Candy-color buildings back into a mountainous landscape in the bucolic northern end of Lake Garda. Compared to the attractions of the south, the North side offers easy access to nature with its pretty pebble-rock beaches and sweeping Alpine vistas.

So where to stay and which to visit? I recommend picking a town as a base to stay at least a few nights and make day trips to the others, allowing you to feel the convergence of the three regions of Trentino, Veneto, and Lombardy.

And you can also skip the expensive boat tours; the public Garda ferry makes visiting all of the towns quite easy.

Riva del Garda

Situated in the Trentino region, Riva del Garda is the largest town on the north of the lake. As such, there are many charming attractions plus access to the agricultural region where olives and grapes for wine are cultivated.

Get lost in a mix of narrow alleyways, wide promenades, and church-lined piazzas before emerging at the Piazza III Novembre, adjacent to a picturesque waterfront and the ferry dock.

During the day there’s large public beach areas like Spiaggia Sabbioni where you can swim, rent boats, and try activities like windsurfing and stand-up paddleboarding.

I recommend staying in Riva if you’d like to be in the middle of the action and would like to explore the Trentino region.

Top 5 things to do in Riva del Garda

• Visit Arco to the north or Torbole to the west (there’s easy biking trails)
• Sunbathe by the water
• Take a mountain e-bike up the Old Ponale Road to the mountain lake Lago di Ledro
• Learn about the region with a guided tour of the fascinating hydroelectric plant or a visit to the MAG Museo Alto Garda
• Get dinner at a farm restaurant, then buy some local products to take with you

Where to stay in Riva del Garda

• $ Hotel Antico Borgo – Comfy rooms in the middle of the old town
• $$ Hotel Europa – Free bike rentals and a rooftop pool with views right on Piazza Catena
• $$$ Lido Palace – Luxury escape with landscaped gardens, an amazing sauna, and indoor and outdoor pools

Torbole

Torbole is a small former fishing village next to Riva del Garda. It’s an easy 15-minute bike ride between the two, with the stretch in between known for windsurfing and sailing.

The most lowkey and least touristic town of this list, you’ll still find everything you could want, including a charming waterfront, pebble beach area, and town center where you can grab food, drink, and gelato.

Proximity to the mountain makes this a favorite stop for mountain bikers and hikers, many starting from the nearby village of Nago.

Top 5 things to do in Torbole

• Walk around the harbor passing by Casetta del Dazio, the historic Austrian toll house
• Bike the easy trail to Riva del Garda to the east or Nago to the north
• Take an uplift shuttle to the Tremalzo Pass for mountain biking
• Challenge yourself with canyoning, via ferrata, or the ropes course at Busatte Adventure Park
• Pass by historical battlements from the world wars on a hike departing from Nago

Where to stay in Torbole

• $ Glocal Torbole – This hotel provides a laidback atmosphere with free bikes to explore.
• $$ GoTi Hotel – The balcony rooms are worth every penny, and the spa is a godsend after a day of activity.
• $$$ Hotel Lago di Garda – Waterfront views and a sleek spa make this a romantic option for couples.

Limone sul Garda

Limone is so named because of its history of citrus cultivation, so a visit wouldn’t be complete without trying any number of lemon-flavored treats like lemonade, spritzes, or gelato.

This charming town feels the weight of many tourists that come in and out through the ferries, so it’s necessary to wander past the touristic restaurants and shops on the long promenade and up into the quieter streets to discover hidden delights.

Staying in Limone is quite special when the day crowds empty out and you have room to breathe. The small beach can otherwise get quite overwhelmed. In terms of the ferry, you’re conveniently located between the Malcesine and Riva del Garda stops.

Top 5 things to do in Limone sul Garda

• Bike the Ciclopista (e-bike recommended)
• Savor lemon sorbet in a lemon cup from Scaloni 20
• Learn about different types of citrus at the small but informative Limonaia del Castel
• Sunbathe or rent a motorboat by the hour (no license required!)
• Stroll around Parco Villa Boghi and visit Museo dei Pescatori to learn about the lake’s history of fishing

Where to stay in Limone sul Garda

• $ Hotel La Fiorita – Modern, affordable rooms at the edge of town
• $$ Casa L’Andrunèl – Comfortable and chic in a charming historic building
• $$ Hotel Atilius – You’ll get more bang for your back staying outside of town; visiting Limone is hasslefree with the hotel shuttle
• $$$ EALA My Lakeside Dream – Luxurious oceanview suites just outside of town

Malcesine

Malcesine is a fortress city in the Veneto region with plenty to discover in the charming walled town. As a former seat of power for the Lombards, you’ll find narrow walkways punctuated by stately buildings.

Castello Scaligero is the main one, the imposing castle perched above the lake that now houses historical exhibits including one that documents the German artist Johann Wolfgang Goethe’s time on Lake Garda. Indeed there’s no shortage of German and Austrian tourists in Malcesine.

Another important building is the Palazzo dei Capitani, a former noble residence that’s now an enchanting setting for live music performances.

It’s popular to take the gondola up Monte Baldo here for Nordic walking and e-biking trails. If you’re interested in spending time on the water, Malcesine enjoys a slightly longer day of sun than the other towns listed here as it does not sit in the shadows of the mountains to the west.

Top 5 things to do in Malcesine

• Bike on the easy Via Lungolago trail to Brenzone sul Garda to the south
• Take the Monte Baldo cableway up for incredible views and scenery
• Get views and learn about history at the Castello Scaligero
• Sail on a sunset cruise on the historic Siora Veronica (available in summer)
• Enjoy an evening performance at the Palazzo dei Capitani

Where to stay in Malcesine

• $ Hotel Europa – All rooms have balconies at this cheerful option just steps from the beach
• $$ Hotel Vega – Small but modern rooms with a killer waterfront location right in the old town
• $$$ Ambienthotel PrimaLuna – Ultramodern spaces with a beachside pool area, game room, and gym with lake views

Travel tips and FAQs

How much time do you need in Lake Garda?

At least three to five nights are recommend to experience what the towns have to offer.

How do you get around Lake Garda?

The Garda ferry makes it extremely easy to get around the lake. The website makes it easy to explore timetables and book tickets in advance, but you can also purchase in person and the staff are quite friendly.

Boats start and end their trips in Riva del Garda. The route stops at Nago-Torbole, Limone, then Malcesine and further destinations (the opposite for returns).

Driving to destinations isn’t necessarily faster, and you’ll always have to plan ahead (and usually pay) for parking.

Can you bike from Limone to Riva del Garda?

You could, but the Limone Ciclopista has a dead end, although signs say they intend to continue construction – so hopefully, one day!

For casual bikers, biking from Riva del Garda to Limone is not advised due to many inclines and tight switchbacks in some parts.

Can you bike from Riva del Garda to Malcesine?

There’s an easy bike path that takes you from Riva to Torbole, but once you leave Torbole you’ll be sharing the road with cars. It’s mostly downhill with some tunnels that seem to go on and on. As a casual biker using an e-bike, this was not a terrible experience for me. And worth it, as there are nice bike paths at water level once you get to Malcesine.

If you’re taking the route from Malcesine to Riva, it will be all uphill. To avoid this, you could take your bike back on the ferry instead. Just make sure that it’s a ferry that allows bikes on board.