UNWIND IN A CHARMING ITALIAN PARADISE | BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN LAKE GARDA, NORTH ITALY
A beautiful destination in northern Italy, Lake Garda is a place that feels romantic, elegant and has a rustic charm. Popular with day trippers from Venice and Verona, you can still escape the crowds by walking up into the mountains and visiting quieter spots in addition to visiting in shoulder season.
Lake Garda is an ideal road trip destination which can be combined with nearby South Tyrol and the Dolomites from Milan, Verona or Venice, Lake Garda is where you can relax by the lakeshore, enjoying delicious Italian cuisine.
It is not only the perfect place to unwind but also an adventurers paradise with plenty of epic hikes, cycling challenges, paragliding and one of the best places for windsurfing.
If you plan on visiting the Dolomites, read our ultimate guide to the Dolomites, whether it’s worth visiting the Dolomites in April and stay in a sustainable luxury hotel. We loved exploring South Tyrol and staying in the beautiful town of Lana staying in the incredible Schwarzschmied hotel.
Where is Lake Garda?
Lake Garda is in northern Italy and is the largest lake in the country, at the southern foot of the majestic Italian Alps. Located between the cities of Milan and Venice, Lake Garda’s nearest large city is Verona which is found to the south east of the lake.
What is Lake Garda KnowN for?
Lake Garda is a beautiful place known for its beauty, romantic feel, rustic buildings, picturesque towns and villages dotted along the shoreline. It’s a popular holiday destination for Italians and international visitors who love to enjoy the relax and unwind on the shoreline of Lake Garda. If you’re driving from Milan, Verano or Venice you will likely drive past it on route, making it a popular day trip destination.
Lake Garda is a fantastic spot for outdoor pursuits such as climbing, hiking, cycling, sailing and windsurfing. Located in the northern region of Italy, Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy and is a beautiful region. In the local area you can enjoy spectacular mountains and lake views, narrow rustic streets and delicious local food.
How to Get to Lake Garda?
By Plane
If you are planning to arrive at Lake Garda by plane, the nearest airport is Verona Villafranca international airport with a journey time of 2 hours from London airports. The journey time from Verona airport to the southeastern side of Lake Garda (Peschiera del Garda) will take approximately 20 minutes by car.
The next closest airports are Milan Malpensa airport and Venice Marco Polo airport which are both a similar distance from Lake Garda. The journey from Milan airport and from Venice airport to south Lake Garda (Desenzano del Garda) takes 1.5 hours by car.
By Car
If you are flying and plan to hire a rental car, there are plenty of options at most of the nearby airports mentioned above. When driving from North Italy, follow the A22 motorway to Verona and take the exit to Affi, continue to follow the signs to Lake Garda until you reach your chosen destination along the lakeside. If you are driving from South Italy, you’ll drive along the A4 motorway to Venice and take the Peschiera del Garda or Sirmione exit.
In Italy, most of the motorways have tolls and are easy to use similar to those you’d find in France. Once you enter the motorway there is a toll booth at the entrance which give you a ticket and must keep this safe as you’ll need it at the next toll booth. When leaving the motorway, you’ll find another toll booth at your exit and at this point you will pay for the section of motorway you drove, either cash or card as both are accepted.
The main road that follows around Lake Garda can get heavily congested with traffic during the busy summer months and we’d recommend avoid visiting at this time (July and August). To drive around the whole of Lake Garda will take 3 hours, however we don’t suggest you do it all in one go as it will feel rushed!
By Public Transport
To reach Lake Garda by public transport, there are several options available. From Verona Villafranca airport there are regular trains to Desenzano del Garda which is a great base on Lake Garda to visit nearby towns by ferry or bus.
Alternatively, buses run frequently from both Verona and Brescia directly to locations around Lake Garda. From Brescia there is a direct bus (Line S202) to Riva del Garda which is on the northshore of Lake Garda and runs along the west coast passing Gavardo, Salò, Gardone Riviera, Toscolano and Limone Sul Garda. This journey will take around 2.5 hours and passes some of the most beautiful villages on Lake Garda.
Verona is a great location to explore the east coast of Lake Garda. Buses run from Verona Piazza Brà to Garda which is a town on the east coast using either Line 162, 163 and 165. There is also the Line 26 bus that runs from Verona to Desenzano del Garda on the south-west coast of Lake Garda, passing the beautiful and popular Sirmione and Castelnuovo taking approximately 1.5 hours.
If you’re planning to travel from Venice there is a direct train to Desenzano del Garda and Peschiera del Garda which takes 1.5 hours and there is also the option to get the train to Verona and catch the bus as mentioned above.
How to get around Lake Garda?
By Car
It will take 3 hours to drive around the whole of Lake Garda and the main road that follows the shoreline can become very busy in peak holiday season (July to August). The road is windy and narrow in places, with numerous tunnels on the way to Riva del Garda and is perhaps one of the most scenic drives along Lake Garda. Renting a car around Lake Garda is the most convenient way to get around and there are car rental companies at nearby airports and cities.
The roads are safe and regularly used by locals daily and there is no toll charge around Lake Garda. There are very few pull in spots to take photos, so if you want to then we’d recommend looking on google maps before you set off along this route from Limone sul Garda to Riva del Garda.
Most towns and villages have paid car parks which allow you to explore them in your own time and there is limited spaces dedicated to motorhome and campervans as they can be relatively small in some places.
By Bus
There are regular bus services that run between towns on Lake Garda, such as Desenzano del Garda, Peschiera del Garda and Sirmione. Check online to see the bus timetables for bus routes around Lake Garda. The main routes for the east coast of Lake Garda are from Verona to Garda (lines 162, 163, 164 and 185), then Garda to Riva del Garda (line 484).
For the west coast of Lake Garda the main bus routes are from Brescia to Riva del Garda (Line S202), passing Gavardo, Salò, Gardone Riviera, Toscolano and Limone Sul Garda. This journey will take around 2.5 hours and passes some of the most beautiful villages on Lake Garda.
Line 26 bus runs from Verona to Desenzano del Garda on the south-west coast of Lake Garda, passing stunning Sirmione and Castelnuovo and the journey takes approximately 1.5 hours.
By Bike
Cycling around Lake Garda is a popular option, there are several bike rental shops in most of the towns and hotels. There are a variety of mountain bike trails, road bike routes and leisurely rides ideal for every type of cyclists. This is a great way to explore Lake Garda, take in the scenery and stop along the way to admire the incredible views.
A new trail was built in 2018, it is a breathtaking route along an overhanging cycle and pedestrian path with arguably the best views of Lake Garda. This route runs from Limone sul Garda to Riva del Garda. There is a big project in the works to connect the lakeshore cycling routes to allow cyclists to access around the whole boundary of Lake Garda which will avoid the road.
By Boat
A great way to explore Lake Garda is by boat, there are options to rent your own paddle boat, speed boat or take a ferry across the lake. This experience offers a unique perspective of Lake Garda and the towns dotted along the shoreline. The main ferry route across Lake Garda is from Desenzano to Peschiera to Riva del Garda and operates year round.
Other routes include Maderno to Torri del Benaco which also runs year round, however from Limone to Malcesine only operates in the summer months. Check the current boat timetables online before your trip.
How many days do I need to visit Lake Garda?
You can drive around Lake Garda in a day, but that leaves little time to be out exploring, adventuring and of course eating delicious Italian food. We’d recommend at least a minimum of a week to explore both the north and south of Lake Garda, where you can spend a day or two in different areas (i.e. 2 days south, 2 days east, 2 days north, 2 days west). Slow travel across Lake Garda means you can delve deeper into the area and have a more local experience.
Another idea would be to add the Dolomites to your itinerary and explore South Tyrol if you have more time to extend it to 2 weeks. If you are travelling by public transport there is a bus from Riva del Garda to Trento on Line 332 which has transport links to Bolzano, also known as the gateway of the Dolomites.
We drove in our campervan, starting in Lake Garda and made our way north to the Italian Alps. In South Tyrol you’ll find beautiful villages such as Lana and stunning boutique hotels, campsites and a contrast in culture and food to Lake Garda. For this we’d recommend a minimum of 2 weeks to combine both Lake Garda, South Tyrol and the Dolomites *road trip itinerary coming soon.
When is the best time to visit Lake Garda?
The best time to visit Lake Garda is from late spring to early summer between the months of May and June when temperatures average 22°C to 26°C. We visited in March when it was still relatively quiet and we had warm days mixed with cooler days which is ideal for outdoor exploring and activities, however many hotels don’t open till end of March.
The water temperature was very cold in March when we had a quick dip in the Lake, however in the early summer months this is the perfect temperature to enjoy water sports and swimming on warm sunny days. When visiting in early summer, there are less crowds and better deals available for hotels.
The Best Places to Visit in Lake Garda
If you’re planning a trip to Lake Garda and you’re not sure where to start, here’s a list of our top picks for the best places to visit for some inspiration for your break. These places in Lake Garda include picturesque towns and villages which we would recommend and visited on our most recent trip.
Lake Garda is known for its slow pace of life, romantic feel and incredible mountain views. Many towns are steeped in history and have many remnants of its Roman past. The shores of Lake Garda are a fantastic for water-sports such as sailing and windsurfing. There are a number of beaches that boast crystal clear water and are ideal for cooling down from the warm Italian sunshine.
Sirmione
Sirmione is possibly one of the most beloved places in Lake Garda. Located on the southern end of the lake, Sirmione is found on a narrow, 3km long peninsula. The colourful streets of Sirmione have a rustic charm, some covered in vibrant flowers and others revealing the history of this beautiful place.
To enter the historic heart of Sirmione, which is at the tip of the peninsula, you must cross a pedestrian bridge of Scaliger Castle, a fortress with impressive stone towers and walls bordering the lakes waters. Access is limited to pedestrians and taxis within the main centre of Sirmione and there is a large car park located just outside the castle.
In Sirmione you’ll find plenty of ice cream shops, restaurants that spill out onto the streets and a variety of shops. There are several beaches worth visiting including Punta Grò, Lido delle Bionde and Jamaica Beach all with crystal clear water. There are also thermal baths and natural hot springs which you can visit and a Roman ruin site called Grottoes of Catullus which was a Roman Villa home to the poet Catullus.
There is a lovely walk along the edge of the peninsula which passes the beaches mentioned above, beautiful parks, the roman ruins and has wonderful views of Lake Garda and its surroundings.
Limone Sul Garda
Once you arrive in Limone sul Garda, you’ll be cast by its romantic charm and intimate village feel. The streets are decorated by hand painted tiles, adorned with restaurants, shops and bars. Explore the narrow streets from the top of the village down to the shoreline of Lake Garda.
As you may have already guessed, Limone is known for growing lemons, however this wasn’t the origin of the name and is actually derived from a latin word meaning ‘border’. Limone sul Garda sits on the border of the region of Trento which it is named after. However, the village have embraced their association with lemons and you’ll see the ancient lemon orchards and those still used today.
The steep cliffs surrounding the village, perfectly frame Limone sul Garda and draw your eyes to the beautiful lake. There are a number of picturesque beaches along the shoreline, plenty of hiking routes and we were won over by the charm, and became one of our favourite places that we visited on Lake Garda.
Desenzano del Garda
Located on the southwest of Lake Garda, Desenzano del Garda has a lovely promenade which you can explore the beautiful harbour and numerous shops that line the town centre. Desenzano del Garda is a large town and is regarded as the capital of Lake Garda, making it a great place to base yourself whilst exploring Lake Garda.
There are many boat tours that start at Desenzano del Garda and you can catch the public ferry which runs to Peschiera and Riva del Garda. We’d recommend walking along the harbour front and explore the historic centre of Piazza Malvezzi which is located opposite the Old Port.
There are many boutique shops dotted along the beautiful cobbled streets and enjoy the delicious smells of Italian cuisine and perhaps be tempted by some ‘gelato’ (Italian for ice cream).
San Fermo Peninsula and Isola del Garda
As the biggest island on Lake Garda, Isola del Garda was historically a Roman burial ground and today is a residential villa known as Villa Borghese Cavazza which is privately owned. The island is open to the public, only through guided tours where you can explore the gardens and there is even the option to get married on the island.
We walked to a spectacular panoramic viewpoint overlooking Isola del Garda after parking opposite the Portese di San Felice cemetry. There is a beautiful path which takes you along the San Fermo peninsula, along the route you’ll pass a local winery shop, rows of vineyards and eventually reaching the 15th century San Fermo church. The walk only takes 20 minutes and is relatively flat with the chance to stop by Baia del Vento beach on the way which also has a car park.
GARDone Riviera
Located on the western shore of Lake Garda, Gardone Riviera is a chic and charming town home to beautiful botanical gardens such as André Heller Botanical Gardens with a wonderful collection of plants and includes some impressive art installations.
Another popular attraction in Gardone Riviera is the Il Vittoriale degli Italiani which was the residence of Gabriele d'Annunzio. This museum shows Gabriele’s artwork collection and other interesting sights such as an amphitheatre and ship all paired with beautiful views of Lake Garda.
There are many hotels along this stretch thanks to its old-world charm and stunning views of Lake Garda. Walk along the promenade which will take you to Piazza Marconi, lined with restaurants overlooking the lake. We found a great pizza place nearby for Jonny’s birthday, perfectly named ‘Pizzeria da Jonny’ and the pizza was divine.
Riva del Garda
Riva del Garda is a beautiful town located at the northern end of Lake Garda, bordered by steep mountain cliffs either side of the town this creates an impressive panoramic view of the lake. A great spot for wind surfing, hiking and relaxing on the beach, Riva del Garda is an outdoor adventure paradise.
Take a walk along the lakeside promenade, where you’ll pass picturesque gardens and pass the harbour where you can visit the grand and well preserved fortification of ‘Forte Garda’ built in 1909. Soak in the views from Giardini all'Italiana di Punta Lido, a beautiful garden park or climb to the top of the Rocca di Riva, an ancient castle with stunning views of Lake Garda.
Riva del Garda has a variety of shops, restaurants, bike rental shops and is an ideal place to learn wind surfing with many places offering lessons. Cycle along the trail to Limone sul Garda, along a suspended, overhanging path that is accessible to pedestrians and cyclists. This route offers some of the best views of Lake Garda and stretches 2 kilometres separated from the main road.
Toscolano Maderno
The charming town of Toscolano Maderno has a relaxed feel and offers delicious food and history to discover. Cypress trees line the hills that overlook Toscolano Maderno and is the start of a beautiful hike ‘Sentiero Del Proch’ which takes you up to the hidden valley of Bornico, perched above.
Grab an icecream from Gelateria Calchera where you’re spoilt for choice on flavours and enjoy the view overlooking the harbour opposite the Sant'Andrea apostolo church. There are many picture-perfect beaches to choose from including Benella beach and Bau beach. We enjoyed a quick dip at Benella beach and was a lovely place for a quick swim.
We came across our favourite pizza place on Lake Garda in Toscolano Maderno, called Pizzeria Benella. This restaurant has a beautiful courtyard setting outside in the summer months and the pizza is just simply perfection.
