At a glance
- Old town
- Pedestrianised, easy with a pushchair
- Beaches with play areas
- Sabbioni, Spiaggia dei Pini
- Cascata del Varone
- Open all year except 25 December
- Varone family ticket
- 2 adults + 2 children €24
- Bastione lift
- Free for children under 120 cm
- Family apartment
- Deluxe, up to 5 guests
With children, short distances matter. In Riva you can walk from the old town to the beach, the playground and the gelateria without loading up the car. For days out, there are nearby destinations you can do in half a day.
Beaches and parks in town
- Sabbioni beach: shingle and lawn, shade, a play area and a floating platform. It is also the town's main accessible beach.
- Spiaggia dei Pini: a small playground with a sandpit and a floating platform with a slide.
- Miralago: a pebble beach near the town centre.
Beaches on Lake Garda are mostly shingle and pebbles: water shoes make swimming much more pleasant for children.
Easy day trips from Riva
| Destination | What | Practical info |
|---|---|---|
| Cascata del Varone (Varone Waterfall) | A waterfall plunging into a rock gorge, with a botanical garden | Open all year except 25/12. Full price €7, family €19–28 |
| Bastione lift | Scenic lift up to the Bastione above the town centre | Single €6, return €9 (€10 from June to September). Free under 120 cm |
| Lake Tenno and Canale | A turquoise lake and a medieval village among the most beautiful in Italy | About 15 km. Bus from Riva. Forest road from the lake to Canale suitable for pushchairs |
| Pile Dwelling Museum, Ledro | A reconstructed prehistoric village on Lake Ledro, with family workshops | 2026 hours: July and August 10–18, September–December 9–17 |
| MAG, Museo Alto Garda | Museum in Riva's Rocca (castle), with the INvento space for children | Closed in winter; free entry on the first Sunday of the month |
Opening hours and prices change with the seasons: always check the official websites before setting off. The Bastione lift has had technical stoppages and winter closures in the past.
Our tips
- In summer: beach in the morning, a trip or a museum in the hottest hours, a stroll along the lakefront in the evening.
- Pushchairs: the old town and the lakefront are flat; for trails a baby carrier is better.
- Buses: with the Trentino Guest Card, included in your stay, Trentino Trasporti buses are free, including for trips to Tenno and Ledro.
Where to stay with kids
The Deluxe Apartment sleeps up to 5, with a double bedroom and sofa bed, and has a cellar to keep a pushchair and bikes. The Urban with Terrace sleeps up to 4 and has a private terrace for lunch outdoors. Both have a fully equipped kitchen and a washing machine.
Frequently asked questions
Is Riva del Garda good for kids?
Yes: the old town is pedestrianised, the beaches are a few minutes' walk away and there are plenty of short trips suitable for little ones, such as the Cascata del Varone, Lake Tenno and the Ledro pile-dwelling museum.
Which are the best beaches for kids in Riva del Garda?
Sabbioni beach, with a lawn, shade and a play area, and the Spiaggia dei Pini, with a small playground. Remember that beaches on Lake Garda are mostly shingle, so water shoes are useful.
How much does the Cascata del Varone cost for a family?
According to the official website, a full-price ticket costs €7, and a family ticket €19 (2 adults + 1 child), €24 (2+2) or €28 (2+3). It is open all year except 25 December.
Which apartment should a family choose?
The Deluxe Apartment sleeps up to 5 (double bedroom and sofa bed) and has a cellar for a pushchair and bikes. The Urban with Terrace sleeps up to 4 and has a private terrace.
