Castelnuovo del Garda

The town of Castelnuovo del Garda is located on the eastern shore of Lake Garda, between the towns of Lazise to the north and Peschiera del Garda to the south.

This area covers the morainic hills, a land that is highly suitable for wine production. In the innermost areas can be found the hamlets of Cavalcaselle, Oliosi, Ronchi, Sandrà and Camalavicina. The Campanello, Gasparina and Ronchi lidos overlook Lake Garda and are summer destinations for a large number of tourists.

The name Castelnuovo derives from the Latin term "Castrum Novum", which indicates the reconstruction of an ancient castle during the Middle Ages.

The symbol of the town of Castelnuovo del Garda is in fact the Torre Viscontea, a well-preserved building still visible today. It was built towards the end of the 14th century by the Visconti, the lords of Milan, following their victory over the Della Scala family, the lords of Verona.

In ancient times, this structure was the keep, the main tower of the castle, and was located within a double circle of walls, as can be seen on an older map of the Verona territory dating back to 1400. A belfry was subsequently built on the top between the end of the 18th and beginning of the 19th century, which houses as many as 14 bells.

A typical product of Castelnuovo del Garda is the "Moro dal Castel", a red wine made from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes and celebrated during the annual Festa dell'Uva (Grape Festival) in September, paired with typical Veronese dishes.

The main economic resource of this place, however, is tourism, and it is important to remember that right here in Castelnuovo del Garda stands Gardaland, the largest amusement park in Italy and one of the most famous in the world. This park was opened in 1975 and expanded in the following years with the Resort and the Sea Life Aquarium.

What to see in Castelnuovo del Garda

The historical centre of Castelnuovo del Garda, although small in size, contains interesting architectural evidence that is certainly worth a visit.

In addition to the already mentioned Torre Viscontea, an essential destination for those who come to this town, we also recommend the parish church dedicated to Santa Maria Nascente and some noble villas of 15th-century origin such as Villa Ridolfi Cossali Sella and Villa da Monte Arvedi d'Emilei.

In the nearby hamlet of Cavalcaselle, there is the hill of San Lorenzo, a true landmark for the entire community. History tells us that it was from this hill that King Charles Albert observed the taking of Peschiera del Garda during the wars of independence.

Shepherds and flocks used to camp here during the transhumance, waiting to cross the nearby Mincio river. The ancient fair of Cavalcaselle, which takes place here every year in November, still proves this tradition. On the hill are the churches of San Lorenzo and Santa Maria degli Angeli.

What to do in Castelnuovo del Garda

The main attraction of Castelnuovo del Garda is without doubt the Gardaland amusement park, a place that attracts millions of visitors from all over the world every year. It is therefore impossible not to visit this place at least one day during your holiday period.

The strategic position of Castelnuovo del Garda makes it an ideal starting point for a whole series of excursions or food and wine tours in the lower lake area, but also in the nearby city of Verona.

The presence of wine cellars, restaurants, and nearby shopping centres offer tourists the opportunity to spend their free time every day in a different way. Hotels, campsites and all types of accommodation in the Castelnuovo del Garda area can offer a wide range of services and comforts suitable for families with children, organised groups and couples.

Image gallery

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Map of tourist sites

Click on the button below to open the detailed map of Castelnuovo del Garda, where we have marked the main tourist sights of this place, sorted by typology.

Lake Garda Experiences

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