Complete Guide to Nago-Torbole Italy
You are thinking about visiting Torbole, Italy? Or better Nago-Torbole, Italy, as these two charming villages combined form one community.
This complete guide will give you answers to the questions of where to stay in Torbole, what are good restaurants in Torbole, how public transportation works and much more.
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Table of Contents
Nago-Torbole Hotels and places to stay
Several camp sites and hotels of all levels of luxury await you in Nago-Torbole. If you plan on staying in July or August, make sure to book ahead of time, as that is the busiest time of year.
The properties cater to active tourists and many offer storage and maintenance facilities for equipment like bikes, windsurfing gear etc.
For the best views of Lake Garda, stay on Via Europa, for example at Villa Fiore, a short walk from the center of Torbole but high enough on the hill for a nice view.
For a bit more luxury, live music each week during the summer and proximity to the mountains, stay at the hotel Continental in Nago, the breakfast is great, too!
Things to do in Nago-Torbole Italy
Lake Garda is an outdoor paradise. This lake in the mountains offers more to do than anyone could do on one trip.
Windsurfing
The number one thing to do in Torbole is windsurfing, without a shadow of a doubt. It is THE hotspot on north Lake Garda. and it is easy to understand why: the wind is reliable, temperatures pleasant and surfers undisturbed by motor boats and kite surfers.
The rules on the lake allow for them to enjoy the lake south of the Trentino border, with crosses the northern part of Lake Garda.
Many surf schools offer daily lessons along the shore, you can pick one on an evening stroll and register for the next day. During high season make sure to reserve your slot, because if you show up the same day, there may be no availability.
If you are a pro, you can bring and easily store your own equipment, or rent some at any of the surf schools.
Sailing
With the perfect natural setting for reliable wind, sailing is also a very popular thing to do in Torbole. You can bring your own, charter a boat or take a lesson with an instructor.
Small sailing boats and catamarans are most common. Many regattas each year bring in folks from around the world to compete.
Hiking
Countless hiking trails wind through the Italian Alps. In Nago- Torbole, at the southern rim of the Alps, you will find excellent hiking infrastructure.
Most hotels have leaflets of popular trails, but the usual apps also show most of them (I mostly used AllTrails, some Wikiloc). Signage is good.
No matter your level, you will find a trail that’s right for you. Climb up a mountain or stroll around a small lake nearby, such as Lago di Ledro.
Take your lunch, as many picnic tables invite the hungry hiker at scenic spots. Often you will find maps and interpretive signs explaining natural features shaped by glaciers during the last ice age and more.
Via Ferratas & Climbing
Nago sits about 200m up the hill from Torbole. A short hike up from the roundabout will take you to Falesia Belvedere. To get there follow signs to “Klettergarten”
This popular spot offers 48 climbing routes. As the name suggests, the views of Lake Garda are spectacular.
For those who prefer to be hooked to a safety cable during their climb, you can try one of the via ferratas in the area. Many are just a short drive away, different levels are available. A great way to experience the Dolomites!
Biking
Mountain Biking is another popular sport in the surroundings of Nago-Torbole. You can rent bikes at most hotels and several bike shops in Torbole.
Some offer shuttle services up to the mountains so you can do the downhill part only, if you wish.
Biking infrastructure is constantly improving. A flat trail along the Sarca river is great for families or beginners looking for an easy ride.
Apparently, there are plans to build a biking/walking trail all around the shore of Lake Garda, but that project is not finished yet.
How to get around Torbole
Public transportation exists, but is limited. You can take a bus to Riva del Garda or to the other side along the eastern shore of the lake.
Number 484 has a few stops along the main road. Get your ticket at a tabacco store in advance or buy it online, via the app. The bus driver cannot sell you tickets.
Alternatively, take a boat to Malcesine or Riva. Fares are affordable, you can buy tickets at the pier. It’s a nice way to get on the water if you are not into sailing or wind surfing.
Being as small as it is, Nago-Torbole is completely walkable, though. Just the hike up the hill to Nago is a bit strenuous in the summer heat, taking about 30 minutes if you take it slow.
A bicycle is great way to get around as well. That is, if you are not afraid of biking along roads with heavy traffic at times.
If you plan on exploring some of the nearby towns, trails or via ferratas however, a car is the best way to get around from Torbole.
Where to eat in Nago-Torbole
The most popular restaurant in Torbole is the Central on the central square. Expect to stand in line every day for dinner during the summer.
Across the street is the Winds Bar, a place to see and be seen, but rather noisy right on the main road.
Around the port you will find several restaurants offering similar menus of pastas and pizzas, cosy in the evenings.
During the day a snack and drink along the shore offers views of the action on the lake, with surfers racing on the water.
For vegans, a good option is the Alpi café next to the gas station in Torbole.
In Nago, la Villa is a somewhat upscale restaurant with garden seating and a famous dish of pasta and seafood, baked under a bread crust.
For a sun-downer go to Al Fortino on top of the hill, you’ll want to take a picture every few minutes while the light changes over the valley, lake and Torbole below you.
Whereever you go for dinner, leave room for dessert! Even the locals say there is no bad gelato in Torbole. Who doesn’t want some ice cream on a hot summer day?!
Daytrips from Nago-Torbole
contributed by Helen of Helen on her Holidays
A wonderful way to spend time on your trip to Torbole is to take day trips to some of the many other beautiful towns on Lake Garda.
Limone is a charming village set into the mountainside on the western shore of Lake Garda. The narrow village streets are great for picking up souvenirs, while the old port is one of the most picturesque on the lake.
Across the lake from Limone, the village of Malcesine is well worth a visit. It boasts a gorgeous 13th century castle and a cable car which takes you to the top of Monte Baldo for astonishing views of the area. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also try paragliding from the summit.
If you’re visiting Lake Garda, you shouldn’t miss out on visiting Sirmione. It’s a lovely small town towards the south coast of the lake, set on a peninsula which reaches out into the lake. Halfway up the peninsula, the moat and drawbridge of the Castello di Sirmione protects the village’s gorgeous old streets, thermal baths and Roman ruins.
Souvenirs
If you take full advantage of the outdoors you will take home a nice tan and maybe a few little scratches or bruises. Who needs more than that to remember all the fun you had on your trip? 🙂
Jokes aside. Typical local souvenirs would be olive oil, limoncello, Bardolino or other local wine. If you visit Limone during your stay, you will find souvenir stores packed with candies, cosmetics and pottery with yellow lemons on them. The local coffee roastery in Arco is Omcafe, their coffee is available in cafés and souvenir shops as well.
Surf brands offer merchandise with the location printed on t-shirts, caps and such.
Colorful pasta and spice mixes are a go to for all Italy probably.
What to pack for Torbole
Torbole is packed with surf shops. And as most visitors are surfers, the dress code is sporty casual. It’s easy to overdress. This is not the destination for wedges and big sun hats.
As most people come for outdoor recreation it’s mostly active wear if it’s not a wetsuit. For dinner, smart casual is more than enough.
Pack sunscreen, flip flops, a few light layers, shorts, sterdy shoes, comfortable clothes and a rain jacket, as the mountain weather can be changeable.
Instagrammable spots
There are a couple of view points you should see, I highlighted them on the Nago-Torbole Italy map below. The castagneto is a chestnut grove that makes for a pretty hike, especially in autumn.
Marmitte dei Giganti is a cave shaped by melting ice of the glacier. The others offer views of Lake Garda.
Best of Nago-Torbole
If you have anything to add to the list above, please feel free to comment below! Any recommendations, must-see’s and must-do’s are welcome.
This destination is awesome!
I spent about 5 days in the area, mostly walking, cycling and enjoying the mountain areas by car, as i am not the sporty one… 🙂
Everywhere you turn, there is another possibility for a picture to be taken!
I also took the time to visit the coffee museum Omkafè in Arco. Well worth a visit if the weather is rainy …
All in all I had a magnificent time!
very good point! The coffee roastery and museum in Arco! That’s not too far away from Torbole, about 30min by bike