Gardone Riviera holidays, Italy

Gardone Riviera is a peaceful, sheltered town that tends to be thought of in two parts: Gardone di Sotto (or Lower Gardone) and Gardone di Sopra (Upper Gardone). Elegant Gardone di Sotto is home to impressive villas and ornate architecture. The flowery promenade, lined with orange trees and rose bushes, is home to various cafes and eateries which offer magnificent views of the lake and harbour. You can find some of the best places to eat and drink on our Restaurants and Bars pages. There is a little tourist train that can take you to Gardone Sopra, which is a more rustic area up in the hills.

When it comes to getting around, ferries and fast hydrofoils are the best way to reach other resorts around the lake like Bardolino and Peschiera and you can also visit towns like Brescia, Venice, Padua and Verona via a daily bus service.

Although it’s known for being a laid back and quiet Italian town, there’s still a lot on here as well as a variety of things to see and do. You’re more than likely to experience one of Gardone’s music concerts, art exhibitions, cultural and religious events or famous markets whatever time of year you visit. A huge event here is the summer arts festival at the Vittoriale Theatre where you can enjoy all kinds of dance and music performances in one of the town’s most iconic buildings.

Activities of all shapes and sizes can be enjoyed here. You’ll find walking and cycling terrain of varied difficulty, lots to do in the historical town and just as much on the lakeside.

See our Events page for more details about what’s on and our Activities page to find out everything there is to see and do in the area.

This is one of the best towns for history and culture – it’s home to various historical attractions and hosts cultural events throughout the year. Enjoy the towns laid back culture in cafes, on the harbour and at the weekly market. The Heller gardens are fantastic for plant and art lovers alike and the beautiful Grand Hotel has paid host to many historical and literary figures including Churchill, Nabakov and Maugham.

An absolute must-visit is the Vittoriale - the quirky home of infamous poet and fervent nationalist Gabriella D’Annunzio. D’Anuzzio’s house is well worth a visit, mirroring the poet’s eccentric personality – a fervent nationalist and hypochondriac obsessed with art, with a dark sense of humour and a phobia of light. Also enjoy the ostentatious gardens with circular Mausoleum, amphitheatre and Puglia light cruiser built into the hillside.

For much more about the history of Gardone Riviera, click here.