Lake Garda holidays

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Popular hotels in Lake Garda
Top hotels in Lake Garda
Facts about Lake Garda

Holidays to Lake Garda contrast the dramatic mountain backdrop with the peaceful, glistening waters of the lake, and the collection of traditional towns and villages with Italy's most iconic cities, right on your doorstep.

Landscape of contrast

The largest and most popular of the Italian lakes, Lake Garda lies in the country's north, midway between Milan and Venice. Much like the sweetness of the Hugo Spritz and the bitterness of the Aperol, this place is a region of contrasts. With shorelines stretching over 90 miles, covering three regions and 15 colourful towns, there's a perfect spot for everyone. Each town has kept its character and culture, with a relaxed way of life where age-old customs are alive and kicking.

The dramatic north

Mountainous landscapes, hillside villages and harbour towns line the shores of the narrower, northern end of Lake Garda. There are ample opportunities for adventuring, on a walk through the hillside of Malcesine, or simply a stroll along the cobbled promenade of Limone. Known for its breezier climate, watersports are somewhat of a favourite here – and even if you’re not taking part, you can spend hours watching the water, while sitting on the lakefront of Torbole with an ice-cream or spritz. This area was historically under Austrian rule, so reminders of the centuries-old invasion threats appear in the most northerly towns of Riva and Torbole.

The sun-wrapped south

The south of Lake Garda is much flatter and wider, with the Sirmione peninsula protruding from the south. Known for its mild, Mediterranean climate, an array of olive trees and lemon groves flourish here, which is unusual this far north of the equator. Vineyards also surround Bardolino and Lazise, and produce a collection of world-renowned wines. The pebble beaches of Desenzano and Garda town slide into the clear waters and provide a relaxing setting for a day of soaking up the sun. The charming harbour of Peschiera, fortress walls of Torri del Benaco and Scaligeri Castles stand in honour to the Veronese and Venetian rulers and offer plentiful opportunities to wander, admire and learn.

Top destinations in Lake Garda

Peninsula on lake with pontoon, large houses and green trees

View from boat looking across at yellow and orange buildings

Lakeside promenade lined with colourful buildings and boats in the water

Bench looking out onto lake at sail boat and rock hill with tower on the top

View along a river, boats lined up on the right, buildings on the left with a turret and sun setting

Popular hotels in Lake Garda

Top things to see and do in Lake Garda

Beaches

Beaches with a backdrop

There are tons of beaches lining the shores of the lake, from sandy spots to pebbly stretches and grass lidos – in fact there’s over 28 miles of free beaches along the 98-mile shoreline – and all of them come with glorious views over the water and surrounding hills and mountains. Most have loungers and parasols available, and lots have other extras like bars and cafés.

Sandy shores

As Garda's a natural lake, there’s no tide or big waves to wear the pebbly shores into sand. The few sandy beaches are mainly in the south – in Lazise and Desenzano to name a couple – and these have been manmade. It goes without saying that sand's comfier to lie on than pebbles, and kids often love playing in it too.

Jump right in

We’d recommend wearing lake shoes for walking into the water, but as the entry into the water can drop off quite quickly, the jetties are great for jumping or stepping down into the clear, fresh waters. As for water temperature, the north, where the water enters the lake from the Sarca River, tends to be a little chillier. The south can be as much as 6°C warmer, and, in the height of summer can reach as warm as 23°C on the surface.

Shopping

Bargain buys

The weekly markets are the perfect place to pick up a few souvenirs at a reasonable price. It’s not as cheap as you may imagine, but the products are top quality. Everything from traditional pottery and gifts to Italian leather goods and clothing are on offer. The same market moves from town to town throughout the week, so what you seen in one resort will be the same as the rest.

Mid-range buys

All towns around Lake Garda have shops where you can pick up things like clothing, souvenirs and Murano glass at a fair price. Riva’s home to the Blue Garden Shopping Centre, and just outside Desenzano is the Il Leone Centre, and both have a mix of national and international shops and brands.

Designer buys

Lake Garda sits between Verona and the fashion capital of Europe, Milan. In both cities, designer shops like Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Prada and Armani line the streets. And it’s easy to get to them by train from lots of places around the lake.

Nightlife

Laid-back evenings

Cafés and bars line the waterfront in most towns around the lake, and often have outdoor seating where you can enjoy a spot of people-watching. Shops and ice-cream parlours tend to stay open until as late as the bars, so grab yourself a scoop and take a wander round the pretty streets. In towns like Bardolino and Riva, the promenade is great for an evening stroll.

Lively evenings

All of the larger towns around the lake have a lively evening atmosphere. Bars with live music can be found in most towns, Malcesine and Limone are known for their regular firework displays on the water, and Bardolino hosts a philharmonic orchestra on the steps of the church. If you’re looking to have a dance, Bardolino and Desenzano have great clubs that are open until the early hours.