Surrounded by imposing mountains, Riva del Garda stretches along the crescent-shaped shore, extending to the Sarca plain and to the foothills of Mount Brione, which separates it from Torbole. In this Mediterranean oasis where olive trees and palms thrive, tourists can enjoy a delightful holiday with much to offer: history, art, sports and nature, as well as hospitality and first class hotels. Riva was already a popular tourist spot at the end of the last century. Some of its famous guests were Nietzsche (who stayed at Hotel Du Lac), the Hartungen family, the Mann brothers, the Brods, Kafka and Lawrence. Over 10,000 foreigners visited Riva in 1901; more than 37,600 tourists, mostly from Austria and Germany, arrived in the town five years later. This growth gradually continued until World War I, which left its mark on the small town. After it became a part of Italy, Riva developed its tourism industry and improved its sports, business and cultural facilities. Today Riva is one of the leading tourist spots of Lake Garda.The historical centre vividly recalls the past centuries tormented by the Middle Age and Seigneurial domains. The Torre Apponale, built in 1220, the Palazzo Pretorio built by Cansignorio della Scala in 1375, the Palazzo del Comune dating form before 1200 and rebuilt by the Venetians at the end of the 15th century and the Rocca on the lake are the heritage of Riva's long history.The wealth of the facilities in Riva, , the Conference Centre, perfectly equipped for every kind of conference or meeting, the numerous and renowned hotels, the modern sports facilities and the combination of light entertainment with classical music and the theatre performances are the evidence of the hospitality shown towards its guests.

La Rocca Built following an agreement in the 12th century between Altemanno and the townspeople of Riva, it was later enlarged by the Della Scala family, the Venetians, and the Bishop Princes of Trent. The Austrians renovated it in 1852. It houses the Civic Museum with archeological, geological and mineralogical exhibits, an art gallery, and collections of weapons, prints and rare books. Civic Museum - Piazza Battisti, 3 - phone: 0464-573869 - Fax: 0464-521680 Varone Waterfall Situated in Varone, one of the small districts of Riva, the waterfall is three kilometers from the lake. Flowing from Lake Tenno into a gorge naturally formed by erosion over 20,000 years (at an average of 4 mm per year), the water thunderously plunges from a height of 87 m. Phone: 0464-521421.