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Bardolino - Via Gardesana
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More than other Garda villages, Bardolino betrays the strong bond between man and the waters of the lake. The centre of this pretty little town is a network of perpendicular streets pointing straight to the lake: from this feature it is clear that Bardolino was once a fishing village.
The streets were built this way to facilitate the transport of boats. Today, Bardolino is one of the most important tourist centres in the Garda region of Veneto and its narrow streets are no longer traversed by fishermen going to and from work, but by visitors armed with smartphones ready to snap romantic glimpses and breathtaking views of the lake.
Although it is much visited, walking in the centre of Bardolino is a real enchantment and it is no coincidence that this resort is considered one of the most romantic on the entire lake. But it is not only suitable for couples on a romantic getaway: it also lends itself well to families, sportsmen and gourmets. And it is precisely in romantic Bardolino that one of the trendiest discos on the lake is located, a historic club that has been enlivening the nights in the Garda area for more than thirty years.
We are still on the plain, but unlike the villages along the southern shore Bardolino is framed by hills. Not dramatic reliefs as in the Upper Garda tip, but gentle slopes where the vines from which the area’s most famous product is produced grow luxuriantly: Bardolino wine.
So there is everything one could want from a holiday on Lake Garda: mild climate, enchanting landscape, beaches, sports, food and wine, a wide choice of accommodation, easy connections, services.
It can be visited in all seasons: usually summer is the favourite of tourists, but consider other periods as well. Bardolino is perhaps the resort of the Garda Veneto that best lends itself to an autumn holiday.
Bardolino comprises the historic centre overlooking the lake plus the hamlets of Cisano, also on the lakefront, and Calmasino in the hills, two former municipalities now incorporated into a single municipality.
Bardolino’s main attractions are concentrated between the centre and Cisano. The historic centre is small so you can easily get around on foot; it is very lively at all hours, has many clubs, shops that are also open in the evening, and weekly markets.
Don’t expect a royal palace or a medieval fortress to be visited: what remains of Bardolino Castle today is only a slightly leaning, square-shaped stone tower that you can easily recognise walking along the lakefront near the harbour. The watchtower is an addition made in the 14th century by the Scaligeri to a defensive construction dating back to the 9th century.
The city walls opening towards the lake with two gates and four towers also date back to that period. In the 18th century, the expansion of the city led to the construction of new buildings to make room for which some walls were demolished. This destruction continued until the 19th century and led to the almost total destruction of the walls.
During your walk through the centre you will come across the few walls that have survived to the present day and the two gates, Porta di San Giovanni to the north in the direction of Garda and Porta Verona to the south in the direction of the provincial capital.
They are few remains, but enough to give the centre of Bardolino a romantic touch.
Matteotti Square is Bardolino’s main square, the classic town salon in the heart of the historic centre. Long and narrow, it is bordered on two sides by elegant buildings that house cafés, restaurants and shops on the ground floor and overlooks Bardolino’s harbour.
One side of the square, the one opposite the lakefront, is occupied by one of Bardolino’s most beautiful religious buildings, the Church of Saints Nicolò and Severo. It is an imposing church with an elegant neoclassical façade reminiscent of a Palladian villa.
It was built in the 19th century on the site of an earlier Romanesque church dedicated to Saint Nicholas, the protector of sailors; from the 15th century it was also dedicated to Saint Severus.
For many tourists, the romantic views of the centre cannot beat the beauty of the lakeside promenade, i.e. the pedestrian street that runs along the shore of Lake Garda and joins Punta Mirabello to the south and Punta Cornicello to the north.
The view of the lake is enchanting in itself, but what makes this lakeside promenade unique is the presence of more than 70 tulip beds that add a splash of colour. These colourful flower beds, much loved by residents and tourists alike, were created by the Sigurtà Garden at the suggestion of the municipality of Bardolino.
Another singular attraction of Bardolino’s lakefront is the Preonda: it would appear to be nothing more than an old stone bench devoid of charm, but it is a much more mysterious object. Its origins are completely unknown, but it seems to date back to the 13th century.
Its original location was near the beach, hence probably the name Preonda, meaning ‘wave stone’. Over time it has changed location several times and today it is located in the harbour area.
Go and have a look at it and if you do not find it, perhaps because it has been moved again, try looking for it. According to a local legend, walking around the preonda is an auspicious gesture and those who make it will soon return to Bardolino. Which, considering the beauty of the place, is great good luck.
If you are a wine or local history enthusiast, don’t miss the Bardolino Wine Museum, dedicated to the area’s most famous typical product.
The museum is housed inside the Zeni Cellar, reached via a panoramic road with enchanting views of the village and the lake: reason enough in itself to visit.
The exhibition is organised as an itinerary that reproduces the wine production chain from the grape harvest to bottling. It is possible to see tools and machinery from various epochs used in the different stages: ploughs, carts for transporting grapes or wine, presses, funnels, panniers, wine pumps, coopers’ tables.
Another permanent exhibition dedicated to a typical local product is the Oil Museum, a private museum on the premises of the Oleificio Cisano, a historic oil mill in the Gardesano area opened in the 1960s by Umberto Turri. The museum is open to individual visitors and groups.
The visit begins with a short film that tells the story of olive cultivation from the Greek colonies to the arrival on Lake Garda in Roman times, after which the story continues in another section with more videos and educational panels.
On display are tools, instruments and furnishings used in olive mills from the 18th to the 20th century.
From food and wine to nature: the third museum we recommend in Bardolino is the Sisàn Museum, dedicated to the ornithological, fishing and hunting traditions of Lake Garda. In eight rooms, this multimedia museum will introduce you to the birds and fish of the area.
The ornithological section is particularly popular with locals because it is linked to an important event held every year. This is the Sagra dei Osei (osei in Venetian dialect means birds), one of the most important ornithological events in Italy.
Due to its central location along the eastern shore of the lake, Bardolino is an excellent starting point for exciting boat trips on Lake Garda.
You can use the boat to travel from Bardolino to another location on Lake Garda, in which case just take the boat of the Garda navigation company. If, on the other hand, you prefer an excursion, you can choose from those offered by private boats.
The duration of a Garda cruise can vary from an hour to a full day; prices vary depending on the duration, stops, and services offered on board.
Where to see a Venetian villa on Lake Garda? In Bardolino! A destination for elite tourism since the 19th century, and beloved by the aristocracy as far back as Roman times, the villages of Lake Garda preserve numerous historic villas of great elegance.
As many as 13 of recognised historical and artistic interest can be seen in Bardolino. Built between the end of the 15th and the beginning of the 20th century, they all follow the classic scheme of the Venetian villa combining the function of a noble residence and a farm.
Unfortunately, they are all privately owned and are not open to visitors. One can, however, admire them from the outside and daydream.
One of the most beautiful is Villa Terzi-Cristianini (also known as Villa delle Rose), an elegant frontelago palace with Venetian-style three-mullioned and mullioned windows and an eaves topped by swallow-tailed merlons reminiscent of a medieval castle.
Do you love beach life but not the sultriness of the sea or the annoying sand that sticks everywhere? Then the beaches of Bardolino are perfect for you: they are typical Garda beaches in white pebbles or turf, bathed by the clear waters of the lake and kissed by a mild climate, warm but never torrid.
There are free beaches and others equipped, including the historic private beaches of Lido Mirabello and Lido Cornicello. They are all easy to reach on foot thanks to the lakeside walk.
For a quieter spot, head to Lido di Cisano in the hamlet of the same name.
Like all resorts on Lake Garda, romantic Bardolino is also an ideal location for those who enjoy outdoor activities or exciting sporting challenges.
In fact, Bardolino hosts important events such as the Centomiglia sailing regatta, the Benacus Rally and numerous mountain bike, trail, triathlon and bike races. A special event, between sport and history, is the Regata delle Bisse, a traditional rowing race held with boats typical of the Serenissima Republic.
The most popular water sports in Bardolino are sup, canoeing, water skiing, parasailing, diving and sport fishing. It is not the most renowned centre for sailing, kitesurfing and windsurfing, but even here the wind allows enthusiasts to have fun and there is no shortage of centres offering these activities.
Those who do not like to get wet can have fun on the cycle paths, trails and basketball and five-a-side football pitches.
Hikers and cyclists have long been big fans of Bardolino. Numerous itineraries depart from the town centre and the immediate vicinity, allowing you to explore the area’s magnificent landscape on foot or by bicycle.
There are routes for everyone, from easy walking or cycling for families to real sporting feats reserved for the well-trained.
Here are some recommended itineraries for walking or cycling:
Moving north from Bardolino in the direction of Malcesine, one encounters Monte Baldo, a peak of over 2,000 metres. It is a true paradise for those who enjoy hiking or cycling, but also climbing, via ferrata and free flight by paraglider or hang-glider.
If, instead of a day trip, you want to do a multi-day walking itinerary, or if you want to combine the pleasures of physical activity with those of food and wine tourism, you can follow the Bardolino Trail.
This is a 140 km itinerary divided into 18 stages varying in length from 3 to 20 km, which leads you to explore the territory of the farms producing Bardolino doc wine.
Practicable on foot and by bicycle, the itinerary passes through historic villages, hills and vineyards crossing the territory of six municipalities: Bardolino, Affi, Cavaion Veronese, Costermano sul Garda, Garda and Rivoli. One section runs along Lake Garda, but the other, much more extensive, goes inland.
Along the way there are no less than 61 farms and wine cellars, many of which are open for guided tours and tastings.
The route to follow is well signposted thanks to the presence of 53 information panels bearing a QR code giving access to gpx maps and useful information.
Bardolino is a popular resort and has developed a strong hotel industry. This means that accommodation of all types and prices can be found in and around Bardolino, with solutions for every type of holiday.
The room rentals and B&Bs in the old town centre are ideal for those who want everything within easy reach, those arriving by public transport and couples looking for a romantic room. If you are looking for something special, treat yourself to a boutique hotel or a 4-star hotel with spa: you can find some in and around the centre.
Campsites and holiday villages outside the town are perfect for families who want a holiday in the countryside; families who prefer comfort can choose from a wide range of flats and houses, either in the immediate vicinity of the centre or a few kilometres away.
Lake-view hotels are the most popular, so if you dream of a room overlooking Lake Garda, try to book as early as possible. If you want more tranquillity, take a look at the accommodation in the hill hamlet of Calmasino: the scarcity of rooms and the distance from the lake is repaid with panoramic views and silence.
Bardolino can be easily reached by car or by public transport.
The nearest motorway exit is Affi, located along the A22 Verona-Brenner motorway. For those coming from Venice or Lombardy, the nearest tollbooth is Peschiera del Garda. In both cases, once you exit the motorway, simply follow the signs for Bardolino, Garda and Malcesine.
To get there by public transport you need to take thebus because there is no railway station in Bardolino. However, there are frequent direct bus connections with Verona and all the main towns on the eastern shore.
If you want to get to Bardolino by train, you have to get off at Peschiera del Garda or Verona and from there continue by bus. The first station is closer, but the second is served by more trains. Both are located along the railway line from Venice to Milan: it is one of the most important in Italy so trains are very frequent.
A slower and more expensive but definitely more fascinating way is to reach Bardolino by ferry. Thanks to the public boats on the Desenzano-Peschiera-Riva line, it is possible to arrive by boat from all the main Garda villages overlooking the lake. Ships and hydrofoils of private companies, which are faster but usually more expensive, are also in operation.
The closest airport to Bardolino is Verona: it is only 20 km from the town and is connected by direct buses. Bergamo Orio al Serio is further away and has no direct buses (a change in Peschiera or Verona is necessary), but it may be easier to find a low-cost flight offer for this airport.
What's the weather at Bardolino? Below are the temperatures and the weather forecast at Bardolino for the next few days.
Bardolino is a municipality in the province of Verona located along the central-eastern shore of Lake Garda. It is about 30 km from the regional capital, 15 km from Peschiera and 35 km from Malcesine, the last Venetian resort along Lake Garda before entering Trentino. Venice is 150 km away.
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