Check out the best sights and attractions Garda, Italy
Garda’s economy thrives on tourism, a tradition dating back to Roman times. During the early imperial age, the lake’s shores were adorned with magnificent villas, exclusive retreats for leisure and relaxation, reserved for the elite.
Sirmione, in particular, was favored for its therapeutic sulphurous springs.
The concept of tourism as we understand it today began to take shape towards the end of the 19th century. Initially, it was an elite pursuit, concentrated mainly in the lake’s northwestern region.
Gardone Riviera emerged as one of the first tourist destinations, marked by the construction of a small hotel that would eventually expand into the opulent Grand Hotel Gardone Riviera.
The area’s reputation soared, especially after the poet Gabriele D’Annunzio commissioned the construction of the Vittoriale degli Italiani, enhancing its allure.
Tourism on the Veronese shore blossomed later, around the 1930s, following the construction of the Strada Gardesana Orientale. The development of “lakeside promenades” coincided with the influx of visitors.
The 1950s saw a transformation in tourism patterns: traditional long-stay vacations were joined by brief, “hit and run” visits, ranging from weekend getaways to day trips.
This shift catered to both international tourists seeking extended holidays and locals desiring a brief lakeside escape.
Such diversity in tourism has significantly reshaped the local landscape and communities.
By the latter half of the 20th century, Garda witnessed the birth of a vibrant entertainment industry, further enriching the region’s tourist appeal.
