Riva del Garda, Lakeside municipality at Lake Garda, Italy
Riva del Garda is a municipality on the northern shore of Lake Garda, nestled between the water and steep mountain slopes that rise over 2,000 meters (6,500 feet). The historic center clusters around a harbor lined with palaces from the Venetian and Habsburg periods, while modern neighborhoods extend along the waterfront promenade and into the flatter valleys.
The settlement was inhabited in Roman times and became a free commune in the Middle Ages before falling under the rule of the Scaligeri of Verona. After centuries under Venetian and then Austrian control, it became part of Italy in 1918, with many buildings and fortifications from each era still standing.
The name Torre Apponale likely comes from an old term for bastion, and the tower now overlooks a lively square filled with cafes and markets. Local festivals often take place directly on the lakefront, where visitors can experience traditional music and regional specialties like carne salada.
The old town is easy to explore on foot, and the harbor serves as a central landmark for walks along the waterfront promenade. The summer months bring many visitors, so spring and fall offer quieter conditions for relaxed strolling and sightseeing.
The Bastion, a 16th-century polygonal fortress right by the harbor, houses the civic museum and offers a wide view over the northern basin of the lake from its walls. Just a few steps away, the small church of Santa Maria Inviolata displays a baroque interior with frescoes and stucco work that is often overlooked by visitors.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
