A Guide to Camper Stopovers at Lake Garda, town by town
Gardone Riviera
Discover what to see in Gardone Riviera: the Vittoriale degli Italiani, the André Heller Botanical Garden, the Torre San Marco and much more.
Gardone Riviera what to see
Gardone Riviera is a municipality in Lombardy, in the province of Brescia, and is part of the Alto Lago Bresciano Regional Park.
An area with a Mediterranean climate, olives and citrus fruits are happily cultivated here. Gardone Riviera is particularly sheltered from cold winds and this has allowed the growth of plants typical of a tropical climate, such as palm trees, banana trees and agaves.
The healthy and temperate climate allowed Gardone Riviera to be, towards the end of the 19th century, the first and most famous tourist destination on Lake Garda, for customers seeking a destination where they could alleviate respiratory diseases.
The area of Gardone Riviera was already inhabited in the Bronze Age, and later in the Roman age, as testified by the finds unearthed.
Curiosity: The origin of the name dates back to the Middle Ages, under Lombard rule, from Warte ‘place of guard’.
Gardone Riviera in pills
THE UNMISSABLE
• Torre San Marco
• Giardino Botanico André Heller
• Il Vittoriale Degli Italiani
top beaches
• Spiaggia Casinò
• Lido di Fasano
weekly market
• Friday
What to see in Gardone Riviera
We have already mentioned how Gardone Riviera became the first and most famous tourist destination on Lake Garda. It was thanks to the hand of the Austrian Luigi Wimmer, who opened a guesthouse here in 1879, the ‘Pizzocolo’, which later grew to become the famous Grand Hotel di Gardone, the first world-famous hotel on Lake Garda.
In short, a town that went from being a modest fishing and farming village to an internationally renowned health resort, thanks to its Nordic and especially Austrian clientele.
Let us now discover in detail what to see in Gardone Riviera, starting with the imposing historical buildings that outline the town.
SAVOY PALACE
Built in 1906, it is the first architectural testimony to the Gardone Riviera of the Belle époque. It is one of the city’s Grand Hotels, together with the Gran Hotel Gardone and the Gran Hotel Fasano.
VILLA ALBA
A splendid neoclassical-style residence with a columned façade, reached by a scenic flight of steps and offering a splendid panorama of Lake Garda.
It was built between 1901 and 1909 by the architect Heinrich Schäfer, for a family of German industrialists. Today the villa hosts weddings and events.
It was built between 1901 and 1909 by the architect Heinrich Schäfer, for a family of German industrialists. Today the villa hosts weddings and events.
VILLA FIORDALISO
Close to Villa Alba, and also in neoclassical style, Villa Fiordaliso is surrounded by a lush park of lemon, cypress and olive trees.
From its Venetian windows, Gabriele D’Annunzio contemplated the panorama of the lake. Claretta Petacci, Benito Mussolini’s companion, also stayed there.
It was a private residence until the 1970s and was later converted into a luxury hotel with an adjoining restaurant.
TOWER SAN MARCO
Next to Villa Alba and Villa Fiordaliso, stands this splendid tower, built by a German industrialist under the name of ‘Torre Ruhland’ (land of calm) and later purchased in 1925 by Gabriele D’Annunzio, who transformed it from the German neo-Gothic style to Venetian style and gave it the name Torre San Marco.
Today it hosts public and private events and, in fine weather, evenings with live music.
Today it hosts public and private events and, in fine weather, evenings with live music.
CASINO’
Now a former casino, the building has been converted into Palazzo Wimmer, in honour of the pioneer of a modern idea of tourist hospitality who, in fact, was the first to bring tourism to Gardone Riviera: Luigi Wimmer.
Originally built in 1909, in Art Nouveau style, it was an entertainment venue for the Central European clientele that frequented Gardone Riviera in those years.
The villa also boasted a grandiose park of over 40,000 square metres.
The Casino was temporarily closed at the behest of Mussolini only to resume its activities briefly after the war.
From here, its history became troubled: transformed into a cinema, it was permanently closed in the early 2000s, until the restoration work that brought Palazzo Wimmer to the appearance we can admire today.
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THE VITTORIALE DEGLI ITALIANI
More than a house, a villa, or a palace, it is a true monument that reflects the uniqueness of its owner, Gabriele D’Annunzio, and attracts thousands of tourists every year.
It was built between 1921 and 1938 under the guidance of architect Giancarlo Maroni. A complex of squares, buildings, water features, gardens and even an open-air theatre.
The Vittoriale extends over about nine hectares in a magnificent panoramic position on the lake and boasts several sections:
- The amphitheatre, which is still the scene of summer performances, has over the years seen the greatest Italian actors, étoiles from the world of dance and international music stars take the stage.
- The music room is carpeted in black and silver damask, and is a large chamber concert hall.
- The globe room is the main library of the house. it houses no less than six thousand volumes of art, and is only a small part of the poet’s entire collection.
- The cheli room. a brightly coloured dining room for guests, named after a large tortoise given to D’Annunzio, who died in the Victorial gardens from indigestion.
- The park with the mausoleum, D’Annunzio’s funeral monument, built post-mortem by his architect and inspired by Etruscan-Roman tombs.
- The Puglia ship, located under the donjon hill, was given to the poet by the Navy in 1923.
Find out more in our article dedicated to the Vittoriale degli Italiani.
ANDRÉ HELLER BOTANICAL GARDEN
Also known as the Arthur Hruska Botanical Garden, named after its founder, dentist and botanist Arthur Hruska.
Between 1910 and 1971, Hruska collected something like two thousand plant specimens from all over the world: Oceania, Himalayas, Japan, Africa, Canada, recreating their original settings.
The Garden opened its doors to the public in 1972.
Since 1988, it has become the André Heller Foundation Botanical Garden, owned by the Austrian artist and singer André Heller, who has adorned it with sculptures by masters such as Keith Haring, Roy Lichtenstein, Auguste Rodin and Joan Mirò, surrounding them with a total of around 3000 tree species.
CHURCH OF SAN NICOLA
Dedicated to St Nicholas of Bari, the patron saint of the village, the parish church is located in the hamlet of Gardone Sopra.
Built on a pre-existing building from the end of the 14th century, today’s church is a shining example of Baroque art with its stucco and frescoes.
Completed in 1749, it houses works by artists such as Zenon Veronese, Palma il Giovane and Andrea Celesti, and the venerated image of the Madonna di Fraole.
The façade faces the lake, and indeed a splendid panorama can be enjoyed from here.
MUSEUM OF THE DIVINE INFANT
Undoubtedly a unique museum, collecting hundreds of works related to the figure of the Infant Jesus. The collection is the result of the passion of German collector Hiky May, who is also responsible for the restoration of the works: statues, objects, artefacts of all materials.
The museum also houses a section dedicated to ancient nativity scenes, particularly Neapolitan ones.
For further information: www.il-bambino-gesu.com
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KURPROMENADE WALK
Strolling along the lakeside promenade is always an experience not to be missed. Dotted with shops and clubs, this promenade becomes romantic in the evening.
D'ANNUNZIO LAKESIDE PROMENADE
Enjoy a leisurely stroll enveloped in the town’s typical elegance. The D’Annunzio lakeside promenade is far from the bustling, noisy streets and leads to the nearby Vittoriale.
BEACH LIFE
Gardone Riviera boasts two beaches, offering crystal-clear water and every comfort. They are both awarded the Blue Flag, which attests to the cleanliness of the water but also to the quality of the services and respect for the environment in seaside and lake areas.
The CASINò BEACH in Gardone Riviera is gravel and is located 500 metres from the centre. Free beach, with very clear water.
The beach has a bar, a play area for children, showers and toilets and the possibility to hire deckchairs and parasols.
The beach has a bar, a play area for children, showers and toilets and the possibility to hire deckchairs and parasols.
The LIDO DI FASANO, with free access, is located in the location of Fasano, near Gardone. The beach offers a bar, bathing huts and toilets.
Fun facts: Gardone Riviera is the only municipality in Lombardy to be included among the 125 seaside tourist locations awarded by the Foundation for Environmental Education.
Surroundings of Gardone Riviera
EXCURSION TO GARDA ISLAND
The largest island of the entire lake, it is part of the municipality of San Felice Benaco, about twenty minutes from Gardone, also in the province of Brescia.
The island has a rich and lush Mediterranean and tropical vegetation such as cedars, lemons, agaves, capers, prickly pears, palms. But also centuries-old olive trees, roses, lavender and bougainvillea.
Already inhabited in Roman times, it was later abandoned to become a refuge for the pirates who used to attack the ships that sailed the lake.
In 1221, St Francis of Assisi visited the island and found it perfect for settling a community of friars.
Apparently, Dante Alighieri also came to the hermitage, who in the 20th canto of the Inferno seems to speak of this very place:
«Loco è nel mezzo là dove ‘l trentino
pastore e quel di Brescia e ‘l veronese
segnar poria, s’e’ fesse quel cammino»
Over the centuries, the island changed many owners and purposes, until 1875, when it was purchased by Duke Gaetano de Ferrari of Genoa, who, together with his wife, decided to build a grandiose neo-Gothic-Venetian-style palace here with an adjoining park, rich in native species, ornamental shrubs and hedges.
After quite a few changes of ownership, the island with its palace opened to tourists in 2002.
Book your visit here: https://www.isoladelgarda.com/visite-guidate/visite-guidate.html
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NEIGHBOURING TOWNS
Gardone Riviera is located between Salò and Toscolano-Maderno, respectively 12 and 10 minutes by car.
If you are in the vicinity, it would be a shame not to take the opportunity to also visit these two beautiful and characteristic towns on the Brescia side of the lake.
The nearby city of Brescia is also worth a visit if you are in the area, and with the boat service you can easily reach other numerous locations on Lake Garda.
Gardone Riviera Faq
HOW TO GET TO GARDONE RIVIERA?
BY CAR
-Desenzano exit, A4 motorway Serenissima Turin-Trieste (18 km from the centre)
-Exit Affi – Lago di Garda Sud, A22 Brennero-Modena motorway. (19 km from the centre)
-Exit Castenedolo Montichiari (Via Brescia) Mantova A21 junction – A4 Ospitaletto-Montichiari motorway (26 km from the centre)
-Exit Brescia-Montichiari Airport A21 Ospitaletto-Montichiari A4 Ospitaletto-Montichiari junction (26 km from the centre)
BY TRAIN
-Desenzano-Sirmione station 17 km from Gardone Riviera.
-Peschiera del Garda station 22 km from Gardone Riviera.
From the stations you can proceed by bus and shuttle services.
BY AIRPLANE
-Villafranca di Verona Airport 36 km from Gardone Riviera.
-Bergamo Orio al Serio Airport 67 km from Gardone Riviera.
From here you can travel by train, bus or hire car.
BY FERRY
From some locations around the lake it is possible to reach Gardone Riviera by ferry.
Check timetables and routes at: www.navigazionelaghi.it
WHAT TO DO WITH CHILDREN IN GARDONE RIVIERA?
In addition to beach life in fine weather, Gardone Riviera is also extremely stimulating for children. Exploring the numerous environments at the Vittoriale will be a culture-rich adventure.
At the Giardino Heller, the little ones can play at getting lost among plants, sculptures, fountains and ponds.
A nice ice cream on the lakefront pleases the whole family, and at the Museo del Divino Infante, the little ones will be amazed.
You will need to move around a bit, but if you have a few extra days at your disposal, Lake Garda is teeming with amusement parks such as Gardaland (Castelnuovo del Garda) and Movieland (Lazise), and water parks such as CANEVA WORLD (Lazise) and the Cavour Water Park (Valeggio sul Mincio).
For nature lovers, in Bussolengo (VR), there is Parco Natura Viva, a zoo-safari with animals from all over the world.
Next to Gardaland is Sea Life, a themed aquarium with fish from as many as a hundred different species.
WHAT TO DO IN GARDONE RIVIERA WHEN IT RAINS?
In bad weather you can always take the opportunity to do some shopping.
Here are some indoor proposals:
-Europa Shopping Centre, in Via Flero, in Brescia.
-Centro Commericale Freccia Rossa, in Viale Italia, in Brescia.
-Rondinelle Shopping Centre in Via E. Mattei in Roncadelle, Brescia.
-Le Vele Shopping Centre in Via Marconi in Desenzano sul Garda.
-Centro Commerciale Salo’ 2 in Via Montale in Cunettone di Salò.
-Two Pini Shopping Centre in Via Montessori, Salò.
WHERE TO PARK IN GARDONE RIVIERA?
To conveniently find parking in Gardone Riviera take a look here: lombardo-geosystems.it
In which region is Gardone Riviera located?
Gardone Riviera is located in the region of Lombardy. It is located on the western shore of Lake Garda, in the province of Brescia.
Other curiosities about Gardone Riviera:
The Alto Garda Bresciano Park: an area of rare natural beauty.
Discover the weekly markets on Lake Garda and download our free pdf calendar.
This article will guide you to discover the best beaches on Lake Garda.