Lake Garda Accommodation & Travel Guide

Lake Garda is the second most important tourist attraction in the Veneto, after Venice, of course. If there is one Italian lake that is perfect for family holidays, this is it.

My young son never wants to leave and keeps trying to convince me and my husband to move to the lake. He may well convince me one of these days!

Don't believe me about the wonders of the Italian Lakes and Lake Garda in particular?

Well, it's official!

The Italian Lakes were voted in the Top 10 destinations in the world by a major travel site and Lake Garda is the most popular of these lakes.

Sirmione

Superb though Lake Garda is for a family holiday or a relaxing getaway and however much I love Lake Garda I honestly suggest, if you are looking for a romantic lake holiday, then Lake Orta is the better choice.  That said let’s get on with exploring the lake…

Click on the highlighted links for more information about a particular place.

Map of Lake Garda

Visit our Map of Lake Garda page for the location of the towns, beaches and other attractions mentioned on this page.

Best Garda Beaches

Sirmione Beach

Garda has some lovely beaches. We have put together a selection of the five best Lake Garda beaches here. It was not an easy choice and some of the other beaches are equally as lovely although often very inaccessible.

Having a young son our preference tends to be for sandy, rather than shingle beaches. I also don’t like dents in my posterior which rules out a lot of pebbly beaches.

Garda Boat Trips

Boat is by far the best way to see the lake. Unless you are in a real rush take a slow one and enjoy the ride. Click here for the various boat options.

Best Natural Sights

Around Lake Garda there is some spectacular scenery. Monte Baldo and the Varone Waterfall are two of the highlights but there is lots more besides. For more on Monte Baldo, the Varone Falls and other sights click here.

Madonna della Corona

Madonna della Corona

A church perched high on a towering cliff...a place you'll never forget. This is Madonna della Corona - click for a video, our guide and more.

Gardaland

Gardaland is often excluded from many a tourists’ itinerary but If you have children then it is well worth spending a day or two here and even if you are just young at heart you'll enjoy yourself.

This is one of the largest theme parks in Europe and together with the nearby Water Park and Movie Studios there is a lot to do – just don’t go on the Blu Tornado whatever you do. Read more on Gardaland here.

Lake Garda Weather

Despite Lake Garda being relatively far north the lake has a moderating effect on the climate. Read our Lake Garda weather guide for more.

The Seven Best Lake Garda Towns

Peschiera del Garda

On the shores of Lake Garda are plenty of lovely towns and villages. It is no easy task deciding on the best of these. Any choice is obviously highly personal.

Lazise is top for us because of the many happy memories it holds. Sirmione, in second place, would no doubt be preferred by many. Click on the each towns name for more.

Lazise

A maze of narrow streets, churches, a castle, a lovely promenade and home to not only to the best pizza maker and pizza restaurant in Veneto but the apparently the entire world.

Sirmione

Sirmione is a magical little village(see our gallery here) with a medieval castle, famous spas and the most important Roman Villa in northern Italy. The villa was once home to the poet Catullo.

Malcesine

Malcesine has the feel of a seaside fishing village and many consider it the best Lake Garda town. It is popular for those wanting to take the cable car up Mount Baldo but there is much more to see. Some of the highlights in the vicinity include a monastery, a castle and some pleasant churches.

Garda Town

Lake Garda’s most famous golf course is located near here and the town is an attractive base to use for exploring the lake. Boats leave Garda Town to every corner of the lake and the town itself is full of good restaurants, shops and perhaps the best promenade of any lake town. The atmosphere in Garda on a warm summer evening is enchanting.

Peschiera del Garda

Peschiera has a great location for exploring the lake, beaches, a long promenade and an old town with canals which makes it feel just a little like Venice. Free buses run from here to Gardaland and the other theme parks.

Desenzano del Garda

I loves this town but my husband isn't wild about it. The good points are that it's easily accessible by road or rail, has great shopping (one of the things I love doing most and my husband hates), restaurants, some good hotels and one of Lake Garda’s best beaches nearby.  

I think the shopping clinches it for me, while the many hours I've dragged my husband around the shops here has put him off Desenzano altogether. 

Torbole sul Garda 

When it comes to spectacular scenery Torbole has the location to beat all locations, with so much to see nearby too - from castles to an 11th century monastery. Did I mention the beaches, the kite surfing, the views? Definitely a town worth considering when you plan you Garda visit.

View from the hills behind Torbole

Lake Garda Accommodation

Click here for the complete list of the Garda Hotels Andrew and I really like. We don't list many, only those we know personally. Of all the Lake Garda accommodation options a few really stand out and deserve a special mention on this page...

The Palace Hotel between Desenzano and Sirmione
Excellent value - a very well run and friendly hotel, definitely one of the best Lake Garda accommodation options.

Relais Sant'Emiliano - Conference & Leisure near Padenghe The perfect place to relax in the most beautiful of settings. Very impressive indeed.

View from Sirmione Castle

Want free insider information on an Italy undiscovered? Find out more here.

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What Other Visitors Have Said

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Riva my home ( I wish) Not rated yet
I have visited lago di Garda five times in sixteen years, three times to Riva. Being an elderly gent it is just the right holiday for me. The culture, …

Desenzano, the perfect Lake Garda base  Not rated yet
Lake Garda is one of the most beautiful areas of Europe if not the world. Thousands of people flock to the soft lapping shores of this great lake, …

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