Experiences near Lake Garda not to miss

Book the original Lake Garda tour with boat trip from Garda, Bardolino, Lazise, Castelnuovo and Peschiera

Book the original Lake Garda tour with boat trip from Limone, Riva, Torbole and Malcesine 

Book the original Lake Garda tour with boat trip from Sirmione and Desenzano

Book the original Lake Garda tour with boat trip from Gardone, Salò and Maderno 

Discover the charm of rural Veneto on this full-day wine experience. Leaving the shores of Lake Garda behind, you’ll wind your way through rolling countryside bursting with vineyards, to the Medieval town of Soave, where stone walls and a hilltop castle set the scene. Spend some time wandering the cobbled streets before a guided tour and tasting at Cantina del Castello winery, known for its organic and sustainable approach to winemaking. After a light lunch of local cheese and cured meat platters, it’s on to Valpolicella, a region known for its red wines, for a tour of the Cà Besi vineyard. You’ll sample a selection of regional wines along the way – and why not pick up a bottle to take home?

Available from: Garda and Bardolino

Book the wine-tasting tour of Soave and Valpolicella 

A cluster of 118 islands and 400 bridges, the ‘floating city’ of Venice tops many people’s wish lists and you can easily include it in your Lake Garda trip. You’ll quickly find out just why it’s so special as you speed into the city centre on a private motorboat, and visit spots like St Mark’s Square and the Doge’s Palace with a local guide. You’ll have plenty of time to yourself to explore the maze of alleys and canals, and you could even add on a gondola ride for the ultimate Venetian experience.

Available from: All resorts

South Tyrol isn’t your typical Italy – think alpine peaks, Austrian-style charm and a mix of languages and cultures. You’ll kick things off in Bolzano, the region’s stylish capital, where you can stroll the piazzas and cobbled streets, grab a slice of apple strudel, or do a spot of shopping. Then it’s up and away in a cable car to the scenic Renon plateau – a popular spot known for its viewpoints and walking, before hopping on the narrow-gauge train through rolling meadows and picture-perfect villages. And just a 20-minute walk away are the impressive earth pyramids – towering spires shaped entirely by nature. It's one not to miss. 

Enter the world of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet in Verona, a heart-shaped city bursting with culture. You can tick off famous historical sites like the Roman Arena and Piazza delle Erbe, with a guide to let you in on the city’s secrets. And you’ll have to plenty of time to explore at your own pace, whether that’s café-hopping and people-watching in Piazza Brà, browsing designer boutiques on Via Mazzini or taking the funicular up to St Pietro hill for the sort of views you’d find on a postcard.

Available from: All resorts

Grab a ticket and soak up the sounds of Lake Garda with a weekly dose of live classical music. Every Thursday at 11.30am, the elegant Palazzo Carlotti – once home to the noble Carlotti family – hosts intimate concerts where the music’s not the only thing telling a story. Between pieces, performers share stories about the palace’s history, and there’s even an art exhibition to browse while you’re there. After the show, stick around for a chat with the musicians over a glass of something local. 

Available from: Garda

Book a Garda concert

Lake Molveno is a real showstopper – expect turquoise waters and the towering Dolomites setting the scene. The tour kicks off with a visit to a local bee farm, where you’ll dive into the buzz of bees and get to taste a trio of honeys. Then it’s your time to relax by the lake – take a refreshing dip, paddle around in a kayak, or find your balance on a paddleboard. For some jaw-dropping views, hop on the cable car to see the lake from above. To finish off, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at the Marzadro Distillery, tasting grappa, limoncello and more – plus a splash of local olive oil to round out the flavours.

Available from: Bardolino, Garda, Malcesine, Torbole and Riva. 

Book a honey and liqueur tasting tour

Italy's known for its wine, and the southern shore of Lake Garda has rolling hills covered with vines. Visit local vineyards to learn about the winemaking process – from growing different grape varieties to producing finished bottles of whites, reds and sparkling wine. And of course, no vineyard tour would be complete without the opportunity to sample some of the region’s best wines. You could even pick up a bottle or two to take home.

Available from: Bardolino, Garda, Limone, Riva, Torbole and Malcesine

Book a wine-tasting tour from Garda and Bardolino

Book a wine-tasting tour from Limone, Riva, Torbole and Malcesine

Surrounded by three lakes, Mantua is a historic UNESCO city known for its Renaissance art and architecture. You’ll start the day with a guided walking tour through the city of Virgil and the Gonzagas, exploring its four grand piazzas. Once you’ve got your bearings, there’s time to wander at your own pace. Enjoy free entry to the Virgilio Museum where you can learn about the poet Virgil’s birthplace set within a historic 13th-century palace. Afterwards, you’ll hop on a two-hour boat trip across to the Sirmione peninsula and the archaeological site of Grottoes of Catullus. And if the weather’s nice, why not take a dip in the lake? 

Available from: Limone, Riva, Torbole, Malcesine, Garda, Bardolino, Lazise, Castelnuovo

Book the Medieval Mantua tour

Find out more about holidays to Lake Garda, and browse experiences to book ahead of your trip.
 

Head to our Lakes & Mountains homepage to discover more about our favourite holidays.

Author: Sophie Taylor

Last updated: 23.04.2026