The centre of Moniga del Garda is dominated by the medieval castle, which nowadays contains homes.
As well as its historical value, Moniga also offers excellent facilities including a bank, post-office, and tourist information office.
The surrounding area is known as The Valtenesi and is an area dominated by terraces of olive trees and vineyards.
The region is dotted with castles, villas and small villages and is renowned for its olive oil and wine, especially Chiaretto and Rosso.
If you have bikes, why not make a tour of the local countryside. Or take a short stroll to the beach where you can swim or hire a speed boat.
The south of Lake Garda has plenty for all the family to see and do, so why not take a trip to Gardaland, the largest theme park in Italy or one of the many water parks or botanical gardens.
There is plenty to do if you love water sports and we even have golf courses close by.
Moniga del Garda is also an excellent base if you want to take a day-trip to Venice, Milan, Verona and Mantova.
WHERE TO EAT
Moniga del Garda can offer you different solutions to taste italian food.
First of all, Moniga is very well known being the village were Chiaretto wine was born, so don' t miss the chance to taste this lovely Rosé maybe also with a pizza!
If you want to cook yourself, then try the "Gastronomia da Alberto" where you can find local products, from wine to cheese, cooked or ready to cook, ouvertures, very good ham (San Daniele), salame or on Sunday Spiedo (grilled meat on the spit cooked with a lot of butter...not very healthy but extremely good).
During the summer go to a Sagra (local Festival) that is where Italians go!
Usually you can always have typical pasta and meat, to a very low price as there are no waiters,
so it means that you have to order your food and bring it to your table.
But let' s start with the restaurants:
In Moniga del Garda there are more then 10 restaurants: from pizzerias to 5 stars!
Close to the square:
Magher: one of the most appreciated pizzeria here in Moniga and in the county, Mr. Magher won many prizes thanks to its original pizzas!
Oasi: another good pizzeria where you can eat also good meat dishes, it has a very nice terrace overlooking the square
Antica Corte: I like this place, because even if you can not see the lake, you can breath a very charming and characteristic Italian atmosphere...usually is where I go, if I want to have a pizza!
Tre Santi: here you can eat pizza, but I would suggest to go there to taste some other dishes, like risotto or maybe a fish dish!
Quintessenza: eating here it is an exceptional experience!Starting from the bread (home made, at least 5 different sort of bread) until desserts. You will be absolutely stroke by the excellence of this place...it worth every single euro you spend!
Trattoria Olivo: it is hard to decide whether you will enjoy more the view (breathless) or the food (sublime)! This restaurant is located just outside Moniga and probably you will notice it upon your arrival from Desenzano.
This is a family-run trattoria offering tasteful pasta, speciality grilled meat and freshwater fish from the lake...absolutely recommended!
Close to the lake:
Agriturismo Trenta: absolutely a must during your holiday, an Agriturismo is a farm and most of what you eat is produced by themselves. There isn't a menu: in the moment that you sit down, Franco, the kind owner, starts bringing you food, ham, vegetables, salame, polenta with cheese, home made pasta, grilled meat and desserts, of course with water and wine.
But here also the atmosphere is nice as you are in a farm so your children will love it, there is a playground area, horses, sheeps, chicken...
and the view is amazing, as it is the same that you will be able to enjoy from our apartments!!!
Le brede: I consider this place as the best pizzeria lakeside, it overlooks the beach, you will be able to eat fine dishes like Spaghetti alle Vongole or good pizze!
La darsena: one of the oldest pizzerias in Moniga del Garda, close to the marina, very efficient service and... don' t miss to taste also their ice-cream!
La pescatrice: Giordano will take care of you with its kindness offering you very good dishes and pizzas
Il Porto: this is absolutely one of the best restaurants on the lake and probably in Italy, there are no words to describe what it means to eat here.
Wanda and Patrik will treat you like a real king!
The location is absolutely gorgeous overlooking Sirmione's Castle and all the Desenzano's gulf...imagine to eat al fresco delicious dishes with a superb bottle of wine, maybe with a whisper of wind, WOW!
Their menu is focused on lake fishes, from the tradition they reinvented lake cousine.
Wanda is absolutely one of the best chefs for fresh fish dishes, which she prepares with intelligence and creative originality.
Some guests told me that they loved more to eat here than at Gordon Ramsey in New York!
A must for a special occasion!
Special Mention to:
O' Pescador the lakeside bar, try once our apertivo called Pirlo, white wine with sparkling water and Aperol/Campari.During the summer they organize also live music.
Il mago del Gelo, this is a lovely ice-parlour with the best ice-cream of the Valtenesi.
In 2009 has introduced 2 new entries:
- 'Piadina' Taste this fantastic italian food filling it with your favourite ingredients like ham, mozzarella, mushroom, squaqquerone (cheese), salami, rucola...super good!
- 'Pizza al taglio' Giuseppe (the owner) is from Napoli, a quality guarantee on pizzas!
You can also go at Mago del Gelo and take away your Piadinas/Pizzas to eat them on the balcony of your apartment!
