top of page
Manerba & Moniga & Desenzano & Lonato

Manerba del Garda is a municipality with several small villages between olive groves and vineyards. The municipality of Manerba with beautiful views of Lake Garda and many beautiful beaches and campsites is a popular family holiday destination. ​

 

Moniga del Garda is located directly on the lake, with a picturesque little harbour, and is a popular family holiday destination with its beautiful, inviting pebble beaches and campsites. Interesting wine production in the area.

 

Desenzano del Garda is the largest town on the lake, and has beautifully restored merchant houses around the harbor and many interesting shops and shopping centres. With its large discos, bars and restaurants, it offers a colorful nightlife on the lake. The beach promenade of Desenzano Lungolago Cesare Battistil invites you to take a walk.

 

Lonato is an impressive Lombard town, characterized by mighty crenellated walls and numerous town and church towers, with a fortress hill on which stands a mighty castle ruin.

1. Sights

On bike tours or on the hiking routes around the holiday resort of Manerba, you can perfectly relax in an unforgettable landscape that combines Alpine and Mediterranean surroundings. The area around Manerba, with its many olive trees and vineyards, is always worth a hike, and you can stop off at one of the small restaurants along the way and taste the farm products.

 

At Manerba you can walk about 11 km along the beach promenade Lungolago Maurizio Olivare. Here is the large and long beach Spiaggia La Romantica, a popular beach with bars, restaurants, deck chair rentals and water sports. The vegetation also offers shady spots by the water. Ideal for families.

 

An easy mountain hike leads from Manerba up to the Rocca di Manerba, with magnificent views of the lake. Approximately 150 vertical meters for ascent and descent. Walking time around 30 minutes, round trip around 2 hours. ​

Link: https://www.comune.padenghesulgarda.bs.it - ​​Tourist information about the area near Padenghe/Moniga, but only in Italian.

In Desenzano, the magnificent parish church and cathedral of Santa Maria Maddalena (15th century) is worth a visit. It is west of the market square. Renaissance building with a beautiful facade and inside oil paintings worth seeing. A chapel houses the church's masterpiece, L'Ultima Cena (The Last Supper) by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo (18C).

 

Desenzano: Right behind the church is the Villa Romana, consisting of extremely interesting ruins of a splendid Roman villa (3rd century), with floor mosaics that are beautiful in terms of color and design.

 

An interesting antique market takes place regularly in Desenzano. It's worth a visit. In addition, you can feel a touch of the living past in Desenzano every Tuesday, when the large weekly market fills the square, the harbor and the side streets with a myriad of stalls.

2. Rocca di Manerba

Near Manerba there is the large rock Rocca di Manerba, a beautiful vantage point with a wonderful view of Lake Garda, the Punta Belvedere peninsula and the islands of San Biagio and Isola del Garda. The rocks here fall vertically into the lake. In Roman times, the goddess Minerva had her temple here Beautiful nature walks lead through the park above the steep cliffs. The view of the islands of San Biagio and Isola del Garda against the majestic mountain backdrop of the northern lake is breathtaking. The archaeological finds of the Rocca di Manerba have been brought together in a small museum. ​ Link: https://www.riservaroccamanerba.com

3. Bathing & Sports & Golf

The municipality of Manerba has beautiful shore zones with beautiful long beaches and is therefore a popular family holiday destination (child-friendly campsites). Beautiful bathing spots on the shore of the cypress island of San Biagio. Furthermore, Spiaggia Porto Torchio beach (child-friendly). There are more bathing spots on the shore of the cypress island of San Biagio.

 

South of Moniga is the town of Padenghe with its long beach and the Lido della Rocchetta (child-friendly)

 

Golf near Moniga and Padenghe: Arzaga Golf Club in Caltavagese della Riviera (18+9 holes). Address: Palazo Arzaga loc. Carzago, Calvagese della Riviera. Telephone +39 030 68 06 266 .

Link: https://www.arzagagolf.it

 

Golf near Moniga and Manerba: Garda Golf Country Club - Via Angelo Omodeo 2 - Soiano del Lago (BS).

Link: https://www.gardagolf.it

 

Near Desenzano (Rivoltella district) is the Spiaggia d'Oro beach (child-friendly). Also worth mentioning is the sandy beach at the newly opened Malemi Club and Beach. ​ Waterland (Formerly called Ninfee Park). (Water and Wellness Park near Desenzano) Link: https://www.leninfeedelgarda.it

 

​​Water Park near Desenzano, in Via del Pilandro 7. Information in Italian. ​ Park Parco Le Quiete near Lonato

Link: https://www.parcolaquiete.it - ​​Aquapark/Wellnesspark near Desenzano/Lonato. Information only in Italian.

4. Excursions

Between Manerba and San Felice del Benaco, in the midst of vineyards, lies the pilgrimage church of the Madonna del Carmine or Santuario del Carmine from the 15th century with important fresco decoration.

 

Very close to Manerba and the Rocca di Manerba is the romantic little town with a port, Porto Dusano, on a steep south-facing coast.

 

The Castle of Moniga del Garda (Castello di Moniga) is a medieval castle on the western edge of the small town of Moniga del Garda. The castle sits enthroned on a small hill, whose flanks, covered with olive trees, slope slightly, high above Lake Garda. In the castle of Moniga one can find dwelling houses within the fortress walls.

 

Excursion to Soiano al Lago, the highest village of Valtenesi. Set around a small fort and parish church, with beautiful paintings and an impressive organ and beautiful views of Lake Garda. Also worth visiting is the Chiesetta di San Carlo in the Chizzoline district, a 16th-century church with beautiful paintings.

 

Excursion to Polpenazze del Garda, an idyllic place in the Valtenesi hills - Huge baroque parish church with a picturesque view of Lake Garda.

 

In the surroundings of Manerba and Moniga there are numerous wineries (wine, olive oil and truffle area).

Excursion to Lonato. An impressive Lombard town, characterized by mighty crenellated walls and numerous city and church towers, with a fortress hill on which stands a mighty castle ruin. From the battlements of the La Rocca fortress you have a wonderful view of Lake Garda. Worth seeing is the market square with the Torre Maestra from the 15th century and the second market square, the Piazza Centrale, with the Palazzo Municipale and its open columned hall. In the northern part of the town is the church of Santa Maria del Corlo or Santa Maria dei Disciplini with a beautiful interior. ​

 

Above the old town of Lonato rises the mighty fortress La Rocca, founded in the 14th century by the Republic of Venice, which was first conquered by Napoleon Bonaparte and then fell to Austria. The castle was then orphaned until the early 20th century, when Ugo da Como, a senator from nearby Brescia, took possession of the bastion in 1906 and thoroughly renovated the complex. He then moved into the fortress and at the same time set up a culturally significant site here. Today the Casa del Podestà can be visited, where Ugo da Como lived at the time and which is now particularly interesting for lovers of antiques, paintings and other valuables. Just a few steps away is the library, also installed by Ugo da Como, which is home to one of the most important collections in Italy. ​

Link: https://www.fondazioneeugodacomo.it

Excursion to Montichiari Castello Bonoris, Piazza Santa Maria 36, ​​Montichiari - open from April to October. Bonoris Castle was built at the end of the 18th century on the ruins of an existing medieval fortress. The castle is surrounded by a large park and is located on the hill of San Pancrazio with a picturesque view of the historic core of the city. The towers and crenellated walls were built with great attention to defensive detail. The beautiful interior is equipped with noble materials, decorations, frescoes and furniture.

 

Museo Lechi, Via Martiri della Liberta 33, Montichiari - normally open from Wednesday to Sunday. The museum traces the donation to the city of Montichiari by Counts Piero and Luigi Lechi, descendants of the famous Napoleonic generals. About 350 works of art, including paintings, drawings, prints and porcelain, inherited from their family, are on display. There are also regular interesting special exhibitions in the Lechi Museum.

Excursion to Solferino and San Martino della Battaglia. Solferino and San Martino - Address Via Torre 2, San Martino della Battaglia, Desenzano del Garda On June 24, 1859, the French under Napoleon III fought here against the Austrian army of Emperor Franz Joseph I. This extraordinarily bloody event was the reason for Geneva's Henry Dunant to found the Red Cross. A memorial commemorates this. Weapons, uniforms and other memorabilia are kept in the rooms of the museum. From the terrace on the tower, reached by a 400-metre ramp, you can see the southern shore of Lake Garda and the farms that played a role in the battle. In the background you can see the outlines of the Pre-Alps and Monte Baldo.​

 

Castellaro Lagusello is located near San Martino della Battaglia. Here is the Regional Nature Reserve in the moraines of Castellaro Lagusello, a real spectacle for all nature lovers. The area covers 271 hectares in the municipalities of Monzambano and Cavriana and is of great ecological importance. The nature reserve is characterized by a great biodiversity thanks to numerous wetlands and bodies of water, such as the heart-shaped Lake of Castellaro. The reserve is part of the Mincio Park, which was declared a Tourist Destination of Excellence by the European Union in 2011 for being the largest marsh and wetland area in Europe, with an extension of 15 km. Up to 99 species of birds find shelter and food in a branched labyrinth of canals and streams, between which swamps and puddles of water form. These include sedentary, migratory and wintering birds, 12 of which are species of Community interest. One of the most fascinating birds of the Regional Nature Reserve of the Castellaro Lagusello Moraines is the magnificent bee-eater (Merops apiaster) with colorful plumage and a long, downward-curving beak. Since the mid-1990s, it has settled in the reserve every year from April/May to the end of August, one of the few areas in Italy where it also breeds.

5. Restaurants Manerba & Moniga

Il Rivale l'Osteria di Palazzo

High standard, perfect, recommended.

Address Via Guglielmo Marconi 93, Padenghe sul Garda (in der Nähe von Moniga)

Phone +39 030 207 77 84

 

Ristorante Aquariva

Very nice restaurant with very attentive service. Good kitchen.

Address Via Guglielmo Marconi 57, Padenghe sul Garda (in der Nähe von Moniga)

Phone +39 030 990

L'Osteria H20

Very nice terrace facing Lake Garda. Friendly welcome, pleasant atmosphere. Delicious meal.

Address Via Pergola 10, Moniga del Garda

Phone +39 0365 50 32 25

Rest day Monday

 

Villa Aurora

Friendly reception, optimal service and good food.

Address Via Ciuccani 1/7, Soiano del Lago (bei Moniga del Garda)

Phone +39 0365 67 41 01

Rest day Wednesday

 

La Corte Antica

Good food, excellent presentation with beautiful optics, great taste experiences and friendly staff. Cozy courtyard.

Address Via Marchesini 18/f, località Montinelle, Manerba del Garda

Phone +39 0365 55 29 96

 

Ristorante Capriccio

Top restaurant, good service and excellent quality of the food.

Address Piazza San Bernardo 6, Manerba del Garda

Phone +39 0365 55 11 24

Rest day Tuesday

 

Osteria Dalie e Fagioli

The restaurant is very comfortably furnished inside, the staff very attentive and friendly. The food is very good with very good value for money

Address Via Campagnola 45, Manerba del Garda

Phone +39 0365 190 33 11

Rest day Thursday

 

Casa Leali

Nice ambiance. The young chef and his team conjure up fantastic dishes on the table.

Address Via Valle 1, Puegnago sul Garda (bei Manerba)

Phone +39 366 529 60 42

Rest day Monday and Tuesday

Taverna Picedo

Good restaurants on the hills above Manerba / Moniga.

Address Via Sotto Raso 7, Polpenazze del Garda

Phone +39 0365 67 41 03

Rest day Monday

 

Da Oscar

Fine, spacious restaurant on the slopes above Lake Garda - excellent cuisine, in summer also on the large terrace

Address Via Barcuzzi 16, Barcuzzi (bei Lonato del Garda)

Phone +39 030 913 04 09

Rest day Monday

7. Events

Events in Manerba & Moniga:

 

  • Valtenesi Air show, with the Italian aerobatic team, near Manerba, in September

  • Wine barrel - rolling race Palio delle Botti della Valtenese, in Polpenazze, near Manerba, takes place annually

  • Fiera del Vino wine festival, with tasting of local products, in Polpenazze, near Manerba, in June

  • Bio festival. In Polpenazze, near Manerba, in August

  • Weekly market in Manerba, every week, every Friday

  • Weekly market in Polpenazze, near Manerba, every week, every Saturday

  • Wine Festival Italia in Pink. Tasting of Chiaretto and Rose wines, in Moniga del Garda, in June

  • Weekly market in Moniga del Garda every week, every Monday

  • Weekly market in Padenghe, near Moniga del Garda, every week, every Saturday

Events in Desenzano & Lonato:

 

  • Markets and live music Notti Bianche. The event takes place in Desenzano every Wednesday, from June to September

  • Battle of San Martino. Re-enactment of the historical battle, near Desenzano, in June

  • Summer festival Festa del lago e dell'ospite, with hospitality and fun, in Desenzano, in August

  • Wine Festival and Fair, in San Martino della Battaglia, near Desenzano, in August

  • Street Artists Festival, in Lonato, near Desenzano, in August

  • Weekly market in Desenzano, every week, every Tuesday

  • Weekly market in Lonato, near Desenzano, every week, every Thursday

View from Rocca di Manerba

Manerba - Camping San Biagio & Isola San Biagio

Isola del Garda & Rocca di Manerba

Bar/Restaurant bei der Burg von Moniga

Burg Castello di Moniga

View from Rocca di Manerba over the whole Lake Garda

Camping San Biagio bei Isola San Biagio

Festungsturm in Moniga

Burg von Moniga - Wohnhäuser innerhalb der Festungsmauern

Ancient ruins at Rocca di Manerba

Rocca di Manerba - Antike Ruinen

6. Wine-growing region Manerba & Moniga

Valtènesi is the name of the rural area that stretches between Desenzano and Salò in the southwest of Lake Garda and, with its moraine hills, is a good wine-growing area. If you want to do a wine tasting, it is best to reserve it a few days in advance, there is usually a fee for the tour.

 

Valtenesi Wine Route

Driving from Desenzano along the lake in the direction of Salo we arrive in Padenghe sul Garda with the Italo Zuliani winery.Continue to Moniga del Garda with the Costaripa winery and Monte Cicogna, both with good Riviera del Garda.Continue to Manerba and Solarolo, the heart of the Valtenesi wine area.Here is the Fabio Bottarelli winery with vineyards in Polpenazze.The Cascina La Pertica winery is located in nearby Picedo.Northwards we get to Puegnago sul Garda with Comincioli winery with DOC Riviera del Garda.Another wine producer in this area: Pasini, always with Riviera del Garda.

Below are some addresses of wine producers:

 

Azienda Agricola Zuliani - Cantina Zuliani

The Zuliani family is among the most ancient and glorious families of the Valtenesi.They mainly produce Groppello and Lugana

Address Via Tito Speri 28, Padenghe sul Garda

Phone +39 030 990 70 26

 

Costaripa di Vezzola Mattia

Costaripa is open to visits. All visits finish off with a tasting. Reservation required.

Link: httsps://costaripa.it - Information on wine tastings.

Address Via della Costa 1/A, Moniga del Garda

Phone +39 0365 502 010

 

Azienda Agricola Bottarelli di Franco e Valerio

Address Via Monte Suello 14, Frazione Picedo, Polpenazze del Garda

Phone +39 0365 67 50 01

 

Cascina La Pertica - Azienda Agricola

Address Via Picedo 24, Polpenazze de Garda

Phone +39 0365 65 14 71

 

Comincioli

A family of winemakers and olive growers for 14 generations

Address Via Roma 10, Puegnago sul Garda

Phone +39 0365 65 11 41


Cantine e Frantoio Cav. Avanzi

Here you can also find a good Franciacorta sparkling wine called: La Romantica

Address Via Trevisago 19, Manerba del Garda

Phone +39 0365 55 10 13

Azienda Agricola Delai Sergio

Address Via A. Moro 10, Puegnago del Garda (bei Manerba)

Phone +39 0365 55 55 27

 

Azienda Agricola Monte Cicogna

Address Via delle Vigne 6, Moniga del Garda

Phone +39 0365 50 32 00

 

Pasini San Giovanni

Here you can learn more about the world of wine, visit the winery and taste the wines.

Address Via Vidella 2, Raffa di Puegnago (bei Manerba)

Phone +39 0365 65 14 19

Azienda Agricola Cantrina

Tasting and visit to the winery by appointment.Price from 20 euros

Address Via Colombera 7, Bedizzole (bei Manerba / Moniga)

Phone +39 030 687 10 52

bottom of page