Where to stay in Lake Garda

Wondering where to stay in Lake Garda? Read our guide for recommendations

Lake Garda is the largest (approximately 370sq km) lake in Italy. Arguably the most famous, popular holiday destination in Italy and in recent times its visitors account for nearly 10% of all tourists coming into the country. Lying between the Alps and the Po Valley, the magnificent lake and its shoreline are divided among the provinces of Verona (to the south-east), Brescia (south-west), and Trento (north) and due to its location enjoys its very own micro-climate.

The low-lying countryside around the southern stretch of the lake, with its morainic hills left following the glacier recession, becomes much more dramatic as you drive to the north. Impressive rocky cliffs covered in pine trees nestle against this ancient shoreline when you reach the tip and the splendid scenery of the snow-capped mountains in the far distance creates a fjord shape configuration all adds up to make Lake Garda a favourite summer holiday destination.

The lake attracts cultural diversity and a cosmopolitan crowd. The northern resorts such as Riva del Garda and Torbole are popular with the middle Europeans, where restaurants serve air-dried ham and Austrian style salted beef and both very popular among those who love sailing and windsurfing.

On this east side of the lake, beautiful towns like Torri del Benaco, Garda, Bardolino and Lazise welcome you, for relaxing strolls on the lake's side, sunbathing on the lovely little beaches.

In the south, Peschiera, Desenzano and Sirmione are the most popular villages with the French & Italians in general. In this area you can find the liveliest nightlife of Lake Garda, with bars on the beaches where you can enjoy an Aperitivo or a night out in the resorts themselves. In the picturesque peninsula of Sirmione, the Scaliger castle dominates the scene and gives the landscape a magical touch.

The western shore is called Riviera dei Limoni (Riviera of the lemons), due to the important presence of its lemon tree cultivation, with beautiful villages like Limone, Tremosine, Tignale, Gargnano, Salò, San Felice del Benaco and Manerba.

1. Sirmione - a fashionable spot in a beautiful setting with a fascinating medieval castle that dominates its town. At the tip of this peninsular lie Roman ruins and boiling sulphur springs. More recently the resort is dominated by luxurious hotels and international visitors. It is a busy bathing place but walk down its tree-lined facade and over its draw bridge-like entrance, into the tower of its castle to explore the attractive old town with narrow streets. The romantic & suggestive feel of this town remains today and therefore we highly recommend a visit.

Read more about Sirmione...

2. Bardolino - this popular town is located on the east shore with surrounding hills covered with olive groves & vineyards. It's probably most famous for its light red wine and the Festa de Uva (festival of the grape) in mid-September. Its lush palm and pine promenade leads to the church of San Zino and a quaint pretty old town circling a smaller colourful harbour of local fisherman's boats that supply the nearby restaurants with their catches of the day. The town is well known for its shopping opportunities, from luxury leather goods & designer boutiques to touristy souvenir goods.

Read more about Bardolino...

3. Garda - a fantastic base to explore the Lake. This attractive ex fishing village with its narrow winding alleys and local style cottages provides a quaint stop for a snack or some great priced leather goods and local souvenirs. It's also known for its picturesque promenade where you can enjoy the wonderful dawns in a café or an evening aperitif. Set in one of the smaller bays of the lake, its position is magnificently surrounded by the hills. Garda is also known for its numerous villas and palaces and one well worth a visit is Palazzo die Capitani. The weekly Friday market is great for tasting local products and handmade clothing and after you can lazily wander along its winding streets to the charming harbour full of traditional Italian boats thus providing a pretty spot for a photograph.

Read more about Garda...

4. Tombole sul Garda - situated at the top of the lake and is dominated by its world-renowned main diversions of lake windsurfing and sailing. The peculiarity if this village and the way its houses and old town are positioned, almost making it look like an amphitheatre. This commune offers a small but welcoming aura where after an adventurous day you can relax to the picturesque harbour, which has preserved its beauty and heritage as a fishing village, to enjoy an ice-cold glass of Rose Chiaretto. At the foot of Mont Blanco, this tiny village rises and looks very much like your typical colourful picture postcard from its distance. A truly fascinating spot.

5. Malcesine - Yet another lovely old town with its old cobbled lanes which cluster below an imposing medieval castle. Malcesine is almost crammed between the lake's blue waters and the imposing mountain ridge behind. From this castle, you can take a ride on a cable car to the summit of Monte Baldo offering far-reaching views of the lake from this prominent position and this 13th Century turreted castle below. For a more strenuous trip, it also hosts a great cycle track up the mountain. This town also boasts great ferry connections to other lakeside resorts so also offers a great base to explore and sightsee.

Read more about Malcesine...

6. Riva del Garda - the most popular of the resort towns at Garda's northern edge. The town starting attracting visitors in the late 19th century and very much has retained its pastel-painted hotels and pleasant old town of cobbled lanes & squares. Probably best known for windsurfing and Rivas aquatic sports schools which are internationally renowned and also this is a prime location for hiking, canoeing and white-water rafting. Rivas waterfront is dominated by an old fortress and with its gentle mountain winds and lake water lapping at the foot of these mountains it is an ideal place for beautiful views and an activity-filled holiday on a budget.

Read more about Riva del Garda...

7. Peschiera del Garda - admire imposing walls framing the town, a picturesque place, attractive and enclosed harbour with a fortress at its heart. A divided river flows through the area on its way to the lake, this town offers a relaxed atmosphere with a spacious setting. This is a most charming venue, rich in history but also host to fashionable modern-day shops therefore has something for everyone to see & do. At the weekends this area is lively with yachts & speedboats cutting through the waves and in August hosts the Palio delle Mura boat race where competing vessels fight for position in a race on the moat alongside the old fort walls.

Read more about Peschiera del Garda...

8. Limione - clinging to the rocks on the north-western shore and once renowned for growing lemons & other citrus fruits, Limione sul Garda is a pretty stone-built village and known for its dramatic setting that still hosts these fragrant lemon groves. At its heart is the old town and a little harbour with narrow lanes peppered with tourist & souvenir shops. It offers plenty of places to eat on very pleasant waterfront terraces taking in the lake views. To avoid the hustle & bustle of summer months follow its path to the north of the harbour, a much more serene affair, with peaceful cafes, abandoned lemon groves and little pebble beaches ideal for a dip.

Read more about Limione...