• Food & Wine

Lake Garda’s limonaie

On Lake Garda to discover the ancient lemon groves between Limone del Garda and Toscolano. A taste of the Mediterranean, in Lombardy

Where
Lago di Garda (Brescia)

As you slowly follow the winding road along the shore of Lake Garda, a number of striking stone structures appear in the distance: they are the Limonaie, a series of high pillars arranged on several levels that line the road between Limone del Garda and Toscolano.

The high stone pillars distributed along the terraces are enriched with perfume and color during the season when the lemons and oranges begin to ripen, peeking out between the green leaves.

This is the northernmost area where citrus fruits grow in Italy: it is thanks to the protection of these structures, which are perfectly inserted in the natural landscape, that we can enjoy a taste of the Mediterranean on the shores of Lake Garda.

The tradition of the Limonaie is lost in time: there is a painting from 1658 in Limone’s rectory that depicts Saint Anthony against a background containing Limonaie. Some literature claims that the Limonaie were first used even earlier, in 1400: the tradition, which has survived into the modern day, allows us to enjoy a view that can only be seen in this part of Lombardy.

The Limonaie, which are naturally protected on three sides, are exposed in the summer, but closed in November with glass sheets and wood to offer suitable protection for the lemon, citron and orange trees in winter. When temperatures are especially cold, fires are lit inside the structures to ensure that the plants are warm enough to cope with the season and to continue to thrive when the first warm sun of spring appears. 

Eye-catching from a distance and beautiful inside, some of the Limonaie that still stand between Limone and Toscolano are open to visitors. It is a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in past tradition and to enjoy the magnificent views offered by the lakeside structures.   

Take me here: Lake Garda’s limonaie

Places

VILLA BOGHI

Dwellings at Limone sul Garda
  • Art & Culture
VILLA BOGHI
60 mt

THE FISHING MUSEUM

Museums at Limone sul Garda
  • Art & Culture
THE FISHING MUSEUM
85 mt

TOURISM MUSEUM

Museums at Limone sul Garda
  • Lakes
TOURISM MUSEUM
429 mt

Limone sul Garda

For lovers of citrus fragrances and bike rides with lakeside views.
  • Villages
Ph I Mille
538 mt

CHURCH OF SAN ROCCO

Churches at Valvestino
  • Religious Tourism
CHURCH OF SAN ROCCO
661 mt

CENTRO COMBONIANO

Sites of interest at Limone sul Garda
  • Religious Tourism
CENTRO COMBONIANO
870 mt

CHURCH OF SAN PIETRO

Churches at Limone sul Garda
  • Religious Tourism
CHURCH OF SAN PIETRO
890 mt

LIMONAIA DEL CASTÈL

Sites of interest at Limone sul Garda
  • Lakes
LIMONAIA DEL CASTÈL
1.28 km

PASSO NOTA

Trekking at Tremosine sul Garda
  • Mountains
PASSO NOTA
3.73 km

CHURCH OF VESIO

Churches at Tremosine sul Garda
  • Religious Tourism
CHURCH OF VESIO
4.19 km

LAKE BONDO

Sites of interest at Tremosine sul Garda
  • Active & Green
LAKE BONDO
4.19 km

ST MICHAEL HERMITAGE

Churches at Tremosine sul Garda
  • Religious Tourism
ST MICHAEL HERMITAGE
5.03 km

Tremosine

  • Villages
Tremosine (BS)
5.03 km

THE VILLAGE OF PIEVE DI TREMOSINE- THE TERRACES

  • Villages
THE VILLAGE OF PIEVE DI TREMOSINE- THE TERRACES
5.04 km

CAMPIONE DEL GARDA

Wind surfing at Tremosine sul Garda
  • Active & Green
CAMPIONE DEL GARDA
7.16 km

THE GORGE ROAD

Sites of interest at Tremosine sul Garda
  • Lakes
THE GORGE ROAD
7.93 km

CHURCH OF SAN ZENONE IN PRABIONE

  • Religious Tourism
CHURCH OF SAN ZENONE IN PRABIONE
8.03 km

SANCTUARY OF MADONNA DI MONTECASTELLO

  • Art & Culture
SANCTUARY OF MADONNA DI MONTECASTELLO
8.94 km

CHURCH OF SAN PIETRO

Churches at Tignale
  • Religious Tourism
CHURCH OF SAN PIETRO
9.63 km

TIGNALE ROUTE

Trekking at Tignale
  • Religious Tourism
TIGNALE ROUTE
9.63 km

Where to sleep

GARDA SUITE HOTEL (GARNI')

Limone sul Garda
GARDA SUITE HOTEL (GARNI')
66 mt

APPARTAMENTI OASI

Limone sul Garda
APPARTAMENTI OASI
90 mt

HOTEL GARDA BELLEVUE

Limone sul Garda
HOTEL GARDA BELLEVUE
108 mt

SOGNO DEL BENACO

Limone sul Garda
SOGNO DEL BENACO
127 mt

APPARTAMENTI MGM

LIMONE SUL GARDA
APPARTAMENTI MGM
129 mt

SUSY

Limone sul Garda
SUSY
162 mt

CASTELL

Limone sul Garda
CASTELL
162 mt

ALEXANDER

Limone sul Garda
ALEXANDER
178 mt

RUSCELLO (GARNI')

Limone sul Garda
RUSCELLO (GARNI')
190 mt

APPARTAMENTI CALDOGNO

Limone sul Garda
APPARTAMENTI CALDOGNO
212 mt

APPARTAMENTI LA MADONNINA

Limone sul Garda
APPARTAMENTI LA MADONNINA
214 mt

CASA CAMILLA

Limone sul Garda
CASA CAMILLA
238 mt

ILMA (VILLAGGIO ALBERGO)

Limone sul Garda
ILMA (VILLAGGIO ALBERGO)
238 mt

APPARTAMENTI VILLA ARANCI

Limone sul Garda
APPARTAMENTI VILLA ARANCI
248 mt

BRAMBILLA MASSIMILIANO

Limone sul Garda
BRAMBILLA MASSIMILIANO
254 mt

JACKYS APARTMENTS - S.14

LIMONE SUL GARDA
JACKYS APARTMENTS - S.14
261 mt

JACKYS APARTMENTS - S.15

LIMONE SUL GARDA
JACKYS APARTMENTS - S.15
261 mt

SORRISO

Limone sul Garda
SORRISO
269 mt

ALLA NOCE

Limone sul Garda
ALLA NOCE
307 mt

LIMONE

Limone sul Garda
LIMONE
310 mt