Torri del Benaco Holidays

Holidays to Torri del Benaco conjure up music-filled nights by the lake, ancient castles and acres of unspoiled countryside.

Rural idyll

On the eastern shores of northern Italy's Lake Garda lies the old-school port town of Torri del Benaco. The tiny harbour, Medieval towers and tangle of streets sit under the watchful eye of Scaligeri Castle. A pebble beach borders the lakeside promenade, and the air's always perfumed with the scent of pines.

Traditional way of life

The 14th-century Scaligeri Castle, built using the town's 10th-century walls, is now an ethnological museum. Its limonaia, or lemon tree conservatory, is one of Italy's oldest lemon greenhouses. Combine with a visit to a local olive farm to taste-test the region's proudest produce.

Music to the ears

Corso Dante's the main street – its cobbles sprawl out onto a grand piazza. Entire orchestras are known to strike up a song in the open-air square. Check out the Medieval clock tower at the north end of town, a 16th-century meeting place for local heads of family.

Out and about

Here are some ideas of things to do when staying in Torri del Benaco:

• Lakeside promenade
• Lake bathing
• Boat trips
• Castle
• Local museum
• Markets

At a glance

Tour a lemon greenhouse
Breathe in the aroma of fresh pine trees
Check out the Medieval clock tower

Top things to See and Do in Torri del Benaco

BEACHES
SHOPPING
NIGHTLIFE
FOOD & DRINK
GETTING ABOUT
WALKING

Torri's pebble beaches

Torri del Benaco isn't well known for having spacious beaches, but there are a few good places to relax by the lake. Along the promenade, north of the town, there are several small public beaches that have stunning views and are free to visit. The beaches are pebbled and the last area, Baia Stanca, has sun lounger rental and a bar.
The sandy beach

To the south of town is Sunset Beach Lido di Torri - a beach bar with imported sand, loungers and parasols, along with a bar and toilets. While it’s not a free public beach, it offers music and a lively atmosphere. If you plan to go for a dip, it may be pebbly underfoot, so we recommend taking lake shoes with you.
Brancolino beach

The Lido Brancolino private beach is open from 9.30am to 7.30pm every day over summer. Located less than 3km from Torri, towards Garda, it's easy to get to by bike or bus. There's a fee to use the beach, but it does have great facilities - sun loungers, parasols, toilets, hot and cold showers, and changing rooms, plus a kiosk bar offering sandwiches, drinks and ice creams.

Bargain Buys

The perfect place to pick up some holiday bargains is at the weekly market. It runs every Monday from around 8am to 2pm in the town centre and harbour, and offers a wide variety of products including Italian pottery, clothing, leather goods and gifts. The market travels from town to town around the lake throughout the week, so if you’re unable to go on Monday, head to another town on a more convenient day.
Mid-Range Buys

Torri’s cobbled streets are lined with boutiques and shops offering products like clothing, gifts, art and jewellery to name a few. Much on offer is locally sourced and can be a great souvenir of your holiday. As many of the businesses close during the middle of the day for a siesta, they generally stay open much later in the evening – ideal if you're taking an evening stroll.
Designer Buys

If you’re looking to treat yourself to something extra special, some of the boutiques offer high-end brands and products. For more variety, it’s best to spend a day in Verona. Designers such as Gucci, Prada and Dolce & Gabbana light up the marbled walkways on Via Mazzini – the city’s most popular shopping street.

Laid-back evenings

The lakefront promenade is ideal for a stroll along the waterfront. Pick up an ice cream from Gelateria Miralago and head over to the harbour area to watch the world go by. The castle becomes very atmospheric after the sun goes down, so this is a great time for taking photos.
Lively evenings

As Torri del Benaco is a small commune, it’s known for having a relaxed atmosphere. Occasionally, Torri’s Scaligeri castle is the venue for summer festivals such as the European Brewery Festival in July. Live bands and celebrations sometimes take place in the harbour, along with fireworks on the water.

Eating out

The authentic town of Torri del Benaco houses a limited but lovely variety of Italian trattorias, pizzerias and intimate cafés. If you take a stroll along the lakeside or wander through the narrow, pedestrianised streets lined with colourful buildings towards the main road, you’re bound to find something to your taste.
Italian on the lakefront at Miralago

With outdoor seating on a dock extending out onto the lake, Miralago is ideal for a casual sunset dinner. Expect seafood dishes with impressive presentation, fabulous thick-crust pizzas and excellent gelato.
Food with a view at Trattoria Loncrino

A short drive uphill from Torri is the Trattoria Loncrino. This rustic Italian restaurant offers traditional fare as well as a complimentary glass of prosecco while you peruse the menu. The views of the lake are pretty amazing, too.
See the sunset at Osteria del 4

Take a leisurely walk along the peaceful promenade and you’ll find Osteria del 4, a reasonably priced eatery offering creative dishes and top-class hospitality. And even if you have to sit inside, floor-to-ceiling windows allow you to witness the incredible sunset across the water.

On foot

The medieval town is largely traffic-free and is a spread of narrow streets linking central piazzas. A pretty lakeside path runs the length of town.
Ferries

A limited direct service runs to neighbouring towns and to the northern and western shores at certain times. It’s usually easier to catch a bus to Garda and take a ferry from there, as the service is more regular.
Trains

There is no train station in Torri, but you can take a bus (1-1.5 hours) or ferry to Peschiera and, from there, hop on a train to Venice (1-1.5 hours), Verona (20 minutes) or Milan (1 hour 10 minutes).
Buses

The main bus station is on the main road near the petrol station. Local buses run frequently to the north and south, along the full length of the lake’s eastern shore.

Walking

Pottering around the medieval town of Torri del Benaco is certainly a relaxing way to spend the day. The narrow streets are a warren of shops and cafés, waiting to be discovered. When you want a bit more fresh air, you can stroll along the lakeside promenade to the nearby pebble beach and enjoy the beautiful views over the water. Behind the town, the foothills of the Monte Baldo offer a range of scenic walks, overlooked by the famous 14th-century Scaligeri Castle. The olive groves behind the town mark the start of a series well-marked trails.