Lying on the western banks of Lake Garda (Lago di Garda), the town of Gardone Riviera is in the Brescia province of Lombardy region. Close to the town of Salo on the sheltered Gulf of Salo, the town has good ferry connections to other towns on the lake.
Gardone was one of Lake Garda's most fashionable resorts in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, and retains its fin de siecle charm, with an elegant and traffic-free promenade, substantial villas and some very nice hotels. Gardone is famous for its mild climate and exotic planting - the Hruska Botanical Gardens, just above the town, have more than 2000 species of trees and sub tropical shrubs. This stretch of coastline has been dubbed the Riviera del Limone, with lemon trees lining the hillsides that drop to the lake.
This is a remarkably pleasant little town, with some good restaurants and terraced cafes. The public parts are a model of tidy urban management, with lush flower beds and benches strategically placed for taking a break on your stroll along the prom. The main sight in the town is Il Vittoriale, formerly the home of Italy's most famous (or notorious) twentieth century writer, Gabriele D'Annunzio. There is a sizeable market each Saturday. The nearest major towns are Brescia, around 30km to the south west, and Verona, some 40km to the south east of Gardone Riviera.
To the left you'll find a selection of hotels, to get you in the mood
- see also our full listings of Gardone Riviera hotels.
