12 Best Places to Visit in Lake Garda (+Map)

This beautiful has been charming visitors for generations. It is home to a large selection of interesting towns and villages that dot the sandy shoreline of this long, narrow lake in northern Italy. A lot of these towns have histories that date back to Roman times, with interesting and dramatic fortifications that are just begging to be explored. But for those who prefer a laid-back break, Lake Garda has everything you could need: stunning sunshine, calm beaches, and lakeside gardens.

Mountains shape the landscape and create dramatic scenery, and the fertile Mediterranean farmland produces fresh food that is served in the lake’s many excellent restaurants. You can choose to spend your days on the lake, traveling from town to town on the ferries.

There are so many great towns to enjoy around the lake that it can be hard to figure outgo in Lake Garda. To help, we’ve compiled a list of the best places to visit around this famously stunning area.

Sirmione

Well known for being a popular holiday destination on Lake Garda, Sirmione sits on a peninsula jutting out into the lake. The historic town has some interesting sights, such as the ruins of a Roman villa, called the Grotte di Catullo, and a 13th century castle. Enjoy the buzz of town and grab some food from one of the many restaurants that cater to hungry travelers. If you want to head to other resorts around the lake, jump on the ferry that leaves from the center of town.

Sirmione has a selection of pleasant hotels – most are clustered in the historical center, but if you want to spend time relaxing by the lake, opt to stay in a hotel along the peninsula, where rooms have views across the water.

Where to stay in Sirmione

Villa Cortine Palace Hotel – This upscale hotel is set in four hectares of beautifully landscaped gardens – complete with statues and fountains – and boasts the same views once enjoyed by the Roman elite.
Hotel Flaminia – Run by a warm and friendly family, this 4-star offering is set inside the pedestrian zone, which means being close to many restaurants and bars.
Hotel Sirmione – This hotel is located just three minutes from the beach and boasts a vista that looks out across Sirmione’s old town and marina.

Peschiera del Garda

At the southern tip of the lake, pretty Peschiera del Garda is just a quick train journey from Verona. Encircled by a massive fortress and old city walls, this township has a unique beauty. Take a walk around the attractive harbor, where restaurants serve delicious dishes along the sparkling water’s edge. Or stroll along the network of canals that lace the city and while away sunny afternoons relaxing on the beach.

Where to stay in Peschiera del Garda

Le Ali Del Frassino – This place has an indoor pool and a huge outdoor pool, as well as a wellness center, so relaxing here shouldn’t be a problem.
Hotel San Marco – The large bedrooms here come complete with marble bathrooms and some have sun terraces with views across the water.

Riva del Garda

This busy Italian community at the northern end of Lake Garda is situated at the foot of soaring mountains, and surrounded by verdant valleys and panoramic lake views. The beautiful and vibrant town of Riva del Garda slopes gently into the blue of the lake, and makes a welcoming base for your Lake Garda holiday. Enjoy relaxing days beside the shoreline, strolling along the harbor, reading in the public park, or catching some rays on the beach.

There’s also some fascinating ancient history in Riva del Garda; the town features the enticing ruins of an old fortress, with winding lanes to get lost in and hidden gems to stumble upon.

Where to stay in Riva del Garda

Hotel Lido Palace – High tech amenities at this 5-star hotel – including a state of the art spa – give this place an edge, aside from being a beautiful Bell Epoque era building.
Du Lac Et Du Parc Grand Resort – This hotel calls itself a Grand Resort and it’s not hard to see why. Set in parkland, the outdoor swimming pool at this hotel comes complete with beautiful mountain views.
Hotel Canarino – Set between mountain scenery and the vibrancy of Riva del Garda, this hotel is just a few minutes’ walk from Lake Garda.

Desenzano del Garda

Well connected by public transport, Desenzano del Garda is great for those who are traveling to Lake Garda by train. Situated at the flatter southern end of the lake, you can catch the local ferry from here to nearby spots around the shoreline. The town gets lively at the weekend, with party-going Italians descending, dressed up in their finery, to drink, dance and socialize in the bars and clubs.

Where to stay in Desenzano del Garda

Palace Hotel – Amenities at this hotel include a huge outdoor pool, a saltwater pool on the rooftop, a Turkish bath and a Finnish sauna, so you’ll feel suitably relaxed before you take a meandering stroll into town.
Hotel Nazionale – Some rooms even have terraces where you can relax. The outdoor pool is great for unwinding.

Lazise

At the foot of the Morainic hills, Lazise’s medieval history seeps through the streets. Visitors are drawn to this waterside settlement to explore the six towers and walls of the Castello Scaligero. Walk around the Lazise’s captivating ancient town center, discovering its narrow pathways and picturesque plazas.

Enjoy the local side of things at the weekly fresh food market and dine in Lazise’s many street side cafes and restaurants. There are numerous lovely places to stay in town, and something to suit every traveler’s budget – from bed and breakfasts and campsites, to holiday motels and luxury hotels. Stay in Lazise for a slice of everything that Lake Garda has to offer.

Where to Stay in Lazise

Hotel Bella Lazise – Enveloped in lush farmland and boasting a huge serving of rural charm, staying here means you’ll have time to relax amidst the tranquility of nature.

Bardolino

Chic and sophisticated, Bardolino is surrounded by the Morainic hills that are blanketed with olive groves and vineyards. The old town center is a labyrinth of lanes packed with shops and charming restaurants. Buy local produce as souvenirs at the town’s weekly morning market, and take part in wine-tasting along the Vine Road, where you can stop off at various wine shops.

A superb base from which to explore the surrounding scenery and hike in the hills, the town has some fantastic mid-range hotels that are perfect for families and couples.

Where to Stay in Bardolino

Parc Hotel Germano Suites – A little bit of deluxe extravagance, this hotel offers up all-encompassing views of the lake.

Malcesine

Small but magnificent, Malcesine attracts families and laid-back couples to its cobbled streets. Malcesine is busy in the summer, with tourists enjoying the sun, eating ice cream, and reclining on the beach. If you want to get out and discover the surrounding landscape, take the cable-car that runs to Monte Baldo and try out a spot of cycling and hiking.

The small size of the town center means that many of the hotels are located outside of the old center, where there’s a mix of mid-range and luxury lodgings with lakeside lawns. If you want to stay in town, hotel rooms are smaller and a little more basic.

Where to Stay in Malcesine

Hotel Augusta – This hotel features a terrace with views of the castle Castello Scaligero, which is just a five-minute walk away.

Garda

Surrounded by green slopes and picturesque vistas, Garda is located in a stunning bay on the lake. If you are traveling with children and want to spend some of your vacation in a world of fun, then Italy’s biggest theme park, Gardaland, is just a short drive away. Aside from adrenaline rushes, the area is great for hiking in the mountainous landscape. Its location – in the middle of the eastern shore of the lake – means Garda is well located for quick boat rides to other lakeside towns.

Stroll along the busy promenade and enjoy sundrenched meals in the lakeside eateries – perfect in summer for people-watching, sipping on local wine, and soaking up the sunset. Hotels do get busy in the summer months, but more reasonably priced rooms can be found. If you want a slice of upscale treatment, there are some beautiful hotels for you to spend time relaxing in too.

Where to Stay in Garda

Sky Pool Hotel Sole Garda – The rooftop pool and bar area of this 3-star hotel is a fantastic place to unwind with views of the lake. Rooms are cheerfully colored and come complete with their own private balconies.

Salo

Sitting in a small gulf on the banks of the lake, sheltered by the mountainous landscape, Salo is a stunning and chic town that is perfect for a couples holiday. The peaks of Monte San Bartolomeo tower over the town and make for an impressive setting. Salo seems small in comparison to its tall and rugged backdrop, and the views along the narrow streets are ideal for taking incredible holiday snaps. The transport links are not as good as they are at bigger tourist hubs around Lake Garda, but if you don’t mind spending some time with your other half in such a beautiful old town, this is the ideal base for your trip to the area.

Salo means lazy afternoons spent sipping wine with locals in small tavernas, eating freshly caught fish from the lake. Stay in chic lakeside villas or traditional buildings with swimming pools, tucked away in landscaped gardens, in Salo’s many picture-perfect mid-range and luxury stays.

Where to Stay in Salo

Hotel Spiaggia d’Oro – This 4-star hotel is located on the beach, making it effortlessly easy to access.

Nago-Torbole

Nago-Torbole is divided into three villages that are located on the shore of the lake: Nago, Torbole, and Tempesta. These villages offer fantastic views across the breathtaking lake, and panoramic vistas of the mountainous backdrop. Really a perfect place for families to spend their holiday, the area is well known for watersports, hiking among the olive groves, and splashing in the waters of the beaches to cool off.

Stay in one of the resort hotels edging the lake, that have beautiful gardens and pools. There are a selection of rooms for families, groups and couples at mid-range prices. Luxury lodges can be found in this pretty area, and hotels provide all of the outstanding luxury that complements the astonishing surroundings of the lake.

Where to Stay in Nago-Torbole

Caravel Bike Hotel – A bike-themed hotel for keen cyclists, this unfussy offering is five minutes’ walk from the lake and not far from Riva del Garda or La Rocca di Riva – a medieval fortress; both of which can be cycled to.

Gardone Riviera

The tiny town of Gardone Riviera sees its fair share of visitors and is a terrific spot from which to travel around the lake. Located midway up the western shore, it’s a shorter boat trip to the old settlements around Lake Garda. Relaxing and carefree, Gardone is packed with small boutiques, a selection of hotels and eating options. The friendly town has something for everyone packed into its tiny streets.

Spend mornings on the lake, afternoons at the pavement cafes, and evenings sleeping in one of the comfortable, well priced hotels in the town. Boats leave from the central pier and there is a bus service from here to the airport at nearby Brescia.

Where to Stay in Gardone Riviera

Grand Hotel Gardone – This Art Deco style hotel – built in 1884 – was actually the first hotel to be built on the shores of Lake Garda.

Limone sul Garda

Steeped in Italian decadence, Limone sul Garda lies in the stupendously mountainous north of the lake. Divinely lush and incredibly beautiful, the town’s name means ‘lemon,’ as the area was known for its lemon groves. Choosing to stay in Limone sul Garda will really add a touch of Hollywood glamour to your Italian lakeside holiday – car chase scenes from the James Bond flick Quantum of Solace were filmed in the town.

Narrow lanes with shops, and restaurants serving visitors to the old town, open out onto the shore of the lake. Waterfront terraces welcome passersby to indulge in Mediterranean dishes and while away afternoons sunbathing. Stay in 5-star luxury hotels nested among olive and lemon groves, where swimming pools almost disappear into the lake and life is good.

Where to Stay in Limone sul Garda

Park Hotel Imperial – Offering top class service, everything at this hotel is high quality – from the fixtures and fittings to the varied selection of breakfast foods. On Friday nights, there’s even live music here.
Hotel Capo Reamol – The view of the lake steals the show here, as the hotel itself is a nestled on the slopes of a mountainside and also comes with the benefit of its very own private beach.