Around Lake Garda – Limone

Limone is a very popular tourist resort on the mountainous, northwest shore of Lake Garda. Huddled picturesquely between the turquoise lake and an impressive rock wall, it surely enjoys the most dramatic setting on the lake. Unfortunately, its name owes nothing to the lemon groves that were once of vital economic importance. Instead, scholars suggest that its name derives from "limen," meaning boundary, or "lima," which means river.

Getting there

If you are staying at the northern resorts of Malcesine, Riva, or Torbole, then the ferry is the ideal choice. However, if you are holidaying at Desenzano or Sirmione, the journey is long.

• The rapid ferry, which costs much more, is the only sensible choice if you wish to travel by boat.
• Even the rapid ferry from Desenzano can take up to 3 hours.

If you aim to visit two or more resorts, which will need careful planning, consider purchasing a day ticket for the whole of Lake Garda. Limone can also be reached by buses that run along the western side of the lake: Desenzano (1 hour 30 mins) Salò (1 hour) Gardone (55 mins) Gargnano (35 mins) Riva (13 mins)

Buses are not very frequent, so it is wise to check with the tourist office regarding which services are running on the day you intend to travel. Connections improve from mid-June when the schools close for the summer.

Pro tip: Sunny Sundays and public holidays can lead to heavy traffic, so plan accordingly.

The town

The old harbour is the focal point of the small, old town. Here, you will find narrow, sometimes steep, atmospheric cobbled lanes filled with a variety of tourist shops, cafés, and restaurants.

Very close to the harbour, heading north, is the small Chiesa di San Rocco. Its slightly elevated position ensures that it appears at one with the rock face. Inside, you can admire some interesting frescoes, and its terrace offers a pleasing view of both the harbour and the jigsaw of terracotta roofs of the old town.