Lazise is one of the towns on Lake Garda that attracts the most tourists. This is due to many combined factors that make it a fantastic destination for a variety of holidays: an ideal destination for a romantic getaway, a family holiday, a spa weekend or an outdoor holiday, it is also perfect as a base for exploring the entire Garda area or as the final stop on a Veneto itinerary by car.
In common with all the resorts of Lake Garda, Lazise can boast an enchanting landscape, a charming historic centre, a mild climate that favours outdoor activities, and a well-developed tourist industry that guarantees a wide choice of holiday accommodation and services.
It is one of the fortunate locations that can boast a good number of beaches: sandy, pebble or mixed sand and grass, they are perfect for relaxing days by the lake.
A considerable plus is its favourable location: easier to reach than other resorts, Lazise allows easy travel by car, bike or boat to all the most famous Garda resorts (including those in Lombardy and Trentino).
What distinguishes Lazise from all other holiday destinations on Lake Garda is the incredible concentration of amusement parks and theme attractions located just a few kilometres from its centre. Gardaland was the progenitor, and still the record-holder, of this long series of family-friendly attractions; if you prefer wellness to fun, the park for you is the Terme di Colà.
And that’s not all, Lazise can boast another record: this town with its thousand-year history is in fact the first free commune in Italy. A must-see!
Of Roman origins, Lazise today appears as a small village with a clear medieval imprint, characterised by walls, a castle, gates and narrow streets. The municipality also includes the nearby hamlets of Colà, moved inland, and Pacengo.
The alleys and squares of the centre of Lazise hide characteristic corners and romantic glimpses to be discovered at a leisurely pace. An ideal starting point for exploring the village is the central Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, while for shopping the must-see itinerary is in Corso Ospedale.
For everyone, the top attraction in Lazise is the lakeside promenade, considered one of the most beautiful in the whole of Lake Garda; the most photographed point of the entire promenade is the characteristic little harbour.
There is no lack of interesting cultural and historical attractions, and there are plenty of possibilities for day trips. Here are the attractions not to be missed in and around Lazise.
The symbolic building of Lazise is the Antica Dogana Veneta, a monumental 14th century construction commissioned by Cangrande della Scala as his own ship on the lake; it was later the Arsenal of the Venetian Republic and later adopted the function of customs house for the payment of the duty due for goods in transit between Lombardy and the Venetian Republic.
Following the fall of the Serenissima Republic, the customs function ceased, access to the lake was silted up and for a long time the building remained unused.
A skilful restoration in the early 2000s brought the Dogana Veneta back to its former glory; today it is used as an exclusive location for cultural events, corporate events and weddings.
The other building that characterises the centre of Lazise is the Scaligero Castle: built in the Middle Ages on remains from the Roman era, it retains its austere and mysterious charm. Over the centuries it has undergone numerous modifications, but the typical medieval structure with a rectangular plan and five towers is still visible today.
The castle is privately owned and therefore cannot be visited inside; however, it is possible to walk around the crenellated walls: the whole walk takes about an hour.
Along the walls are the three gates that once allowed entry into the city: Porta Superiore or Porta San Zeno, Porta Lion and Porta Nuova or Porta Consignorio.
Among Lazise’s religious buildings, the most photographed is undoubtedly the Church of San Nicolò: it is a simple building, but because of its position close to the small harbour it is particularly romantic and evocative. In Romanesque style, it was built in the 11th century and modified several times over the centuries.
Another church worth visiting is the Church of Saints Zeno and Martino, which houses two valuable works of art inside, both dating back to the 19th century.
Around Lake Garda there is another lake not to be missed, which is really special… in fact there are two! These are the thermal water lakes in the park of Villa dei Cedri, an elegant neoclassical villa built at the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries.
The Garda Thermal Park, also known as Terme di Colà after the name of the resort or Terme Villa dei Cedri, is a must for all wellness holiday lovers.
Although very modern in its services, it differs from other spas and wellness centres in its total immersion in the green: the two thermal lakes, filled with natural hot water from 29° to 39° (depending on the area), are surrounded by forests of centuries-old plants. There is no shortage of offerings typical of a thermal spa, such as whirlpools, cervical fountains, waterfalls and geysers, leg paths, relaxation areas and refreshment points.
The park is open daily until late in the evening, with extended hours on Saturdays.
Lazise is an excellent base from which to explore the entire South Garda region and nearby attractions. Beautiful lakeside resorts within easy reach of Lazise are Peschiera del Garda, the most important centre on the Veneto shore, Bardolino and Sirmione.
The city of Verona with its numerous historical and cultural attractions, first and foremost the Arena and Juliet’s Balcony, can be easily reached in only 30 minutes and is an ideal destination for a day trip.
Another attraction not to be missed around Lazise is the Sigurtà Park in Valeggio sul Mincio, an enchanting nature garden where you can take relaxing walks while admiring the lush vegetation.
There is a segment of tourists who come to Lazise solely for rest and relaxation: their favourite activity is sunbathing on the lake’s beaches and occasionally taking a refreshing dip.
The town beach is Rose Beach5, located in the centre of town. It is a small pebble beach with two bends, bordered by a stone jetty; there is a wooden pier that is often used for sunbathing.
A wider beach is located just outside the centre, at Marra: this is what is commonly referred to as Lazise Beach6. At 930 metres long, it is a sandy beach with many facilities.
The beaches of Fossalta, Bosca Pacengo, the Pacengo Spire and Porto di Pacengo are all located in the nearby hamlet of Pacengo. They are sandy beaches or mixed sand and pebbles or sand and grass.
The number of amusement parks concentrated within a 10 km radius of Lazise is truly impressive: you could spend an entire week’s holiday visiting a different park every day!
Among the family attractions around Lazise, here are the ones not to be missed.
When talking about amusement parks in Italy, the first name that comes to mind is Gardaland. Opened in 1975, this historic park now has around 40 attractions plus a full programme of entertainment and shows. It was the first in Italy to have a fixed rollercoaster.
Gardaland’s attractions cater for all tastes and ages, from small children to adults. Some examples of the incredible experiences you can enjoy in a single day? Exploring the tomb of the pharaohs, doing a vertiginous vertical free jump, standing with your legs dangling more than 30 metres off the ground, touching 100 kmh on a steep descent, entering Peppa Pig’s house or the world of Prezzemolo the dragon.
If you only have time for one theme park during your holiday in Lazise, don’t hesitate: Gardaland Park is the top family attraction.
The park is part of a larger complex called Gardaland Resort, which includes besides Gardaland Park also three theme hotels, an aquarium and the first LEGO water park in Italy.
Only 10 km from the centre of Lazise is a green oasis populated by animals from all over the world: Parco Natura Viva, the zoo of Lake Garda. Opened in the 1960s, it has been transformed into a modern zoo engaged in conservation projects for endangered species.
The park is divided into two zones: a wildlife zone, which can be visited on foot, and a safari zone, which can be visited by car or on board the park’s jeeps.
At the entrance, you will be greeted by the statue of Goofy, which commemorates the park’s first guest animal: a tame hippopotamus who lived until 2009.
Two exciting theme parks opposite each other to experience twice the excitement with just one ticket: this is possible at CanevaWorld Resort, an amusement area a few kilometres from Lazise that includes the most famous water park on Lake Garda and a theme park dedicated to film lovers.
Caneva Aquapark is a classic summer park with wave pools, slides, inflatables and other water games.
Inspired by the American Universal Studios, Movieland is a park with 20 attractions for all ages and 10 shows inspired by Hollywood films. You can enter a set, see stuntmen in action, experience the thrill of a trip into space, drive a jeep through the dinosaur jungle and much more.
You can buy a ticket for just one of the two parks or a combination ticket (usable over several days) that allows you to go from one to the other.
The resort also has a medieval dinner & show restaurant and a rock café.
In the following map you can see the location of the main places of interest mentioned in this article.
The other segment of tourists on holiday in Lazise prefers outdoor activities. They are spoilt for choice, but the lion’s share are of course water sports (especially kayaking, water skiing and wakeboarding).
Another popular activity in Lazise is cycling. Of the many possible itineraries, one of the most beautiful is along the cycle/pedestrian path that connects Lazise with Peschiera del Garda; in the opposite direction you can cycle towards Bardolino. It is an easy route but has some short climbs: if you are not trained, consider renting an ebike.
Do not miss a boat trip during your holiday in Lazise: there are many possibilities, suitable for all budgets.
With the public boats you can travel to the neighbouring villages or go as far as the northern shore of the lake in Trentino. There are also numerous private tours: the duration of these cruises can vary from an hour to a whole day, depending on the number of stops at the various locations.
There are also pedal boats for hire for those who simply want a relaxing trip just a few metres from the shore of Lazise.
Lazise thrives on tourism, so there is a wide choice of hotels, B&Bs, flats and campsites in the area.
Sleeping in the historic centre is the recommended choice for those who want romance and comfort: the village is very pretty, and the most beautiful hotels in the centre of Lazise enjoy lake views. Staying in this area you will have all the services and numerous bars and restaurants close at hand.
If you prefer to stay away from the hustle and bustle, look for an agritourism, a holiday home or a b&b surrounded by greenery. You only have to travel a few kilometres to find various solutions.
There are also numerous campsites in the area, ideal for those who prefer more freedom.
Lazise can be easily reached either by car or by public transport. If travelling by car, you can take the A4 motorway from Milan or Venice, exit at Peschiera del Garda and from there take the Gardesana Orientale road to your destination.
On the other hand, if you are coming from the north, the motorway to take is the A22 Brennero-Modena and the recommended exit is Affi; from there continue south to Lazise.
The nearest railway station to Lazise is Peschiera del Garda, about 15 km away. It is served by regional, Intercity and high-speed trains on the Milan-Venice line and is connected to Lazise by local buses.
You can also get to Lazise by bus from Verona or other important locations in western Veneto and eastern Lombardy.
The nearest airport to Lazise is Verona, but you can also look for a low-cost flight to Brescia or Bergamo.
What's the weather at Lazise? Below are the temperatures and the weather forecast at Lazise for the next few days.
Lazise is a municipality in the province of Verona located along the Veneto coast of Lake Garda, less than 30 km from the provincial capital. It is almost halfway between Venice and Milan, about 140 km in both directions.
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