Limone sul Garda

Limone is a town on the edge of Lake Garda. Sandwiched between looming rocky massifs over 1,000 meters high, with stunning views of the mountains above Malcesine on the opposite shore of lake, Limone is one of the most idyllically situated towns on Lake Garda. The narrow, stone-paved streets that wind their way between the high, stone walls of the ancient buildings, and a long promenade, fringed with cafes and restaurants, that culminates in a beach only add to the appeal, making it one of the most popular tourist destinations on the lake.

Panoramic view of Limone

Its popularity means that Limone is also one of the most touristy places on the lake, which, depending on your perspective, may be a good or a bad thing. It has an abundance of cafes, restaurants and shops selling all manner of souvenirs, food and clothing, and the streets in summer are thronged with tourists. The cafes vie with each other for business and there is often music and even videos blaring from the various establishments.

The town was popular with writers such as Goethe, Ibsen and Lawrence, and in 2007, it was used for filming parts of the James Bond film Quantum of Solace.

One of Limone's more obscure claims to fame comes from the discovery of ApoA-1 Milano, a mutant form of apolipoprotein, which reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, and is claimed to be responsible for the high number of people aged over 100 in Limone, more than a dozen for its roughly 1000 inhabitants.

Interior of Chiesa San Benedetto

The views of the lake, the hills and the town are obvious things to see.

There are also the pretty churches of San Benedetto, San Rocco and San Pietro.

• Lemon Gardens. Beautifully restored lemon garden, the last of many that were in Lemone, the furthest area of Northern Italy for lemons to be grown commercially. Sadly now only a show garden with fine views over the town. (updated Jan 2021)

The official website for Limone, linked at the top of this page, has a fairly comprehensive list of accommodation.