LAKE GARDA and its picturesque AREAS
“La Dolce Vita” - “The sweet life” - experience it for yourself by Lake Garda
Lake Garda is one of the most popular holiday regions in northern Italy. Thanks to its location, it offers varied regions and locations.
Around the lake you will find countless beautiful villages and communities with winding streets, small but fine shops and restaurants.
Picturesque and loving, grown over centuries, the towns present themselves to tourists with their irresistible charm.
In the north, like a fjord, encircled in the high mountains of the Brescian Alps as well as Monte Baldo and the summit of Garda Trentino, Lake Garda offers wonderful paths for hiking or mountain biking. Wind from this geographical location makes the northern part of Lake Garda a paradise for water sports enthusiasts. Places like Tremonsine, Limone, Riva, Torbole or Malcesine are therefore very popular for active outdoor sportive people.
To the south the lake runs into a picturesque hilly landscape with many olive groves and internationally known wine-growing areas. The lake shores are getting wider, the water is warmer and the many cypresses, palm trees and oleanders stand for the unique Italian flair that Lake Garda promises its guests. It is not for nothing that stately villas with fantastic gardens and romantic fishing villages with their small harbors can be found here.
From Toscolano Maderno via Gardone, Salò to our beautiful San Felice del Benaco and further south to Sirmione and Peschiera del Garda as well as to Lazise and Bardolino. Every location is beautiful in its own way.
Without claiming to be exhaustive, here is a selection of places you should definitely see when you are on holiday by Lake Garda.
Around the lake you will find countless beautiful villages and communities with winding streets, small but fine shops and restaurants.
Picturesque and loving, grown over centuries, the towns present themselves to tourists with their irresistible charm.
In the north, like a fjord, encircled in the high mountains of the Brescian Alps as well as Monte Baldo and the summit of Garda Trentino, Lake Garda offers wonderful paths for hiking or mountain biking. Wind from this geographical location makes the northern part of Lake Garda a paradise for water sports enthusiasts. Places like Tremonsine, Limone, Riva, Torbole or Malcesine are therefore very popular for active outdoor sportive people.
To the south the lake runs into a picturesque hilly landscape with many olive groves and internationally known wine-growing areas. The lake shores are getting wider, the water is warmer and the many cypresses, palm trees and oleanders stand for the unique Italian flair that Lake Garda promises its guests. It is not for nothing that stately villas with fantastic gardens and romantic fishing villages with their small harbors can be found here.
From Toscolano Maderno via Gardone, Salò to our beautiful San Felice del Benaco and further south to Sirmione and Peschiera del Garda as well as to Lazise and Bardolino. Every location is beautiful in its own way.
Without claiming to be exhaustive, here is a selection of places you should definitely see when you are on holiday by Lake Garda.
Bardolino
Once traced back to the name of Princess Bardali or Pardali, the municipality of Bardolino lies along Lake Garda’s olive coast. This place is widely known for its exclusive wines, whose wineries have mostly been run in family tradition for centuries. The wineries offer wine tastings with culinary specialties and let you immerse yourself in the fascination of viticulture and the production of fine grape juice.
In the Museo dell'olio in Cisano, visitors can learn the history and lots of interesting facts about the production of the world-famous olive oil.
The idyllically situated former fishing village has blossomed into a well-known holiday destination with tourists with great activities and entertainment options as well as trendy restaurants and nightspots.
In the Museo dell'olio in Cisano, visitors can learn the history and lots of interesting facts about the production of the world-famous olive oil.
The idyllically situated former fishing village has blossomed into a well-known holiday destination with tourists with great activities and entertainment options as well as trendy restaurants and nightspots.
Brenzone sul Garda
Life is a little quieter and more original in the municipality of Brenzone. Visitors are invited to stroll through the small alleys and taste specialties of the region in a cozy atmosphere in small fish restaurants on the harbor.
The olive groves invite you to wonderful hikes in the villages of Brenzone further up.
From there, active vacationers can go on excursions through the uncontaminated nature of the immediate vicinity up to the summit of Monte Baldo.
The olive groves invite you to wonderful hikes in the villages of Brenzone further up.
From there, active vacationers can go on excursions through the uncontaminated nature of the immediate vicinity up to the summit of Monte Baldo.
Campione del Garda
As the only part of Tremosine municipality, Campione del Garda is located on a small stretch of land directly by the lake and can only be reached by ship or through a tunnel.
The former industrial site became a hot spot for all water sports enthusiasts since the last factory was closed and thanks to the good wind conditions.
Sailors, surfers and kite surfers cavort on the water in front of the cliffs of Tremonsine, there are new water sports schools and bathers like to come here and use the large bathing beach.
The former industrial site became a hot spot for all water sports enthusiasts since the last factory was closed and thanks to the good wind conditions.
Sailors, surfers and kite surfers cavort on the water in front of the cliffs of Tremonsine, there are new water sports schools and bathers like to come here and use the large bathing beach.
Desenzano del Garda
Desenzano del Garda is located in the south of Lake Garda, west of Sirmione. Historically, the largest town by the lake was one of the most important trading centres in Northern Italy and the beautifully restored trading houses bear witness to this time.
To this day Desenzano del Garda is an important hub for rail travellers between Venice and Milan. The higher schools are located here, the place is a bishopric and has an industrial and commercial area.
In addition to a large marina, the place offers a beautiful promenade with cafes, restaurants and shops. The centre is bustling with activity from spring to autumn and even if Desenzano is known for its vibrant nightlife with many clubs and discos, the city also has a romantic charm.
Narrow streets and wonderful squares, small bars and shops invite you to stroll and amble, especially on Tuesdays when the market is open.
Interesting sights are the old port and the cathedral, the archaeological museum “Museo Civico Archeologico”,which exhibits excavations and findings from almost all epochs.
To this day Desenzano del Garda is an important hub for rail travellers between Venice and Milan. The higher schools are located here, the place is a bishopric and has an industrial and commercial area.
In addition to a large marina, the place offers a beautiful promenade with cafes, restaurants and shops. The centre is bustling with activity from spring to autumn and even if Desenzano is known for its vibrant nightlife with many clubs and discos, the city also has a romantic charm.
Narrow streets and wonderful squares, small bars and shops invite you to stroll and amble, especially on Tuesdays when the market is open.
Interesting sights are the old port and the cathedral, the archaeological museum “Museo Civico Archeologico”,which exhibits excavations and findings from almost all epochs.
Garda
Garda, one of the most famous places by Lake Garda, is located in the southeast and, due to the mild climate, offers an excellent landscape with olive trees, cypresses and pines.
After a stroll through the small streets of the old town, many cafes and restaurants along the promenade invite you to linger and enjoy. The bay allows an optimal view of the lake and beautiful sunsets.
In addition to a port, Garda also offers beaches and great leisure activities, so that this place is popular among young and old alike.
After a stroll through the small streets of the old town, many cafes and restaurants along the promenade invite you to linger and enjoy. The bay allows an optimal view of the lake and beautiful sunsets.
In addition to a port, Garda also offers beaches and great leisure activities, so that this place is popular among young and old alike.
Gargnano
Gargnano, a municipality stretching from Lake Garda up into the mountains, consists of 13 small towns.
Till today, the community is spared from mass tourism and offers its visitors stately villas, churches and chapels as well as the famous lemon greenhouses.
In the main town the winding streets with their colourful houses invite you to take a stroll and linger in the restaurants and bars.
For active people, the municipality of Gargnano is an ideal starting point for excursions in the wonderful national park “Alto Garda Bresciano” in the mountains. And among water sports enthusiasts, the community is known worldwide for the annual sailing regatta “Centomiglia” that takes place in September.
Till today, the community is spared from mass tourism and offers its visitors stately villas, churches and chapels as well as the famous lemon greenhouses.
In the main town the winding streets with their colourful houses invite you to take a stroll and linger in the restaurants and bars.
For active people, the municipality of Gargnano is an ideal starting point for excursions in the wonderful national park “Alto Garda Bresciano” in the mountains. And among water sports enthusiasts, the community is known worldwide for the annual sailing regatta “Centomiglia” that takes place in September.
Lazise
The idyllic town of Lazise, known for its six-tower scalier castle, is located south-east of the Garda area.
The vehicle-free old town center invites you to take a stroll through its enchanting streets with many small cafes, shops and restaurants.
A walk on the promenade along the harbor basin is a must for every visitor.
Lovers of a good drop of wine and culinary specialties should take a detour on the wine route which passes through the hinterland.
The vehicle-free old town center invites you to take a stroll through its enchanting streets with many small cafes, shops and restaurants.
A walk on the promenade along the harbor basin is a must for every visitor.
Lovers of a good drop of wine and culinary specialties should take a detour on the wine route which passes through the hinterland.
Limone
Limone sul Garda is located on the western shore of Lake Garda in the province of Brescia. Known for its surrounding lemon groves, this former fishing village attracts thousands of visitors every day during the season. Limone is now on the border between Brescia and Trentino.
The old town center is traffic-free and the pedestrian zone leads into a wide promenade with many small cafes and restaurants.
Stroll through the narrow streets with the many small shops and boutiques and take a detour to the lemon gardens of Limonaia
The old town center is traffic-free and the pedestrian zone leads into a wide promenade with many small cafes and restaurants.
Stroll through the narrow streets with the many small shops and boutiques and take a detour to the lemon gardens of Limonaia
Malcesine
Often referred to as the “Pearl of Lake Garda”, Malcesine is located on the eastern shore of the lake at the foot of Monte Baldo.
Characterized by its mighty scalier castle, this popular holiday resort invites its visitors to take wonderful walks through the narrow streets of the old town. Stroll through the small shops and cafés and enjoy delicious culinary specialties in the local restaurants on the promenade.
Active holidaymakers come here at their cost: by mountain bike or on foot up to Monte Baldo (but you can also go up by cable car) you have an incomparable view of the entire lake and the adjacent mountain ranges.
When the wind is good, windsurfers, kite surfers or sailors are out and about on the lake and beautiful bathing areas offer bathers a place to berth on the beaches.
Characterized by its mighty scalier castle, this popular holiday resort invites its visitors to take wonderful walks through the narrow streets of the old town. Stroll through the small shops and cafés and enjoy delicious culinary specialties in the local restaurants on the promenade.
Active holidaymakers come here at their cost: by mountain bike or on foot up to Monte Baldo (but you can also go up by cable car) you have an incomparable view of the entire lake and the adjacent mountain ranges.
When the wind is good, windsurfers, kite surfers or sailors are out and about on the lake and beautiful bathing areas offer bathers a place to berth on the beaches.
Peschiera del Garda
This historically beautiful town on the Mincio, the only drainage point, is located south-east on the flat shores of Lake Garda.
Peschiera del Garda can look back on a long history, as the first settlements were discovered here as early as the Bronze Age. During the Roman era, this place became an important hub for merchants and travellers and retains this important feature to this day. Furthermore, it is next to Desenzano and is the only railway station by Lake Garda as well as an important stop on the route between Milan and Venice for many railway travellers.
The old town center with its ancient fortress is surrounded by many small canals and invites you to stroll through the small shops and bars of the alleys. Known for its good bathing opportunities between Peschiera and Sirmione, the place offers the popular amusement park “Gardaland” in the immediate vicinity as well as great excursion destinations to the small neighboring Castelnuovo del Garda to the moraine hills with vineyards, olive groves, cypresses and traditional farmhouses or hikes on the beautiful river Mincio.
Peschiera del Garda can look back on a long history, as the first settlements were discovered here as early as the Bronze Age. During the Roman era, this place became an important hub for merchants and travellers and retains this important feature to this day. Furthermore, it is next to Desenzano and is the only railway station by Lake Garda as well as an important stop on the route between Milan and Venice for many railway travellers.
The old town center with its ancient fortress is surrounded by many small canals and invites you to stroll through the small shops and bars of the alleys. Known for its good bathing opportunities between Peschiera and Sirmione, the place offers the popular amusement park “Gardaland” in the immediate vicinity as well as great excursion destinations to the small neighboring Castelnuovo del Garda to the moraine hills with vineyards, olive groves, cypresses and traditional farmhouses or hikes on the beautiful river Mincio.
Riva del Garda
Riva del Garda, located in the north of Lake Garda, was already known in ancient times for its nautical school. Since the 19th century, Riva del Garda has blossomed into a health resort and has hosted many famous personalities such as Franz Kafka, Friedrich Nietzsche, Thomas Mann and Rainer Maria Rilke, who were inspired by the cultural wealth of the town.
The charming old town center offers cafes and restaurants, pretty shops and promenades inviting you to stroll and amble along the shore.
The landmark of Riva del Garda is undoubtedly the “Torre Apponale”, a city tower from the 14th century, which testifies to the size of the defensive system at that time with three mighty gates.
Another attraction is the Scaliger fortress “Rocca” on the waterfront, which to this day houses the city museum with archaeological findings, paintings and scientific exhibits.
The octagonal “Chiesa dell´Inviolata” offers visitors a magnificent interior with wonderful stucco work, paintings and religious frescoes.
Thanks to the frequent sea breezes, water sports enthusiasts such as surfers, kite surfers and sailors can be found here from spring to late autumn.
The charming old town center offers cafes and restaurants, pretty shops and promenades inviting you to stroll and amble along the shore.
The landmark of Riva del Garda is undoubtedly the “Torre Apponale”, a city tower from the 14th century, which testifies to the size of the defensive system at that time with three mighty gates.
Another attraction is the Scaliger fortress “Rocca” on the waterfront, which to this day houses the city museum with archaeological findings, paintings and scientific exhibits.
The octagonal “Chiesa dell´Inviolata” offers visitors a magnificent interior with wonderful stucco work, paintings and religious frescoes.
Thanks to the frequent sea breezes, water sports enthusiasts such as surfers, kite surfers and sailors can be found here from spring to late autumn.
Rovereto
The city of Rovereto has been the northern gate of Lake Garda for many centuries. Marked from the Venetian period, buildings from this era can still be seen in the center.
The connection between history and the future is unmistakable in Rovereto, with architectural mixtures of Italian buildings and Austrian architecture.
The city is known for its artists of modern art such as Fortunato Depero and attracts visitors from all over the world to its art and cultural events.
The connection between history and the future is unmistakable in Rovereto, with architectural mixtures of Italian buildings and Austrian architecture.
The city is known for its artists of modern art such as Fortunato Depero and attracts visitors from all over the world to its art and cultural events.
Sirmione
Sirmione
The beautiful town of Sirmione lies in the south of Lake Garda on a 4km long peninsula into the lake.
Known for its sulphurous springs for centuries, the ancient Romans came here for spa holidays.
Another landmark of the city is the Scaliger moated castle, built in 1250, with its towers, drawbridges and walls, which is located at the far end of the peninsula.
A visit to this historical building is worthwhile and the main tower offers a wonderful view over the lake and the fortified harbor.
In the traffic-free old town center, on “Corso Vittorio Emanuele” street, you will find small shops and boutiques as well as bars and wonderful restaurants inviting you to linger and enjoy delicious meals.
In the narrow streets there is a lot of activity all year round, it gets a little quieter with a stroll through olive groves to the Catullus caves or to the small and historic church of San Pietro in Mavino.
Other sights in Sirmione are the limestone terraces turning the water into a light turquoise at the very edge of the peninsula.
The beautiful town of Sirmione lies in the south of Lake Garda on a 4km long peninsula into the lake.
Known for its sulphurous springs for centuries, the ancient Romans came here for spa holidays.
Another landmark of the city is the Scaliger moated castle, built in 1250, with its towers, drawbridges and walls, which is located at the far end of the peninsula.
A visit to this historical building is worthwhile and the main tower offers a wonderful view over the lake and the fortified harbor.
In the traffic-free old town center, on “Corso Vittorio Emanuele” street, you will find small shops and boutiques as well as bars and wonderful restaurants inviting you to linger and enjoy delicious meals.
In the narrow streets there is a lot of activity all year round, it gets a little quieter with a stroll through olive groves to the Catullus caves or to the small and historic church of San Pietro in Mavino.
Other sights in Sirmione are the limestone terraces turning the water into a light turquoise at the very edge of the peninsula.
Our hotel with spa by Lake Garda is the perfect starting point for exploring the lake. Discover our attractive Packages, which are depending on the theme of wellness holidays, golf trips or culinary delights by Lake Garda.