Riva holidays, Italy

Set on the northern end of the lake, thriving and cosmopolitan Riva is the second biggest town on Lake Garda.

This is a place oozing style and character with 12th century architecture and little shop-lined side streets leading into wide bustling squares of elegant cafes and eateries. See our Restaurants and Bars pages for where to eat and drink. Besides fantastic shopping opportunity, Riva has lovely parks, playgrounds and museums as well as beautiful pebbled beaches and a long promenade leading to Torbole.

Enjoy a relaxing warm summer evening with an ice cream or glass of local wine while you watch the sun set before sampling some of the town’s vibrant nightlife.

When it comes to getting around, an excellent ferry and hydrofoil regular buses provide easy access other lake resorts. The nearest train station is Rovereto which is about 30 minutes drive away.

From world championship regattas to international music festivals and competitions, Riva has the most and biggest events of all the Lake Garda towns featuring the biggest names in the business – to find out more about what’s on, read our Events page.

Wind and water sports are hugely popular in Lake Garda, especially the northern resorts where the wind is stronger and more reliable. With Riva being the sailing capital of Europe, this is the perfect place to try your hand at sailing, from dinghy to catamaran or windsurfing. The activities on solid ground are equally as impressive, with a good range of well marked walking and cycle routes as well as a number of Via Ferrata courses.

A good few of our holiday options can include pre-bookable windsurfing, dinghy, kayaking and bike options, including hire and lessons. Read more about what to do and see on our Activities page.

This old town has played a huge role throughout the history of Lake Garda - particularly during the wars and invasions - and you can really sense the town’s colourful history. Discover Roman remains, medieval buildings and the artistic and cultural influence of the predominantly German and Austrian population of the town before WW1.

You’ll find many castles and fortresses including the 12th Century Rocca that dominates the waterfront (now home to the Civic museum), castles in nearby Drena and Arco and the Penede ruins in Nago.

Riva has many fine buildings with sophisticated architecture, notably the colourful Piazza Tre Novembre and the lovely baroque churches. For a real taste of local life, attend the weekly market which takes place on Wednesday mornings. Various art shows and exhibitions can also be enjoyed throughout the year.

For more information about Riva’s fascinating past, visit our History page.