Holidays to Lake Garda (Updated 2025)

Holidays to Lake Garda

Lake Garda is one of the most popular destinations in Italy known for its picturesque lakes, small towns surrounding the lakes and plenty of charming villages. Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy. It lies in northern Italy between the cities of Brescia and Milan to the west and Verona and Venice to the east. Lake Garda lies on the edge of the Italian Alps, near the foothills of Garda Mountain. This lake and its shoreline are spread across the provinces of Brescia, Verona, and Trentino. The glaciers melted at the end of the last ice age and gave birth to Lake Garda.

In ancient times during the Roman Era, the lake was known as ‘Benacus’ and was revered as God Benacus, the personification of the lake which was also associated with the cult of Neptune. The name Lake Garda has a Germanic origin which started in the Middle Ages. The name ‘Garda’ is derived from the Germanic word ‘Warda’ which means “place of guard” or “place of observation”.

Lake Garda is one of the most seismic zones in Italy and has suffered several devastating earthquakes since ancient times. The last one in 2004 caused some serious damage to the surrounding towns and heritage buildings. Lake Garda also has plenty of small islands among them are five prominent islands of Isola del Garda, San Biagio Island, San Felice del Benaco, Isola dell’Olivo, Isola di Sogno, and Isola di Trimelone. Lake Garda holidays are known for their peaceful and scenic holidays with several small towns and cities surrounding the lake with plenty of attractions, resorts and boutique hotels, charming lakeside cafes, restaurants, and plenty of amazing things to do in the region. The north of Lake Garde is more peaceful and quieter and is ideal for travellers looking for peace and solitude during their holidays. The south of Lake Garda has a theme park and a few manmade beaches which makes it fun for the family.

Things to do in Lake Garda

Visit Sirmione & Castello ScaligeroLake Garda

Take a day trip to the quaint little town of Sirmione and its castle. Sirmione is known for its charming old town centre located within the Castello Scaligero walls. Enter by crossing the drawbridge and feel like you’re stepping into the past. Take a stroll pop into the range of unique shops, selling souvenirs and trinkets. For panoramic views of the lake and town, climb up the 12th Century Tower and spend some time appreciating the surroundings. Grasp the opportunities to view the castle from all angles by taking a trip on one of the boat tours on offer. At the end of the headland lies Villa Romana, a historic ruined villa often associated with the poet Catullus as he had a family home in the Sirmione Area. Admire the archaeological findings as you make your way through these remarkable ruins.

Have fun at Lake Garda Theme ParkLake Garda

Pay a visit to the theme park Gardaland located in Castelnuovo del Garda. With all kinds of themed rides from fantasy and adventure to adrenaline, there’s something here to suit everyone. Head into Peppa Pig Land where you can meet all your favourite characters including Peppa Pig herself, George, Suzy Sheep and Danny Dog. Check out the famous yellow house and see up close where all of the Pig family live or hop on the Pirate Island Boat Ride and set sail. Enter the Kung Fu Panda Academy with Master Po and learn the journey of becoming a Kung Fu Master. Feel the adrenaline by conquering the thrilling twists and turns of the Kung Fu Panda Master rollercoaster. These are just some of the many attractions located within Gardaland, so be sure to take a whole day to get around the entire park.

Take a day trip to VeronaLake Garda

Take a day trip to the ancient city of Verona dating back to Roman times and explore the winding streets and quaint shops in all their glory. Step into the open-air amphitheatre and get a glimpse of what watching entertainment was like 2,000 years ago. Its stone seats have seen everything from gladiator games to modern-day music concerts; this would be an incredible spot to see a performance as the sun goes down. It wouldn’t be right to visit Verona and not take the time to see Juliet’s Balcony! For all Shakespeare fans, this is a must-see as it pays homage to the famous story of love and tragedy, Romeo, and Juliet. Look inside Juliet’s house and balcony, the house of Romeo and the tomb of Juliet.

When to visit Lake Garda

Lake Garda is the ideal place to spend a holiday, but when is the best time to visit? If you’re a lover of the sunshine and don’t mind the heat, the best time to go would be during July and August. At this time, the temperatures tend to average around 25-30°C, which is ideal if you’re looking to lounge around in the sun and safely top up your tan. With water temperatures around 20°C, it’s the perfect time to feel refreshed and take time cooling off in the water.

However, this time of year is the peak season. This means that popular resorts such as Limone and Sirmione are potentially very crowded. If you’re aiming for a quieter time to take your holiday, maybe consider travelling in the off-season. This is during May, June, and September while the weather is still great, but it is slightly cooler. Around this time temperatures average between 20-26°C, which is still great for soaking up the sun and not too hot that it becomes unbearable.

Top Attractions in Lake Garda

MalcesineLake Garda

Malcesine is a small town that lies on the eastern shore of Lake Garda in northern Italy. This small and picturesque resort town is popular for its cobbled lanes and a castle, that is present between the blue waters of Lake Garda and the mountain ridge of Monte Baldo. Travellers can wander around the town’s bylanes, catch a coat to Rive, Limone or other lake resorts, take the cable-car ride to the top of Monte Baldo and enjoy alfresco dining in the medieval lanes winding up from the slope of the lake. The town also has charming little squares, cafes, restaurants, gelaterias, and shops selling fashion accessories, clothes, handbags, shoes and much more. Check out the main harbour which is full of attractive boats and lined with cafes.

Riva del GardaLake Garda

Riva del Garda is a small Italian town located at the northern end of Lake Garda. Riva del Garde has a dramatic scenic backdrop as the town lies on the shore of Lake Garda with mountains rising on either side with a backdrop of lake, valley, and hills. Riva del Garde used to be a part of Austria until 1918 and it has a distinct architecture and quiet streets. Riva’s main lakeshore area has a harbour, a park, and a beach. The historic centre is protected by the town’s fortress and old town gateways. Riva’s town museum, Museo Civico, is hosted in a lakeshore fortress of the Rocca. The museum houses several historical exhibits, paintings, and temporary exhibitions. Check out the Torre Apponale, a tall clock tower from the 13th century.

Desenzano del GardaLake Garda

Desenzano is a small town located on the southern shore of Lake Garda. This charming town is known for its winding historical streets between the town’s castle on a hill and the lakeshore. The town has a road that runs along the lake to a small harbour with boats moored and several comfortable cafes and bars. Desenzano is a trendy spot for partying for northern Italians. On Saturdays, the locals flock here in glamorous clothes and parade the streets in the evening before going to their favourite eating and drinking spots. Visit the town’s small fortress, the Castello which is known for various events and concerts. See the Roman Villa, a historic site with ruins, mosaics, and a small museum. Visit the Archaeological Museum which displays prehistoric and bronze age exhibits.

Frequently Asked Questions on Lake Garda Holidays

How do I travel to Lake Garda?
The nearest airport to Lake Garda is Verona Villafranca Airport (IATA Code – VRN). The airport lies 15 km south of Lake Garda with flights from Europe. The international airports closest to Lake Garda are Milan Linate Airport (LIN), Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP), and Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE).

What are the travel requirements for Lake Garda?
Canadian and American citizens do not require a visa for stays up to 90 days.  UK citizens do not need a visa to travel to Italy for a period of 90 days. However, you must bring a passport with a validity of a minimum of six months, proof of sufficient funds, hotel bookings, travel insurance, and a copy of your travel itinerary.

What is the currency used in Italy?
Euro (EUR) is the official currency used in Italy. The official exchange rate is currently hovering around 1 USD for 1 Euro and 1.16 Euro for 1 GBP. The exchange rates can vary with +/- of 1 to 2 as per currency. Visa and Master Card credit cards are widely accepted.

Do I need travel insurance in Italy?
No, Travel Insurance is a mandatory visa requirement for Italy if you are travelling visa-free. EHIC cards are also valid in the country. Get travel insurance that covers travel delays, baggage loss, cancellations, emergency medical care, and accident coverage.

What is the language spoken in Rome?
Italian is the official language of Italy. However, Lake Garda is a popular tourism destination in Europe and has speakers of English, French, Spanish, and German.

How do I travel within Lake Garda?
Buses run by ATV, regional bus company operates bus services between the towns and the cities. The most convenient way to travel within Lake Garda is by ferry service run by Gestione Navigazione Laghi. The average time to cross the lake from north to south shores is around 2.5 hours. Boat taxis are much cheaper than road taxis and take less time as well. Cycling in the region is also popular with plenty of scenic roads.

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