Peschiera del Garda Insider Tips

The monumental fortress complex is the most important sight in Peschiera del Garda. With over 1.2 miles of walls, it is the largest of its kind on Lake Garda.

• Over 1.2 miles of walls, the largest complex of its kind on Lake Garda
• UNESCO World Heritage site since 2017
• Five-pointed Venetian fortification system from the 16th and 17th centuries
• Walk along the top of the walls and look down at the Old Town and canals

The fortress frames the entire Old Town. The Venetians built the five-pointed fortification between the 16th and 17th centuries. Today, it is heavily overgrown in parts, but its massive dimensions are impossible to miss. Since 2017, the complex has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage site "Venetian Works of Defence." There is no ticket for the interior, as the fortress is not used for tourism. However, you can walk along the top of the walls. From there, you have a fantastic view of the Peschiera del Garda Old Town and the surrounding canals. If you only have one morning, I would go up here first. If you want to see the complex from the water, take the canal tour that starts at the Canale di Mezzo.

Half an hour on the water, 10 euros per person – the canal tour shows Peschiera from a different perspective.

• About a 30-minute ride along the city walls
• 10 euros per person
• Starts at number 17 on the Canale di Mezzo
• Tickets at the small stand right in front of the boats

The starting point for the small canal tour is number 17 on the Canale di Mezzo. Right where the smaller boats are moored at the docks. You buy tickets at a small stand directly in front of the boats. On Google Maps, the departure point is called 'Bootsrundfahrt Stadtmauer'. The ride lasts about half an hour and costs 10 euros per person. From the water, you circle the pentagonal fortress complex built by the Venetians starting in the 16th century. The tour is offered from March to October. For me, it's one of the most beautiful experiences at the southern end of the lake; I would put it at the beginning of your city stroll.

The quiet Canale di Mezzo with its turquoise water was our favorite spot in the Old Town.

• Turquoise water and small boats
• Restaurants and cafés right on the banks
• Starting point for the tour along the fortress walls
• Quieter alternative to the main alleys

Our personal favorite in Peschiera was the Canale di Mezzo. Smaller boats are docked along the banks, with restaurants and cafés lined up in between. The water shimmers turquoise, and on some days, you'll see stand-up paddlers. This is where the small tour along the fortress walls starts. In midsummer, the Old Town is very crowded, and the canal is no exception. Nevertheless, it feels more relaxed compared to the alleys around the city gates. When the city gets full, you'll find a quieter spot here.

You won't find any cars at Porta Brescia. The gate, dating from around 1770, is now the main entrance to the Old Town.

• Main entrance gate to the Old Town
• Built around 1770
• Pedestrian access only
• You enter the city via the Ponte di Porta Brescia

If you park in the large parking lot right by the train tracks, you walk along the canal and enter the Old Town via the Ponte di Porta Brescia bridge. The gate itself dates from around 1770. Important to know: You cannot drive through here. Access is exclusively for pedestrians. I always park by the tracks myself when I visit, because parking in Peschiera del Garda is not easy, especially in midsummer.

Porta Verona is the older of the two city gates. Unlike Porta Brescia, it is also open to cars.

• Built in the mid-16th century
• Access point to the Old Town
• Via Venezia runs through the gate
• Station number 9 of the official walking tour

Porta Verona has stood since the mid-16th century, which is significantly longer than Porta Brescia. Today, it is still an entrance to the Peschiera del Garda Old Town. Unlike the pedestrian gate, it is open to cars; Via Venezia leads directly through it. If you head to Peschiera del Garda by train, you'll reach this gate first from the station. On the official tour, this corresponds to station number 9, where you can start the route. There are information boards with QR codes at the stations, and the corresponding app is also available in English.

A real insider tip in Peschiera del Garda is Forte Ardietti. The well-preserved 19th-century fortress is located away from the tourist crowds.

• Well-preserved 19th-century fortress
• Located off the beaten path
• Ideal for kids who love castles
• A few minutes from the A4 highway

Just a few minutes from the Peschiera del Garda highway exit, toward Ponti sul Mincio, stands Forte Ardietti. The 19th-century fortress is well-preserved and located off the beaten path. Impressive defensive structures make the region's history tangible, and the detour is especially worth it with children: little knights and princesses will be thrilled. If you drive further into the hinterland, you'll reach Valeggio sul Mincio after about 15 minutes. The Castello Scaligero looms over the atmospheric Old Town, and this is the only place to get tortellini made according to a 14th-century recipe. Every year in June, Valeggio hosts the Tortellini Festival, where around 4,000 guests sit at two 2,130-foot-long (650-meter) tables.