Events on Lake Garda
Things to do on Lake Garda
Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy. Each of its three shores has a different character: the Brescia side of the lemon houses and the Vittoriale, the Verona side of Lazise, Bardolino and Garda, the Trentino Alto Garda with the cliffs dropping straight into the water at Riva and Torbole.
Half an hour by car or ferry takes you from a beach to a castle, from a theme park to a mountain trail.
Summer. Swimming, sailing and windsurfing, and the big parks on the Verona shore: Gardaland, Movieland, Caneva.
Spring and autumn. The Garda cycle path, tastings among the vineyards of Bardolino, Lugana and Valtenesi, villas and museums without the queues.
In the rain. Thermal baths, aquariums, caves and historic houses: the lake still works when the weather doesn't.
Ideas for…
Main attractions
Guides by town
Experiences to book
Some links are affiliate links: if you book an experience, GardaDay earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only list activities we would recommend anyway.
Lake Garda Tour
Affiliate linkA guided boat tour of Lake Garda, departing from Bardolino — book directly through Viator.
The Valpolicella: A DiWine Experience
Affiliate linkA full-day guided trip from Lake Garda into the Valpolicella wine region near Verona, visiting a historic wine cellar for tastings of Amarone and Recioto, with lunch included at a local agriturismo. Departs from Piazzale Aldo Moro in Bardolino.
Vineyard Tour with Wine and Food Tasting
Affiliate linkA guided walking tour through the vineyard, learning about the 11 grape varieties grown on-site, followed by a tasting of four wines paired with local cheeses and cold cuts.
Bardolino Garda Lake Winery Tour and Tasting
Affiliate linkA guided winery tour and tasting near Bardolino, on the eastern shore of Lake Garda.
Garda DOP Extra Virgin Olive Oil Tasting
Affiliate linkA guided tasting of Garda DOP extra virgin olive oil on the eastern shore, learning to read an oil the way you would a wine, with local bread and produce to taste it against.
Brenzone sul Garda E-Foil Rental & Lesson with Expert
Affiliate linkE-foil rental with a lesson from an expert instructor, on the water at Brenzone sul Garda.
Practical information
Common questions
When is the best time to visit Lake Garda?
April to October. July and August are the hottest and busiest months, especially at weekends; May, June and September bring mild weather, lower prices and shorter queues at museums, villas and parks.
What is there to do at Lake Garda when it rains?
The thermal baths at Sirmione, the SEA LIFE aquarium at Gardaland, the Grotte di Catullo and the Vittoriale at Gardone Riviera all work in bad weather, as do the wineries on the Verona shore and in the Valtenesi.
What is there to do at Lake Garda with kids?
The Verona shore has the big parks: Gardaland, Movieland, the Natura Viva wildlife park and the Parco Giardino Sigurtà. The equipped beaches at Lazise, Bardolino and Peschiera and the flat cycle path around the lower lake also suit families.
How do you get around Lake Garda?
By car along the three lakeside roads, by boat or ferry with Navigazione Laghi (the Desenzano-Riva line and the Maderno-Torri del Benaco car ferry), and by bike on the Garda cycle path. Coast-road traffic is heavy in summer and the boat is often faster.
Updated Friday, September 4