Holidays in Riva

Beautiful Riva is Lake Garda’s most northerly town – where the lakes and the Alps meet

Riva, in the far north of Lake Garda, rolls out a waterfront that’s almost as grand as the mountains behind. Roman, Venetian, Napoleonic and Austro-Hungarian rulers have all occupied this prized position between the Italian Alps, lakes and plains, leaving behind a richly decorated lakeside promenade and old town. Thanks to the Mediterranean climate, olive, cypress, palm and lemon trees thrive in Riva, making for some of the most scenic hiking and cycling paths in Italy. Plus, the jagged peaks of the Dolomites are on the doorstep… if you can bear to peel yourself away from Riva, that is.

Activities by (and on) the lake

Life revolves around the water in Riva del Garda. Day-trippers come and go by boat and restaurants and cafés set out their tables along the sun-trapped promenade. This stretch of shore is also a favourite spot for windsurfing, canoeing and sailing aficionados. Stroll or cycle along the promenade to neighbouring Torbole, passing sand and pebble beaches along the way. You’ll find that it’s nearly impossible to resist abandoning your bike or boots for a dip in the lake.

Swap Lake Garda for Ledro for the day

The emerald waters of Lake Ledro are just a half-hour bus ride away from Riva. This high alpine lake is another irresistible swimming spot, as well as a great place for delving into the region’s pre-Roman history at the open-air Pile-dwelling museum. Alternatively, head to Lake Ledro via one of the best hiking and cycling paths in Lake Garda – the panoramic Strada del Ponale (Ponale Road).

Walking around Riva old town

Riva has one of the most picturesque waterfronts in Lake Garda, with grand waterfront buildings dressed in alpine shades of blue, buttercup and rose. Don’t miss the car-free, flower-filled old town, Venetian city gates, cobbled main square and baroque fresco-adorned churches. Even the museum, Alto Garda, has extravagant trappings; this medieval fortress was once owned by the powerful Scaliger family. A glance at the restaurant menus reveals specials of schnitzels and strudels, as well as delicious mountain cheeses, cured meats such as mortadella and fruity red wines.

Exploring Lake Garda

Boats regularly set off from Riva’s harbour, bound for the villages of Lake Garda. Each one has its own forte. You could visit Malcesine and catch the cable car up Monte Baldo, explore Limone’s (you guessed it) lemon growing history, and even sail as far south as castle-topped Sirmione. Hold on to your hat whilst speeding across the lake aboard catamarans and hydrofoils, or choose one of the leisurely ferries that meander through the lake and mountain scenery at a more holiday-like pace.

Why book a summer holiday in Riva with Inghams?

At Inghams, we do walking holidays differently. With no fixed itinerary, you have more time in your destination and the freedom to walk as much or as little as you like, discovering some of Riva's best walking routes and activities at your own pace.

With over 85 years of outdoor travel experience, our holiday packages to Riva include flights, transfers, and accommodation, so you can relax and leave the small details to us. Our experts can help you choose the best holiday for you, and our team in resort can give you the inside scoop on how to spend your time away with us.

Added value

Inghams rep based in resort

Flights and airport transfers included

  • from£779pp
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Du Lac Et Du Parc Hotel Pool & Garden.jpg

Hotel Du Lac et Du Parc has something for everyone. If you want to relax there's the beautiful park with winding pathways that lead down to the lakefront and an excellent spa. For adventurists there's a water sports centre and easy access to the walking and cycling trails around Riva. And for families, there's a children's pool, mini club and playground - not to mention lots of room for little ones to run around.

  • from£579pp
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The Hotel Europa has one of the best locations on Riva's harbour. It overlooks the historic centre and is just a few steps from the ferry port. 

  • from£579pp
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  • 81 rooms
Hotel Sole Relax & Panorama, Exterior

Hotel Sole has one of the best locations in Riva. It's on the harbour so you can be sure of incredible lake views and you're on the doorstep of the town's bars, restaurants and shops.

  • from£739pp
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Hotel Antico Borgo, Rooftop Terrace

Hotel Anitco Borgo is right in Riva's historic centre. Spend your day exploring the cobbled streets or drinking coffee at the lakeside. The roof terrace has some great views over the town - head here for a drink and enjoy the sun! Inside you'll find modern rooms and trendy public areas.

  • from£559pp
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Piscina Ampia

Grand Hotel Liberty is in the centre of Riva, next to the town's café and bars and close to the lake. It's an elegant hotel with an impressive décor and lovely pool in the gardens. Head to the spa when you want to relax. You'll find an indoor pool, sauna, Turkish bath and whirlpool.

 

  • from£699pp
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Aperitivo Bordo Piscina Sunset Relax Villa Nicolli Romantic Resort (3)

If you're looking for a romantic getaway surrounded by incredible scenery and just a short walk from the lake, the Villa Nicolli is the perfect place to stay. An adults only hotel, it'll just be you, your loved one and nature.

  • from£559pp
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    3 Rating

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04 Private Spa Total Relax Sauna

Just 15 minutes’ walk along the lakefront to Riva’s historic centre, Hotel Gabry’s in a wonderful spot near the harbour. It’s ideal for active guests; offering guided walks, tai chi and yoga during the week.

Excursions

Pre-book your excursions online or give us a call

Valpolicella Wine Tour from £58 per person (full day)

Who doesn't love a wine tour. On this trip you'll get to visit a traditional wine cellar in Valpolicella, where you'll have a wine tasting with a very knowledgeable guide. Enjoy a lunch of fresh, local ingredients where you can experience 'agri-turismo' first-hand. After lunch, you'll be taken to the historic church and cloisters of St Giorgio. There's no better way to spend a day than by indulging in wine, food, history and stunning vineyard views.

Departs on Thursdays.

Venice Classic from £73 per person (full day)

Venice is not to be missed! This excursion allows you to explore the city with a guide and at your own pace. You’ll arrive by coach and grab a water taxi to the centre. You’ll also have the option to add on a gondola ride (payable locally). There’s plenty of time to take in sights of the Basilica, Doge's Palace, St Mark's square and the Rialto bridge  – this is the perfect introduction to one of Italy's most magical cities.

Departs Tuesdays and Thursdays

Majestic Dolomites from £54 per person (full day)

Start with a scenic drive through the exceptional South Tyrol, Val di Fiemme, Cavalese and Moena regions. You’ll then stop off at Passa Pordoi and take in the incredible views from this 2,000-metre-high vantage point. There’s some free time to explore the terrain at your own pace, either by taking one of the trekking paths or simply enjoying an Aperol at a rifugio and taking in the views. A stop off at the chocolate box town of Ortisei is included on the way back to your hotel as well as plenty of stops for photo opportunities in this awe inspiring landscape.

Departs on Fridays. Guests may have the opportunity to go up in a gondola for an additional fee of approx. €23pp. Make sure you take some warmer clothes as temperatures really drop when you get up to the top!

Tour of Lake Garda from £50 per person (full day)

Get ready to explore the best of Lake Garda on this excursion – there’s so much natural beauty and picturesque towns to discover. See the spectacular mountain scenery of the north and the sunny plains of the south. Travelling by both coach and ferry, the tour itinerary for this excursion varies depending on where you start but will usually follow the famous Gardensana road lined with fragrant olive and lemon trees to reach the likes of Malcesine, Sirmione, Salo and Limone. This is the ideal taster tour of the entire lake where you'll get to spend a short period of time in a variety of stunning towns.

Departs on Mondays

Verona from £50 per person (full day)

Verona is one of Italy’s most charming little cities. This day trip dips into the romance of the medieval city, reliving the scenes from Romeo and Juliet while wandering around through the cobbled streets and past ancient buildings. On a walking tour of the city you'll see the impressive 2,000-year-old Roman arena (entry not included). It's one of the best preserved Roman amphitheatres in the world and is currently home to the Verona Opera. Explore the marble paved shopping street of Via Mazzini which leads to the pretty market square Piazza Delle Erbe.

Departs on Tuesdays and Fridays

Book locally

Verona Opera (evening)

The Verona Opera is definitely one for the bucket list! The season runs from mid June to early September and covers all the classics including Aida by Verdi or Turnadot by Puccini. Whichever performance you choose; you’ll have an incredible evening.

Please note that the price of excursions will vary depending on the resort you are staying in. We act at all times as a selling agent for the suppliers. All excursions require minimum numbers to run and are subject to change. Some excursions may not be available to pre-book in low season but may be available to book locally subject to numbers. Prices will be confirmed at the time of booking. Please see our Terms & Conditions.

Things To Do

Make good use of the Trentino Guest Card

When staying at a selection of our hotels in Riva you'll get a Trentino Guest Card which entitles you to:

  • Free use of all public trains and buses in the Trentino region
  • Discounted entry to over 60 museums, 20 castles & 40 attractions in Trentino

The guest card only applies to affiliated hotels

Things to see and do

There’s lots to see and do in Riva. We love the town’s historic, pebbled square. You can spend a few hours in the boutiques picking up some souvenirs or just grab a table outside and order a drink while you enjoy the atmosphere. Dive deeper into Riva’s history by visiting the Museo Alto Garda. It’s in an ancient medieval castle and has exhibits dedicated to archaeology, paintings and life around Lake Garda in the past. It’s great for little ones too with lots of hands-on experiences. Plus, you get some of the best views of the lake from the tower.

It’s easy to explore from Riva, too. Ferries will run to nearby towns like Malcesine and Limone. If you want to escape the crowds for a while, we can recommend going to Lake Ledro. It’s just half an hour away by bus and the waters there are some of the best for swimming.

Activities

Riva caters well for walkers of all abilities. There’s something so relaxing about taking lakeside walks here – they’re nice and flat and you can walk for miles. The walk to nearby Torbole is particularly nice and you stop there for lunch before walking back. You need to head higher for some of the best scenery though. Strada del Ponale is our favourite trail for bird’s eye views of the town and lake.

The north of Lake Garda has some of the best cycling trails in Europe. Challenge yourself with the steep routes down Monte Altissimo that has the famous ex-Seicentouno. It’s not for the faint-hearted! There’s plenty of less scary options too. They involve gentle rides along the lake and heading up hills for beautiful views.

Windsurfing is very popular in Riva and you can normally see it taking place from the piazza. Get involved and try it for yourself, there’s plenty of places locally to book lessons or rent equipment. If you’d rather relax then sit yourself down on the white pebble beach. It’s a popular spot for swimmers and sun bathing.

Coastline Views in Garda

Explore the best of Lake Garda on this multi-centre holiday. You'll start in the south in bustling Garda before taking a scenic ferry to Riva in the north.

Canal_View_Venice.jpg

Spend a few days exploring the canals and piazzas of Venice before heading to Italy's largest lake. Spend your days walking along the lakefront, sipping wine in the vineyards and heading up the mountain trails of Lake Garda.

Good to know

  • Get the Trentino Guest Card to enjoy free public transport and free or discounted entry into local attractions and museums (only applies to affiliated hotels)
  • Enjoy a gentle walk up to the Bastione Venetian Tower to admire views over Riva
  • Before the Second World War, Riva was part of Austria and this is still reflected in architectural, cultural and gastronomic differences from other lake-side towns
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