A boat trip on Lake Garda with kids: Torbole, Malcesine, Limone and Riva in one day

The nicest way to see the northern part of Lake Garda is by boat. In summer 2025, during our campervan holiday, we sailed in one day from Torbole to Malcesine, then to Limone and finally to Riva del Garda. Krzys was with us, so that day the whole family was together on one deck.

By bike to Torbole

On the morning of 3 August we cycled from our campsite in Arco to Torbole, on the northern shore of the lake. We left the bikes by the landing. Before the boat arrived, the kids still had time to walk around on the stones on the shore.

Past Limone to Malcesine

From the boat we first saw Limone. The town clings to a steep slope below high cliffs, and above the roofs you can see the terraces of old lemon gardens. That day a lot of people were on the boat with us, so we had to look for a place on deck.

We got off in Malcesine just before one. We walked through the narrow streets and reached a viewpoint among cypress trees, with a view of the whole lake. On the waterfront the kids looked through the telescopes at the other shore.

The Scaliger Castle towers over Malcesine. In 1786 Johann Wolfgang Goethe was drawing the castle ruins here, and the guards took him for an Austrian spy. Today one of the castle rooms is named after him.

Limone sul Garda

From Malcesine we took the boat to Limone. The town was crowded, but we still walked along the stone streets under flowering bougainvillea. In the little shops there are piles of lemons and lemon products everywhere. Growing lemons here is a real achievement, because Limone is in the north of Italy. In the past the trees grew on terraces surrounded by walls and stone pillars, which were covered with boards and glass in winter. These gardens are called limonaie. One of them, Limonaia del Castèl from the early 18th century, is open to visitors today.

To Riva and back for the bikes

The last boat took us to Riva del Garda. In the afternoon the sky clouded over. From Riva we went back to Torbole for the bikes and rode to the campsite. In the evening some of us still had the energy for the via ferrata above the campsite.

Practical info

We checked this in November 2026.

Boat tickets

• The boats and ferries on the lake are run by the state company Navigazione Laghi. The current price list has been valid since 1 April 2026.
• In 2026 the trip from Malcesine to Limone costs 7.50 €, and from Limone to Riva 6 €.
• A day ticket for the whole lake costs 39.50 € for an adult and 20 € for a child aged 4-11. The Happy Family ticket costs 79 € and includes two children aged 4-11.
• In 2025 we paid 77 € at the ticket office in Torbole for all the boat trips that day, for the whole family.
• With the Garda Guest Card a day ticket for the northern part of the lake costs 12 € including a bike.

Sightseeing

• In 2025 a ticket to the castle in Malcesine cost 7 €, and a reduced one 3 €. Children under 5 went in for free.
• In 2026 entry to Limonaia del Castèl in Limone costs 2 €, and children under 10 go in for free.

With kids

In August the boats and waterfronts are very crowded, especially in Limone. It is best to board as soon as the gangway opens, and to keep the kids close in the towns. The timetable is posted at every landing, so it is easy to plan how much time you will have for sightseeing.