Lake Garda Holidays

Lake Garda is a wonderful holiday destination that has so much to offer. To best plan your holiday, carefully consider where to stay.

If you only have a few days at your disposal, it might be useful to choose a base for an overnight stay and visit the various places nearby. If, on the other hand, you have more time available, you could change accommodation to explore different regions of the lake.

Choose the type of holiday you want, such as sporting, cultural or relaxing, and on Lake Garda you will find nature trails, water sports, spas, amusement parks, museums, castles, ancient villages, events and much more.

Also consider with whom you are travelling: as a couple, with friends, or as a family with children. Explore our pages dedicated to the villages around the lake and read our travel tips on the blog to make the most of your holiday on Lake Garda.

Are you looking for your next destination for a holiday on Lake Garda? It is really difficult to suggest a single destination, because each one has its own charm and offers different experiences depending on personal taste.

Some might prefer wild and unspoilt landscapes, while others might be attracted by the liveliness of more mundane locations or water sports activities. To find the ideal destination for you, we recommend exploring the web pages of each lakeside resort.

You will find detailed information on each destination, the activities available, and you will be able to assess which one best suits your interests and the time you have available.

The best period for a holiday on Lake Garda depends on your personal preferences. However, in general, the summer months from June to September offer pleasant temperatures and the opportunity to enjoy the beaches, water activities, and summer events on the lake.

If you prefer to avoid the tourist crowds, spring and autumn can be good options. The weather is mild and pleasant, and the lake is less crowded, offering a quieter atmosphere.

These periods are ideal for exploring the surrounding landscapes, hiking or visiting the picturesque villages along the shores of the lake.

In winter, on the other hand, Lake Garda has a different but fascinating atmosphere. The villages along its shores host Christmas markets, creating a cosy and festive atmosphere.

If you only have one day to spare, you can focus on visiting one or two villages around the lake, such as Sirmione, Bardolino, Limone or Gardone Riviera, exploring their historical centres and visiting the main attractions such as castles, churches and museums.

If you have time, you could also take a boat trip to admire the lake from a different perspective.

Some villages are also very close to each other and within walking distance. For example, in the eastern part of the lake you could see Garda, Bardolino and Lazise in one day and in one fascinating lakeside walk.

To reach Lake Garda, there are several options:

• By plane: The closest airport to Lake Garda is Verona-Villafranca Airport (VRN), located about 15 kilometres southwest of the lake and Milan-Bergamo Airport ‘Orio al Serio’. From the airport, you can take a taxi, rent a car or use public transport services to reach the lake.
• By train: Lake Garda is well connected to the Italian railway network. The main railway stations along the lake include Desenzano del Garda, Peschiera del Garda and Rovereto. You can take a train from various Italian cities, such as Milan or Venice, and reach the lake by train. From the railway stations, you can use public transport or taxi services to travel to your desired destination along the lake.
• By car: Lake Garda is easily accessible by car. The main motorways connecting to the lake are the A4 motorway (Milan-Venice) and the A22 motorway (Modena-Brenner). There are several exits along these motorways that lead to the various locations on the lake.
  A22 exits: Rovereto Sud, Affi
  A4 exits: Sirmione, Desenzano del Garda, Peschiera del Garda

Once you arrive at the lake, you can use public transport, rent a car or a bicycle, depending on your preferences and the destinations you wish to visit.

To move from one place to another on the lake, it is also possible to use the ferries; info: www.navigazionelaghi.it

The beaches of Lake Garda vary greatly depending on the area of the lake. In fact, the lake offers a variety of coastal landscapes and beaches, suitable for both relaxation and sports activities.

Beaches on the eastern side of the lake, such as those in Desenzano del Garda, Sirmione and Salò, tend to be wide and sandy. These are popular beaches with tourists and offer services such as sunbed and umbrella rental, bars and restaurants nearby.

Locations in the northern part of Lake Garda, such as Riva del Garda and Limone sul Garda, are known for their small, rocky, very natural beaches.

In the southern area, however, resorts such as Peschiera del Garda, Bardolino and Garda offer both sandy and pebble beaches.

On the pages of the individual countries you will find more information on the beaches, or you can read our article dedicated to the best beaches on Lake Garda.

Lake Garda is a paradise for water sports and offers numerous opportunities for various sports activities.

Thanks to the constant winds and favourable conditions, Lake Garda is considered one of the best spots for windsurfing, sailing, kitesurfing, but also other water sports such as Stand-Up Paddle (SUP), canoeing or kayaking to explore the inlets of the lake and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.

Malcesine, Brenzone, Riva and Torbole are among the best locations for water sports because of the favourable winds.

Discover all the sports on Lake Garda.

As for historical and cultural places to visit on Lake Garda, here are some suggestions:

Castles: there are several, of medieval origins. We recall those of Sirmione, Lazise, Arco, Malcesine, Torri del Benaco and Desenzano. If you are fascinated by them, discover our article on the Castles of Lake Garda.

Grotte di Catullo: Located in Sirmione, these ruins of a Roman villa offer an insight into the Roman history of the region.

Vittoriale degli Italiani: Located in Gardone Riviera, the Vittoriale is the residence of the poet Gabriele D’Annunzio and is a complex of buildings, gardens and museums worth visiting (reservation required).

Villa Romana in Desenzano del Garda, a remarkable example of a Roman residence from the late antique period, famous for its well-preserved mosaics.

Museums: there are many museums on Lake Garda that tell the story of the area; for example the Olive Oil Museum, in Cisano di Bardolino; the Wine Museum, also in Bardolino. And then the one in Riva del Garda, which tells the natural, archaeological and cultural history of the area. And again, the coffee museum in Arco, the civic museum in Desenzano del Garda.

There are also other historical and cultural places to discover, including ancient lemon houses, churches, monasteries and villas.

If the coastal towns of the lake are not enough for you, know that there are other very interesting towns and places in the surrounding area and inland. For example, cities of art such as Verona, Brescia, Bergamo, Mantua, Trento or Rovereto, each with its own history, culture and unique attractions.

There are several accommodation options around Lake Garda, including hotels, bed and breakfasts, flats, campsites and agritourisms. The coastal towns offer a wide range of accommodation to suit different needs and budgets.

During peak seasons, such as summer, it can be difficult to find parking in the most crowded areas. However, many tourist resorts offer paid parking or public car parks near the main points of interest.

It is advisable to find out in advance what parking options are available at the specific location of interest and to consider using public transport or parking further afield if necessary. On this site, on the pages of each country you will find some ideas of where to park.

The traditional dishes of Lake Garda vary according to the region where we are located, i.e. Veneto, Lombardy or Trentino Alto-Adige.

Certainly fish plays a central role in the gastronomy of Lake Garda, but the cuisine is really varied.

Find out more in our article dedicated to the typical dishes of Lake Garda.

In winter, Lake Garda changes its appearance but still offers incredible activities and scenery. Some options include:

Visiting Christmas markets: During the Christmas period, many towns on the lake organise Christmas markets with stalls, decorations and local specialities.

Hiking: The surrounding mountains offer opportunities for winter hiking, with trails suitable for all skill levels.

Spa relaxation: There are several spa facilities around the lake where you can relax and enjoy wellness treatments.

Visiting castles and museums: The castles on the lakeshore, such as Sirmione Castle or Malcesine Castle, are also open in winter and offer breathtaking panoramic views.

Many guided tours and organised tours around Lake Garda are available. These can include boat tours to explore the lake, visits to historic castles such as the Scaligero Castle in Sirmione, or food and wine tours to sample the local cuisine.

In the articles on our blog you will find a selection of the best experiences with related links to book.