{"id":5355,"date":"2013-09-18T12:33:52","date_gmt":"2013-09-18T11:33:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/walks.friday.ie\/?p=5355"},"modified":"2024-11-13T19:24:38","modified_gmt":"2024-11-13T19:24:38","slug":"italy-lake-garda","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/italy-lake-garda","title":{"rendered":"Lake Garda, Italy: Where to Stay, How to Get Around, and More"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Lake Garda isn&#8217;t just <a href=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/all-around-italy\/lakes-of-italy-photographs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">one of the most beautiful lakes in Italy<\/a>, boasting picturesque towns, a rich history, and striking beauty; it&#8217;s also Italy&#8217;s <em>largest\u00a0<\/em>lake. Spread across three regions (Lombardy in the west, Veneto in the east and Trentino-Alto Adige in the north), Lake Garda&#8217;s sheer size means figuring out where to stay, and how to get around, can be a little confusing!We&#8217;re here to help.\u00a0Read on for our insider&#8217;s tips and tricks to Lake Garda, including which towns to visit, how to use public transport to get around Lake Garda, and where to stay!<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/italy-lake-garda\/#Towns_around_Lake_Garda\" >Towns around Lake Garda<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/italy-lake-garda\/#Getting_to_and_around_Lake_Garda\" >Getting to (and around) Lake Garda<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/italy-lake-garda\/#Where_to_stay_in_Lake_Garda\" >Where to stay in Lake Garda<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Towns_around_Lake_Garda\"><\/span>Towns around Lake Garda<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div id=\"attachment_5400\" style=\"width: 238px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/Lake_Garda_map1.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5400\" class=\" wp-image-5400 \" src=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/Lake_Garda_map1.jpg\" alt=\"Map of Lake Garda\" width=\"228\" height=\"432\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-5400\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Map of Lake Garda<\/p><\/div>\n<p>At about 30 miles long (50km) and 10 miles wide (17km), Lake Garda covers an area of 100 miles (158km). It&#8217;s dotted with more than 20 charming towns, from Riva del Garda in the north to Peschiera in the south.<\/p>\n<p>While some towns such as Sirmione are especially renowned, Lake Garda also offers many off-the-beaten path gems, such as Torri del Benaco (Veneto region) and Nago-Torbole (Trentino-Alto Adige region).<\/p>\n<p>Figuring out what to add to your itinerary? Here are a few of our favorite towns around Lake Garda.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Torri del Benaco<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>One of the lake&#8217;s smaller towns, picturesque, medieval Torri del Benaco has a lovely harbor filled with colorful fishing boats, the imposing Castello Scaligero, and a lakeside promenade lined with restaurants.<\/p>\n<p>Even in summer, this town remains relatively calm and makes for an idyllic place to relax.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_5463\" style=\"width: 490px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/garda-for-web-4.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5463\" class=\" wp-image-5463\" title=\"Torri del Benaco, Lake Garda\" src=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/garda-for-web-4.jpg\" alt=\"Lago di Garda\" width=\"480\" height=\"320\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-5463\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Boats in the harbor at Torri del Benaco. Photo by Amanda Ruggeri<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>Nago-Torbole<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Nago-Torbole actually includes two different towns\u2014both strikingly different, yet fascinating. While Torbole lies along the lake, and is extremely popular with windsurfers and sailors, Nago, on the slopes of a mountain, boasts breathtaking views.\u00a0Goethe was so impressed by Torbole that he described it as a &#8220;marvel of nature, an enchanting place.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Nearby is the\u00a0Monte Baldo park, known as the &#8220;Garden of Europe,&#8221; thanks to its variety of flora and fauna.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Bardolino<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The mild climate makes Bardolino ideal for vineyards\u2014so it&#8217;s no surprise that its hilly (and picturesque) landscape produces the famous Bardolino red wine. Wine aside, don&#8217;t miss the Romanesque church of San Severo, with its traces of original frescoes, and, nearby, the 9th-century church of San Zeno.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Limone sul Garda<\/strong><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_5464\" style=\"width: 490px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5464\" class=\" wp-image-5464\" src=\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/DSC_2046-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"lake garda where to stay\" width=\"480\" height=\"319\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/DSC_2046-scaled.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/DSC_2046-768x510.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/DSC_2046-1536x1020.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-5464\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Limone sul Garda<\/p><\/div>\n<p>A popular destination that&#8217;s retained its small-town charm, Limone sul Garda, lying at the foot of the steep Dosso di Roveri mountain, is known for its lemon groves (although its name isn&#8217;t derived from lemons, but rather the Latin word <em>limes,\u00a0<\/em>which means &#8220;border&#8221;). A must-visit is the 18th-century Castel lemon house; acquired by the city in 1995, it houses a museum and an educational center.\u00a0Also worth a visit: The San Pietro church, with beautiful 13th- and 14th-century frescoes.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Sal\u00f2<\/strong><\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-5465\" title=\"Lago di Garda\" src=\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/DSC_2298_edited-1-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"lake garda italy\" width=\"480\" height=\"319\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/DSC_2298_edited-1-scaled.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/DSC_2298_edited-1-768x510.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/DSC_2298_edited-1-1536x1020.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Sal\u00f2, located on the foot of the San Bartolomeo mountain, is the largest city on the western part of the lake. And its lakeside promenade is the lake&#8217;s longest.\u00a0Don&#8217;t miss the\u00a0Palazzo of the Magnifica Patria, built in 1524 and \u00a0rebuilt after the 1901 earthquake, and the Cathedral, which was commissioned in the 15th century.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Malcesine<\/strong><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_5384\" style=\"width: 490px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/Malcesine_Lake_Garda.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5384\" class=\" wp-image-5384 \" title=\"Lake Garda travel tips\" src=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/Malcesine_Lake_Garda.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/Malcesine_Lake_Garda.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/Malcesine_Lake_Garda-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-5384\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Malcesine, an impressive town on Lake Garda. Photo by S. Longstone (Wikicommons)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>With Monte Baldo as its backdrop, Malcesine is stunning &#8211; and impressive. Most visitors come here for the striking Castello Scaligero and Palazzo dei Capitani, but many visitors also come to take the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.funiviedelbaldo.it\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">cable car to Monte Baldo<\/a>\u00a0for\u00a0breathtaking, 360-degree views of Lake Garda.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Sirmione<\/strong><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_1662\" style=\"width: 442px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/The-Scaligero-castle-in-Sirmione-on-lake-Garda-Lombardia-Italia.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1662\" class=\" wp-image-1662 \" title=\"Sirmione Lake Garda\" src=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/The-Scaligero-castle-in-Sirmione-on-lake-Garda-Lombardia-Italia.jpg\" alt=\"Sirmione\" width=\"432\" height=\"408\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/The-Scaligero-castle-in-Sirmione-on-lake-Garda-Lombardia-Italia.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/The-Scaligero-castle-in-Sirmione-on-lake-Garda-Lombardia-Italia-768x725.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 432px) 100vw, 432px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1662\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sirmione&#8217;s Scaligero castle<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Famous (and touristy) Sirmione sits on a peninsula stretching into the lake. It&#8217;s also home to the Grotte di Catullo (the ruins of a vast Roman villa), the imposing\u00a0Scaligero Castle,\u00a0and its thermal baths. Keep in mind that in summer, Sirmione swarms with visitors; to best enjoy this charming town, try to visit in the off-season.<\/p>\n<p>Read More:<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Getting_to_and_around_Lake_Garda\"><\/span><strong>Getting to (and around) Lake Garda<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong>By air\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Lake Garda is situated near several major airports, making it easily accessible. Verona-Villafranca airport, the closest, is only 9 miles (15km) away, while Brescia-Montichiari is 18 miles (30km).\u00a0Another option is flying into\u00a0Milan\u00a0(both Linate and Malpensa airports), about 60 miles (100km) away. From the airports, you can take a car, train, or bus to Lake Garda&#8217;s towns (read on for more information about public transport at Lake Garda!).<\/p>\n<p><strong>By train<\/strong><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_5386\" style=\"width: 490px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/Desenzano.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5386\" class=\" wp-image-5386 \" src=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/Desenzano.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/Desenzano.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/Desenzano-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-5386\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Desenzano, is only 20 minutes by train from Veronoa. Photo by RicciSpeziari (Wikicommons)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Two towns on Lake Garda can be reached by train from Verona: Peschiera del Garda and Desenzano. Both are on the southern part of the lake. It takes 15 minutes to get from Verona&#8217;s Porta Nuova station to Peschiera del Garda, or 20 minutes to Desenzano. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.trenitalia.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Trains to both towns<\/a> run almost hourly.<\/p>\n<p>Traveling to Riva del Garda, on the northern part of the lake? From either Verona or Milan, take a train to Rovereto (about 40 minutes to an hour), then a bus\u00a0to Riva del Garda.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Read More: <a href=\"https:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/how-to\/trains-in-italy-rail-schedule-tickets-rome-florence\">How to Travel Italy by Train<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>By bus<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If you&#8217;re traveling to the eastern side of Lake Garda, you can take buses from Verona to Riva del Garda, including stops in Lasize, Bardolino, Garda, and Torre del Benaco, among other towns.<\/p>\n<p>If you are going to the western side, your best bet is to take the train from Verona to Desenzano; from there, buses connect\u00a0Desenzano with towns all the way to Riva del Garda, in the north. From Desenzano&#8217;s train station, you can also take the bus to Sirmione, which takes about 30 minutes.\u00a0<em>Note:<\/em> Buses tend to be more frequent in the summer, which is the region&#8217;s high season.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_5387\" style=\"width: 490px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/SirmioneCastle.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5387\" class=\" wp-image-5387 \" src=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/SirmioneCastle.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"364\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/SirmioneCastle.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/SirmioneCastle-768x583.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-5387\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sirmione, a popular destination on Lake Garda<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>By ferry<\/strong><br \/>\nAnother convenient mode of transport is the ferry. Lake Garda&#8217;s options range from standard to fast ferries; there are also ferry services for cars between Maderno and Torri del Benaco, and in summer, also between Limone and Malcesine. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.navigazionelaghi.it\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">timetables can be downloaded<\/a>\u00a0for the various times of the year, and you can find the details for the different ferry prices in the same website.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Where_to_stay_in_Lake_Garda\"><\/span><strong>Where to stay in Lake Garda<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>While there are plenty of accommodation options around Lake Garda, we recommend staying in an <em>agriturismo,<\/em>\u00a0where you can combine having an &#8220;authentic&#8221; experience of the area with enjoying the beautiful outdoors. (Here&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/hotels\/what-is-an-agriturismo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">everything you need to know about staying in an <em>agriturismo\u00a0<\/em>in Italy<\/a>!). Agriturismo website has a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.agriturismo.it\/en\/farmhouse\/garda_lake\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">listing of farmhouses<\/a> offering a wide range of facilities.<\/p>\n<p>Another popular option is camping. These are not your average campsites! \u00a0Many boast excellent facilities, such as swimming pools, kids&#8217; clubs and even an on-site restaurant. There are campsites all around the lake.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Lake Garda isn&#8217;t just one of the most beautiful lakes in Italy, boasting picturesque towns, a rich history, and striking beauty; it&#8217;s also Italy&#8217;s largest\u00a0lake. Spread across three regions (Lombardy in the west, Veneto in the east and Trentino-Alto Adige in the north), Lake Garda&#8217;s sheer size means figuring out where to stay, and how [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":2079,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[96,66,93,63,74],"ppma_author":[155],"class_list":["post-5355","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-things-to-do","tag-accommodation","tag-day-trips","tag-lake-garda","tag-trip-planning","tag-transportation"],"authors":[{"term_id":155,"user_id":3,"is_guest":0,"slug":"walksofitaly","display_name":"Walks of Italy","avatar_url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/9f4cd4dd0c5ab4b4bae57f3500298e23?s=96&d=mm&r=g","user_url":"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog","last_name":"of Italy","first_name":"Walks","job_title":"","description":"Walks began life as the passion project of two guys with one simple mission: To share their love for, and knowledge of, the city of Rome. Since then, Walks has grown into a team of over 100 ground staff and at any time up to 600 guides, operating across 13 of the world\u2019s most exciting cities (and counting!)\r\n\r\nToday we provide some of the most exclusive and beautifully designed small group tours in the industry through Italy-based Walks of Italy and around the world at Walks, where we offer special access to some of the world\u2019s most iconic landmarks and attractions as well as unique cultural experiences."}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5355"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5355"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5355\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22159,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5355\/revisions\/22159"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2079"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5355"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5355"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5355"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=5355"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}