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The locals’ lowdown: what to do around Lake Garda
Italy’s biggest lake packs in plenty of variety, with over 140km of shoreline to explore. The balmy climate and vineyard-covered hillsides give the place a Mediterranean feel – but visit its northern end, and the food and culture have a distinctive alpine twist that you won’t find anywhere else in Italy.
If you’re after the best things to see and do, you can’t beat a bit of local knowledge. We caught up with Jac and Aimee, who both live and work here, to find out about their Lake Garda must-dos.
If you’re after the best things to see and do, you can’t beat a bit of local knowledge. We caught up with Jac and Aimee, who both live and work here, to find out about their Lake Garda must-dos.
Where’s your favourite place on Lake Garda and why do you love it so much?
Jac: ‘I love Torbole. It’s a town at the northern tip of Lake Garda and has a really active vibe, with lots of different things to do, like windsurfing and mountain biking. And the temperature is pleasant during the summertime, thanks to the breeze that blows off the lake. This is where my favourite bar is too – a tiny place called Refol. It may be small, but it’s got one of the best wine cellars around.’
Windsurfing near Torbole
Aimee: ‘I prefer the southern shore, and Bardolino is my absolute fave. It’s got a great atmosphere all summer long, with people sitting outside the cafés and enjoying drinks on sun terraces. And there are always buskers and street performers dotted along the lake promenade in the evening.’
Bardolino
And is there anywhere that people might not have heard of, but should definitely visit?
Jac: ‘There’s a beach that sticks out into the lake called Corno di Bò. This is my go-to spot for sunbathing and swimming, and because it’s hidden by steep cliffs, it feels very secluded. It’s a little off the beaten track, on the road between Torbole and Malcesine, so hire a scooter to get there in true Italian style.’
Aimee: ‘Lazise’s a popular town on Lake Garda, and if you visit here, I’d definitely recommend checking out a nearby hamlet called Cisano too. It’s tucked among vineyards and olive groves and has a lovely, laidback atmosphere. Walking there from Lazise and having lunch in one of the small restaurants by the little harbour is the perfect way to spend a leisurely day.’
Aimee: ‘Lazise’s a popular town on Lake Garda, and if you visit here, I’d definitely recommend checking out a nearby hamlet called Cisano too. It’s tucked among vineyards and olive groves and has a lovely, laidback atmosphere. Walking there from Lazise and having lunch in one of the small restaurants by the little harbour is the perfect way to spend a leisurely day.’
Cisano harbour
What are your Lake Garda must-dos?
Jac: ‘You should definitely go for some walks around Lake Garda. Loads of routes start right on your doorstep, so you don’t have to drive to get to them. There’s heaps of variety too, from leisurely lakeside strolls to all-day hikes in the mountains. They’re usually well signposted, so you don’t need to be a whizz with a map, but it’s a good idea to take one even for the shorter trails. Check out the Garda Trentino tourist board website to see loads of walks you can do in the area. It also tells you where the restaurants and mountain huts are, so you can plan your lunch stop.’
Aimee: ‘I love getting out on the water, and there are lots of boat trips around Lake Garda that’ll take you to the different islands and towns. But personally, I prefer hiring a boat so I can go off exploring myself. The area around Sirmione is always an interesting place to head. Roman ruins dot the shore, and there are some lovely swim spots too. Lots of places let you hire boats by the hour, and you don’t need a special licence. Just remember to stick to the southern half of the lake as private motorboats aren’t allowed north of Malcesine.’
Sirmione peninsula
So do you have any favourite boat trips or walks?
Aimee: ‘Garda, Bardolino and Lazise are all just a short boat ride apart on Lake Garda’s south-eastern shore, so it’s the perfect place to do some ferry hopping. There’s a regular service and you simply pay when you get on. Or you could buy a free-circulation ticket for the day and make as many trips as you like around the south of the lake. You use it on the smaller passenger services, which are better for exploring than the car ferries because they make more stops and stay closer to the shore. And if you fancied stretching your legs, you could walk between the towns on the lakeside promenade, then enjoy a relaxing ferry ride back.’
Jac: ‘There’s a gentle walk right from Riva town centre called the Ponale, which follows part of an old road by the lake. It won’t take you too long – around 45 minutes – and along the way there are info boards that explain the history of the local area. Then once you’ve finished the walk, there’s a bar with a roof terrace and great views of the lake.
Another one of my favourites starts near Torbole and takes you up into the mountains in the Busatte Park. It’s bit longer, so it’s good if you want to be out all day. You’ve got panoramic views of the lake every step of the way. And, as the route follows a series of steps and metal walkways, you don’t need to be super fit to do it. At the end is a small hamlet called Tempesta, where you can catch a bus back to Torbole.’
Jac: ‘There’s a gentle walk right from Riva town centre called the Ponale, which follows part of an old road by the lake. It won’t take you too long – around 45 minutes – and along the way there are info boards that explain the history of the local area. Then once you’ve finished the walk, there’s a bar with a roof terrace and great views of the lake.
Another one of my favourites starts near Torbole and takes you up into the mountains in the Busatte Park. It’s bit longer, so it’s good if you want to be out all day. You’ve got panoramic views of the lake every step of the way. And, as the route follows a series of steps and metal walkways, you don’t need to be super fit to do it. At the end is a small hamlet called Tempesta, where you can catch a bus back to Torbole.’
On the Ponale trail looking towards Riva
Where do you think has the best views?
Jac: ‘For me, it has to be the walk between Torbole and Tempesta in the Busatte Park. Keep an eye out for a side trail halfway along the route that leads down to a viewpoint. It’s perched at the top of a high cliff face, and you can see right down the length of the lake. You’ll want your camera handy for sure.’
Jac’s favourite view in the Busatte Park
Aimee: ‘Head for the rocky outcrop above Garda town called La Rocca. You’ve got some steep steps to climb before you get there, but the views are well worth it. The route is 6km long and finding your way is easy-peasy thanks to all the trail markers. You start off walking through vineyards and woods, then at the top you’re rewarded with views over Bardolino and Garda, to the blue water of the lake beyond.’
What’s your summer highlight?
Jac: ‘Every village has a ‘sagra di paese’, which is basically a giant street party, with everyone from kids and teens to grandparents gathering together to have a good time. There’s no set date for them – some places hold one to celebrate the start of summer, others the end, and some have more than one. There’s always a feel-good atmosphere though, and it’s a great chance to mingle with the locals and try lots of traditional food.’
Aimee: ‘Lake fish are a big part of the traditional diet, and in days gone by fishermen often cooked the daily catch right on the quayside. Garda town keeps this tradition alive with its sardine festival held during mid-July. There are three days of fun, with lots of live music and fireworks, and of course plenty of street-food stalls serving freshly cooked sardines from the lake.’
Aimee: ‘Lake fish are a big part of the traditional diet, and in days gone by fishermen often cooked the daily catch right on the quayside. Garda town keeps this tradition alive with its sardine festival held during mid-July. There are three days of fun, with lots of live music and fireworks, and of course plenty of street-food stalls serving freshly cooked sardines from the lake.’
Freshly grilled sardines
What are your must-try dishes, and where do you think does them best?
Jac: ‘Carne salada is thinly sliced beef that’s seasoned with salt and spices. It’s super tender and totally delicious. To make it, the meat’s matured in oak barrels for three weeks, and massaged every couple of days to give it that unique texture. It’s often eaten raw as carpaccio, or you could grill it for a few seconds and serve it as a main. You’ll see it on menus everywhere, but I think a restaurant called Foci da Rita in Varone, near Riva, does it best.’
Aimee: ‘Lake Garda covers the three regions of Veneto, Lombardy and Trento, so it’s the perfect place to try a little bit of everything, from pasta and seafood to proper Italian gelato. Ristorante Classique in Lazise serves some of the best pizza on Lake Garda, and it’s one of my go-to spots. They’ve got some unusual toppings, like swordfish carpaccio, on the menu. And the setting’s pretty special too – inside an old villa, complete with mosaic floors and frescoes on the walls.’
Aimee: ‘Lake Garda covers the three regions of Veneto, Lombardy and Trento, so it’s the perfect place to try a little bit of everything, from pasta and seafood to proper Italian gelato. Ristorante Classique in Lazise serves some of the best pizza on Lake Garda, and it’s one of my go-to spots. They’ve got some unusual toppings, like swordfish carpaccio, on the menu. And the setting’s pretty special too – inside an old villa, complete with mosaic floors and frescoes on the walls.’
What’s your top tip for getting the most out of a trip to Lake Garda?
Aimee: ‘Holidays here aren’t just about lying on a sun lounger next to the pool. There’s heaps to see and do, so leave yourself plenty of time for exploring when you’re planning what to do each day.’
Jac: ‘Renting a car or scooter makes getting out and about simpler, and you’ll be able to discover some of the more out-of-the way spots too.’
Jac: ‘Renting a car or scooter makes getting out and about simpler, and you’ll be able to discover some of the more out-of-the way spots too.’
Have Jac and Aimee inspired you? Find out more with our ultimate guide to Lake Garda and take a look at our latest deals to start planning your trip.
Head to our Lakes & Mountains homepage to discover more about our favourite holidays.
Author: Mathew Robinson
Last updated: 06/01/2022