Lake Garda is the Italian escape that’s got it all: the biggest lake in Italy, jaw-dropping mountain backdrops, foodie gems, and adventures on (and off) the water.

☀️ Good to Know

• ☀️ Summers hit 26-28°C with 8+ hours of daily sunshine, while spring and autumn hover around a pleasant 18-22°C — proper t-shirt weather without the sweltering heat.

• 💶 A pint of beer will set you back around €4-5, a pizza €8-12, and a lakeside pasta lunch about €12-15. House wine's a steal at €10-12 a litre — cheers to that.

• 🍋 Lake Garda is famous for its lemons — the microclimate here is so mild that citrus trees grow further north than anywhere else in Italy. Don't leave without trying the local limoncello.

Lake Garda Highlights

• 🏔️ Stunning Scenery - from the dramatic cliffs of the northern shores to the rolling vineyards in the south, the views are simply mesmerising (make sure you've got space on your camera roll).

• 🏄 Adventure Opportunities - windsurfing, hiking, and cycling galore – it's a dream for adrenaline junkies.

• 🏘️ Charming Towns - explore Sirmione's historic streets, the elegance of Desenzano, or Riva del Garda's alpine vibes.

• 🍷 Food and Wine - indulge in delish local dishes paired with wines straight from the nearby vineyards.

Best Places to Stay on your Lake Garda holidays

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Families – Desenzano - with sandy lidos, calm swimming spots, and plenty of family-friendly restaurants, Desenzano is ideal for parents looking for convenience. Add in easy links to theme parks like Gardaland, and you’ve got a base that keeps the kids happy and the grown-ups stress-free on a family holiday.

💕 Couples – Sirmione - this spot is all about romance. Stroll hand-in-hand through its castle-topped old town, soak in thermal baths, and grab a lakeside table for a sunset dinner. This peninsula setting feels like its own little world — perfect for a couples holiday.

🎉 Groups – Riva del Garda - adventure-loving crews will find their groove in Riva. Spend your days windsurfing, hiking trails with jaw-dropping views, or biking around the lake. When the sun dips, the lively piazzas and bars buzz with energy — a spot on pick to group holiday in style.

🏨 Top Hotels to stay at on your holidays to Lake Garda

It's important to have your home-away-from-home locked down and ticking all the boxes, whether you've planned your holidays well in advance, or you've nabbed a last minute deal, you want to make sure everything is just right. We get it, we agree, and we've got you covered. Check out some of our fave picks below:

• Hotel Alexander (Limone) - with spacious rooms featuring balconies or terraces, you'll be soaking up those epic lake views every day. It's a proper beaut for a beach getaway, set against the picturesque backdrop of Lake Garda. ​

• Poiano Resort Hotel (Garda) - set on the eastern shore of Lake Garda, this resort is a cracking spot for golf lovers with a course just 4,000 metres away. Plus, there's a fab restaurant, bar, and poolside snack bar to keep everyone happy. ​

• Park Hotel (Desenzano) - kick back and relax at Park Hotel, where a rooftop pool, hot tub, and lush sun terrace give you a smashing view of Lake Garda. With swish rooms—some flaunting lake-view balconies—and top-notch local and Mediterranean nosh at the on-site restaurant, this gem is a beaut for families and couples alike. ​

• Grand Hotel Gardone (Gardone Riviera) - dating back to 1884, this hotel seamlessly blends historic charm with modern comfort. The rooms and Junior Suites come with balconies offering lush views of Lake Garda. Dining here is a treat, with local specialities served on a candlelit terrace by the pool. ​

• Yachting Hotel Mistral (Sirmione) - set in a lush park with mega views, it's got a panoramic pool, gym corner with sauna and hot tub, and offers free bikes to explore. A fab place for a chill jollies by the lake.

Lake Garda holidays travel guide

Things to do for families in Lake Garda

Lake Garda is a top-tier destination for families. Gardaland, one of Europe’s best theme parks, is perfect for kiddos of all ages with roller coasters and shows galore. Don’t miss Movieland, where the Hollywood-inspired rides and stunts will have everyone buzzing. Fancy cooling off? Hit up Caneva Aquapark, packed with water slides and lazy rivers. For something a bit more relaxed, take a family boat trip around the lake or explore the kid-friendly hiking trails offering stunning vistas and a bybit of adventure. There’s something for everyone, making it a whopper of a holiday spot for families.

Things to do for couples in Lake Garda

Lake Garda is dripping with romance. Wander hand-in-hand through Sirmione’s old town, where cobbled streets lead to the ancient Scaliger Castle. Or bask in the thermal waters of Aquaria Thermal Spa, overlooking the lake – it’s proper boujee and perfect for unwinding. For the wine-loving duos, a visit to the Valpolicella wine region nearby is a must. Tour the vineyards, sample top-tier vintages, and toast to your love. End the day with a sunset cruise on the lake, where the golden hues and serene waters set the scene for a dreamy evening.

Things to do for groups in Lake Garda

Planning a group getaway? Lake Garda has you covered. Riva del Garda is a buzzing hub for adventure sports like canyoning, paragliding, and windsurfing. Fancy something a bit swanky? Book a private boat tour and feel like VIPs while exploring hidden coves and beaches. Wine tasting tours around the southern end of the lake are always a hit with groups, blending fun and a touch of sophistication. When the sun sets, head to Desenzano, known for its lively nightlife, with bars and clubs that pop off late into the night. Whether it’s action-packed or chilled vibes you’re after, Lake Garda delivers.

Things to do for foodies in Lake Garda

Calling all food lovers – Lake Garda is a foodie paradise. Start your culinary adventure in the lakeside trattorias, where fresh-caught fish like lavarello takes centre stage. Don’t miss the region’s limoncello, made from Garda’s famous lemons – it’s a zesty delight. The olive oils produced here are also top-tier, perfect for drizzling over fresh bread or pasta. Take a trip to Bardolino or Valpolicella for wine tours and tastings that will leave your taste buds tingling. And if you’re craving something sweet, dive into the creamy gelato served up in charming lakeside gelaterias. Delish doesn’t even cover it!

Getting around Lake Garda

• 🚌 Buses - Lake Garda’s public bus network is perfect for hopping between lakeside towns without blowing your budget. With routes circling the lake and connecting to hotspots like Verona and Brescia, it’s an easy way to get from gelato to aperitivo without lifting a finger - except to press the stop button.

• 🚖 Taxis & Transfers - not up for navigating timetables? Taxis and private transfers are widely available around the lake, especially in the bigger towns like Desenzano, Riva, and Sirmione. They’re pricier than the bus but super convenient - perfect for late-night pizza runs or lazy morning lie-ins.

• ⛴️ Ferries - fancy travelling with a view? Lake Garda’s ferries are a dreamy (and practical) way to glide between towns like Limone, Malcesine, and Bardolino. It’s transport that doubles as a sightseeing tour - what’s not to love?

• 🚴 Cycling - with lakeside paths and mountain trails galore, Lake Garda is a top pick for cyclists. Whether you're cruising through vineyards or tackling hillside routes, it’s a brilliant way to work up an appetite for that next scoop of stracciatella.

🛍️ Shopping in Lake Garda

Lake Garda's charming towns are stuffed with boutiques, local artisan shops, and weekly markets that make for brilliant souvenir hunting and leisurely browsing.

Where to Shop

• 🛒 Desenzano is the fashion capital of the lake, with independent boutiques and designer shops lining its historic centre. Head to Via Roma and the surrounding streets for Italian labels, leather goods, and stylish homewares.

• 🏰 Sirmione is all about artisan finds — think olive oil soaps, handmade ceramics, and locally produced skincare. The narrow lanes inside the castle walls are packed with cute little shops perfect for picking up unique gifts.

• 🍷 Bardolino is wine country, so stock up on bottles of the local red and Chiaretto rosé straight from producer cellars. The town also has lovely delis selling olive oils, balsamic vinegars, and Italian foodie treats.

• 🏔️ Limone specialises in all things lemon — limoncello, lemon soap, lemon ceramics, lemon everything. Touristy? A bit. Delicious? Absolutely.

Weekly Markets

• Mondays: Sirmione (Colombare), Peschiera del Garda, Torri del Benaco

• Tuesdays: Desenzano, Limone, Castelnuovo del Garda

• Wednesdays: Riva del Garda, Lazise

• Thursdays: Bardolino, Toscolano-Maderno

• Fridays: Garda, Manerba del Garda, Sirmione (Lugana)

• Saturdays: Malcesine, Salò, Padenghe

Shopping Centres

If you fancy a proper retail therapy session, there are a few shopping centres within easy reach. Il Leone in Lonato (just off the Desenzano motorway exit) has over 100 shops, while Le Vele in Desenzano offers a more relaxed garden-style arcade. For outlet shopping, Franciacorta Outlet Village near Brescia is about 40 minutes away with 160+ designer stores at discounted prices.

🗺️ Day Trips from Lake Garda

Lake Garda's location in northern Italy makes it a brilliant base for exploring some of the country's most famous cities and landscapes.

• Verona 🏛️  - Just 30 minutes from the southern shore, Verona is a must-do day out. This UNESCO World Heritage city is famous for its Roman amphitheatre (which still hosts world-class opera in summer), Juliet's Balcony, and gorgeous medieval piazzas. Wander through Piazza delle Erbe, climb the Torre dei Lamberti for panoramic views, and grab an Aperol Spritz in the shadow of 2,000 years of history. Trains run regularly from Desenzano and Peschiera — you can be there in under 30 minutes.

• Venice 🚣 - A bit further but absolutely worth the early start, Venice is around 90 minutes by train from Desenzano or Peschiera. Glide down the Grand Canal, marvel at St Mark's Square, and get gloriously lost in the maze of bridges and alleyways. Organised coach tours are available from most lake resorts if you'd rather someone else do the navigating.

• Valpolicella Wine Region 🍷 - Wine lovers should make a beeline for Valpolicella, the rolling hills just east of the lake where Amarone, Ripasso, and Valpolicella Classico are produced. Most wineries offer tastings and tours, and the countryside is gorgeous — all terracotta farmhouses, cypress trees, and endless vineyards. It's only about 20 minutes from Bardolino or Garda town.

• Milan 🛍️ - Italy's fashion and design capital is around 90 minutes by train from Desenzano. See the stunning Duomo, browse the designer shops of the Quadrilatero della Moda, and grab a fancy coffee in the beautiful Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. High-speed trains make it an easy day trip.

• Mantua 🏰 - This lesser-known Renaissance gem sits about 45 minutes south of the lake and is surrounded by three artificial lakes of its own. The UNESCO-listed historic centre is packed with palaces, churches, and piazzas — and far fewer tourists than the bigger-name cities. Proper off-the-beaten-track vibes.

• Lake Como 🌿 - Fancy swapping one gorgeous Italian lake for another? Lake Como is about 90 minutes west and offers a slightly different vibe — posher, quieter, and with George Clooney potentially lurking somewhere. The towns of Bellagio, Varenna, and Como itself are all worth a wander.

Other places to visit in Italy:

• Abruzzo

• Adriatic Riviera

• Bologna

• Brescia

• Lake Como

• Liguria

• Milan

• Naples

• Neopolitan Riviera

• Puglia

• Rimini

• Rome

• Sardinia

• Sicily

• Turin

• Tuscany

• Venice

• Verona