Aria Life Hotel
Limone sul Garda - Via Einaudi 4
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Nestled along the north-western shores of Lake Garda, Limone sul Garda is a picturesque and colourful town that was once renowned for its citrus cultivation. Since ancient times, the mild and temperate climate has made Limone the ideal location for growing olives and lemon trees, which have become the town’s symbol. Many believe the name Limone sul Garda comes from lemon cultivation, but the name actually derives from “limen”, meaning border, as the town marked the boundary between Brescia and Trento.
Citrus production began during the rule of the Duchy of Milan and continued under the Venetian Republic, when terraces and greenhouses were built for cultivating lemons, oranges and citrons. From that point on, Limone’s fruit products were exported throughout Europe until the First World War. Whilst lemon production no longer supports exports, the town has committed to preserving and protecting several of its historic lemon groves as part of its cultural and historical heritage.
Like other towns on the Lake Garda shoreline, Limone has transformed from a small agricultural and fishing village into a renowned tourist destination. The opening of the Gardesana Occidentale road has made Limone far more accessible, attracting visitors year-round – both Italian and international – drawn by its stunning vistas and tranquil, charming atmosphere.
The picturesque landscape of Limone captivated the renowned philosopher J. Wolfgang Goethe, who passed by the town whilst sailing from Torbole to Malcesine and described its beauty in his work “Italian Journey”.
The heart of Limone sul Garda is characterised by narrow streets lined with colourful houses, ancient churches and charming little shops. Wandering through the village streets, you’ll find small boutiques selling typical citrus-based products and extra virgin olive oil, as well as delightful terraces offering stunning lake views.
The small Church of San Rocco sits perched between the lake and the mountains in the centre of Limone sul Garda. This splendid building was originally constructed in the 16th century by locals as a thanksgiving for being spared from the plague epidemic that was ravaging northern Italy.
The church has undergone various extensions but has maintained a simple and unadorned exterior. Inside, visitors are invariably struck by the beautiful apse fresco depicting the Virgin Mary between Saints Rocco and Sebastian. It’s well worth visiting the small church for the spectacular views across Lake Garda and the surrounding landscape.
The Church of San Pietro is also known as San Pietro in oliveto due to its setting amongst olive groves. Built in the 9th century, it is Limone’s oldest church. The religious building is Romanesque in style with a simple exterior façade.
In the small external portico, you can still read inscriptions describing significant local events such as the 1630 plague, Napoleon’s defeat and years of poor harvests due to bad weather. Inside there is a single nave housing frescoes of considerable artistic merit.
The Limonaia del Castèl is one of the town’s lemon groves that the local authority has chosen to restore and promote as part of the local heritage. The first lemon groves in the area were built around the 17th century to protect crops from the harsh winters that could occur between November and March.
As a result, this stretch of Lake Benaco shoreline was characterised by numerous terraces that have enchanted and inspired writers and artists for centuries. For centuries, Limone was the world’s most northerly citrus-growing region, with products exported abroad, particularly to Germany, Poland and Russia.
In the 1990s the municipality purchased the “Limonaia del Castèl”, renovating it, replanting various citrus varieties, restoring the terraces and the irrigation system, and converting the tool storage into an educational trail. The lemon grove is tucked against the rocks of Mughéra and covers an area of 1,633 square metres.
In the 1930s, with the construction of the Gardesana road, Limone ended its isolation and became a renowned tourist hub. You can retrace the town’s history at the Museum of Tourism to discover how Limone transformed from a small farming village into one of Lake Garda’s most enchanting destinations.
The museum features a section dedicated to missionary Daniele Comboni and the discovery of Apolipoprotein A1-Milano, a genetic mutation found in the blood of some Limone residents that appears to prevent heart attacks and cardiovascular diseases.
From Limone sul Garda, a spectacular cycle and walking path stretches to the Trentino border. This route, which can be enjoyed on foot or by bicycle, features a section suspended high above Lake Garda offering breathtaking views. The path starts from the historic centre of Limone and extends for about 2.5 km to Riva del Garda. This trail is part of a larger circuit under construction that will eventually encircle the entire lake and is expected to be completed in a few years.
Whilst Limone sul Garda is not a large town, it offers a good choice of accommodation options: from luxury hotels to apartments, small B&Bs to campsites. The historic centre and lakefront areas in particular feature various options with stunning lake and countryside views.
Limone sul Garda is easily accessible by car or ferry from the main towns on the lake. The ferry is certainly one of the best options for reaching the town. For example, you can depart from Desenzano port, one of the few Garda towns with a convenient railway station, or from the Venetian towns of Malcesine or Torri del Benaco.
Those travelling by car can take the SS45bis Gardesana state road, which connects Limone south to Brescia and north to Trento. If coming from western Italy (Bergamo, Milan…), take the A4 motorway to the Brescia exit, then continue on the SS45.
The nearest airports are Verona’s Valerio Catullo airport, 90 km away, and Bergamo Orio al Serio airport, approximately 117 km distant.
What's the weather at Limone sul Garda? Below are the temperatures and the weather forecast at Limone sul Garda for the next few days.
Limone sul Garda is the northernmost municipality on the Lombardy shore of Lake Garda and sits on the border with the Veneto and Trentino-Alto Adige regions. The town is 53 km from Desenzano del Garda, 65 km from Brescia and 90 km from Verona.
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