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The best things to do in Lake Garda – from walks and wine-tasting to boat trips and beaches
Italy’s Lake Garda serves up summer holidays that bring people back to its shores year after year. Its looks definitely have something to do with it – bright blue waters flanked by mountains, with colourful towns and villages scattered around its shores. But there’s also so many things you can do on a holiday here, whether you’re after adventure or simply want to unwind. To give you a taster, we’ve rounded up some of very best things to do around Lake Garda.
Best things to do in Lake Garda if you want to...
Take things easy
Get out on the water
Explore on dry land
Find food and history
Take things easy
Stretch your legs alongside the lake
Few places do waterside walks as well as Lake Garda. Most towns along its shores have long promenades, often full of colourful flowerbeds and backed by cafés, bars and gelato spots where it’s oh-so-Italian to sit back and watch the world go by. Bardolino’s got the longest prom – you can stroll all the way up to neighbouring Garda with as many coffee or spritz stops as you like along the way.
The lakeside promenade at Bardolino
Bask on the beach
Who says a lake break can’t double as a beach holiday? You’ll find some of the best lake beaches in Europe around Lake Garda, where clear-as-glass water laps over pale pebbles or fine sand. Sabbioni Beach in Riva at the top end of the lake is one of the best, while the quiet cove of Baia delle Sirene near Garda has some of the warmest waters around if lake dips are your thing.
Sabbioni beach near Riva
Indulge in a spa day
Love to add a dose of wellness to your holiday? Lake Garda’s home to some of Europe’s best spas where you can get that ‘Aaaah’ moment. Sirmione’s known for its hot springs and the Terme di Sirmione Spa & Thermal Garden is the best place for a dip in the town’s famous water. Think infinity pools, thermal pools and saunas with floor to ceiling windows so you’re never far from a lake view. Or simply choose a hotel with a standout spa for the ultimate lazy day – the Hotel Caesius Thermae & Spa in Bardolino is a top pick.
The Hotel Caesius Thermae & Spa
Get out on the water
Set sail on a boat trip
You could say Lake Garda looks its best from a boat. There are loads of options when it comes to getting out on the water – jump on the ferry between Malcesine and Limone to explore a pair of postcard-worthy villages, or boat-hop between the towns and villages that line the lake’s southern shores. Garda’s one of the best jumping-off points. You can hire a private boat or book a TUI experience that includes a boat trip – pick from a tour of the southern end if you’re staying in the north, or a tour of the north if you’re staying around the south of the lake.
Boat tripping on Lake Garda
Get stuck into watersports
When it comes to wind-based watersports, Lake Garda’s got the goods. If you fancy trying something new, sign up for a windsurfing, kite surfing or sailing lesson in Riva or Torbole. The mountains that hug the narrower northern end of the lake help create consistent winds that make this a prime spot – there’s the ‘Peler’ which usually blows from the north during the morning and the ‘Ora’ which tends to come from the south in the afternoons.
Windsurfing near Riva
Paddle at your own pace
Hire a kayak, canoe or stand-up paddleboard from one of the numerous beaches around the lake and paddle out to explore the shoreline from a new angle. Explore quiet coves and hidden inlets around Maderno or Limone on your own adventure if you’re familiar with the equipment. If you’d prefer a guide to teach you the basics or show you the best spots, book a lesson or tour.
Stand-up paddle-boarding on Lake Garda
Explore on dry land
Walking on Monte Baldo
Ok, so it’s not quite the top of the world, but at 2,218m high the summit of Monte Baldo – the mountain that stretches skywards behind Malcesine – will feel like it. You can jump on the cable car to get from the town to the top – though it’s also possible to hike up. Watch showstopping views unfold all around as you rise, then drink in the scene from the top before setting off on a walk. Try the easy-going 4km Colma route which dishes out panoramic views every step of the way. Elsewhere, walking trails stretch into the hills beyond Torbole for unforgettable views straight down the lake.
Walking on Monte Baldo
Swap two feet for two wheels
You can hire bikes from any of the towns around the lake – plus lots of hotels – and there’s no shortage of great routes to explore. The 11km Ponale trail near Riva tops lots of lists, mixing views of the lake with rivers, waterfalls and mountains. Or there’s the Mincio route, which stretches from Peschiera through 44km of Italian countryside south of the lake, and is flat and paved all the way. Want to keep things easy on the legs? Opt for an e-bike that’ll do most of the hard work for you.
Cycling alongside the lake
Get your thrills at a theme park
Many people don’t know that the south-eastern corner of Lake Garda is home to Italy’s biggest and best theme parks. Whether you’re on a family holiday here – or just a big kid at heart – you can ride rollercoasters of all sizes at Gardaland, splash about at the Caneva Aquapark or visit Italy’s take on Universal Studios: Movieland. They’re all easy to get to from this part of the lake as well – just right for a day doing something different. Stay in Castelnuovo or Peschiera to be closest.
Gardaland
Find food and history
Escape to a private island
Did you know Lake Garda has an island? A visit to Isola Del Garda, just off the western shore of the lake close to Maderno and Gardone Riviera, feels like you’re getting in on a special secret. This tiny strip of land contains a magnificent villa, gorgeous gardens and impressive battlements, but it’s also the family home of the island’s owner Contessa Cavazza and her children. Get there via one of Lake Garda's best boat trips and take a guided tour to get a peek into not just the island’s rich history but their unique way of life.
Isola del Garda
Taste the local food and drink
Follow your tastebuds around the lake to discover how the area’s Mediterranean microclimate casts magic over its food and drink scene. Towards the north, Limone is known for its lemons, which feature in lots of the dishes and drinks you can try here. Meanwhile vineyards blanket the hills around the southern half of the lake, and there’s loads of places to go wine-tasting. Fan of Soave? Book a visit to the village that gave this much-loved wine its name. And it’s not only wine – some of Italy’s best olive oil also comes from Lake Garda. Book a visit to the Frantoio Manestrini olive oil mill to taste it for yourself.
Wine-tasting near Lake Garda
Explore ancient castles
Some of Italy’s best-preserved castles are perched on Lake Garda’s shores. Sirmione’s medieval Scaliger castle dates back to the 14th century, and you can climb to the top of the tower to gaze out over the battlements across red rooftops to the lake beyond. Further up the lake, Malcesine’s own Scaliger castle is a 6th-century fortress sitting pretty above the shoreline and crying out to be caught on camera. It's well worth popping into as well – you can decide for yourself whether the views from its windows beat those looking up at it from the lake.
Malcesine castle
Do Lake Garda – your way
Italy's Lake Garda top of the list for your next holiday? Use our interactive resort finder to find the best place for you to stay around the lake based on what you love to do.
Check out our Lake Garda deals or book a TUI experience ahead of your trip. Or for more ideas and inspo, read all about how one couple spent a week in Riva, Lake Garda.
Head to our Lakes & Mountains homepage to discover more about our favourite holidays.
Author: Polly Bryan
Last updated: 24/06/2025