Lake Garda tour: Malcesine, Riva del Garda & Limone

Three lakeside towns in one day without switching vehicles

A nine-hour guided tour of Lake Garda visits Malcesine, Riva del Garda and Limone by private transport with an English-speaking guide, hotel pickup, bottled water and an air-conditioned vehicle. The route covers Malcesine's Scaliger Castle and panoramic views, Riva del Garda's waterfront promenade and historic center, and Limone's lemon groves and Mediterranean waterfront, with free time to explore each town at your own pace.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Lake Garda towns

• Visit Malcesine town
• Explore Malcesine Scaliger Castle
• Travel to Riva del Garda
• Stroll Riva del Garda promenade
• Visit Apponale Tower or relax
• Travel to Limone
• Discover Limone lemon groves
• Enjoy Limone waterfront and leisure

The experience

How do you see three distinct Lake Garda towns without renting a car or juggling public schedules? This tour strings them together in a single nine-hour arc, starting from your hotel and moving through each stop by private vehicle so you're never waiting for a bus or figuring out the next connection. The guide speaks English and travels with you the whole way, pointing out what matters as you move between towns rather than lecturing at a fixed pace.

Malcesine comes first, a town built into the lake's eastern shore where the main draw is Scaliger Castle: a medieval fortress that sits on a rocky outcrop with views straight across the water to the mountains. You'll have time to climb up to it or simply wander the narrow streets below, which is where most of the cafés and the local rhythm actually are. From there the route swings north to Riva del Garda, a larger town at the lake's northern tip with a proper promenade running along the water and the Apponale Tower anchoring the historic center. It's the kind of place where you can sit by the shore or duck into the old town without any schedule pressure. The final stop is Limone, famous for its lemon groves that climb the hillside behind the waterfront. The town itself is small and colorful, built in tiers above the lake, and you'll have leisure time to absorb it without rushing.

The vehicle is air-conditioned and carries bottled water. WiFi runs on board so you can stay connected between stops. Parking fees are covered, and the whole route (all the driving time plus the stops) fits inside the nine hours, so you're back at your hotel by early evening. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are on you, but there are restaurants in each town if you want to eat along the way.

What’s included

• Private transportation between the three towns.
• live English-speaking guide for the full day.
• hotel pickup and return.
• bottled water on board.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• WiFi access.
• parking fees.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to SaturdayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (6 and older) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Gentili Transfer

Is this one for you?This tour works best for travelers who want to see multiple Lake Garda towns in one day without driving themselves or figuring out train and bus connections. The private vehicle means you travel as a group without stopping to pick up other passengers, and the English guide handles the navigation and context so you can focus on the towns themselves.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (under 6): free.

What is there actually to do in Malcesine beyond the castle?

Malcesine's appeal is split between the Scaliger Castle on the rocky point and the town itself below it: narrow streets, local shops, waterfront cafés and the sense of a working lakeside village rather than a museum piece. You choose whether to climb to the castle or stay in the streets. The guide will point out what's worth your time, but the pacing is yours.

How much free time do I get in each of the three towns?

The itinerary doesn't lock you to a fixed minute count per stop. Instead, the guide manages the day so all three towns fit inside nine hours including drive time. That means you'll have meaningful time in each one (enough to explore, eat, sit by the water), but not so much that the day feels stretched. The exact breakdown depends on what interests you and the group's pace.

Is lunch included, or do I need to bring food?

Lunch is not included, so you'll eat in one of the towns along the route. Each stop has restaurants and cafés, and the guide can point you toward options that fit your budget and taste. Bottled water is provided on the vehicle.

Does the tour go inside Scaliger Castle, or just to the outside?

The tour takes you to Malcesine and the castle is the landmark you'll see, but entry to the castle itself is not part of the package. You can pay separately if you want to go inside, or simply enjoy the views and the town from outside.

What's the pickup situation, and what time does the day start?

Hotel pickup is included. The guide will confirm your hotel location and pickup time when you book. The nine-hour tour runs from pickup through return, so you'll be back at your hotel by late afternoon or early evening depending on your start time.