5 boat tours on Lake Garda to discover its wonders from a new perspective.
Desenzano del Garda
Enjoy the charm of Desenzano on the shores of Lake Garda. Art, history and relaxation in one place. Discover more.
Desenzano del Garda What to see
Desenzano del Garda, on the Brescia side of Lake Garda, is the most populous municipality on the entire lake and has been inhabited since ancient times. In fact, the first traces of settlements date back to the Bronze Age in 1800 BC.
Desenzano overlooks the lake in a gulf with an exciting panorama: to the west you can admire the rise of Monte Corno and to the east the Sirmione peninsula.
Desenzano is also the home of two illustrious citizens: Angelo Anelli, who wrote the libretto of ‘L’italiana in Algeri’ for Rossini; and Saint Angela Merici, here founder of the Ursuline order and patroness of the town.
Cradle of art and history, this town holds many treasures in store for you, all waiting to be discovered!
Curiosity: Desenzano was once the scene of battles between the cities of Verona and Brescia.
Desenzano in pills
THE UNMISSABLE
• Faro di Desenzano
• Castello
• Torre San Martino della Battaglia
top beaches
• Desenzanino Spiaggia
• Spiaggia Rivoltella
• Spiaggia D’Oro
weekly market
• Tuesday
What to see in Desenzano del Garda
Wondering what to see in Desenzano? Fear not, there is no shortage of artistic and archaeological treasures, starting from the heart of the town – Piazza Malvezzi and Porto Vecchio – where the 16th-century palaces of architect Giulio Todeschini make a fine show.
But let us see in detail what to visit in Desenzano del Garda.
THE CASTLE OF DESENZANO DEL GARDA
The Castle of Desenzano, which towers over the town, has ancient roots that may even date back to Roman times and has undergone several reconstructions and extensions over the centuries. The structure of the castle has an irregular rectangular shape, with a massive entrance tower on the north side, together with a drawbridge, whose chain slits are still visible.
The castle was not primarily a military fortress, but rather a place of refuge for the local population. Inside the castle, in fact, there were over a hundred dwellings and a small church.
Over time, the castle gradually lost its function as a shelter and, in 1882, was converted into a barracks.
Today, only parts of the old castle remain of the walls, as well as the four cut-off corner towers, with the exception of the one on the north-east corner, which functioned as an observatory until 1940.
Over the past decades, restoration and renovation projects have been undertaken on the various parts of the castle, including the donjon, walls and towers. These spaces have been adapted for exhibitions, cultural events and conferences, allowing visitors to explore and appreciate the history and beauty of Desenzano Castle.
If you would like to visit Desenzano Castle, all opening hours are indicated on this site.
THE PORT OF DESENZANO
The small harbour of Desenzano, also known as the ‘little harbour’ or ‘old harbour’, already appears in some documents from medieval times and today constitutes one of the identifying elements of Desenzano del Garda.
Where the dock – the innermost, sheltered part of a port – once stood, stands Palazzo Todeschini, built in 1580 and which was the seat of the town hall until the 1970s. This palace has an imposing façade characterised by nine round arches.
In 1887, the harbour underwent renovation work, at which time today’s northern-style lighthouse, located near the new harbour, was also built. The construction of the Venetian-style bridge dates back to the 1930s.
THE ROMAN VILLA
The Roman Villa of Desenzano is located in the heart of the historic centre. The building dates back to the end of the 1st century B.C. but, as is often the case, it has seen several construction phases and what we see today dates back to the mid-4th century A.D.
The remains of this important archaeological evidence were discovered in the 1920s, when the villa’s magnificent mosaic floors came to light.
In 1971, the Antiquarium was inaugurated, an exhibition hall at the entrance to the archaeological area, which houses all the objects from the excavations.
The opening hours for visiting the Roman villa are as follows: Tuesday to Saturday from 8.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. (last entrance at 7.10 p.m.), Sunday from 2 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. (last entrance at 7.10 p.m.). Monday is the closing day and the ticket costs 4 euro.
CATHEDRAL OF SANTA MARIA MADDALENA
The Cathedral, dating from the Baroque period, was designed by Brescian architect Giulio Todeschini and stands in the heart of Desenzano. Dedicated to St Mary Magdalene, it is teeming with works of art of extreme importance: one of these is ‘The Last Supper’ by Giambattista Tiepolo, painted in 1738 and housed in the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament.
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The CIVIC AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
The ‘G. Rambotti’ Civic and Archaeological Museum was inaugurated in 1990 and named after Giovanni Rambotti, the first mayor of Desenzano. It preserves numerous archaeological remains found in the Desenzano area, focusing mainly on the prehistoric pile dwellings of the lower Garda area of Brescia. The very humid environment of the area has in fact allowed an optimal state of preservation of these dwellings, providing valuable information on the lifestyle of the time.
Not to be missed are the rooms dedicated to the oldest plough in the world: the Lavagnone plough, dating back to approximately 2000 BC.
Also interesting are the reconstruction of the prehistoric hut and the impressive room dedicated to handicrafts.
There is also a section of the museum dedicated to later periods, from the Roman era to the Renaissance and the period when Desenzano was under the rule of the Serenissima Republic of Venice, allowing visitors to explore and understand more recent historical developments in the area.
Opening times and prices at: museorambotti.it
MONUMENT TO THE AVIATORS
The Monument to the Aviators of the High Speed Department in Desenzano del Garda is a special commemoration dedicated to the brave pilots of the ‘High Speed Department’ who operated on the shores of Lake Garda between 1927 and 1936. This department was known for its spectacular feats and stunts, with one of the most famous pilots, Marshal Francesco Agello, setting the speed record for seaplanes in 1934.
The work was created by sculptor Aurelio Quaglino and can be admired in the main square of Desenzano del Garda, right near the shores of the lake that witnessed the exploits of these daring aviators. The monument is known for its unusual and fascinating structure. It depicts a woman’s face tilted forward, her eyes half-closed and her hair blowing in the wind, suggesting a sense of speed and dynamism.
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What to do in Desenzano del Garda
RELAXATION AND FUN AT THE BEACH
Desenzano del Garda offers several well-equipped beaches where you can enjoy the sun and bathe in the crystal-clear waters of the lake. The most popular beaches certainly include the famous and very popular Spiaggia Desenzanino, a few metres from the centre, and Spiaggia Feltrinelli on the Cesare Battisti lakefront.
Then there is the Spiaggia d’Oro Golden Beach with its amenities such as a restaurant, bar and pedalo rental. Very popular with young people for its liveliness until late, with music evenings and DJ sets.
THE OASIS OF SAN FRANCESCO
This is a protected green area of approximately 10 hectares, created with the aim of protecting and monitoring this area of great natural and landscape interest.
Only part of the area is open to the public, which is equipped with useful information, an educational room and a hut for observing animal species, mainly birds. Open only at weekends, from mid-May to mid-September, and only in good weather.
POND PARK
Another attraction, especially appreciated by those travelling with children and young people, is the Parco del Laghetto, a large, well-kept park where there is also a skate park, basketball courts, football pitches, a children’s play area, a dog park and a refreshment area. In summer it is open daily from 7 a.m. to 10.30 p.m.
BOAT TRIP
Rent a boat or take a boat tour and admire the splendid panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and coastal towns.
Desenzano del Garda is an ideal starting point for exploring other fascinating towns around Lake Garda. You can take a trip to Sirmione, famous for its thermal baths and castle, or visit Salò, a pretty lakeside town with a charming historic centre.
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Desenzano Lake Garda: FAQ
How to get to Desenzano Del Garda?
By car:
A4 Milan-Venice motorway. The recommended exit is ‘Sirmione-Desenzano del Garda’ if you are coming from Milan and ‘Desenzano del Garda’ if you are coming from Venice. Once off the motorway, follow the signs for Desenzano del Garda.
By plane:
The nearest airport to Desenzano del Garda is Verona-Villafranca Airport (VRN). From the airport, you can take a taxi or bus to Desenzano del Garda.
By train:
Desenzano del Garda has a well-connected train station, which is served by regional and national trains. You can take a train from various Italian cities such as Milan, Verona or Venice to Desenzano del Garda.
By ferry:
it is possible to reach Desenzano del Garda thanks to the navigation services on Lake Garda. Info: navigazionelaghi.it
Where to park in Desenzano Del Garda?
For parking in Desenzano del Garda, we recommend these solutions:
- Parking Maratona – Lungolago (143 spaces)
- Parking Vallone – Via Santa Maria (206 spaces)
- Parking Via Dal Molin (9 + 25 bikes)
- Parking Via Marconi – Pasubio (51 cars)
- Piazza Garibaldi car park (51 spaces + 6 motorbikes)
- Parking Via San Benedetto (51 parking spaces)
- Parking in Via Vighenzi (55 spaces)
What to do in Desenzano Del Garda if it rains?
If during your holiday in Desenzano del Garda you come across a rainy day, we suggest the nearby shopping centre ‘Le Vele’ for a little shopping. Another large shopping centre ‘Il Leone Shopping centre’ in Lonato del Garda is also just a few kilometres away.
Other indoor activities include visits to wineries in the area, where you can taste the well-known white wine Lugana. While, if you are travelling with children, a visit to the archaeological museum of Desenzano is a must.
What to do with children in Desenzano Del Garda?
If you are on a family holiday in Desenzano del Garda, you can certainly spend a fun day at the beach, or at the Parco del laghetto for a picnic. Don’t miss a visit to the Rambotti archaeological museum.
Moving on from Desenzano, you can easily reach Castelnuovo del Garda with its famous amusement parks, about 20 minutes away by car.
What is Desenzano Del Garda famous for?
Desenzano del Garda is famous for its historical and artistic heritage such as the Castle, the Roman Villa with its splendid mosaics, but also for its lively nightlife. In fact, the city offers a wide selection of bars, pubs and discos. Not only that, Desenzano is also a popular destination for motorcyclists because numerous scenic routes depart from here.
In what region is Desenzano Del Garda located?
Desenzano Del Garda is a municipality in the region of Lombardy, and is located in the province of the city of Brescia.
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