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Gargnano ☀️ Lake Garda (what to see, info, beaches)
- Category What see Lake Garda and Verona
What to do and see in Gargnano on Lake Garda.
Number of views: 6908Agriturismo - Where to stay overnight
Gargnano on Lake Garda
Gargnano is a large municipality in a central position within the Lake Garda-Lombardy Consortium, made up of 13 small hamlets. It can be happily defined as a town between two lakes: the capital and the hamlets of Villa and Bogliaco are in fact lapped by Lake Garda and offer a typically Mediterranean landscape, while the Gargnano hinterland gradually climbs the hill to include Lake Valvestino, authentic fjord nestled between the mountains of the homonymous valley.
If the lakeside villages have maintained the romantic characteristic of ancient fishing villages, no less are the small hill villages, lying on the grassy slopes that once were the basis of the mountain economy and which today offer us a wonderful view of Lake Garda and glimpses that take you back to distant times.
Gargnano therefore offers the visitor an intimate atmosphere rich in history and art with its historic buildings and villas, religious monuments of considerable value, lemon gardens. Do not forget that Gargnano is also the capital of Garda sailing. In fact, the prestigious international Centomiglia regatta, the most important sailing event that takes place on the Italian lakes, departs every September from the hamlet of Bogliaco.
What to see in Gargnano
Gargnano lies on the western shore of the lake, protected from the cold north winds by a crown of mountains and hills. Its territory is made up of numerous hamlets; on the slopes surrounding the town the mild climate has created the ideal conditions for the growth of cedars, lemons, olive trees, cypresses.
The center of Gargnano is gathered around the port overlooked by elegant buildings, including the municipal one, built in the late 1500s. The cannonballs that an Austrian ship fired towards the town in 1866 are walled up on the facade facing the lake. during the third War of Independence.
The oldest church in Gargnano, dedicated to San Giacomo, dates back to the 12th century and has recently been restored. Outside, on a side wall, three fourteenth-century frescoes stand out. Inside, on a valuable terracotta altar, collected in a niche, you can admire the sixteenth-century wooden statue of San Giacomo.
The first thing to see in Gargnano is its small historic center. Located a stone's throw from the waters of the lake, the village consists of everything you need including grocery stores, bars, restaurants and local activities that make the town a truly complete place to spend a relaxing day.
The center is also characterized by the presence of houses and buildings depicting cannonballs cemented on their facades due to a bombardment of the village by Austrian ships in 1866, during the Third War of Independence.
Also of note is the presence of the Church of San Giacomo (we are in the 12th century) and the former Convent of San Francesco, founded in 1221.
The elegance of the village is also reproduced in the small beaches in the town. Often, these are small spaces that make the experience in those places even more exclusive. The beaches are all made up of gravel but are equipped and certainly accessible and ideal for all needs.
Let's start from the Corno beach, perhaps one of the most famous in the area and located just 500 meters from the center.
Easily reachable on foot, it is a gravel beach, quite wide and free.
North of Gargnano, we find the most famous Fontanella beach, even equipped with a beach volleyball court for those wishing to spend their day in a sporty way. There is a large green space in addition to the classic gravel by the lake. It is usually crowded with tourists, but no less beautiful than the others. We also point out the possibility of renting pedal boats, surfboards and canoes. A few meters from the beach we find a kiosk bar.
Two other logos to consider are the beach of the Gial and the Giallo Limone. The first is famous for allowing access to animals and is located in Via Rimembranze. The second, on the other hand, is located in Via della Libertà 51 and offers the rental service of deckchairs, umbrellas, sunbeds, pedal boats and canoes.
Just before the Circolo Vela, at the beginning of the town, we find the famous Limonaia "La Malora" which is certainly worth a visit. It is rumored to be one of the oldest lemon houses in Garda. Currently, the farm produces liqueurs with a truly natural flavor, mustards and lemon jams. A must for fans of the genre. If you are lucky you will also have the opportunity to visit the lemon house on site.
A little further up, once you have passed the historic center and the Fontanella beach, in front of you the Villa Feltrinelli will show itself in all its splendor. Famous for having been one of the residences of Benito Mussolini at the time of the Republic of Salò, the palace has been transformed into a very popular luxury hotel.
