Italy's 'Lemon-Scented' Town Is A Vibrant Lakeside Escape With Lush Citrus Groves And Serene Vibes

Visitors looking for a beautiful alternative to the crowded shores of Italy's Lake Como may already be familiar with the country's many northern lakes that feature clear waters and pristine shorelines. Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy, and nestled on its northwestern shore, surrounded by the foothills of the Italian Dolomites, lies a small town whose air is perfumed with the scent of lemons: Limone sul Garda. Although these sunny fruits grow best in more southern climes and the town is closer to Austria and Switzerland than Rome, ingenious agricultural practices allow the citrus to grow here.

It may come as a surprise that the town of Limone sul Garda is not named for its lemons, even though it is famous for its sunny yellow fruit. There is some debate about the origin of the town's name. It could be from the Latin word limen, meaning "border," or from the Celtic term lemos, which translates to "elms." Either way, since the 10th century, the town has been known as some variant of Limone. It was once a remote village, and until 1932, it was unreachable except by boat or a steep mountain road. Luckily for visitors today, Limone sul Garda is easily accessible by car from Verona or Milan. Its relative isolation has allowed the town to preserve its medieval streets and ancient traditions of cultivating its prized lemons.

Perched on the hills overlooking Lake Garda, the Limonaia del Castel is the best place to start an exploration of Limone and is walkable from the center of town. Limonaia del Castel is a traditional lemon house from the early 18th century. Visitors can climb the terraced steps and wander the lemon trees while learning about the town's traditional cultivation techniques. Medieval cultivators took advantage of Lake Garda's warm microclimate and innovated further with architecture. They built stone walls in a southeasterly orientation to protect the fruit from the cold and ensure plenty of sunshine. In winter, wood planks were placed atop the walls to protect the fruit. These efforts resulted in an innovative greenhouse structure and a thriving lemon industry.

Limone sul Garda is not just about lemons, of course. Its location on the lake offers visitors plenty of other activities. The consistent wind that sweeps across this large body of water makes Lake Garda an ideal location for wind and water sports lovers. If you head south along Limone's Via IV Novembre past the public beach, you'll find a clutch of water sports schools with equipment for rent. For those who prefer wheels instead of wind, the Garda Cycle Path runs along the cliffs of Limone sul Garda. The route clings to the rock face, giving cyclists spectacular views of the lake and mountains.

No trip to Italy is complete without sampling the regional delicacies. Lemons, unsurprisingly, are featured in many dishes from Limone, including citrusy risottos and pasta, as well as lemony cakes and desserts. Dishes are also accompanied by locally produced olive oil and freshly caught perch, pike, and trout from Lake Garda. The surrounding region is also home to some of Italy's best sparkling wine, with vineyards covering the nearby foothills. 

In the charming old port, Ristorante Gemma is a favorite for its Instagram-perfect terrace on the water. Finding a truly local restaurant can be tricky, but the family-owned Al Vecchio Fontec gets consistently high marks from locals and visitors. It has a covered courtyard, and the owners still live above the restaurant, taking pride in making diners feel at home. 

Limone sul Garda is on the shores of the largest lake in Italy, so you can discover many hidden gems in the area. Take a 30-minute ferry ride across the water to the resort town of Malcesine, an underrated alternative to Lake Como, where a cable car can lift you to the top of Monte Baldo. Limone del Sur may be small, but it is an excellent base for exploring Lake Garda.