Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy, located in between the provinces of Verona, Brescia and Trentino. Surrounded by mountains with a gorgeous Mediterranean climate, Lake Garda was a beautiful surprise to me!
When it was suggested a visit there and I started researching, I realized it was too beautiful to miss it and with only a few days to visit I knew a road trip would be the best option to make the most of all the little towns and villages.
GETTING TO LAKE GARDA
There a lot of options either you’re flying directly to Lake Garda or you’re coming from other city in Italy.
✈ BY PLANE The nearest airports are Verona (approximately 15km) and Brescia (approximately 30Km), south of Lake Garda. Then you have other airports like Milan and Venice that probably have more flights each day (approximately 100km).
🚄 BY TRAIN There a lot of train connections from other cities in Italy. You can check some of them here. For the southern part of the lake look for the stations of Desenzano and Peschiera del Garda and northern of the lake, Rovereto. Once in the stations you can easily get buses to other main locations.
🚌 BY BUS There are several options of buses directly from the airport to Lake Garda and some of them stop in more than one location. Check some of the companies, here. If you need further transport from some of these stops check these local buses timetables, here.
🚗 BY CAR This was the option I decided when visiting and we rented straight from the airport. Driving around Lake Garda is the easiest option to go around the villages, on your time. Sometimes you may get lucky and park for free but in most towns we just thought it was safer to leave the car in paid car parks.
PREPARE YOUR ROAD TRIP
The road trip around Lake Garda has many things to offer as each village has something unique and different from the previous. You can go to the beach, get ice creams or explore the ancient history of some very well preserved churches.
The important thing to do before is to make sure your car has all the appropriate insurances and plan how long you want to spend in each village so you can book your accommodation, as for example, during the summer a lot of them get fully booked.
It’s also not a bad idea to have a car with a GPS if you can. I must say that Lake Garda was easy to drive around and lots of signs to guide you.
Have a look on the map and the villages around the lake and mark it as you like to visit.
I started over from Moniga del Garda where I was staying in a beautiful villa (book yours here) with a pool and it was perfect to recharge before the road trip.
ROAD TRIP AROUND LAKE GARDA
I visited almost all towns and villages around Lake Garda which made everything even more beautiful. It’s a really relaxed environment and things around the lake are in general affordable.
[highlight]SIRMIONE[/highlight]
Sirmione it’s a city that transports you to ancient times as soon as you arrive. Located on the south of the lake, the city centre it’s located inside fortified walls with narrow streets and cute little houses.
As you walk along it’s hard to miss all the cosy restaurants, typical Italian and all the ice creams vendors!
There is lot of history around and thing to see like the Roman Villa Grotte di Catullo, the church of S. Pietro and the impressive Scaliger Castle that dates back to the 13th century.
A popular place to see here it’s the Virgilio & Catullo Spa that brings people because of the thermal water and healing properties of its water.
[highlight]RIVA DEL GARDA[/highlight]
The perfect town for sports like sailing, surfing or canoeing. All of this with a jaw dropping scenery of the intense blue water of the lakes surrounded by beautiful flowers and mountains.
[highlight]GARDA[/highlight]
Garda is very charming with its colourful buildings and lots of little restaurants where you can stop for a traditional lunch watching the world go by. You can go for a swim during the summer in the clear crystal waters of the lake.
Near Garda it’s the famous theme park, the Gardaland.
[highlight]MALCESINE[/highlight]
Malcesine is on the east side of Lake Garda where you can walk around the beautiful medieval Palazzo dei Capitani little square.
It’s also the point of access to Mount Baldo. You can go up there by cable car and enjoy the breath taking views and even ski during the winter.
[highlight]PESCHIERA DEL GARDA[/highlight]
Peschiera has a really relax environment and I remember having lunch there in a little bay near the river just thinking how lucky I was to be there.
It’s also enjoyable to walk around the large streets and check out the Sanctuary of Madonna del Frassino from the 16th century.
[highlight]LIMONE SUL GARDA[/highlight]
This picturesque town with the beautiful mountains in the background it’s the perfect place to sit and contemplate nature.
Go for a swim if you can! Don’t forget to go for a walk around the town to see the typical lemons, common for this area and the fishing port.
[highlight]DESENZANO DEL GARDA[/highlight]
Walking around Malvezzi Square is one of the highlights of this town. You quickly realize why: the charming little harbour surrounded by quirky restaurants will want to make you stay there a whole afternoon enjoying the marvellous food served there.
If you have time check out the panoramic views from S. Martino della Battaglia tower.
[highlight]MONIGA DEL GARDA[/highlight]
During the first days in Lake Garda I stayed in a villa in Moniga del Garda and was able to soak up the atmosphere in the area.
This little town does not disappoint if you’re looking to spend a couple of days in the same place. It’s sunny and you can easily go for a swim as the waters are really nice.
BEST THINGS TO DO IN LAKE GARDA
Lake Garda has a lot to offer when it comes to activities and things to do. You can easily spend two weeks there always doing something different.
The most obvious are catching the sun and swimming. Then you have all the water associated activities like sailing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, canyoning and even diving. For the most adventurers it’s possible to do paragliding from Monte Baldo or mountain bike trails.
There are numerous excursions around if you don’t want to venture on your own and ferries you can take from town to town if you want to avoid driving or taking the buses. Check out the timetables here.
Alternatively you have a lot of theme parks to spend some days of fun. Gardaland, Movie Land Studios or Medieval Times are just some of the options.
REGIONAL FOOD
The region of Lake Garda is known for their delicious local cuisine and wine. There are two typical products that you will want to bring home: the olive oil which is known to be very light and the Italian lemon liqueur, the limoncello.
On top of that a lot of the traditional Italian dishes in the region are made with sardines.
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Lake Garda it’s a place where I would go back easily for a relaxing time with my family. You can spend some really calm holidays in a rented villa making it more private for a group of people like friends or families.
The beauty of the villages and towns are different from other areas in Italy with most of them still preserving very well their ancient buildings, churches and streets.
There is a lot to see and you can be guaranteed some unforgettable memories!
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Have you been to Lake Garda or have plans to visit? Let me know about your stories and experiences!
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I have never been to lake garda, but it seems like a great place to visit.
Lake Garda is on my list, I’m trying to make my way through Italy! It looks so picturesque and your photos are gorgeous. I hope you enjoyed the limoncello
What an absolutely stunning place and your ice-cream looks divine! This is an excellent guide.
I had no idea it was the largest lake! It looks like a quaint, almost vintage town. Italy is amazing!
As I am a history lover, I would definitely visit Lake Garda to explore the ancient and well preserved churches and yes, awesome pictures clicked.
Italy has always been somewhere I’d love to visit. Pizza and pasta is the way to my heart! I’ve been looking at booking up for our honeymoon. Garda looks amazing
Author
Pizza and pasta lover here too! Italy is a great place for a honeymoon, so many places I can think of, let me know if you need more advice!
That place is beautiful! How have I never heard of it before. It definitely should be part of any trip to Italy.
I was in Lake Como a couple years ago for a wedding and totally fell in love with that side of italy, it truly is incredible. Wish I got to spend more time in Lake Garda though, your photos are stunning.
Author
I have to visit Lake Como now but I imagine it will be as nice as Lake Garda, X
Wow this looks stunning, I would love to explore all the little towns and villages! Of course there would be a lot of eating as I went, I’m sure the food is stunning!
How awesome Lake Garda looks. I have been to Italy (venice and Milan as well , which you said are the closest airports), but guess missed out on this beautiful walk across the lake. Amazing photos.
Author
Yes, they are the biggest airport close to Lake Garda and from there you can take a train and check those villages! x
What a wonderful post, I have already sent it to my boyfriend because we are currently planning 2018 holidays and this lake Grada looks fabulous! And you’ve made everything so easy with your guide!
Author
Oh thank you! I try my best with the photos but I also edit them as I go along! Hope I helped with future trips!
Your pictures are stunning!!! I have always wanted to go to Lake Garda and this has just inspired me to get a move on and book. Thank you for the schedule and making my life much easier x
Hi Amalia,
I love this part of bella italia ??. And your pictures are beautiful.
mygypsyblood
Author
Thank you, XX I’m looking forwards to come back and explore other cities!
You had such a wonderful road trip! Lake Garda and the surrounding villages and towns are so beautiful and picturesque. Loved the colourful houses, castles and the scenic beauty. A place O would definitely love to visit.
Wow, Lake Garda looks absolutely beautiful. I love Italy, I’ve been to a lot of places but I’ve never been here. I hope to change that one day really soon!
Author
Italy has so many great places it’s hard to see them all in one go, but I still have a few more cities I want to visit, x
Lake Garda area and in general all the lakes of northern Italy are so romantic and inspiring. I loved to pay a visit every now and then when I lived in Milan: going to the Garda lake made me feel so relaxed. And your pics remember me why.
I’m SOLD!!!! This place looks amazing. The photos you took really captured how scenic and full of life this place is. You must have had a great time. Thanks for sharing!
Out of all of the towns you visited on your road trip, I think Sirmione is my favorite. I like mix of old times and new. Plus, I’m such a sucker for narrow cobblestone streets, cute little houses, cozy restaurants and ice cream vendors. x
These photos are so stunning!! I love the way that you have edited the photos. Lake Garda looks stunning. I would love to visit someday!
Looks like it so amazing out there. I really do need to make it out to Italy in the near future. Tons of stuff to do there. Love the water, and the villa as well as the mountains and the cable car up there. So amazing.
Author
The mountains were my favorite scenic background ever, they really gave the magic touch to the villages!
Oh wow! Lake Garda has been on my bucket list for years now and having seen your photos I am determined to get there sooner rather than later! How utterly beautiful!
Europe is such an amazing continent. All the countries are so beautiful. Your photos are amazing, makes me want to go and visit the place right now. I would love to visit whenever I have an opportunity.
This is a lovely place! I’d love to visit Gardaland and try the limoncello!
Author
I did not make it to Gardaland but would love to visit!
I have been planning to travel to Barcelona but after reading and seeing the amazing pics here I am now considering going to Lake Garda instead of Barcelona. Thanks for sharing your traveling experience
Author
They are very different destinations but both really lovely, it’s hard to choose!
I have seen so many amazing pictures from Italy but none as beautifully captured as yours. Thanks for sharing this with me. That is one place I cannot wait to visit!
This post has my heart beating faster. I love Italy so much, and this lake is incredible. The water is so clear! The little spots you stopped in are so quaint and gorgeous. And the gelato! Ahhhh! I need to go again!
I’ve always wanted to go to Italy. When I get there Ill definitely check this place out.
Hi,
Your photos seem really awesome,And Thank You for sharing your experience, it’s super helpful ! Is it common to lay by the beach,tan and swim there?Is there many beaches?Is Sirmione the best place to stay ?
Thank you
Author
Yes, it’s one of the reasons that takes people out there, the lake is really calm to swim and really warm weather! There a lot of small beaches around, Sirmione was really busy but nice to go for a day. I stayed in Moniga del Garda which also beach but it’s calmer. Hope that helps!
Hi! What camera do you use? Your photos are AMAZING!
Author
Hey! I use a Canon 100D really simple and basic to use, I still consider myself a beginner when it comes to cameras! Then I edit my photos with Lightroom CC, X Amalia