Lake Garda is one of the most incredible places in northern Italy. Lago di Garda (in Italian) has plenty of pretty villages, outdoor activities, and cultural and historic sites. But it’s the beautiful fairytale castles of Lake Garda that you might notice first!
Perched around the lakeshore, many of Lake Garda’s castles were built during medieval times and sit on layers of history that date back to before the Roman Empire. Not to mention, most are in strategic positions above the villages they once protected and come with gorgeous views of Lake Garda and surrounding area.
So if you’re fascinated by fairytale, medieval castles like me, I hope you’ll be inspired to visit some or all of the best castles in Lake Garda listed in this guide.
Andiamo!
Where is Lake Garda in Italy?
Let’s take a quick moment to orient ourselves to where Lake Garda sits in northern Italy.
Lake Garda, the largest lake in Italy, is shared by three regions in northern Italy– Lombardy, Veneto, and Trentino-Alto Adige– and is less than 2 hours by car from Venice and Milan.
From Verona, you’ll reach the popular town of Sirmione on Lake Garda’s southern shore in about 40 minutes. Plus, you can also take the train from these cities to Peschiera del Garda or Desenzano del Garda, the two towns along the lake with train stations.
Among the lakes of northern Italy, Lake Garda is east of Lake Como and Lake Iseo. In the map below, you can see where all of the Lake Garda castles in this guide are situated in relation to the lake.
Best Castles of Lake Garda
Lake Garda’s castles were originally built for defensive and political reasons, as well as a means of safeguarding trade routes. The lake has a relatively temperate climate despite its northern location and plenty of natural resources which made it an important and desirable location.
Luckily, several of these fairytale castles are still standing today and they allow us to ooh and ahh at their impressive architecture, as well as go back in time to understand Lake Garda’s importance.
Let’s take a look at the Lake Garda castles you need to add to your northern Italy itinerary!
1. Scaligero Castle in Sirmione
The most famous castle on Lake Garda is the 13th-century Scaligero Castle located in the city of Sirmione. It is one of Italy’s best-preserved castles and part of the country’s 30 most visited historical sites. It’s also one of the most popular day trips from Milan. When you visit, you’ll see why.
The castle was built on the edge of the promontory of Sirmi surrounded by the lake’s waters on the southern part of Lake Garda. It’s nicknamed the famous “Sinking Castle” because one of the castle’s courtyards appears to be submerged. This isn’t the case, though. It’s actually a fortified port where the Scaliger family kept their boats.
As you walk across the drawbridges to get inside the town and castle, you can’t help but be impressed! The beautiful geometric walls and striking towers all surrounded by Lake Garda’s turquoise water are unforgettable sights.
Take the time to go inside Sirmione Castle and explore! Best of all, I recommend climbing the tower to the top for a birds-eye view of Sirmione and gorgeous Lake Garda. While you’re there, keep an eye out for a ghost named Ebengardo who is said to wander in search of his wife, Arice.
The castle is open every day year-round but does have some reduced hours from the late fall through the winter. You can buy entry tickets for a few Euros when you arrive.
2. Malcesine Castle
The Malcesine Castle is one of the oldest castles in Lake Garda, built during the first millennium BC. Although, what you see today dates back to the 12th century after being rebuilt several times.
This ancient castle stands on a rocky outcrop directly on the lakeshore in the town of Malcesine, one of the prettiest towns in Lake Garda. It overlooks the deep-blue waters and the nearby mountains. The views are absolutely stunning!
Malcesine Castle has three courtyards. Inside Palazzo Inferiore, you’ll find a small Natural History Museum about Lake Garda and Monte Baldo. From there, you can enter the second courtyard, the Rivellino.
It’s from here where you’ll be wowed by the 360-degree lake and mountain views! There’s a small balcony where you can stop to take photos and savor the moment. (It’s that stunning.)
As you move on to the third courtyard, you’ll find an archaeological museum with historic weapons and shipping documents from activity on the lake.
The Castle is open for most of the year but does have limited hours during the winter. If you visit during the off-season, check before you go.
Malcesine and its medieval castle deserve top spots on your Lake Garda itinerary. Don’t miss the chance to visit!
3. Fortifications of Peschiera del Garda
Not so much a castle in the traditional sense, Peschiera del Garda’s historic center is entirely circled by fortified walls with bastions and impressive gates. It’s one of the most preserved defensive wall fortifications in Italy and has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The town itself is built on a collection of islands that are “grouped” together by the impressive walls that once protected it. It’s believed these walls go back to Roman times and have been repeatedly strengthened and added to over the centuries by whoever was in power.
In the 13th century, the Scaliger family added walls and towers. Later on, the Republic of Venice took control and added ramparts to the walls, as well as corner bastions that allowed for defensive fire in multiple directions.
Today, you can walk those ramparts and take your own shots…for Instagram! (Oh, how times have changed.) You can also take a boat tour to truly appreciate the full scale of this remarkable Venetian fortress.
4. Rocca di Riva
Rocca di Riva is a medieval fortress located in gorgeous palm-tree fringed Riva del Garda at Lake Garda’s northern tip in the province of Trento. The castle is surrounded by water with only a small bridge connecting it to the shore.
It was built in 1124 and, as with other castles, it was a symbol of power and military prowess. Over the centuries, it’s undergone many changes and, generally speaking, has a more refined and less dramatic appearance compared to other castles on Lake Garda.
Inside, you’ll find one of the Museo Alto Garda locations. This museum highlights the history and traditions of the Trentino region with artifacts and archaeology dating back to the Middle Paleolithic period.
Rocca di Riva is a must-visit also for its spectacular lakefront position. Combined with the beauty of Riva del Garda, it’s one of the prettiest spots along Lake Garda!
5. Scaligero Castle in Lazise
On the eastern side of Lake Garda in the province of Verona, you’ll find another Scaligero Castle in the pretty town of Lazise.
At first glance, you can’t help but notice the mightiness of this castle! Its enormous size shows how important Lazise was to those in power centuries ago.
The first structure was built in the 9th century to protect the area from invaders. In the 1300s, the Scaligeri family added to the castle’s defenses. Later, several important officials from the Republic of Venice lived in the castle.
In the mid-1800s, though, the castle was bought by Count Giovanni Battista Buri. He restored the castle and added a public park around it. The castle is still private property owned by the Buri family and not open to the public.
Still, the castle’s architecture is impressive and, seeing it within the medieval defensive walls of the town or as you approach Lazise by boat, helps you imagine what it must have been like for people long ago to see this symbol of Lazise’s power for the first time.
6. Scaligero Castle in Torri del Benaco
The Scaligero Castle in Torri del Benaco sits along the eastern shore of the lake and was first built in the 10th century. During the 14th century, the powerful Scaligeri family (known also as Della Scala) added to the castle’s defenses to protect their feudal dynasty.
Today, the castle is still in good condition and includes high walls and three towers with beautiful views of the old town, harbor, and lake. Climb the towers to admire the views from the ramparts.
Inside the Scaligero Castle in Torri del Benaco, you’ll find a history museum with artifacts and displays that show what life was like for the people who lived here long ago. Most impressive among the objects to me were the ancient fishing nets and the reconstructed olive press!
But perhaps the best part of the visit is seeing the Limonaia, a lemon greenhouse that dates back to 1760. I’m always amazed that citrus fruits like lemons can grow around Lake Garda!
Scaligero Castle in Torri del Benaco is open from Tuesdays to Sundays from April through October. Tickets to enter can be purchased at the castle.
7. Castello di Desenzano del Garda
Desenzano del Garda with its picture-perfect harbor is Lake Garda’s largest town and comes with an ancient castle to match! In fact, the castle is over 1,000 years old! Yet, despite suffering battles and neglect, the Castle of Desenzano has been restored and is among the best castles of Lake Garda.
One look at the castle’s location on a hilltop overlooking the lake and town and you’ll immediately realize this strategic position was for defense. Luckily, today we don’t have to worry about invaders. Instead, we get to just enjoy the incredible panoramic views!
Make the short walk through the winding streets of the town up to the castle. You’ll see the remaining walls and towers. Be sure to climb to the top of the tower for stunning 360-degree views of Desenzano and Lake Garda.
If you visit in the summer, you might get lucky and catch one of the special events or concerts held in the courtyard of the castle.
Desenzano Castle is open daily, except Mondays, from June to mid-November. During winter, it’s open on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. Tickets cost just a few Euros and can be purchased when you arrive.
8. Padenghe Castle
Padenghe Castle is thought to be the oldest castle in the southwestern Valtenesi area on Lake Garda. Located in the town of Padenghe sul Garda, the castle sits in an impressive position on a hill overlooking the lake.
Padenghe Castle is unique compared to some of the other castles at Lake Garda because its ancient walls and towers protect a tiny village inside. Incredibly, people still live in the medieval stone houses today!
So, as you cross the drawbridge to enter the castle complex, walk through the stone alleyways and under the arches, all while letting your mind wander into the past. Along the way, you may even see some locals going about their day.
The castle can be visited for free. Be sure to climb the ruins of the highest tower to have a romantic view of Lake Garda and the surrounding countryside.
ProTip: If you’re visiting Padenghe Castle and you have the time, I suggest driving 10 minutes north to Moniga del Garda to see its well-preserved castle, too.
It was built in the 10th century, although most of what you see is the result of a reconstruction during the 14th and 15th centuries. Originally, the castle was built as a safe haven for locals in case of a raid. Thankfully for them, this never actually happened which is one of the main reasons the castle is in as good a condition as it is today.
Today, the castle is its own small neighborhood, with a few houses and cobblestone lanes situated within its walls. You can see the four rounded watchtowers in each corner and the main and the bell tower as you go inside the castle walls.
You’re free to visit within the castle walls. It’ll only take 15-20 minutes but is well worth a quick stop if you’re in this area of Lake Garda.
9. Arco Castle
One of the best castles in Lake Garda is Arco Castle, dramatically watching over the town of Arco and the Valle del Sarca from a large rocky hilltop close to Lake Garda’s northern shores.
Once you see it, you’ll agree that the castle, situated perfectly among the cypress trees on the hill, is absolutely breathtaking!
Records for the castle go back more than 800 years although it’s likely a fortified settlement existed here earlier than that. “Arx” is the Latin meaning fortress and inside you’ll see areas that were once residences, workshops, and even a prison.
I love frescoes from the Middle Ages and, fortunately, the 14th-century paintings inside have been beautifully restored. They tell the stories of court life, with knights and ladies-in-waiting.
The views of Lake Garda and the surrounding olive groves are spectacular from the Prato della Lizza, a small balcony along one of the ramparts.
No less stunning is the 20-minute walk from Arco’s village center to the castle entrance. It is a bit steep so you need to be prepared. But along the way, the path takes you through the olive trees all while eyeing the magnificent castle views up ahead. It’s a scene straight from a fairytale.
It’s easy to see why the German painter, Dürer, painted Arco Castle more than once!
10. Castello di Avio
While not on the shores of Lake Garda, Castello di Avio is just a 30-minute drive from Riva del Garda and about 40 minutes from both Verona and the Sanctuary of Madonna della Corona.
This castle is a true hidden gem, as well as a FAI site. (FAI is a non-profit organization to protect Italy’s cultural heritage. There are 70+ sites throughout Italy and if you’re near one, make a point to stop by!)
Avio Castle stands is one of the most impressive castles in the region starting with its location along a ridge of Monte Vignola overlooking the town of Avio, the Val Lagarina, and the Adige River.
Inside the castle, you’ll find spectacular medieval frescoes depicting court life, love, and battles, in particular St. George’s battle against the dragon.
The castle is open to visitors Wednesday-Sunday from the end of February to mid-November. Check the specific hours for when you want to visit because the castle closes a bit earlier in the fall. If you’re in the area during the Christmas season, check out the Christmas market the castle hosts.
11. Scaligero Castle in Valeggio sul Mincio
Valeggio sul Mincio is a small town on the Mincio River, about 15 minutes away from Peschiera del Garda. Here, you can visit another symbol of Scaligero power.
Built in the 10th century, followed by nearly all parts of the original castle being destroyed in 1117 by an earthquake, this castle gained new life when the Della Scala family rebuilt the castle and incorporated it into their feudal dynasty during the 13th and 14th centuries.
Over time, the castle was neglected and parts of it decayed into a ruin. Where there were three drawbridges leading to the castle, only one remains. From the original structure, just one rounded tower still stands.
However, you can visit the parts of the castle that were rebuilt, including sections of the defensive walls and the main tower. You’ll also get beautiful panoramic views of the river and valley below.
Don’t miss out on outdoor events like cinema evenings in the castle’s internal courtyard. The castle is open to the public from the end of March to the end of October, so plan your trip accordingly if you want to visit.
ProTip: While you’re there, plan time to visit Parco Giardino Sigurta, one of the prettiest parks in Italy and Europe, as well as Borghetto sul Mincio, a gorgeous hamlet nearby.
You Decide: What’s the Best Lake Garda Castle?
Lake Garda’s beautiful castles and fortifications are among the lake’s many top sights!
Even if you were hoping to relax lakeside at one of the pretty Lake Garda beaches or maybe you’re still deciding between Lake Garda or Lake Como, I hope I’ve convinced you that these castles are worth your time and effort! They are incredible windows to the past and some of the most unforgettable stops in northern Italy.
What questions do you have about the castles of Lake Garda?
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