Someone asked me what has been the nicest place we have been to and I said my next blog will be about that place! Here it goes!

This is the view! This in itself should convince you to visit Arco!

General Information

Arco is a small town based in the province of Trento. It is at the edge of Lake Garda, the largest lake in Italy. It is in the Northern part of Italy. Milan would probably be the closest city to Arco but this blog is not about cities! It is about the small quiet town we fell completely in love with and would be right up there in terms of places we would love to retire to!

Arco is another one of those sleepy little towns where time moves slow. Where you should spend your days and evenings without your mobile or your laptop. A town where the food is as amazing and as fresh as the air that you breathe!

We went there for 3 nights and then we were supposed to leave for Venice. However we loved the town so much that we decided to drop Venice and just spend another 3 days in Arco.

While at the beach, you have a great view of the lake in front of you and mountains right behind you. Take a beach mat and blanket and your favourite book and just spend hours enjoying the breeze!

Things to do

Depending on what sort of holiday you like, there is a lot to do in Arco. As can be seen above; wind sailing is really popular and there was a tournament going on while we were there. Needless to say, we did not partake.

It is a very common route for avid cyclists and there were a bunch of people passing through from Germany, Austria and Switzerland. You can get cycles on rent and enjoy cycling around the area. We would suggest getting something like a mountain bike as you will, inevitably, go on routes which are not proper roads.

If cycling and wind sailing is not your idea of fun, just go for a walk or a hike. There are ample options for both. Some of the trails will take you through tunnels and passes on the sides of the mountains. The views from the passes are wonderful and you get to see a good expanse of the mountain range as well as the town below.

We came across a lot of cyclists and it became apparent that they had travelled miles and miles. There were individual cyclists as well as families with kids either on their own bikes or on attachments with the big bikes.

What to eat?

Try everything! It is Italy at the end of the day. The land of the pizza. The land of the pasta! You cannot go wrong. From a roadside vendor to a proper restaurant; we tried everything! All fruits and vegetables are fresh. Bread has been baked the very same morning and sometimes it’s just come out of the oven! The cheese on the pizza is to die for, sprinkled with olives, burrata and pepperoni! Breakfast was normally fresh bread, butter, olives, cheese and eggs!

AND, do NOT leave without trying the gelato in the town centre! We had it twice a day, every day for 5 days straight!

Where to stay

We were lucky to have gotten accommodation at a friend’s house and so didn’t need to book a hotel or an apartment. However I would suggest going with AirBnB. There are no hotel chains and so if going with family then an apartment would be the best option.

How long to stay

Depending on what you want out of the trip but 5 days would be the least amount of time. Wind sail, walk, hike, cycle, read books or just enjoy the amazing food but don’t do a fly by!

The place to retire!

I would retire to Arco for multiple reasons. The air is fresh and amazing! The food is out of this world. There is a beach at your doorstep and the mountains at your back and an airport is a couple of hours away by car, if you ever feel the need to visit a big city!

Of all the places we have been to; Arco would be right up there in terms of our recommended places to visit!