Riva del Garda: the active end of the lake
Updated October 2026
The active end of Lake Garda: trails, climbing, biking and wind sports.
Riva del Garda at a glance
- Best time
- May to June, September
- Price level
- moderate
- Getting around
- no train: ferries and buses, a car helps
- Best for
- boating, hiking and outdoor sports
- The catch
- Less of a classic Italian feel, and no train.
When to go
Temperatures are average daily highs in °F and °C (WeatherSpark). Ratings are our own. $ = cheapest, $$$ = most expensive. 🔥 = heat, ★ = big event.
Who Riva del Garda is for
Riva del Garda is for active travelers: couples, families and solo travelers who want sailing, biking and hiking. Walking in town is flat and easy.
When to go
The best months are May, June and September. April and October are good too. The weakest are July, August and November. In January and February many hotels and services are closed. In December the lake villages hold Christmas markets.
Getting around
No train goes to Riva del Garda. Ferries and buses reach the lake villages, and a car helps for mountain trips.
What Riva del Garda costs
On a budget, about $110 to $155 per person per day. In comfort or luxury, about $330 to $450. The lower number is the quiet season, the higher one peak season.
Includes your stay, food, activities and local transport, not flights. Converted at about $1.10 per euro. Estimates only.
Flights from the US and Canada
Fly into: Verona (VRN). Typical economy fares per person, round trip, with a connection. Canadian fares are in Canadian dollars. Not live prices, so always check before you book.
What Riva del Garda does best
Its strengths: boating, hiking and outdoor sports.
Day trips
Riva del Garda is a great base for active days: lake, mountains and small towns all around.
A castle on a rock and a small town loved by climbers.
We haven’t been here ourselves, so this is based on other travelers’ reports.
A turquoise mountain lake next to the medieval village of Canale.
We haven’t been here ourselves, so this is based on other travelers’ reports.
A village of lemon gardens on the lakeshore.
We haven’t been here ourselves, so this is based on other travelers’ reports.
The castle and the cable car up Monte Baldo.
A calm mountain city with a lovely cathedral square.
We haven’t been here ourselves, so this is based on other travelers’ reports.
Where to eat
Breakfast and brunch
Lunch
Dinner
We picked these places from Google ratings and reviews in October 2026, and we haven’t eaten at all of them. Many Italian restaurants take reservations on WhatsApp, and a reservation only counts once they reply. The Map link opens the restaurant in Google Maps, where you’ll also find a booking button if they take online reservations. Opening hours change, so check before you go.
Food and wine
Trentino-Alto Adige on a plate: a typical four-course menu, and the wine to go with each.
Golf
Green fees are estimates and vary by season and day of the week. Most courses ask for a handicap certificate. The links go to the course or a golf directory with booking and contact details.
Shopping
- Franciacorta Village (formerly Franciacorta Outlet Village), Rodengo Saiano near Brescia, a long drive from the north end of the lake: an open-air outlet with over 160 brands, typically 30 to 70 percent off. Usually open daily 10 am to 8 pm. Weekends are busy, so go on a weekday, and add a winery in Franciacorta the same day. 📍 Map
Plan it
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