Lake Garda Places to Visit

Lake Garda is a popular tourist area due to its beauty and wide range of activities available. Located at the foot of the Alps and measuring 370sq kilometres, it is Italy’s largest lake and is one of the most important water reserves in Europe.

Whether you are a thrill seeker or just want to take it easy while exploring villages and soaking up the scenery, Lake Garda offers something for everyone.

The surrounding villages of Garda, Lazise and Malcesine are worth a visit for their interesting architecture, winding cobbled pavements, street markets and numerous cafes; and can be easily accessed by boat across the lake. The historical village of Sirmione is home to the fascinating ruined Villa Romana, the famous 15th Century Castle (Rocca Scalgera) and thermal mineral springs. If this has given you a taste for the local culture, why not visit the Napoleonic museum in Rivoli Vernese which houses many interesting artefacts, portraits and reproductions documenting Italy’s history and the Napoleonic period. The Hruska Botanical Gardens in Gardone is also a popular visitor attraction, which due the ideal climate within the region displays over 2,000 exotic species of plants and an impressive rock garden.

If you keen to fit in some action during your stay at Lake Garda, windsurfing, jet skiing and sailing is available in the old port area, where wind speeds can reach up to 40mph. To explore the impressive mountains by foot or bike, take a cable car from Malcesine to Monte Baldo and spend an afternoon experiencing a different perspective of the area. For family fun, Gardaland is a great theme park to keep the kids entertained. Situated in Verona, it is Italy’s number one family attraction; with a range of rollercoaster thrill rides, a dolphin park and a fantasy land for younger children.

If you need to spend a few hours relaxing after all that excitement, the banks of Lake Garda provide a tranquil setting to soak up some sun and admire the view from its pebbly beaches. During the summer months, Sirmione beach located in south Lake Garda provides the clearest water to go swimming. However, Desenzano and Peschiera beaches also provide impressive scenery.