Castelnuovo del Garda
Province of Verona · Veneto · Guide 2026
Inland hill municipality of the Veronese hinterland, home to Gardaland — Italy's most visited theme park. Despite no direct lake access, it is the hub of themed tourism across the Veronese Garda.
Where is Castelnuovo del Garda? Castelnuovo del Garda is a town of 13,184 inhabitants in the Province of Verona, Veneto, in the Lake Garda area. The town centre sits at 130 m above sea level, and the municipality covers 34.4 km².
Where is Castelnuovo del Garda
Castelnuovo del Garda lies inland from the Verona shore, between Peschiera, Lazise and Verona. The municipality includes the hamlets of Cavalcaselle, Sandrà and Oliosi, and is best known as the home of Gardaland.
The reference station is Peschiera del Garda, on the Milan–Venice line, where in season a shuttle runs to Gardaland. By car you arrive from the A4 motorway (Peschiera del Garda exit) and the provincial roads towards Lazise and Verona.
| Mode | How |
|---|---|
| Car | A4 Peschiera del Garda exit, then provincial roads |
| Train + shuttle | Peschiera del Garda station, Gardaland shuttle in season |
| Train + bus | Peschiera del Garda or Verona station, then bus |
Bus and boat timetables: always check the operators' current information before travelling.
The home of Gardaland, between hills and history
Castelnuovo is known all over Italy for Gardaland, but the area also has moraine hills, vineyards and sites from the history of the Risorgimento.
The municipal area is home to Gardaland, Lake Garda's large amusement park, opened in 1975, with the SEA LIFE aquarium next door. When open, it is one of the busiest destinations in the area.
The main town keeps a medieval tower linked to its old fortifications, while the surrounding hills, between Castelnuovo and Valeggio, were the scene of Risorgimento battles such as those of Custoza.
The moraine hills are covered with vineyards producing wines such as Bianco di Custoza and Bardolino.
Things to do in Castelnuovo del Garda
Castelnuovo is a base for the theme parks and for the hills between the lake and Verona.
| Place / Activity | Practical notes |
|---|---|
| Gardaland | Amusement park. Opening dates, hours and tickets on the official website. |
| SEA LIFE Aquarium | Aquarium next to Gardaland. |
| Town tower | Medieval tower in the centre of Castelnuovo. |
| Hills and vineyards | Custoza and Bardolino wineries. |
| The lake minutes away | Lazise and Peschiera are very close. |
What to eat in Castelnuovo del Garda
Inland Veronese cooking, with the wines of the moraine hills.
| Speciality | Description |
|---|---|
| Bianco di Custoza | DOC white wine from the hills between Castelnuovo, Sommacampagna and Valeggio. |
| Bardolino | Red wine of the Verona shore. |
| Tortellini and filled pasta | From the nearby Valeggio tradition. |
| Garda Orientale DOP olive oil | From olive groves between the hills and the lake. |
For restaurants open today → IlGarda.live · Shops & Services
Where to stay in Castelnuovo del Garda
Castelnuovo has many family hotels for theme-park visitors, plus agriturismi in the hills.
| Type | Where |
|---|---|
| Family hotels | Near the theme parks |
| Agriturismi | Moraine hills |
| Holiday apartments | Main town and hamlets |
| Campsites | Towards the lake, between Lazise and Peschiera |
Check offers and availability directly with the properties. In high season it is worth booking ahead.
A day in Castelnuovo del Garda
A day of theme parks, hills and lake.
Gardaland
Arrive at opening time to make the most of the park.
Lunch
In the park's restaurants or a nearby trattoria.
SEA LIFE Aquarium
Visit the aquarium next to the park.
The lake
Head to Lazise or Peschiera for the evening.
Dinner
A glass of Custoza or Bardolino in the hills.
Around Castelnuovo del Garda
Castelnuovo is at the centre of the lower Verona shore, minutes from Peschiera and Lazise.