a group of buildings with people walking around
a town by a lake and mountains
Yellow hotel building with clock tower by the water
Colorful buildings line a harbor with boats and mountains.
Colorful buildings line a lake with a mountain backdrop.
Photo by Max Böhme on Unsplash

Holiday in Lake Garda

Lake in Italy — tips, highlights & best time to visit 🇮🇹

Country

Italy

Type

Lake

Best time to travel

May–June, September–October

Budget/day

90–170 €

Getting there from Germany

By car via the Brenner Pass in 3–5 hours from Munich. Nearest airports: Verona (30 min.) or Bergamo.

About Lake Garda

Lake Garda, Italy's largest lake, stretches over 52 kilometers from the rugged foothills of the Dolomites in the north to the gentle hills of the Po Valley in the south. This diversity makes it unique: While Riva del Garda and Torbole, with their constant winds, are a paradise for surfers and sailors, Sirmione in the south attracts visitors with its peninsula old town, Roman ruins of the Grotte di Catullo, and hot thermal springs. Malcesine on the eastern shore enchants with a Scaliger castle and a cable car to Monte Baldo (1,760 meters), offering a panoramic view of the entire lake. Limone sul Garda, once only accessible by boat, impresses with its historic lemon groves and the spectacular bike bridge built into the rock face. Gardone Riviera is home to the Vittoriale degli Italiani — the eccentric villa of the poet Gabriele d’Annunzio. The cuisine reflects the regions: In the north, fish dishes like Lavarello or trout dominate, while in the south, Tortellini di Valeggio and the robust Bardolino wine are popular. Olive oil from Lake Garda (DOP) is considered one of the best in Italy. The amusement parks Gardaland and Movieland make the lake a family destination. Lake Garda is reachable from Munich in 4 hours — no wonder it has been magnetically attracting Germans since Goethe's 'Italian Journey.'

Families
80
Safety
80
Nature
75
Relaxation
75
Food
70

Top 5 highlights in Lake Garda

The places you absolutely must not miss.

1

Sirmione

The peninsula with the Scaliger castle and the Roman caves of Catullus spectacularly juts into the lake.

2

Riva del Garda

The northern town is a mecca for surfers and sailors thanks to the reliable winds Ora and Peler.

3

Limone sul Garda

The picturesque village with historic lemon groves and colorful houses clings to the steep rock face.

4

Malcesine

The charming castle town with a cable car to Monte Baldo (2,218 m) offers Alpine panorama and lake views.

5

Gardaland

Italy's largest amusement park near Peschiera is perfect for families with children.

Hotels in Lake Garda

Vergleiche tausende Hotels, Apartments und Resorts auf Expedia – mit Bestpreis-Garantie, kostenloser Stornierung und Bonuspunkten.

Über 700.000 Hotels
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Hotels in Lake Garda vergleichen

* Weiterleitung zu Expedia.de. Es gelten die dortigen Nutzungsbedingungen.

Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen

Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie

Best time to travel for Lake Garda

Recommended travel time

May–June, September–October

Summer

Warm, 26–32 °C, afternoon thermal winds

Winter

Mild for Northern Italy, 5–10 °C, calm

How much does a holiday in Lake Garda cost?

Average costs per person per day

🎒

Budget

50–75 €

Hostel, Street food, Public transport

🏨

Mid-range

90–170 €

Hotel, Restaurant, Excursions

🌟

Luxury

220–500 €

Boutique hotel, Fine dining

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5 travel tips for Lake Garda

Insider knowledge that makes your holiday better.

The west coast (Gardesana Occidentale) is more scenic, but the road is narrow and crowded.

Surfers come to the northern shore (Torbole/Riva) – morning Peler wind, afternoon Ora.

Ferries connect the west and east shores, saving hours of driving.

Bardolino on the eastern shore is quieter and cheaper than the touristy west coast towns.

Hike the Ponale path from Riva – a former road tunnel with breathtaking views of the lake.

Food & drink in Lake Garda

These specialties you must try!

Tortellini di Valeggio
Risotto con Tinca
Olive oil from Lake Garda
Bigoli con le Sarde
Carpione del Garda
Bardolino wine
Suitable for:LakeSurfingMountainsFamilyLemonsWater sportsHikingRomance

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