Riva makes a nice day trip on Garda Lake, but it's also a good base to stay if you want to explore the surrounding mountains of Trentino region. If you have a day extra in this area in summer, I recommend Val di Fumo hike. It will take your breath away!
Generally I would say that Riva has a much larger lakeside area than Limone, with a lakeside path from the centre right around to Torbole. The lakeside promenade in Limone is quite small in comparison. Riva is also more central for getting around the northern part of the lake.
Lake Garda's beaches clearly get busy in summer, so if you want to avoid the crowds, stick to the western shore or go as far north as you can. Makio beach near Salo is usually a less crowded option.
Believe it or not, Nietzsche went on vacation—to this pretty town on Italy's Lake Garda. Today, travelers can explore medieval fortresses and the town's historic center. Or, just take relaxing walks along the lakeshore and wonder what in the world it would be like to vacation with Nietzsche.
Riva is the biggest resort in the northern half of Lake Garda, with the great shopping and vibrant nightlife, it is also one of the most popular destinations on the lake.
Riva del Garda is a small town wedged between the northern-most edge of Lake Garda (Lago di Garda) and the southern edge of the Italian Alps. It is part of a region of Italy called Trentino which is actually an autonomous province. This means that it governs itself similarly to Sicily or Sardinia, or Wales in the UK.
Riva del Garda and Torbole at the very end of the lake are well worth visiting. Limone is stunning. But if you stop at just one town, make it Malcesine!
How much time do you need in Lake Garda? You can drive around Lake Garda and get a quick impression in just a day or you can spend a week in the area and you'll find plenty to see and do… Ideally, I suggest at least 2-3 days at Lake Garda.
For a castle and Roman ruins, go to Lake Garda; for opulent villas and gardens, opt for Lake Como. Lake Como's town of Sirmione may be touristy, but it also boasts two popular sights: the imposing Scaligero Castle, which dates back to the 13th century, and the ruins of the Grotte di Catullo, an ancient Roman spa.
As compared to Lake Como, Lake Garda is less refined, but in a mystifying and wild way that makes you feel like automatically relaxed amongst the hues of greens, blues and wooden accents. Even the towns and villages sprinkling the shoreline are far more subtle and more traditionally Italian than Lake Como.
Punta San Vigilio is the strip of land on the eatern shore which separates the narrower northern and central part of Lake Garda from the flatter bay area to the south.
Lake Garda is not exactly Sardinia when it comes to beaches, but nonetheless, some good beaches are scattered along its beautiful shores. The natural beaches of Garda are mostly pebble; the few sandy beaches are the result of the local councils dropping a lot of lovely soft golden sand on top of the pebbles.