Peschiera del Garda: boat tour around the fortress (30min)

Peschiera del Garda is a fortified town completely surrounded by water. Here, the lake’s waters become the Mincio River, the only outlet of the lake, and continue towards Mantua. Because of this unique feature, one of the most beautiful and characteristic ways to explore the town is undoubtedly by taking a boat tour around the UNESCO walls of Peschiera del Garda. This excursion allows you to navigate the canals by boat, discovering its hidden corners and many fascinating details.

Peschiera, as it appears to us today, is the sum of centuries of history, with various dominations that have succeeded each other in this place, leaving their mark. This makes Peschiera del Garda one of the most beautiful places to visit on Lake Garda.

The Fortress of Peschiera del Garda

Peschiera del Garda, described by Dante in the 20th canto of the Inferno as a “beautiful and strong structure,” has a fascinating history. Before the 16th century, there was a Scaligero Castle, which was destroyed by the Venetians to build a more modern fortification. This fortress, a jewel of Renaissance architecture, makes Peschiera a unique and strategic location. Today, the boat tour of the walls allows you to admire the imposing pentagonal defensive wall with five bastions, accessible only through Porta Brescia and Porta Verona.

The Venetian Fortress of Peschiera del Garda became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2017. Who would have thought that you could navigate a World Heritage site, which is also one of the must-visit places on Lake Garda?

Yet, that’s exactly the case, and the best way to admire the full majesty of the fortress of Peschiera is by taking the Boat Tour of the walls of Peschiera del Garda.

Moreover, only with the boat tour of Peschiera del Garda’s walls is it possible to reach some of the hidden corners of the Venetian Fortress. For example, you can see the fishing station at the Cantarane Bastion, and observe the underwater foundations of the ancient Ponte Belgioioso.

Boat Tour of the Walls of Peschiera del Garda

Useful Information:

• The tour departs from Piazzetta San Marco, which overlooks the central Canale di Mezzo.
• The starting point is a 5-minute walk from our Tourism Peschiera Infopoint office.
• The tour lasts approximately 30 minutes in an open boat.
• Itinerary: You will navigate along the Canale di Mezzo, passing through the center of Peschiera del Garda. You will reach the Fossa Reale, with views of Bastion Tognon and Bastion Feltrin, between which lies Porta Brescia. On the return, you’ll pass along Bastion Cantarane and continue to Bastion San Marco. The tour concludes by sailing under the Ponte dei Voltoni, returning to the embarkation point.
• This tour is particularly suitable for families with children, offering a unique boating experience that is neither too long nor too demanding.
• At the Peschiera del Garda Infopoint, you can also rent an audio guide that narrates the history of Peschiera and highlights key points of interest during the boat excursion.

Frequency and Availability:

• The Boat Tour of the Walls of Peschiera del Garda is available daily from May to September. During April and October, tours run on weekends and holidays.
• Departures occur regularly every half hour from Piazzetta San Marco.
• Operating Hours: April, May, and October: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM; June to September: 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
• The tour will not operate in case of bad weather or strong winds.

Ticket Purchase:

• Tickets can be purchased online or at the Tourism Peschiera Infopoint.
• Ticket Prices: Ages 3 and up €10, Ages 0-2: Free of charge
• Tickets are open-timed, meaning once purchased, they can be used for any preferred departure time. It is not possible to reserve a specific departure time.
• Please note that the boat accommodates 15 passengers at a time. Once full, you will need to wait for the next departure.

Not only can you explore the canals of Peschiera by boat, but you might also spot a gondola gliding through the waters. It’s an original and romantic way to see the city aboard the traditional Venetian vessel.

Discover More About the Gondola Tour.

Are you a school or a group?

We recommend combining this walls tour of Peschiera del Garda to the guided tour of the fortress. So, you can have a complete overview of the city and all the historical eras that have marked it in time. This tour is also perfect for those who have limited time to explore Peschiera but still want to experience the small gem that is its Venetian fortress.

For groups, a second boat is available upon reservation, allowing up to 30 people to take the tour simultaneously.

Contact us via email, and we’ll organize the boat tour at your preferred time and date, tailoring it to your needs. Write to us at travel@gardalanding.it.

Come and visit the UNESCO fortress of Peschiera del Garda: buy your tickets here or write to us!