Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy, and its northern tip is in Trentino. Here the turquoise water narrows between the cliffs of Monte Baldo, the wind blows steadily every day, and the lakeside towns have medieval towers, small harbours and promenades to stroll along. Riva del Garda, Torbole and Arco are the heart of this corner, and just above them hide a turquoise lake and one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. In this guide we take you to discover the Trentino side of Garda, we tell you honestly how far it is from our areas, and we explain how to use it for a great day out. We at Italy Holiday have been welcoming guests in Trentino for a long time, and these are the places we would recommend to a friend on their way here.
1. Riva del Garda, the town on the lake
Riva del Garda is the main centre on the northern tip of the lake. It has a lively lakefront, a historic square called Piazza III Novembre with its arcades, and the Torre Apponale rising above the rooftops. All around, the mountains drop down to the water and create a rare landscape: a mild, almost Mediterranean climate on one side, Alpine peaks on the other. It is a place made for walking, sitting at a cafe by the lake and watching the sailing boats leave the harbour.
The Strada del Ponale also starts from the centre, an old road carved into the rock, now reserved for walkers and cyclists, with tunnels and stretches suspended above the water. Riva is loved by those who sail, windsurf, hike and cycle, but it works just as well for a quiet day among shops, ice-cream parlours and swims in the lake. The best season runs from spring to autumn.
2. Lake Garda at Torbole, the paradise of the wind
A few minutes from Riva, where Monte Baldo plunges into the water, lies Torbole. The town has a pretty little harbour, a lakeside promenade and an old Venetian customs house. Its worldwide fame comes from the wind: here two steady, reliable thermal winds blow, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, and this is what makes Torbole one of the most popular spots for windsurfing and sailing.
Even if you do not sail, it is worth stopping. You can watch dozens of colourful sails on the water, walk along the promenade, swim or take the trails between mountains and lake. The best time runs from May to September, when the wind and the water are at their best. Riva and Torbole are only a few minutes apart, so the two towns are easily visited together on the same day.
3. Arco Castle, the fortress above the valley
Just north of the lake, the town of Arco is dominated by a medieval castle perched on a rocky spur. Arco Castle preserves intact towers, an old stone prison and a hall with rare 14th-century frescoes showing ladies playing chess and battle scenes. From its walls and from a glass walkway, wide panoramas open over the Sarca valley and towards Lake Garda.
The castle was portrayed in a famous watercolour by Albrecht Durer at the end of the 15th century, a sign of how much this view struck travellers centuries ago. You climb up from the centre of Arco along a path among olive trees and cypresses, with the Mediterranean greenery accompanying the whole walk. It is a perfect destination for a morning of history and views, suitable for families too.
4. Rione Stranfora, the old heart of Arco
Below the castle, Arco keeps a compact, quiet old town. Rione Stranfora is a medieval quarter of cobbled lanes, stone houses and arches climbing towards the fortress, with an old public wash house and the Porta Stranfora gate. Walking through it feels like stepping back in time: few sounds, flower-filled balconies and corners that invite you to slow down.
It is a quarter to discover on foot, without rushing, perhaps before or after the climb to the castle. In spring the balconies fill with flowers, and in winter the village is loved for its nativity scenes. It is the most intimate and authentic side of Arco, away from the crowds of the lake.
5. MAG Museo Alto Garda, art and history in the Rocca
In Riva del Garda, inside the old medieval Rocca that is mirrored in the lake, is the MAG Museo Alto Garda. The Rocca is a fortress surrounded by a still-filled moat, and it is worth a visit on its own. Inside you will find a picture gallery, an archaeology section with the famous Copper Age stele statues and rooms dedicated to local history.
It is the ideal destination for a day of culture or for when the weather does not help. From the tower of the Rocca, there is also a lovely panoramic view over the lake and the town. Between art, ancient finds and the atmosphere of the fortress on the water, the museum tells the long story of this corner of Garda in a simple way.
6. Lake Tenno, the turquoise diamond
Just above Riva del Garda hides one of the most beautiful lakes in Trentino. Lake Tenno is a small alpine lake at around 570 metres, famous for the intense turquoise colour of its water and for being one of the cleanest lakes in Italy. An almost flat path of about 3 kilometres loops around it in less than an hour, offering ever new views among water and woods.
In summer it is lovely for a swim, while spring and early autumn are ideal for walks. The vivid colour comes from the clarity of the water and the absence of vegetation in the lake, and it changes tone with the seasons, from turquoise to emerald. It is a little surprise just a few minutes by car from the big lake.
7. Canale di Tenno, the village suspended in time
A few steps from Lake Tenno is Canale di Tenno, a medieval village among the most beautiful in Italy. It is a stone village that has remained almost intact, with narrow lanes, vaulted arches, flower-filled balconies and a small central square. It is also home to the Casa degli Artisti, because this place has always drawn painters and creatives in search of silence and beauty.
Walking among its houses is an experience out of time, and it pairs perfectly with a visit to the lake, which is a short walk away. The area is also known for carne salada, a typical Trentino dish. Together, the turquoise lake and the stone village make Tenno one of the most striking day trips above Garda.
Where to stay to visit Lake Garda from Trentino
Let us be honest: none of our homes is right on the shore of Lake Garda. The closest is in the area of Rovereto and Vallagarina, from which you reach Riva del Garda, Torbole and Arco in about half an hour by car along an easy road that passes right through these towns. It is a distance that makes Garda a very easy half-day trip, with the chance to come back to sleep somewhere quieter and often better value than the lakefront.
From the lakes area of Valsugana too, around Caldonazzo, Levico, Calceranica and Pergine, Garda stays reachable in about an hour by car. From here you wake up a few minutes from the warm, swimmable lakes of the valley, spend your days between beach and water sports, and when you want a change of scene you have the great Lake Garda within reach. It is a way to get the best of two worlds: the calm of the Valsugana lakes as a base, and the wind and water of Garda whenever you fancy it.
We at Italy Holiday welcome guests right in these areas of Trentino, from Rovereto and Vallagarina to the lakes of Valsugana, in homes designed to make you feel at home from the very first moment. If you dream of a holiday among water, mountains and villages, discover where to stay with Italy Holiday and keep Lake Garda on your list of day trips: it is closer than you think.
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