Lake Garda is a beautiful lake situated just at the foot of the Dolomite Mountains in northern Italy. In fact, it is Italy’s largest lake. Here you’ll find crystal clear waters surrounded by quaint lakeside towns with a gorgeous mountain backdrop to the North. Besides the stunning beauty and quaint lakeside towns, there’s castles, Roman ruins as well as dozens of nearby vineyards.
Where to Stay
The entire circumference of the lake is drivable within 3-4 hours. So don’t get too hung up on exactly where you stay. There’s gorgeous towns spread throughout the lake area. The southern part of the lake contains the must stop town of Sirmione and the northern sections have the beautiful Dolomite Mountain Range as a prominent backdrop. So on any trip to Garda you’ll certainly be trying to see both anyways. Pick a place that is comfortable and gives you a great view and easy access to both the lake and the main roads that surround it. Having a car for this vacation will be essential.
The hotels around Lake Garda, save for a couple resorts in the north are not anything special. Instead this is one of those times where you’ll definitely want to rent a vacation house or apartment from a private renter. Below, we share a link to a cooking class called “Good Food Good Mood” which we’d highly recommend. The girl, Maria, that runs the class also runs tours to vineyards and other experiences. She also rents out the apartment above her parent’s house right on the lake where she also hosts the cooking classes. If you’d like to have all your stuff in one place you can contact her about booking the second floor of their beautiful house as well as setting up a cooking class and a tour to a nearby vineyard. Their apartment is only open to couples. No kids allowed.
If you prefer to have your stay be more private, secluded or you have friends or your kids with you, check out this website below as well as some of our favorite airbnb finds:
Best Things to do in Lake Garda
Sirmione and Scaligero Castle
Located at the southern most shore of Lake Garda on a long slender promontory that protrudes into the lake, Sirmione juts out into Lake Garda leaving itself surrounded on almost all sides by its crystal clear waters.
At the entrance to the town is a splendid medieval castle built by the Scaliger Dynasty in the 13th century. Known as Scaligero Castle this incredibly well preserved fortification is worth visiting for the incredible views of Lake Garda and the town of Sirmione that is provides from above.
The town of Sirmione is filled with quaint houses, bustling gelato shops and a bustling harbor-side town square where you can find plenty of food to eat.
You will also find some small beaches, gardens and a number of spa facilities with hot sulphuric waters pumping in from a spring about 20 meters below ground. These facilities often work with hourly passes that you purchase and then relax for as long as you’d like in their luxurious setting.
At the very tip of the promontory you will find the ruins of an enormous Roman villa, Grottoes of Catullus, which provides absolutely stunning views of the lake. If you’re looking for something extra to do while in Sirmione, you can finish your day with a boat trip around the peninsula of Sirmione. Boats for hire are available for walk ups in the small marina by Scaligero Castle.
Cooking Class on the Lake
Maria is a chef who grew up in the Lake Garda region. Today she runs tours to local vineyards, does private-for-hire cooking parties and conducts cooking classes out of her parents summer home on the banks of Lake Garda’s west shore.
If you’re visiting Lake Garda, make sure to book a cooking class with her at this home. The home is simply stunning, the view is absolutely insane and the food is fantastic. This is a can’t miss experience if you’re in the area on vacation. Contact her via her company Good Food Good Mood.
Trip to the Vineyards
Like every other place in Italy, the area around Lake Garda is well known for its wine. There are dozens of vineyards worth visiting within relatively short drives in every directions. Below is a list of available wine tastings, wine/vineyard tours and then finally two websites listing vineyards to visit on your own.
Wine Tastings:
Wine Tours:
Vineyards to Visit
Other Towns Around Lake Garda
Sirmione
Since we gave it, its own section above, I won’t go into great detail here, but if you only have the time to explore one of the many towns that dot the shores of Lake Garda, make sure you spend that time on Sirmione.
Bardolino
Bardolino is particularly famous for its wine and is another can’t miss town for your trip to Lake Garda. The town has a wonderful medieval square and promenade as well as a couple of churches dating back to the 11th-12th centuries (don’t miss the stained glass windows at the Church of San Nicolo and San Severo), as well as 12th century defensive walls that are still standing
If you have time, there is a short walk south on the promenade that will take you to the town of Lazise. At right around the halfway point of the walk, you can stop at the Museum of the Olive Oil in Cisano, where you can learn about the history and production process of Italy’s second most celebrated export after wine…their olive oil.
Garda
Continuing around the lake in a counter-clockwise manner you’ll reach the lake’s namesake, Garda. Wrapped around a picturesque bay this tiny town and its historic center feels like you’ve entered into a movie about Italy. While in Garda, make sure that you take a short walk to the top of La Rocca, a notable rock outcrop that provides some of the best views in Lake Garda. In addition to the views of the lake, make sure to stop at the colorful Villa Albertini, a 16th century villa that looks like a medieval castle from a fairytale. If you have additional time and stamina don’t leave without taking the walk from Garda to Mount Luppia. This hill is higher and gives better views even than La Rocca, and you can see thousands of carvings etched into the rocks by local shepherds from Ancient Roman times.
Torri del Benaco
A small picturesque town built around a tiny harbor, in the shadow of year another well preserved medieval Scaliger castle. Housed within the castle is Torri del Benaco’s famous limonara, a winter garden with huge lemon trees that was created in 1760. Beware that the castle shuts down for a couple hours in the middle of the day because Italians seemingly can’t work for more than 2-3 hours straight without drinking and sleeping. Be sure to check out Gardesana Palace and the adjacent Oratory of the Santissima Trinita. And, if you like scuba diving there’s a great scuba center in town as well. There is also a ferry that leaves from Torri del Benaco and takes you to the western shore of the lake in Maderno.
Malcesine
Just a short drive up the coast from Torri del Benaco, Malcesine is a stunningly picturesque town sitting cozily beneath the imposing Mount Baldo. Its steep, narrow streets are a unique addition to yet another Scaliger castle. Malcesine also has a scuba diving shop, opportunities for sailing, and windsurfing. The star of the show while in Malcesine though is the cable car ride to the top of Mount Baldo. The 360 degree views from the rotating gondola that takes you to this nearly 1800 meter peak are some of the most stunning in all of Italy, let alone Lake Garda. But, the peak of Mount Baldo itself is stunning in its own right. Known as the Garden of Europe, Mount Baldo is unique for its unparalleled number and variety of botanical species that grow there.
Torbole
At the northern tip of Lake Garda is the small picturesque fishing town of Torbole, known for the stunning Dolomite mountains that provide its mesmerizing backdrop. The amphitheater-esque harbor with its long promenade provide an excellent place to grab lunch.
Riva del Garda
One of the larger towns on the northern bend of Lake Garda, Riva del Garda has plenty of places to stay and is an excellent home base of sorts. In addition to a handful of delightful piazzas of medieval and Venetian origins, it also has a number of attractions, such as Rocca Fortress, a 13th-century clock tower – Torre Apponale, a large 16th-century tower – Bastione, and the Museum of Upper Garda, as well as several nearby beaches and hiking trails. If you do take some time to do a hike, make sure you head to Cascata del Varone, a 40 meter high waterfall inside a cave. A great resource for hikes and other activities around Lake Garda is the blog Rossi Writes.
Limone sul Garda
Famous, as its name suggests, for its lemons, Limone Sul Garda is surrounded by citrus groves. If there’s one place in Garda to get limoncello, this is it. Don’t leave without stopping at Limonaia del Castel, a renovated medieval lemon grove. When traveling through Limone sul Garda, make sure to drive through Gorge Road to Tremosine sul Garda where you’ll pass one of Italy’s most beautiful villages as well as a stunning view of Lake Garda.
Maderno
This is the tourist hub of the western shore. They have a number of excellent beaches here. In the nearby town of Toscolano you can find a set of Roman ruins of the villa Nonii Arii which has beautifully preserved mosaics.
Desenzano del Garda
If you are coming from Venice, Verona, Brescia or Milan via train you will disembark here at the central train station in Garda. This lovely town has a number of restaurants, cafes, bars and a few beaches. There’s also a small castle on the hill above, an excavated Roman villa, and the frescoed church and tower of St Martin.
Peschiera del Garda
This fortified southern town is surrounded by thick defensive walls which combined with the Peschiera Fortress are a recent addition to the UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Check out their two impressive gates – Porta Verona and Porta Brescia, the stunning Voltoni Bridge and their adorable historical town center. Nearby are a few sites worth checking out…Parco Giadino Sigurta is one of the most beautiful gardens in Europe, Valeggio sul Mincio is an historic town known for its handmade tortellini and Borghetto sul Mincio, another town where you can eat handmade tortellini from Valeggio in local restaurants housed in historic grain mills.
Day Trips and Excursions from Lake Garda
Where to Eat
Ristorante Rose & Sapori
A fantastic tasting menu in a luxurious setting with great views over the lake. The perfect spot for a romantic meal.
Le Gemme di Artemisia
The Restaurant offers five fixed course menus of gourmet foods that range between 5- and 7- courses.
Ristorante Esplanade
An dining institution in Desenzano for decades. The perfect restaurant for a special occasion, this extravagant Michelin-starred restaurant will not disappoint.
Bruschetteria Nose
A restaurant that specializes solely in bruschetta. This is the perfect place to stop for lunch on one of your days in Lake Garda.
La Veranda del Color
Part of the Color Hotel in Bardolino this restaurant operates on the premise that dishes should excite your eyes as much as your palate. Each dish is served with a specific color aesthetic is mind, blending the ingredients, flavor and visual artistry of the meal in unique and exciting ways.
Restaurant Regio Patio
Classy fine dining and one of the best restaurants on the eastern shore of Lake Garda.
Restaurant la Veranda
A recent recipient of their first Michelin star, this Bardolino restaurant serves mediterranean cuisine in either a fish based or meat based tasting menu.
Restaurant Antica Trattoria La Speranzina
Located directly on the lake with a simply incredible view featuring wonderfully creative fine dining dishes.
Restaurant Antico Casale Tre Camini
A must stop for truffle lovers. Almost every dish is piled high with truffles and just as delicious as you might imagine, but surprisingly at a reasonable price.
Lido Palce
Extraordinary fine dining restaurant with a romantic view of the lake and the mountains.
Le Quattro Coppe
Lake Garda’s best pizzeria
Osteria al Pescatore
Family owned and operated seafood restaurant that’s as authentic and genuine as it comes.
Enjoy These Other Photos from Our Trip to Lake Garda
