Lake Garda Travel Tips: Everything you should know about a holiday on Lake Garda

What a beautiful destination – Lake Garda in Italy. Picturesque places, blue water, mild climate, delicious food and Mediterranean flora. So who is surprised that every year tourists from all over the world are magically attracted.

Lake Garda is one of the most popular travel destinations in Italy and Europe. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a bathing, active, beach or relaxing holiday – everyone will find the right offer here. Today we will tell you the best Lake Garda tips and highlights. Enjoy browsing!

Arrival and climate at Lake Garda

Lake Garda is located in northern Italy, not far from the pretty cities of Brescia, Verona or Rovereto. The lake is 52 km long and 17 km wide. If you want to drive around the lake, you have to cover 158 kilometers. It’s about three to four hours by car alone.

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It’s easy for anyone who lives in southern Germany. You can reach Lake Garda in a few hours by car. Those who prefer to travel by plane can fly to Milan, Venice or Verona. From there you can continue to your holiday destination by train or rental car.

Of course, we also discuss the climate in the region in these Lake Garda tips. Lake Garda is a popular summer destination, especially in the high season between July and August. At this time there are perfect weather conditions with 30 degrees Celsius and more, which is why this period is considered the best travel time for Lake Garda.

The water is also nice and pleasant with more than 20 degrees Celsius. In the summer holidays, however, it fills up quickly and, above all, is more expensive. The low season with the months of May, June and September is therefore also recommended.

In these months it is summery and warm. Since the Alps seal Lake Garda from cold winds in the north and the Mediterranean Sea brings warm air in the south, Lake Garda is a great travel destination at almost any time of the year.

The most beautiful places on Lake Garda

Mount Baldo

In the north, active vacationers in particular get their money’s worth. Valleys, streams, mountains, forests and lots of water await you here. Perfect conditions for hiking, mountain biking, jogging, canoeing, rafting, sailing or surfing.

If you look at the north of the lake, you have the feeling of standing in front of a narrow fjord. But the olive trees and palm trees on the shore make it clear again that you are in the middle of Italy.

The steep mountain slopes offer constant wind for sailors, surfers and kiters. They all come from all over Europe to spend some action-packed hours on the lake.

The eastern shore of the lake is dominated by the ridge of Monte Baldo. The green mountain ridge with the alpine flora is also known as the “Garden of Europe”. The nature park of the Brescian Alps and the peaks of Garda Trentino form a great hiking and outdoor paradise.

Tip: For only 20€ you can take the cable car from Malcesine to the 1,760 meter high Tratto Spino. From this summit you have a magnificent view.

Bardolino

Not only the north is popular, but also the beautiful wine town of Bardolino, which should not be missing in these Lake Garda tips. Here you can not only sip the famous rosé wine, but also go on excursions into the hilly hinterland.

Numerous wine cellars are located in this place. In addition, the Palio del Chiaretto takes place here every year in June. Then the popular wine festival with many delicious specialties takes place on the promenade.

At the end of September/beginning of October there is another highlight: the Festa dell’Uva e del Vino wine festival. Here it is also colorful and wet-happy to the point.

Torri del Benaco

The beautiful town of Torri del Benaco is located in the east of Lake Garda. It is not far to the famous wine-growing region around Bardolino. Only around 3000 inhabitants live here, which means that this place is certainly one of the smaller towns on Lake Garda.

Nevertheless, it is worth a visit. There are mild temperatures with many hours of sunshine all year round. There are numerous sights to admire in Torri del Benaco.

For example, there is the Scaliger Castle, which was built in the 18th century to protect the small port. The small church of Santi Pietro e Paolo is also worth a detour.

The whole region is characterized by hills, which invite you to go hiking. How about the hike from Torri del Benaco to Malcesine? Cycling is also very popular here.

In the small town itself you can spend relaxing hours on the lake beach. Here and there you will find a few shops where you can look for suitable souvenirs.

Limone sul Garda

On the other side of the lake is Limone. This town is located in the Lombardy region, in the province of Brescia. More than 2000 people live here at over 70 meters above sea level.

The sheltered location in the middle of the mountains makes it possible that the weather here is usually quite good without much rain. The former fishing village is now a vibrant holiday resort with countless cafes, restaurants, two harbors and many holiday apartments and campsites.

The sights in Limone include the two ports just mentioned and the main churches of the city: San Benedetto and San Rocco.

The waterfront promenade and the well-designed spa gardens are also nice to look at. Here you can relax, read a book and unwind. You also have a great view of the city and the lake from the city hills.

Torbole

At the foot of the lake there are a few colorful houses, which already made Goethe rave in 1786. At that time Torbole was a small fishing village, which is much better known today.

Although only 900 souls still live in this place, Torbole managed to become known beyond the borders of Italy. And why? This region is one of the best surfing areas in Europe.

The reason for this is the reliable Lake Garda winds, which only really unfold their full power up here on the narrow northern tip. The many sporty guests flock to this fishing village year after year.

Today there is even a separate beach section just for surfers with a number of surf shops and schools. The surrounding mountains also offer all kinds of routes and action for climbers and mountain bikers.

Sirmione Peninsula

The town of Sirmione is located on the southern shore of Lake Garda on a peninsula almost 4 kilometers long. This peninsula is only a few hundred meters wide and can therefore be wonderfully explored on foot.

The place is very popular today and is visited by many tourists every year. Here you can marvel at the Scaliger Castle, the picturesque old town, the Roman excavation site of an old villa “Grotten des Catullus”.

Due to its unique location on Lake Garda and its unmistakable charm, Sirmione has become the true pearl of Lake Garda.

Of course you will also find a large number of hotels, guesthouses, restaurants and cafés here. Tip: It is best to travel with the Lake Garda ferry. The view of the peninsula from the water is incredibly beautiful.

Gardaland amusement park

At Lake Garda there are not only beaches, sun and delicious food. Action and adrenaline are also guaranteed. Near Peschiera del Garda in Castelnuovo del Garda is Italy’s largest amusement park, Gardaland. It is ideal for a trip with the whole family.

Numerous rides, exciting shows, roller coasters, water attractions and much more await you here. Day tickets cost around €40, children up to the age of 10 only pay €34. Children under 100cm do not have to pay anything.

Peschiera del Garda

On the southern shore of Lake Garda is bustling Peschiera del Garda. Today, this city is an important hub for rail travelers as there is a train station here. So you can travel relaxed from Milan, Verona and Venice. It is only a few minutes from the train station to the old town.

The old town of Peschiera del Garda is completely surrounded by canals and lies within a mighty fortress. Here you can stroll through the alleyways and take a break in one of the many cafés.

You can find bathing opportunities on the shore between Peschiera and Sirmione. You will also find numerous campsites with large meadow areas.

San Felice del Benaco

The most popular is the beautiful west shore of Lake Garda, which is why the next place should not be missing in these Lake Garda tips. The hinterland is even larger, the Brenner motorway is even further away and the slopes are even steeper. Here in the west is San Felice del Benaco. 300 days of sunshine per year promise a mild and pleasant climate. It usually only rains for a short time, but it rains more heavily than in other regions.

But in the summer it’s a welcome cool down. In winter you can take advantage of the very good spa and wellness offers on Lake Garda. There are many highlights in the city, such as the fortress, the pilgrimage church of Madonna del Carmine, the parish church of Santi Felice or the harbor with its numerous cafes and restaurants.

Salo

Just next door to San Felice del Benaco is the charming town of Salo. More than 10,000 people live here. This makes Salo one of the largest cities on Lake Garda.

Due to its special location, the city is protected from the climate and blessed with very good air due to the high mountains. In Salo you can discover some highlights. For example, there is the Villa Laurin, which was built in Art Nouveau style.

The bust of Gasparo da Salò (the city father) is also worth a visit. Salo also has its own cathedral, which is Salo’s landmark.

At the port you can end the evening relaxed. And not far from Salo, you will find Lago di Valvestino, a fjord-like lake. It is uniquely embedded in the mountain scenery and offers the perfect photo motif.

Culinary at Lake Garda

Next, in these Lake Garda tips, we will take a closer look at the culinary offerings. Italy doesn’t just mean great beaches, lakes, the sea or the mountains. Italy also means: delicious food. Culinary things really get down to business in this country. Typical pizza and pasta can be found here in every restaurant.

But you should not miss the real and super delicious Lake Garda cuisine. Culinary traditions of Lake Garda are influenced by three regions: Trentino to the north, Lombardy to the west and Veneto to the east.

The cuisine is varied and almost every taste is catered for here. Of course, the delicious fish dishes play the leading role here. Just try your way through the menu and I promise you’re sure to find something to delight your taste buds.

The heartiest specialties come from the Alpine region of Trentino. Here you will find bacon and cheese dumplings, polenta with porcini mushrooms, risotto or tagliatelle with wild mushrooms on the menu. Trentino cuisine is rich and also calls for strong wines to wash it down.

Veneto cuisine is a little lighter. Be sure to try the traditional tortellini or the many variations “tortelli di zucca”. The Bardolino is a classic among the Gardass wines. This light drop is obtained in the wine-growing region of the town of the same name (see above).

Lake Garda tips for accommodation

At Lake Garda you will find a large number of holiday apartments, pensions, guest houses, hotels and resorts. If you want to treat yourself to a little more comfort, you should book one of the most beautiful accommodations on Lake Garda.

If you want to live as close as possible to Lake Garda, you have to dig a little deeper into your pocket.

Whether in a picturesque bay, further up in the hills, right on the shore of the lake or hidden in the mountain slopes – on Lake Garda you will find something for every taste.

Your holiday with these Lake Garda tips

Lake Garda offers numerous highlights and pretty places. Here in the north of Italy you can really let your soul dangle. The beauty of the lake will enchant you. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a spa holiday or a summer holiday for one or two weeks – a trip to this region is always worthwhile.

If you want to book a Lake Garda holiday, then be sure to take a look at our current Lake Garda travel deals. With our Lake Garda tips you are now well prepared. Perhaps you will soon be at the wonderful Lago di Garda yourself. If you want to save yourself the hassle of planning your vacation, I can recommend a package tour to Lake Garda.