Some places feel too good to be real. Lake Garda is one of them.
It’s like someone hit “shuffle” on everything beautiful about Italy—cypress trees, turquoise water, vineyard hills, pastel villages—and then decided, “Yeah, let’s put all that in one place and throw in Roman ruins and lemon groves for good measure.”
While Lake Como grabs headlines thanks to Clooney and the jet set, Lake Garda quietly thrives with more diversity, more charm, and a fraction of the ego. It’s a place where you can start your day on a paddleboard, hike a mountain by lunch, sip rosé by the lake in the afternoon, and still have time to lose yourself in a cobblestone alley before dinner.
If La Dolce Vita had a home address, this might be it.
If you’ve never been, that’s okay. This guide will help you feel like you have. And if you have been—well, you’ll probably want to go back before you finish reading.
Brief History of Lake Garda
Lake Garda has been attracting admirers since the Bronze Age—and it hasn’t really slowed down.
Romans turned it into a wellness escape (hello, thermal spas in Sirmione), medieval lords built stone castles to fight over its shores, and poets and painters fell hard for its blue depths and lemon-scented breezes. The Scaligeri family fortified Sirmione and Malcesine in the 13th century, and in the 20th century, Gabriele D’Annunzio, Italy’s most flamboyant poet, made it his lakeside playground.
Garda has sat at the crossroads of empires—Roman, Venetian, Austrian—and absorbed the best of each, like a cultural sponge with excellent taste.
Today? It’s a place where Alpine peaks meet olive groves, where trattorias sit beside Austro-Hungarian villas, and where time feels stretchy in the best possible way.
Top 25 Things to Do Around Lake Garda
So, what exactly do you do around a lake this big, this beautiful, and this brimming with character? Answer: a lot. Lake Garda isn’t just for lounging (though it’s fantastic at that). Whether you’re into castles, cliff walks, cable cars, or just chasing your next espresso with a view, here’s your no-fluff, all-fun list of the top 25 things to do around Lake Garda.
- Explore Scaliger Castle (Sirmione):
A perfect fairy-tale fortress complete with drawbridge and moat. Climb the towers for an epic lake panorama and channel your inner medieval lord or lady. - Soak at Aquaria Thermal Spa:
Outdoor pools, steamy saunas, and panoramic jacuzzis with lake views. Your shoulders will never be the same again—in a good way. - Walk the Grotte di Catullo:
Roam among ancient Roman villa ruins with sweeping lake vistas. Great picnic spot if you’re into dining where emperors once chilled. - Ride the Monte Baldo Cable Car (Malcesine):
A thrilling vertical ride from lakeside to mountaintop. Perfect for hikers, paraglider-watchers, and people who love to gasp at views. - Windsurf in Torbole:
Catch the famous Ora wind and join the colorful sail brigade on the northern shores. Lessons available if you’re new but brave. - Bike the Ciclovia del Garda:
A cliff-hugging, guardrail-free cycling path that feels like flying. Rent an e-bike and prepare to stop every 5 minutes to take photos. - Wine Taste in Bardolino or Lazise:
Sip your way through lakeside vineyards offering Bardolino reds and Chiaretto rosés. Most offer tastings with cold cuts and cheese—this is not a drill. - Visit Vittoriale degli Italiani (Gardone Riviera):
The estate of Italy’s most flamboyant poet, complete with war memorabilia, a ship embedded in a hillside, and gardens to roam. - Hike the Busatte-Tempesta Trail:
Steel stairs bolted to the cliffs. You’ll sweat, you’ll smile, and you’ll earn that gelato. - Wander Malcesine’s Old Town:
Cobbled alleys, bougainvillea, handmade leather shops, and quiet piazzas where you’ll forget what time it is. - Tour the Olive Oil Museum (Cisano):
Learn how golden liquid happiness is made. Tasting room included. - Catch Sunset in Limone sul Garda:
The town glows golden in the evening. Grab a limoncello and watch the cliffs turn to flame. - Eat Truffle Pasta in Tremosine sul Garda:
Small village, big flavors. A hidden mountain gem where food is a religion. - Boat around Isola del Garda:
A villa-topped island you can only reach by guided boat tour. Worth it for the views and the bragging rights. - Brave the Rides at Gardaland:
Italy’s largest amusement park—yes, it’s kitschy, and yes, it’s a blast. - Take the Ferry from Desenzano to Riva:
The full-length lake ferry feels like a slow cruise through an Italian watercolor. - Climb in Arco:
A world-famous rock-climbing spot with routes for beginners and goats alike. - Stroll the Promenade in Salò:
Elegant arcades, boutiques, and plenty of space to sip espresso without spilling it on your linen shirt. - SUP in Desenzano at Dawn:
Stand-up paddleboarding with glassy water and mountain reflections. Bonus: You’ll feel smug all day. - Take a Cooking Class in Salò or Lazise:
Learn to fold tortellini from a local nonna and finally perfect that “pinch and twist.” - Visit the Aril River in Cassone:
Blink and you’ll miss it—it’s only 175 meters long. But hey, you’ve seen the shortest river in the world. - Snap Balcony Pics in Bardolino:
Vines, flowers, laundry—everything you need for the perfect #accidentallywesanderson moment. - Visit San Pietro in Mavino Church:
A peaceful 8th-century chapel surrounded by olive trees. Step in, take a breath, maybe light a candle. - Catch the Mille Miglia Rally (June):
Classic cars roar through lakeside towns in this vintage road race. Wear a scarf and pretend it’s 1955. - Grab a Spritz and Just Sit:
Your most important itinerary item. Because sometimes, the view is the activity.
How to Get to Lake Garda
Getting to Lake Garda is surprisingly easy, especially for a destination that looks like a Renaissance painting crossed with a screensaver.
By Air:
Your best bet is to fly into:
- Verona Villafranca (VRN) – Closest airport, about 30–45 minutes to southern Garda towns.
- Bergamo Orio al Serio (BGY) – Budget-friendly, around 1.5 hours away.
- Milan Malpensa (MXP) or Venice Marco Polo (VCE) – About 2–2.5 hours, with good rail access.
By Train:
Italy’s rail system shines here. Take a Trenitalia or Italo high-speed train to:
- Peschiera del Garda or Desenzano del Garda on the southern shore.
From there, ferries and buses fan out to lakeside towns.
By Car:
Renting a car gives you access to smaller mountain villages, cliffside cafés, and roadside wineries. Just know: the roads can be narrow, and Italians drive like they have somewhere fabulous to be.
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Where to Stay Around Lake Garda
Lake Garda wraps 45 towns around its watery waistline, each offering something a little different. Your perfect base depends on your travel style:
Sirmione – Romantic, spa-heavy, and made for sunset strolls. Great for couples and luxury travelers.
Where to stay: Villa Cortine Palace Hotel for old-school opulence, or Grand Hotel Terme for lake-view thermal lounging.
Riva del Garda – Nestled up north, flanked by mountains and adrenaline. A digital nomad’s dream with hiking trails and cappuccinos that come with Dolomite views.
Try: Hotel Luise or Parc Hotel Flora.
Malcesine – Compact, scenic, and friendly on the wallet. Plus, you’ve got a castle and a cable car right outside your window.
Stay at: Hotel Castello Lake Front or B&B Casa Popi.
Desenzano del Garda – A southern town with good train access, bustling piazzas, and lots of kid-friendly amenities.
Check out: Park Hotel Desenzano for classy comforts.
Limone sul Garda – Tucked into the cliffs with lemon terraces and stone alleyways. Low-key luxury for slow travelers.
Try: Hotel Splendid Palace or Eala, Luxury Lakefront Hotel if you’re splurging.
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Best Time to Visit Lake Garda
Lake Garda isn’t just a place—it’s a mood. And like all moods, it changes with the seasons.
Spring (April–June):
The lake begins to bloom. Wildflowers on the hiking trails, early wine tastings in Bardolino, and way fewer people clogging up your lake selfies.
I visited once in late May and ended up at a vineyard outside Lazise on a whim. It was run by two sisters who served rosé with fresh focaccia and stories about their nonna sneaking grapes as a child. We stayed until sundown, half the group tipsy, the other half writing poetry in their heads. Spring just does that to you here.
Summer (July–August):
Peak season. The lake comes alive with swimmers, sailors, and ice-cream-slathered kids. Book in advance and plan your quiet time early in the day.
Autumn (September–October):
Harvest season is magic here. Truffle risotto, golden vineyards, fewer crowds, and the sunsets feel warmer somehow.
Winter (November–March):
Quiet, moody, and intimate. Perfect for spa getaways and exploring snowy villages. Some ferry routes and hotels may close, but the soul of Garda stays open.
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What to Eat Around Lake Garda
Lake Garda sits at a delicious intersection between three Italian regions: Veneto, Lombardy, and Trentino. That means its cuisine is a mash-up of freshwater fish, Alpine meats, hearty pasta, and local wines you’ll immediately want to smuggle home.
Must-try dishes:
- Bigoli con le Sarde – Rustic spaghetti with lake sardines and toasted breadcrumbs
- Risotto al Persico – Creamy rice with perch fillets straight from the lake
- Casoncelli alla Bresciana – Pasta pockets filled with meat, cheese, and a butter-sage sauce
- Polenta e Funghi – Creamy cornmeal topped with wild mushrooms
For dessert:
- Torta di Rose – A rose-shaped, buttery cake typical of Mantua and surrounding areas
- Zabaione al Lugana – Boozy custard made with local white wine
Where to eat:
- La Speranzina (Sirmione) – Elegant lakefront dining with a serious wine list
- Vecchia Malcesine – Michelin-starred with incredible tasting menus
- Alla Fassa (Tremosine) – Hidden in the hills, rustic and unforgettable
- La Cantina del Gato (Bardolino) – Friendly, unpretentious, and great for regional wines
Tourist Helpdesk and Visitor Centers
Whether you need a ferry timetable, a hiking map, or just a friendly local to help you pronounce “casoncelli,” these are your go-to resources.
Official Tourism Sites:
Tips & Recommendations
Do:
- Pack layers—the north can feel Alpine while the south is Mediterranean
- Book spa treatments and ferry tickets in advance during summer
- Visit small towns early in the morning before daytrippers arrive
- Always say “Buongiorno!” before asking for help—it matters
Don’t:
- Rely on Uber—it’s not a thing here
- Skip the northern towns—they’re often overlooked and stunning
- Expect late-night dining in quieter towns (plan your dinner around 7–8 PM)
- Try to “do” the whole lake in one day—it’s much bigger than it looks
FAQ
Is Lake Garda better than Lake Como?
Depends on what you want. Garda is more diverse, sporty, and family-friendly. Como is glitzier and more boutique.
Can I swim in the lake?
Absolutely. Many towns have designated swimming beaches with calm, clear water.
Do I need to rent a car?
Not necessarily. Trains and ferries can get you almost everywhere, but a car helps if you’re heading to hill towns or remote vineyards.
How long should I stay?
At least 3–4 days to get a feel for the lake. A week if you want to relax into the rhythm.
Conclusion: Lake Garda Isn’t Just a Destination—It’s a Lifestyle
There’s something about Lake Garda that sticks with you. Maybe it’s the contrasts: mountains and lemon groves, ruins and rollercoasters, espresso and Aperol. Or maybe it’s the way time slows down just enough to let you actually notice the color of the sky, or the taste of sage in your butter.
Whatever it is, you leave Garda with full photo albums and even fuller hearts.
So go. Lose track of time. Get a little sunburned. Drink something pink by the water. Fall in love with a view. Then come back and tell me all about it.
