Gardone Riviera
Gardone Riviera stands as one of our most cherished sanctuaries on the lake, a place where historical elegance and botanical wonder converge. To truly capture the magic of this destination, we recommend reaching it by ferry—a seamless and scenic voyage that offers unparalleled perspectives of the shoreline. This leisurely arrival sets the perfect tone for an unforgettable day spent wandering through the village’s storied streets and lush gardens. It is an excursion we consider essential for those seeking a moment of pure, transformative beauty.
Il Vittoriale
Ascend to Il Vittoriale degli Italiani, the audacious hillside estate of poet Gabriele d’Annunzio. More than a museum, it is a monumental labyrinth where avant-garde architecture, lush private orchards, and historical relics—like the majestic ship Puglia embedded in the cliffs—converge. It offers a profound, immersive journey into a life lived as a work of art, punctuated by breathtaking views that stretch across the azure horizon of the lake. This magnificent complex of villas, gardens, and an arena was the personal Kingdom of one of the most famous Poet / Aviator /intellectual in Italian history, Gabriele D’Annunzio. The museum area of The Vittoriale covers 9 hectares in a stunning setting made of architecture, history, panorama, and wonders.
Experience the ethereal Tener-a-mente Festival, where world-renowned artists perform under a starlit sky within the Vittoriale’s open-air amphitheater. This is far more than a concert series; it is a sensory symphony where music harmonizes with the gentle night breeze and the shimmering reflection of the lake below. Considered the crown jewel of the Italian summer, it offers an intimate encounter with cultural excellence in a setting suspended between history and the infinite. Every year, between June and August, the festival features dance performances, drama, and international music artists such as Herbie Hancock, David Byrne, Damon Albarn, Beck, and many others.
Tenere a Mente Festival
Giardino Botanico Andre Heller
Step into a sanctuary of global biodiversity at the André Heller Botanical Garden. This ‘Eden of the Mind’ seamlessly weaves together over 3,000 plant species with contemporary masterpieces by Keith Haring and Roy Lichtenstein. Whether you are wandering through Zen-inspired water gardens or hidden bamboo groves, the atmosphere invites a rare sense of contemplation and sensory revival, making it an essential retreat for the soul. Simply a magical small wonder, a blend of Art & Nature. An open-air art gallery open only in spring & summer, where you can walk through the art by Susanne Smoegener, Erwin Novak, Edgar Tezak, Rudolph Hirt, and the owner himself, Andre Heller.
http://www.hellergarden.com
Vintage Market
In Gardone, throughout the summer, there are several market days & events on the Lungolago promenade. You can find Records, Glasses, Lamps, Bags, a very nice selection of things, people, and the moods.
Lido 84
Two brothers opened this small gourmet glasshouse just a couple of years ago, and today this restaurant is already a classic. A unique place to experience a culinary journey and true hospitality. Tasting menu Oscillazioni – Chef daily proposal – is my choice every time. You need to book in advance, you can arrive by car or by boat.
https://www.ristorantelido84.com/
Antico Brolo
For an unforgettable lunch or dinner in Gardone, Osteria Antico Brolo is a must-see. Located in an 18th-century building just steps from the Vittoriale, this restaurant enchants with its secret garden (the “brolo”) and a timeless atmosphere. The cuisine is a refined tribute to the flavors of Garda, where tradition meets a touch of contemporary creativity.
https://www.ristoranteanticobrolo.it/
La Torre San Marco
As dusk falls, Torre San Marco emerges as the lake’s most exclusive evening enclave. Historically a stone sentinel, it now serves as a sophisticated winery and piano bar where the rhythm of live music blends with the gentle lapping of the waves. Enjoying a glass of fine local wine or a bespoke cocktail under the starlit canopy of this historic tower is the ultimate way to experience the sophisticated, nocturnal magic of the Riviera. By car or by boat.
http://www.torresanmarco.it/
