angelli. It’s an intimate restaurant with tranquil indoor and outdoor dining, where you'll be served creative and modern Italian dishes – but remember to book as it’s always busy.
Sweet treats at Gelateria Pinguino Giallo

With views of the lake, promenade and square, the Gelateria Pinguino Giallo is a great place to stop for a drink and an authentic Italian ice cream – the guava flavour is delicious.
Fresh local produce at Osteria Antico Brolo

Off the Via Trieste is the rustic Osteria Antico Brolo, with outdoor and indoor seating. The restaurant serves up fresh, colourful dishes presented in an inventive and contemporary style and uses local produce in all of its food. It’s pretty reasonably priced too.

On foot

Exploring Gardone on foot is mostly easy thanks to the paved streets and leafy lakeside promenade. However, the centre of town has a lot of small courtyards and stairs, so it may not be suitable for those with walking difficulties.
Ferries

Steamers and fast hydrofoils leave town from the port in Piazza Wimmer (between the Grand Hotel and Hotel du Lac), and run to most towns on the east shore of the lake, throughout the day.
Trains

The nearest station is in Desenzano, which can be reached by bus or taxi. Direct trains run from there to Venice (from 2.5 hours), Verona (30 minutes) and Milan (2 hours).
Buses

To head north to Maderno, catch the bus from the stop opposite the Hotel Grand. Or walk 5 minutes past the hotel to the Bay of Salo to catch a bus to one of the other towns on the west shore.

Walking

The Gardone Riviera is a haven for nature lovers. Start with a stroll along the shady lakeside promenade and then head into town to explore the warren of courtyards and stairs. The villages are home to many picturesque walks, over gentle hills dotted with cypress trees. Spend a day wandering among exotic plants in the Heller Botanical Gardens, or walk to Il Vittoriale, the former home of eccentric poet Gabrielle D’Annunzio, to stroll through the unique gardens and house. From San Michele, you can follow one of the famous footpaths, such as the panoramic Via della Calma route, to Mount Spino.