Where to go on Holiday to Lake Garda? A guide to the best destinations
A vacation at Lake Garda is the perfect opportunity to discover one of Italy's most fascinating destinations. With its 370 square kilometers of crystalline waters nestled between the Alps and the Po Valley, Lake Garda is the country's largest lake and offers a harmonious mix of alpine landscapes, Mediterranean climate, and cultural treasures capable of enchanting every traveler.
Whether you desire romantic lakeside towns, medieval hilltop villages, golden beaches, or nature trails, a vacation at Lake Garda will surprise you with its incredible variety.
Where to spend your holiday on Lake Garda
The Lombard shore: elegance and tradition with Salò as protagonist
The western shore of the lake, belonging to Lombardy, stands out for its refined character and historical richness. Salò, considered the pearl of the Lombard shore, deserves particular attention for its strategic position and cultural heritage. This elegant town, which was the capital of the Italian Social Republic during World War II, today enchants visitors with its panoramic lakefront promenade, perfectly preserved historic center, and magnificent Renaissance cathedral.
The center of Salò offers an authentic experience among artisan shops, historic cafés, and restaurants that showcase Garda's culinary tradition. The walk along the tourist port provides unforgettable views, while the weekly markets on Saturdays enliven the squares with local products and regional specialties.
From Salò, numerous excursions depart toward the hinterland, where you can discover villages like Gardone Riviera, famous for Gabriele D'Annunzio's Vittoriale degli Italiani, Toscolano Maderno, renowned for its historic paper mills, and Gargnano, a picturesque fishing village with its romantic little port and historic villas overlooking the lake.
Continuing along the Lombard shore northward, Limone sul Garda represents another gem famous worldwide for its terraced lemon groves that create a unique landscape. This fishing village transformed into a luxury tourist destination offers boutique hotels, starred restaurants, and breathtaking panoramas. The Gardesana Occidentale road, which connects Limone to Riva del Garda, is considered one of Europe's most beautiful scenic routes.
Completing the picture of the Lombard shore are locations like Sirmione, the famous peninsula that extends into the lake offering the famous Grotte di Catullo and natural thermal baths with sulfurous waters known since Roman times, and Desenzano del Garda, a lively tourist center with its lakefront promenade animated by bars, shops, and the picturesque Tuesday market.
The Veneto shore: entertainment and pristine nature
The eastern side of the lake, divided between Veneto and Trentino-Alto Adige, offers a completely different character. Bardolino and Lazise represent the heart of Garda's wine tradition, surrounded by vineyards that produce some of Northern Italy's most appreciated wines. Bardolino, with its historic cellars and food and wine routes, attracts enthusiasts from around the world, while Lazise conquers with its perfectly preserved medieval village and Scaliger walls that are reflected in the lake.
Malcesine, perched at the foot of Monte Baldo, represents one of the lake's most photographed locations with its medieval Scaliger castle that dominates the historic center and port. From here departs the cable car that in a few minutes takes you to Monte Baldo's "natural terrace," offering breathtaking panoramas of the entire lake.
Peschiera del Garda, a Venetian fortification and UNESCO World Heritage site, completes the Veneto shore's offerings with its star-shaped walls and strategic position at the mouth of the Mincio River.
Riva del Garda: the alpine soul of the lake
At the northern extremity, Riva del Garda represents the perfect union between lakeside atmosphere and mountain character. Surrounded by the Brenta Dolomites and the Ledro Alps, this Trentino town offers a unique experience where you can go from sailing to high-altitude trekking in just a few kilometers.
The historic center, dominated by the Torre Apponale and Palazzo Pretorio, tells centuries of history while modern sports centers attract athletes from around the world for windsurfing, mountain biking, and rock climbing.
Discover Lake Garda with Beeboatservice
To experience Lake Garda from a unique and privileged perspective, Beeboatservice offers tours and unforgettable boat experiences departing directly from Salò. Our guided trips allow you to admire the most beautiful Garda locations from the lake, discovering hidden corners and panoramas inaccessible from land.
During our tours, you can relax aboard comfortable and safe boats while expert guides tell the history and curiosities of each location visited.
Our customizable itineraries include stops for swimming in crystalline waters, sunset aperitifs, and tastings of local products. Book your Lake Garda boat tour with Beeboatservice: the most authentic way to discover the magic of this territory!
What to do on vacation on Lake Garda
Activities at Lake Garda satisfy every interest and every age. Water sports dominate the summer offerings: from windsurfing in the windy waters of Torbole to sailing in the sheltered bays of Salò, from kayaking along rocky coasts to stand-up paddling in hidden coves. The numerous beaches, both free and equipped, offer comfort and services for families with children.
The Garda hinterland provides different emotions through a network of trails that wind through vineyards, olive groves, and chestnut forests. Monte Baldo, nicknamed "Garden of Europe" for its biodiversity, is reachable by cable car from Malcesine and offers spectacular panoramas as well as paths for all difficulty levels. Theme parks like Gardaland, Caneva World, and Parco Giardino Sigurtà complete the family offerings.
Culture and art find expression in the numerous museums, historic villas, and monuments that dot the entire Garda territory. Beyond the famous Vittoriale degli Italiani in Gardone Riviera and the Scaliger Castle of Sirmione, worth visiting are the Castle of Malcesine with its Monte Baldo natural history museum, the Rocca of Riva del Garda which houses the Civic Museum, and the Castle of Arco that dominates the valley from atop its cliff.
From a religious standpoint, the territory offers architectural jewels like the Sanctuary of Montecastello in Tignale, clinging to the rock with breathtaking views of the lake, the Pieve di San Severo in Bardolino with its Romanesque frescoes, and San Nicolò Church in Lazise, a perfect example of medieval architecture.
Historic villas like Villa Bettoni in Bogliaco, Villa Feltrinelli in Gargnano, and Villa dei Cedri in Colà di Lazise tell centuries of history among Italian gardens and princely architecture. The cultural festivals that animate the territory throughout the year, from Verona's Shakespeare Festival to summer musical events, complete a cultural offering of absolute excellence.
Vacations with dogs on Lake Garda
Lake Garda confirms itself as a pet-friendly destination with numerous facilities and services dedicated to four-legged travelers. Many hotels and agritourisms accept pets, often providing beds, bowls, and even special menus. Dog beaches are present in various locations: in Lazise, Bardolino, and Riva del Garda there are dedicated areas where dogs can swim freely.
The trails of Monte Baldo and Alto Garda are perfect for excursions with your four-legged friend, offering shaded paths and fountains for drinking. Many restaurants with gardens or outdoor seating welcome dogs, while some establishments even offer free fresh water bowls.
Local public transport generally allows access to animals with leash and muzzle, while for ferries connecting the different shores of the lake, it's necessary to verify each company's specific policies. Numerous veterinary pharmacies are present in the main tourist locations for any eventual needs.
Tips and useful information for the perfect vacation
The best period to visit Lake Garda is from April to October, with July and August offering the warmest climate but also the most crowding. May, June, and September represent the ideal compromise between favorable weather conditions and more moderate prices.
For transportation, the automobile remains the most flexible means, but during high season traffic can be intense along the lakeside roads. Public ferries connect the main locations and offer a panoramic and relaxing alternative, while bicycle paths allow you to explore the territory in an ecological and healthy way.
Advance booking is strongly recommended for accommodations and restaurants, especially on weekends and during summer months. Many facilities offer discounts for extended stays or bookings made well in advance.
Events and festivals animate the territory throughout the year: from the Centomiglia sailing race in September to Salò in Musica, from autumn food and wine festivals to Christmas markets. Consulting local event calendars allows you to enrich your travel experience with cultural and traditional events.
Finally, respect for the lake environment is fundamental: avoid littering, respect local flora and fauna, and choose sustainable transportation when possible to help preserve this natural heritage for future generations.
Lake Garda knows how to offer unforgettable experiences to anyone who can appreciate its extraordinary variety, from crystalline waters to alpine peaks, from medieval villages to modern hospitality facilities, in a perfect balance between nature, culture, and hospitality that makes it unique in the world.
How much does a vacation at Lake Garda cost
Lake Garda offers solutions for every budget, from economical camping to five-star luxury resorts. For a mid-range vacation, you can budget between 100 and 200 euros per day for a couple, including accommodation in a three-star hotel, meals in local restaurants, and standard tourist activities.
Luxury hotels along the most exclusive shores, such as those in Gardone Riviera or Riva del Garda, can reach 300-500 euros per night per room, offering spa services, gourmet restaurants, and private lake access. Villas with pools for rent represent an excellent solution for large groups or families, with prices varying from 200 to 800 euros per night depending on season and location.
For those seeking more economical solutions, campgrounds offer pitches from 25-40 euros per night, while hinterland agritourisms propose comfortable rooms starting from 60-80 euros per night, often including breakfast with home-produced products.
Activities and transportation moderately affect the budget: a boat tour costs on average 25-50 euros per person, theme park admission varies from 35 to 45 euros, while the Monte Baldo cable car costs about 25 euros round trip.
Also read Where to stay in Salò: 10+3 Recommended Hotels for an unforgettable vacation