Whether for hikers, water sports enthusiasts or lovers of culinary delights and culture – Lake Garda is regularly one of the top travel destinations for Germans. With crystal-clear water, chic promenades and Mediterranean flair, Italy’s largest lake is a delight – and has numerous exciting sights that should definitely not missed on your next trip to the northern Italian region.
Nestled between the regions of Lombardy, Veneto and Trentino, Lake Garda is not only the largest lake in Italy , but also one of the most popular travel destinations in the country. The picturesque towns around the lake boast a variety of exciting hot spots. Solotravellertip presents the eight best sights on Lake Garda.
Grotte di Catullo – relics from Roman times
The Grottoes of Catullus (Grotte di Catullo) at the northernmost point of the Simione peninsula take you on a journey to a distant era. Just a few minutes from the town center, the remains of Roman architecture tower up here. The extensive grounds of old columns, arches and wall fragments stretch along the shores of Lake Garda, where the floor plan of an old manor house from the Roman Republic can seen.
According to an old legend, the Roman poet Gaius Valerius Catullus once lived here. However, recent research suggests otherwise, as
“Gardasee.at” reports. In addition to the impressive villa ruins, the approximately 240-meter-long area also contains fragments of a former thermal bath. Anyone who wants a mixture of contemporary history in the midst of an impressive backdrop can also visit the archaeological museum.
Limonaia del Castel – the oldest lemon plantation in the region
Especially in the summer months, citrus fruits are an integral part of numerous soft drinks and dishes – and they are also in season in Italy . You can get an insight into lemon cultivation at Limone’s most famous lemon plantation, the “Limonaia del Castel“. Between Via Orti and Via Castello in Limone sul Garda lies one of the oldest lemon greenhouses on Lake Garda. According to “Visitlimonesulgarda“, its roots go back to the 18th century.
Surrounded by the scent of fresh lemons, you can admire the extensive lemon terraces that lie on the steep slopes of the town. The path there is line with painted porcelain plaques. In addition to a large number of lemon trees, the plantation not only provides an insight into northern Italian lemon cultivation, but also offers an impressive view of Lake Garda. And you can also find the odd souvenir here in the form of jams, limoncello, etc.
Cascata del Varone – magical natural spectacle
A special natural spectacle awaits you on the northern shore of Lake Garda, around four kilometres from Riva del Garda. The Cascata del Varone waterfall plunges around 100 metres into the depths in the middle of a rocky gorge. Divided into two grottos, this natural spectacle can admire from two vantage points.
While the lower part of the grotto can reached without much effort, the gorge 40 meters higher offers a view of the entire size of the waterfall, according to “Cascata varone” . Surrounded by mighty rock formations and dense vegetation, the area around the waterfall provides pleasant shade and a welcome cooling effect, especially in summer.
Cable car to Monte Baldo – picturesque view
The “Funivia Malcesine-Monte Baldo” cable car in Malcesine takes you up high. If you want to enjoy the view from the summit of Monte Baldo, you can opt for a cable car ride instead of walking.
According to “Gardasee”, the cable car takes visitors from the shores of Lake Garda to a height of 1,760 meters in the town of Tratto Spino. The highlight: In the second stage, the gondolas rotate 360 degrees and provide a panoramic view of Lake Garda and the surrounding mountains.
Isola del Garda – the largest island of Lake Garda
A real eye-catcher in the middle of Lake Garda is the Isola del Garda. With an area of seven hectares, it is the largest island in Lake Garda. The Villa Borghese-Cavazza, built in the 19th century in the Venetian neo-Gothic style, is particularly eye-catching.
The botanical gardens with exotic plants from the Caribbean and olive groves also give the island a paradisiacal flair. According to “Italien” , the Isola del Garda has been open to tourists since 2001, despite its luxurious private use. With its location in front of San Felice del Benaco on the western side of Lake Garda, visitors can reach the island by boat after prior registration – from Barbarano, Gardone or Sirmione, among others.
Castello di Arco – landmark of Trentino
Once captured in a watercolor painting by Albrecht Dürer, Arco Castle (Castello di Arco) is today one of the most impressive castle ruins north of Lake Garda. First documented in the 12th century, according to “Trentino” , the castle ruins have an impressive history, traces of which can still be explored today.
The interior of the castle offers insights into the old prison, various halls and royal chambers. Anyone who wants to visit the castle should note, however, that the ascent is only possible on foot. From Prato della Lizza in the old town, a 20-30 minute walk leads up to the castle. The effort is worth it: from the castle walls, there is a breathtaking view of the Sarca Valley from a height of around 270 meters.
Strada della Forra – spectacular panoramic road
The Strada della Forra is undoubtedly one of the most famous roads around Lake Garda. It will be particularly familiar to film fans, as the SP38 was used as a filming location for the James Bond film “Quantum of Solace” (2008) with Daniel Craig. The road runs along rocky gorges, narrow tunnels and spectacular curves between the Gardesana and Tremosine sul Garda – and is particularly popular with thrill-seekers. According to “Stradadellaforra” it is considered the “most beautiful panoramic road on Lake Garda” and offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding landscape.
Gordone Botanical Garden
Plants and vegetation from different continents can be explored in the Botanical Garden (Giardino Botanico) in Gardone Riviera. Located on the west coast of Lake Garda, the garden, which is around 10,000 square meters in size according to the “Gardalakecollection”, contains countless plants from all over the world. At the same time, works by well-known artists, including Roy Lichtenstein and Mimmo Paladino, can be discovered in the Botanical Garden of the Fondazione André Heller.
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