Arco

Arco is a town on the north side of Lake Garda, looking at the lake with the mountains at its back door. Its mild climate, clean air and healthful ambiance have attracted visitors for centuries, and its panoramic position at the lake helps lure them, too. The Archduke Albert of Hapsburg chose Arco as his winter residence, building the Villa Arciducale here and surrounding it in a luxuriant garden. The Arboreto is one of Italy's grand parks with exotic and Mediterranean zone plants artfully arranged into a beautiful garden. The Hapsburgs adorned the town with elegant villas and palaces and other gardens.

The Castle of Arco is one of the alpine area's most beautiful, built on the rocky peak above the Sarca River valley with breathtaking views.

Arco is an outdoors enthusiast's dream destination, the center of free climbing and the host of the Rock Master competition which attracts climbers from all over the world. Mountain biking, hiking and other mountain pursuits are popular, and water sports are naturally a draw, as well, with wind surfing, boating, and swimming. There is a bike path from the old town of Arco down to the lake front.

The beach, Lido di Arco, is a lovely swath of freshwater between Riva del Garda and Torbole.