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With an area of 370 square kilometres and depths exceeding 300 metres, Lake Garda is a record-breaking attraction. Yet it is not the numbers that impress visitors to Italy’s largest lake: it is the breathtaking view of a blue expanse squeezed between steep mountains and green plains.
It is the ideal destination for unforgettable holidays: the spectacular landscape is complemented by a climate that is surprisingly mild for these latitudes, historic villages steeped in sweetness, azure waters that invite you to take a dip, and shores where you can sunbathe without suffering the stifling heat of seaside resorts. What relaxation!
Beware though, Lake Garda is not just sweetness: it is also adrenaline. It was one of the first areas in Italy to focus on active tourism, opening schools and sports equipment rentals. This is thanks above all to the constant wind, which delights sailors and windsurfing enthusiasts, but also to the mountains close to the lake, which are an irresistible temptation for cyclists, hikers and climbers.
An important part of this dream location belongs to the Veneto region, and in particular to the province of Verona. The Veneto shore of Lake Garda is sometimes referred to as the Riviera degli Ulivi (Olive trees Riviera), after the name of one of the main cultivations in the area.
Some of the most important resorts of Lake Garda are concentrated here, such as Peschiera, Bardolino, Lazise and the town that gives the lake its name… Garda, of course!
There are more than 20 municipalities scattered along the 155 km of Lake Garda coastline: of these, almost all are villages with a long history, rich in beautiful landscapes, characteristic corners and cultural attractions.
Here is a mini-guide to the most beautiful places on Lake Garda and the attractions not to be missed: it will help you choose which towns to visit and where to stay depending on the type of holiday you want to take.
The Veneto side of Lake Garda includes the entire eastern part of Lower Garda and part of the eastern shore of Upper Garda. The southernmost municipality is Peschiera del Garda, the northernmost Malcesine.
In the southern part, the landscape is flat, with wide green spaces for walking or cycling; as the lake narrows, the plain gives way to gentle hills that gradually become more majestic until they become rugged mountains overlooking the lake in the northern part.
The resorts not to be missed on the Veneto side of Lake Garda are Peschiera, Lazise and Malcesine: all three offer splendid lakeside walks, beautiful beaches, cultural attractions and opportunities for outdoor sports. They are perfect both for a one-day visit and as a base for an entire holiday.
Peschiera del Garda is the eastern gateway to the lake: this peculiar star-shaped walled town is the easiest to reach, located along the main communication routes of northern Italy. It is perfect for those who want to get a glimpse of both the Veneto and Lombardy sides of the lake. The beauty of the characteristic historical centre combines with the possibility of relaxing rides along the River Mincio.
Lazise is one of the most visited destinations, thanks to probably one of the most beautiful lakeside promenades on Lake Garda and a great variety of attractions. For those travelling with children, it is a dream destination because just a few kilometres from its pretty historic centre with its clear medieval imprint is an incredible concentration of theme amusement parks.
Gardaland is the most famous and visited, but you can also have fun at Caneva Aquapark, Movieland, LEGO Aquapark, Medieval Times and the SeaLife aquarium. For adults seeking wellness, the attraction not to be missed is the Garda Thermal Park in the hamlet of Colà.
Further north, in the Alto Garda area, lies Malcesine, the last municipality on the Veneto shore before reaching Trentino. Behind it rises the majestic Monte Baldo (2218 metres), criss-crossed by numerous paths and bike trails: an exciting destination for trekking and mountain biking enthusiasts.
There are two unmissable attractions in this resort: an impressive castle perched on a rocky promontory that seems to plunge into the lake; and the Malcesine-Monte Baldo cable car, which in just a few minutes takes you from the town centre to a height of more than 1,700 metres, from where you can enjoy a spectacular view of the entire Lake Garda area.
For couples seeking romance and gourmet travellers interested in the food and wine treasures of the Veneto, we recommend a visit to Bardolino. It is an enchanting village, full of characteristic views and magnificent villas with aristocratic charm; however, its fame is mainly linked to the DOC wine that is produced in the area, a red wine with a delicate bouquet that is appreciated all over the world.
Garda is the place that gave the name by which we all know this magnificent lake (in ancient times it was called Benacus). This detail gives a clear idea of the strategic importance of this town, especially its castle, in medieval times.
Even today it is still one of the most important resorts and attracts a large number of tourists for its charming old town centre, excellent facilities and beautiful views.
Also on the Veneto shore are Brenzone sul Garda, Castelnuovo del Garda, Costermano sul Garda, San Zeno di Montagna and Torri del Benaco.
Places a few kilometres away from the lake that are worth a visit are:
In the following map you can see the location of the main places of interest mentioned in this article.
The offer of accommodation is very wide and varied: choose any of the locations we have suggested, they are all easily accessible. Since it is a popular destination, we advise you to book in advance. Below are some of the hotels on the Veneto side of Lake Garda with the most positive reviews, bookable online.
The Lombard side of Lake Garda coincides with the western shore from Sirmione in the south to Limone in the north. If the plant that characterises the Venetian shore is the olive tree, along the Lombard shore it is citrus fruits that are the mainstay.
There are about twenty towns in Lombard Garda, of which eight have their historic centre directly on the lake; the most famous are Desenzano, Sirmione and Limone.
Desenzano is the western gateway to Lake Garda: the easiest place to reach and the one chosen by many tourists as a starting point for an exploration of the lake.
Sirmione is the jewel of the Lower Garda area of Lombardy: beloved by poets and artists, this historic town of Roman origin stands on a peninsula that juts out over the lake for 4 km. The top attraction are the grottoes of Catullus, which despite their name are not a natural cavity but an important archaeological site from Roman times. Sirmione is also one of the most famous spa resorts on Lake Garda.
If you want to get your fill of romance, go as far as Limone: until 1932 it could only be reached by lake or mountain, and this long isolation has meant that even today the town retains an old-world charm.
Also not to be missed is Gardone Riviera, home to the Vittoriale degli Italiani built by Gabriele d’Annunzio.
The Trentino side of the lake falls entirely within the Alto Garda territory and is the only one that includes both a part of the eastern and a part of the western shore: in practice it coincides with the northern tip of the lake.
The landscape is completely different from that of Basso Garda: the lake is flanked by high mountains and the scenery resembles that of a fjord.
Riva del Garda is the jewel in the crown of this area: a lively town with a beautiful historic centre full of elegant buildings and shops and a busy programme of events all year round.
Riva is also the most popular location for cycling and trekking enthusiasts, thanks to the many paths and cycle paths that start from the centre or in the immediate vicinity. The most famous is the Sentiero della Ponale, a path that runs along the side of the mountain overlooking the lake, offering breathtaking views.
A few kilometres from Riva, easily reached on foot or by bike, is Torbole, a paradise for water sports enthusiasts (sailing, diving, windsurfing, sup). North of Torbole is the hamlet of Nago, where the remains of a castle and splendid panoramic views can be admired.
Moving inland, Arco is the arrival point of a popular cycle route that starts from Riva and is a reference point for climbing enthusiasts.
Lake Garda is located in the middle of three regions: Veneto (in the east), Lombardy (in the west) and Trentino-Alto Adige (in the north). From an administrative point of view, the localities of Lake Garda are part of the provinces of Verona, Brescia and Trento.
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