On the Veronese shore of Lake Garda, about 38 kilometers from Verona, there is a small jewel of a village. We are talking about Torri del Benaco, an elegant city officially made up of 3,049 people that connects the Veronese shore of the lake with the Brescian one thanks to the ferry that makes the journey daily.
There are several tourist attractions in this area: from the natural landscape around it for sports lovers, to its historic center, beaches, and wellness spots for those who prefer relaxation.
But not only that. There are other places that have made the history of this part of the lake. Let’s go and discover what you must see in Torri del Benaco. Personally, I have visited it on three occasions, and the most recent one left its mark on me as it had been too long since I had been there.
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The Scaliger Castle and the Clock Tower
Certainly, the first stop of your trip to Torri must coincide with a visit to the Scaliger Castle. The fortress, built during the Roman era in 15 A.C., was renovated in 1983 following the works of the Municipality after being left in a state of abandonment for some time. Currently, the Castle also includes the Scaliger Castle Museum that traces the history of Torri and the origins of this particular place. You can visit it extensively until you climb the main tower to see Lake Garda from above.
The ethnographic museum inside the structure highlights the evolution of the Garda territory and all the rural activities present during the historical period of its construction. In addition to the Scaliger Castle, I also point out the presence of a lemon grove used by Francesco Renga during the production of a music video for ‘Angelo’, where lemons and citrus fruits are still cultivated. It is certainly one of the most beautiful parts of the visit to the castle (or at least one of the parts that I liked the most!).
In the northern part of the town, you will find the Clock Tower (also called the Town Hall Tower), which was born during the Scaliger period as a guard station with military functions. Currently, however, it is a place to admire its historicity and is substantially located in the center.
The Beaches of Torri del Benaco
Unlike other places on Lake Garda, Torri does not host a large number of beaches, but its privileged position and its particular conformation mean that those present are little frequented and, therefore, almost exclusive. Those personally tried by me are the Baia delle Sirene and the Sbocco Valle Rendina.
Let’s start with the first one mentioned above. The Baia delle Sirene is actually located between Garda and Torri, inserted inside the homonymous natural park. From Torri, I recommend that you take the car and drive one kilometer south to reach the place. It is a small corner of paradise immersed in greenery. The area is then surrounded by restaurants and bars to accompany your day in the best possible way.
If you want to stay in Torri, there is no problem: I recommend the gravel beaches just above the Baia dei Pini (we are talking about 100 meters north of the center). A place where you can really relax by the lake. Also, in this case, the area is full of restaurants and beach bars for maximum relaxation.
The Historic Center and its Lakeside
Certainly, the historic center is also to be appreciated, which, after visiting the Castle, certainly deserves a passage. When I was in Torri, I really immersed myself in the medieval atmosphere of its center, following the alleys sprinkled with shops and bars: I really felt in the past! When I arrived at the small church square, I retraced my steps to return to the castle, but this time, I followed the lakeside.
Also in this case, Torri surprised me, the lakeside is really fascinating but above all, it has been enhanced to the maximum as there are several restaurants and bars where you can have lunch or dinner with the panorama that we all certainly look for when we visit this area. I, for one, made a pit stop here!
The Tibetan Bridge
Last but not least, the peculiar Tibetan Bridge located in the nearby locality of Crero. To reach it, you need to park your car in this fraction and follow the signs near the church of San Siro.
In a few minutes, you should be able to reach the bridge and experience a truly unique experience. Continuing on the path, instead, you can reach the hamlet of Pai di Sopra. Look around and enjoy the present panorama. One last important indication for those who want to undertake this type of path: from Crero to Pai are about an hour away and an hour for the return. But it is absolutely worth it.
