Gardone Riviera holidays

Popular holidays

This collection of villages on Lake Garda's western shore is famous for its scenic parks and botanical gardens. Holidays to Gardone Riviera offer the chance to bathe in the beautiful lake and sample authentic Italian cuisine.

Botanical gardens

Gardone's promenade runs along the lakefront, and it's an ideal spot to relax in a café and watch the world go by. Afterwards, take a wander up the hill to the old village centre and spend some time exploring its courtyards. Gardone is beside a mountain range, meaning it has a glorious subtropical climate. To see the tropical plants that the ecosystem has grown, head to Gardone’s parks or pay a visit to the Heller Botanical Gardens.

A poet’s eccentric home

Just a short walk from the centre is the fascinating Il Vittoriale, a compound of squares, waterways and gardens nestled into the hill overlooking Lake Garda. A masterpiece, it's the former home of the controversial poet Gabriele D'Annunzio. It’s well worth a visit, both for its architecture and for its collection of unusual artefacts from his life.

Popular hotels in Gardone Riviera

Top things to see and do in Gardone Riviera

Beaches

Lido Cisano

The Lido Cisano has a play area for children, and you can rent sun loungers, parasols and deck chairs.

Lido di Fasano

The Lido di Fasano has a bar service, and you'll find changing cabins, showers and toilets here too. It's free for visitors.

Shopping

Bargain buys

The weekly market in Gardone normally sets up its stalls at around 8am.

Mid-range buys

Gardone is not a large shopping town, but has a small selection of tasteful shops to browse.

Nightlife

Laid-back evenings

The Gardone way of life is very relaxed and locals take it easy. Grab your favourite flavour of ice-cream from a gelateria and stroll along the lakefront.

Lively evenings

Gardone is a relaxed, laid-back place, ideal for wandering and strolling. If you're looking for lively evenings, you might want to head out to Salo or Desenzano along the shore.

Food & drink

Go al fresco

The small town of Gardone Riviera has a good few pavement cafés, pizzerias, gelaterias and fine-dining restaurants dotted around, some with views of Lake Garda.

Getting about

Buses

To head north to Maderno, catch the bus from the stop opposite the Hotel Grand. Or you can catch a bus from the Bay of Salo to one of the other towns on the western shore.

Passenger 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.

On foot

Exploring Gardone on foot is mostly easy thanks to the paved streets and leafy lakeside promenade. There are small courtyards and steps though, so take care when you're strolling about.

Walking

Walking in the town

Start with a stroll along the shady lakeside promenade and then head into town to explore the warren of courtyards and steps.

Botanical gardens

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.