What to do and see in Riva Del Garda, Trentino-Alto Adige: The Best Sights & Landmarks

August 21, 2021 Margarita Chappel

Believe it or not, Nietzsche went on vacation—to this pretty town on Italy’s Lake Garda. Today, travelers can explore medieval fortresses and the town’s historic center. Or, just take relaxing walks along the lakeshore and wonder what in the world it would be like to vacation with Nietzsche.
Restaurants in Riva Del Garda

1. Punta Larici

Riva Del Garda Italy
Excellent
96%
Good
4%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 28 reviews

Punta Larici

2. The Bastion

Mount Rocchetta, 38066, Riva Del Garda Italy +39 0464 076861 http://bastione.eu
Excellent
54%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 925 reviews

The Bastion

The Bastione, a tower of grey stone, located at the foot of Mount Rocchetta, is one the symbols of Riva del Garda, overlooking the city and Lake Garda. It was built in the early XVI century, just after the end of Venetian domination over Riva. It was destroyed in 1703 by the French troops under leadership of general Vendôme, who mined the main body thus rendering it unusable. It’s a few minutes walk from the port of Riva, along a road that winds through the black pinewood of the lower Rocchetta. The path then rises further to the chapel of St. Barbara on the mountainside (610m) and the Rocchetta itself (1520m). The Bastione has recently been restored. Visitors may see the imposing external bodywork and what is left of the inside from a winding staircase. The locations enjoys an excellent view.

Reviewed By 535janetr - Burgess Hill, United Kingdom

An easy walk up to The Bastion as the funicular wasn't open till 11. Fantastic views from the top with a very nice cafe where you can get good coffee and admire Riva from on high. Be careful to check what time the funicular opens, on the day we went it wasn't till 11 as it was closed for maintenance. Very busy by the time we left.

3. Torre Apponale

Piazza 3 di Novembre, 38066, Riva Del Garda Italy +39 0464 573869 http://www.gardatrentino.it/it/Torre-Apponale-Riva-del-Garda/
Excellent
49%
Good
44%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 360 reviews

Torre Apponale

Reviewed By annem6432

This area is a super area for relaxing over a cool drink with loved ones and people watch. There is always something going on in the square next to the harbour.

4. Monte Brione

Via Monte Brione, 38066, Riva Del Garda Italy +39 0464 554444 http://www.itinerarigrandeguerra.it/code/26428/Forte-Batteria-di-Mezzo
Excellent
56%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 202 reviews

Monte Brione

Reviewed By MaurizioL435 - Castelnuovo Rangone, Italy

The ride up to the fort on Monte Brione offers a good 20-30min ride with some decent elevation change, and when you reach the fort, you can enjoy a break-taking view of Lake Garda above Torbole-Riva (Monte Brione divides the two towns). A bit further along the asphalt road, on the left you will find the MTB path sentiero 770 which is a single-track on medium difficulty for DH riding, total length of the ride about 3'. We are frequently in Riva for pleasure, and this bike trip on Monte Brione is very good for a 40' training session on the MTB with some downhill bits.

5. Rocca Castle

Piazza Garibaldi, 38066, Riva Del Garda Italy https://www.museoaltogarda.it/it/
Excellent
48%
Good
47%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 64 reviews

Rocca Castle

Dates back to the 1124 agreement with bishop Altemanno, when the citizens of Riva were granted the right to build a new fortress on the lake shore. The course of history has left its mark on the Rocca which has been altered multiple times. In the early 16 century, it was refurbished to make it a fitting temporary residence of the bishop princes. It underwent a radical transformation in the mid-19th century, when it was turned into an Austro-Hungarian barracks and lost all its medieval and renaissance features. Recent restoration work has revealed some of the original structures and made it a suitable home for the museum. The view from the keep is truly magnificent.

Reviewed By Tidesmeet - Essex, United Kingdom

The collection is very beautiful. The part on Riva history is very moving, as the town changed hands so many times. The building itself is stunning, done up very cleverly to house the museum. As we stayed in Riva, we got a card to get in for free, a pleasant surprise.

6. Catena Square

Piazza Catena, 38066, Riva Del Garda Italy
Excellent
49%
Good
46%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 202 reviews

Catena Square

The name refers to the large chain which in the past centuries was stretched across the water in defence of the harbour. Until 1929, the piazza was home to the Imperial Customs House: a sign of the borderline which for centuries separated the northern stretch of the lake from the regions just a little further to the south. On this square the baroque statue of San Giovanni Nepomuceno, patron saint of the waters, can be found, which until the Great War stood in Piazza Benacense.

7. Chapel Santa Barbara

38066, Riva Del Garda Italy
Excellent
76%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 494 reviews

Chapel Santa Barbara

The small Chapel to Saint Barbara (m 625 – h 1,45 from Riva del Garda), was built in 1935 by the miners who worked on the conduits of the Ponale power plant. It is placed in a horrid and daring, yet panoramic position, on the slope of Mount Rocchetta near the start of the penstocks feeding the hydroelectrical plant. The Chapel is visible from afar thanks to nighttime lighting.

Reviewed By cpcervelo - Munich, Germany

I have hiked and run up here a number of times and the experience is always amazing. When you look at the chapel from Riva, it seems impossible to get up there. The trail itself is well built but can be treacherous at times. It's definitely not an easy hike especially when it's hot outside. Highly recommend as an experience for fit people. Make sure to bring plenty of water.

8. Parish Church of Santa Maria Assunta

Piazza Cavour, 38066, Riva Del Garda Italy
Excellent
49%
Good
45%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 67 reviews

Parish Church of Santa Maria Assunta

The parish church Santa Maria Assunta rises in the centre of Riva del Garda and looks out on the spacious Piazza Cavour. The present building, first mentioned in 1106, is a Baroque reconstruction(1728). It is an aisleless church and it has a side chapel for the Suffrages; it has numerous altars with decorations and stuccoes. Behind the high altar stands out the great painting of Our Lady of the Assumption of Craffonara, but the best work is kept near the fourth altar on the left, Our Lady of Sorrows. At the adjacent small piazza Craffonara we find a bas-relief bust by the artist Francesco Trentini (1790-1837) and an ancient column. The ancient church, later destroyed, stood on this small piazza.

Reviewed By patrickcsmith3 - London, United Kingdom

We were only in Riva Garda for an afternoon but this small lakeside town is highly memorable for its wellness and sense of real renaissaince history in churches like the beutiful and prayerful Santa Maria Assunta that is the best sense of spirirital presense and complimented our coach journey on the day.Once seen never forgotten rather like the Mona Lisa!

9. Old Ponale Road Path

Str. del Ponale, 38066, Riva Del Garda Italy +39 347 147 8672 http://www.ponale.eu
Excellent
71%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,232 reviews

Old Ponale Road Path

One follows via Gargnano (Gardesana Occidentale National Road SS 45bis) from the centre of Riva heading towards Limone. On the right before the tunnel, take the old road which once linked Riva del Garda with the Ledro Valley. From there one can enjoy breathtaking panoramas for once in a lifetime photo opportunities.

Reviewed By MaurizioL435 - Castelnuovo Rangone, Italy

It is an easy walk or easy mountain bike ride that offers a spectacular and breathtaking view of the lake and the surrounding area. It is also littered with ruins from the WW1 era that can be visited, and at the very top, there is the Bar Ponale Alto which is a cafè that offers coffee, and food, which can be enjoyed on the terraces overlooking the Ponale gorge. Definitely a must see.

10. Piazza 3 Novembre

Near Town Hall, 38066, Riva Del Garda Italy
Excellent
47%
Good
45%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 432 reviews

Piazza 3 Novembre

Formerly called Piazza Granda and then Piazza Benacense, this piazza is the heart of both the old and modern town. It is the location for the Office of the Podestà and the Town Hall, the Torre Apponale a several houses of the nobility. The arcades dating back to the period of Scaligera rule, which close off the piazza towards the harbour and the lake, used to house the markets and shops.

Reviewed By miacabrerm - Miami, United States

Riva del Garda is at the north end of Lake Garda, next to the lake and surrounded by mountains. The piazza is right next to the lake and there are coffee shops and restaurants all around and surrounded by mountains, it can't get better than that ! Beautiful place to visit or to spend a week there as a base to visit all the towns bordering the lake and the hilltop towns nearby some of which have a huge Austrian influence like Bolzano for example. I absolutely love this area!

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