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How to spend 3 or 4 days on Lake Garda

Fancy a dose of lake-living and sightseeing? Short breaks to Lake Garda will do the trick. In just a few days you can explore everything from castles and vineyards to picture-perfect lake beaches.

Garda is one huge lake, the biggest in Italy. It won't take long to get here – transfers from Verona airport come in at usually under an hour – but if you’re only here for a short while, you’ll want to make the most of your time. The easiest way to do that is by focussing on what’s close to you, whether you’re staying in the north of the lake or the south. 

 

Here’s a flavour of how you can get the most out of three or four days on Lake Garda.

Explore the towns


Ambling around Roman ruins and castle walls… Dipping in and out of craft shops, galleries and churches… Finding your fave café, trattoria or gelateria…

 

North or south of the lake, there’s no better way to kick off your Lake Garda hol than by getting to know the place where you're staying.


North of the lake

Riva

Riva is a lively harbour town on the north shore of Lake Garda, with lots to see and do around the place. Wandering through the old town's twisty lanes and streets, you’ll take in Roman walls, a Medieval castle and the iconic centuries-old clocktower on the waterfront. The promenade here stretches up to nearby Torbole and is the place to grab a gelato or ice-cold tipple. Simple joys here are people-watching and taking snaps of bobbing boats and mountains rising out of the water.

Malcesine

As lakeside towns go, Malcesine’s pretty special. With pavement cafes, ice-cream parlours, small squares and independent shops, it’s the perfect spot for a daytime amble. But its blow-me-away feature is the Medieval Scaliger castle – one of four Scaliger castles on the lake – which towers over the town’s distinctive terracotta-roofed houses. Take the steps up to it and you’ll be rewarded with views of the lake and surrounding mountains which are hard to match.

Limone

When you think of Limone, picture flower-lined cobbled lanes, traditional shuttered houses, and the sweet scent of citrus fruit hanging in the air. Each street here is like an oil painting, and a meander along the waterfront promenade serves up a scene of sparkling water and the imposing Monte Baldo mountain – bliss.

South of the lake

Garda

Sharing its name with the lake, the town of Garda is a hub of activity and captures all the classic elements of Italian culture. Colourful villas, wrought-iron balconies draped with vines and flowers, buildings mixing Romanesque and Renaissance styles – wherever you look there’s something to catch your eye. And the cypress tree-lined promenade stretches all the way to neighbouring Bardolino. It’s a laidback 3km walk to be enjoyed at any time of the day, with bustling coffee spots, bars and restaurants lining the way.

Bardolino

Bardolino serves up a slice of the Italian good life, whether it’s catching an evening concert by the steps of San Nicolo church or finding your fave pizzeria in the old town. And the prom to Garda is the longest one around the shore, so wander along it for a front-row view across the water and mountains in the distance. Or you could pedal along it instead – lots of the hotels offer bike hire, sometimes for free.

Sirmione

Set on a slim strip of land jutting out of the lake's southern shore, Sirmione’s full of age-old buildings and bustling shopping streets. Check out the 13th-century castle that still guards the entrance to the old town, and other highlights such as the Church of San Pietro and the Roman ruins at the Grottoes of Catallus. Also well-known as a wellness hotspot around the lake, the natural springs at the Aquaria Thermal Spa are worth a visit.

Take to the water


From passenger ferries to motorboats, spending time on the lake itself is a real joy – and much more fun than a bus when it comes to discovering areas beyond where you’re staying. For a deeper dive, check out our list of the best Lake Garda boat trips.

 

North of the lake

Riva to Torbole

From Riva, take a short boat trip tracing the northern tip of Lake Garda over to close-by Torbole. Ferries are regular and cheap, and are a fab way to view the rugged cliffs and lush greenery that line the shore.

Malcesine to Limone

This trip treats you to an eye-popping perspective of Malcesine’s Scaliger castle, before making your way across the lake to Limone. Approaching this western side you’ll spot the town’s steep hillsides covered in olive trees and lemon groves, and smell the sweet citrus in the breeze.

South of the lake

Town-hop from Desenzano to Garda

A special trip is to take a sail- or motorboat around Sirmione’s picturesque peninsula, from the vibrant harbour town of Desenzano in the lake’s south-western corner. This journey is a stunner, and continuing along the south coast you’ll pull up to Peschiera – a fortressed town made up of islands, bridges and canals across the mouth of the Mincio river. Hop off here to have a look around and grab a bite to eat in the attractive old town. Want to see more? Ferries from here travel up the east coast, passing the charming towns of Lazise, Bardolino and Garda.

Visit Isola del Garda

From most towns on the south of the lake you can book return boat trips to Isola del Garda, as well as guided tours. It’s Lake Garda’s biggest island, privately owned by the aristocratic Cavazza family but opened to the public each summer. Explore the manicured gardens before looking around the impressive Venetian villa. Then head off to explore the island’s nature reserve – it’s a top spot to bird-watch, with plenty of pathways shaded by oaks, poplars and laurel trees.

Discover more around the lake


Beyond exploring the towns and the lake itself, there are other great activities and experiences you can fit into a short break to Lake Garda. The landscape and climate are slightly different in the north and south of the lake, so each brings something a little different when it comes to days out and about.


North of the lake

Cable car-climbs

One of the best things to do from Malcesine is to ride the Monte Baldo cable car. Brought a camera or a set of binoculars on your trip? You’ll want to keep them handy on this day – as the ride reaches 1,800m and rotates a full 360°, serving up some seriously *chef’s kiss* scenery.

Walks and wanders

There are miles and miles of walking paths around the lake, so follow your feet to take in everything from mountaintop walkways above Torbole to wooden sculpture trails near Riva. Find the best walks near you by using our guide to the best walks around Lake Garda to help you decide which to go for.

South of the lake

Grape to glass

The rolling hills and Mediterranean weather around the south of Lake Garda make it spot on for wine-making. A prized pick is Bardolino’s Chiaretto rosé – the town even dedicates a whole festival to it every June. Take a tour of a nearby vineyard to learn about the whole winemaking process and taste some top vintages.

Gardens of Garda

As with many of the Italian lakes, Garda has its fair share of beautiful gardens to visit and delight the senses. If you only visit one during your trip, Sigurtà Park near Peschiera (pictured) could be the front-runner. Here you’ll discover 148 acres of blooms, trees and lawns, including one million tulips and a path lined with 30,000 roses.

Eager for a jam-packed trip or chilled-out getaway? Snap up a short break this summer and spend a few days living la dolce vita in Lake Garda.

 

Check out our other Italian destinations for some more holiday inspo.

 

Author: Marty Fraser-Turner

 

Last updated: 28/05/2024

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