Best area to stay in Lake Garda. Lake Garda, is the largest lake in Italy, and is located between the regions of Lombardy, Veneto and Trentino Alto Adige.
If you are looking for the best area to stay on Lake Garda, the nicest part of lake Garda, you can choose between these towns:
- Sirmione and Desenzano del Garda – southern area of the lake, best for liveliness, sunny weather, less windy area, nice villages to visit. Sirmione has a castle, famous thermal baths and Roman ruins.
- Peschiera del Garda – beautiful lakeside promenade, close to several amusement parks. Peschiera is well-connected by train, making it convenient for travelers.
- Lazise offers a beautiful lakeside promenade perfect for leisurely strolls. Close to Gardaland and other theme parks, making it a good option for families.
- Bardolino and Garda, Central location, lively atmosphere with many restaurants and shops, famous for its wine, beautiful lakeside promenade, close to Verona.
- Salò: Elegant town with a long lakeside promenade, historic buildings. Near D’Annunzio’s beautiful villa in Gardone Riviera (Gradone is known for its luxury hotels and botanical gardens).
- Toscolano Maderno, Manerba del Garda, Padenghe and Peschiera del Garda, stay here in summer season for the long promenade and best beaches.
- Malcesine, Beautiful medieval town, Scaliger Castle, cable car to Monte Baldo for hiking and trekking.
- Riva del Garda – stunning mountain scenery, outdoor activities like hiking and windsurfing, historic sites. Popular for windsurfing and other water sports, picturesque views.
I list only the main villages where you should stay, as there are many villages on Garda and all of them worth a visit. You can stay in one of the locations listed above and move by ferry, by car and even by bike given the numerous cycle paths in the area. [ Leggi questo articolo in italiano: lago di Garda ]
Best area to stay in lake garda
Nicest part of lake Garda based on preferences:
- best area to stay Lake Garda for outdoor activities: Riva del Garda, Torbole, Malcesine.
- best area to stay Lake garda Lake Garda for beaches: Toscolano Maderno, Manerba del Garda, Padenghe and Peschiera del Garda.
- Where to stay Lake Garda for history and culture: Sirmione, Malcesine, Desenzano del Garda.
- Lake Garda for wine and food enthusiasts: Bardolino, Garda, Lasize.
- Lake Garda for luxury and relaxation: Gardone Riviera, Sirmione.
- Lake Garda for Families: Desenzano del Garda, Garda, Toscolano Maderno, Moniga and Manerba del Garda.
best area to stay in lake garda MAP
In the map, you can see the Best area to stay in Lake Garda
 |
| best places lake garda |
Lake Garda where to stay for beaches
The best area to stay on Lake Garda for the beaches is located in Manerba for the Lombardy side and Lasize for the Verona side.
I come from Bergamo, so in summer, my favorite destination, for convenience and proximity, are Manerba or Toscolano Maderno for beaches.
Usually I stay in Manerba del Garda, in some hotels or camping near the Romantica beach. Beautiful panorama, large bay, suitable for families with children. In Toscolano Maderno I prefer go to Lido Azzurro in Via Lungolago Giuseppe Zanardelli. There are a few apartment near the beach and some hotel in this location.
In Manerba del Garda there is a long strip of beach. The beaches are pebbly, free or with the possibility of renting sunbeds and umbrellas. There is a kilometre-long walk along the entire coast and on the side there are all the residences and campsites full of tourists (many foreigners).
The area is also delimited by bars and tourist residences. Paid parking near the beaches.
Manerba is a purely seaside area so if you love a bit of liveliness, stay in Desenzano or Sirmione or Salò.
The beaches of Padenghe del Garda, which are closer to Desenzano, are quite popular but the area is less windy than those of Manerba: in the July or August you could gasp from the heat.
A long walk in front of the lake will take you to Moniga del Garda (another popular lakeside location in summer). There are some bars, bathrooms, public showers and if you want you can rent sunbeds and sun umbrellas.
Where to stay on Lake Garda with dogs
Stay in Manerba or Toscolano Maderno. These locations have dog-friendly beaches like BAU beach in Toscolano and Fido Beach in Manerba.
Where to stay on Lake Garda to go to amusement park Gardaland
Gardaland is located in Ronchi, a municipality in Castelnuovo del Garda, in the province of Verona. Stay here if you want to stay close to the amusement park and perhaps reach it on foot or by bus.
If you want to stay near the lake, choose Peschiera del Garda, the best place to sleep in to stay close to Gardaland and other theme parks in the area.
- Gardaland is located in Ronchi in the municipality of Castelnuovo del Garda.
- Movieland and Caneva world Aquapark in Pacengo, a hamlet of Lazise. They are only a few kilometers away from each other.
- Sigurtà Park, a 60-hectare natural park located in Valeggio sul Mincio: it is immense and beautiful, also suitable for picnics on the lawn. Paid entry.
Desenzano
Desenzano del Garda, located on the southwestern shore of Lake Garda, is an ideal destination for those seeking a blend of urban vibrancy and lakeside tranquility. As the largest town on the lake, it offers a bustling atmosphere with plenty of restaurants, cafes, shops, and nightlife options. The town’s historical sites, such as the Roman villa with its stunning mosaics and the medieval castle offering panoramic views, add cultural richness to your stay.
Desenzano is also a convenient hub for exploring the lake and beyond, thanks to its excellent transport links, including a train station with connections to Verona, Milan, and Venice. The lively weekly markets, beautiful promenades, and nearby beaches enhance the appeal, making it a perfect base for both relaxation and adventure on Lake Garda.
Bardolino
Location suitable in summer for the beaches (Lido Mirabello), shops, long lakefront promenade. Beautiful historic center, shops, bars, restaurants, ice cream parlors, lakeside promenade… It is a rainier area than Desenzano in winter season.
Malcesine
In my opinion, the most beautiful town on Lake Garda on the Venetian shore. A little too windy for my tastes to stay on the beach but definitely worth visiting the historic center (wonderful! with its castle and countless streets to get lost in.
Lasize
Known for its medieval architecture, narrow streets, and historic buildings, Lazise exudes a quaint and charming ambiance.The old town is particularly picturesque, with well-preserved structures and a lively atmosphere.
Hosts various events, festivals, and markets throughout the year, adding vibrancy to the town.Weekly markets provide a local flavor and the opportunity to shop for unique products.
Close to Gardaland and other theme parks, making it a good option for families.Offers a range of activities suitable for all age groups.
Peschiera del Garda
Situated at the southern tip of Lake Garda, Peschiera del Garda offers easy access to other popular destinations around the lake and to major cities like Verona.
The town is rich in history, featuring a UNESCO World Heritage fortress and well-preserved city walls. Close to popular theme parks like Gardaland and Caneva Aquapark, making it a great base for families.
Riva del Garda
Riva del Garda is a suitable location, in summer, for lovers of water sports. Riva is windy compared to Desenzano and Sirmione.
Also excellent for winter stays as there are various events including the famous Christmas markets in nearby Arco.
The city is cosmopolitan with the greatest tourism being aimed at Germans. The historic center is large, there are a good number of accommodation facilities and it is a good starting point to see the upper part of Lake Garda and the neighboring Trentino towns.
Riva del Garda is surrounded by mountains, the climate here will be more variable and cooler than the towns to the south of the lake (Desenzano, Sirmione…) so if you are looking for a place with a more tolerable climate in summer, head here.
From Salò, going towards Riva del Garda, you can visit the Sanctuary of Montecastello in Tignale and continue towards Tremosine to be able to descend to the Riviera dei Limoni passing through the Strada della Forra, which is considered “the most beautiful road in the world”.
The “della Forra” road is serpentine and wedges itself into the mountain, along the deep crack dug by the Brasa torrent. It is a suggestive route, which fascinates with the rocks and the views of the landscape with a truly unique view of the lake.
Salò
It is dotted with Art Nouveau buildings with a large local market which takes place every Saturday morning.
This village, Salò, remains on the Brescia shore south-west of Lake Garda in the area known as the Riviera dei Limoni, a narrower area than the southern basin (Desenzano, Sirmione…) made up of mountains, natural landscapes, a ventilated climate and tranquility.
Salò is quite large but the most touristy and characteristic area is enclosed in the historic center made up of a dense network of streets, alleys and small squares with ancient stately buildings, elegant shops, numerous restaurants and hotels. Certainly, together with Riva del Garda, it is one of the chicest areas of the lake with its Art Nouveau buildings.
Sirmione
Sirmione. One of the most well-known and visited places in Garda in every season of the year thanks also to the famous spa with its outdoor swimming pools heated in winter.
The village of Sirmione is as fascinating as it is crowded with tourists, especially on summer weekends. Take this into account. In the evening the historic center of Sirmione lights up, there are numerous restaurants and bars next to each other, numerous ice cream parlors (worth trying).
If you want to stay in a lively centre, even if the village is small, I suggest you stay here.
THINGS TO KNOW: Staying in the center of Sirmione is not convenient if you arrive by car. The area is limited traffic (ZTL) and to enter and exit the old village by car, you will have to dodge hordes of people on foot so, sometimes, the most practical solution is to stay just outside the Scaligero castle or in the neighboring towns like Colombare and Lugana.
I would like to point out that there is a convenient shuttle bus service that takes you directly from Colombare to the door of the castle of Sirmione. The cost is €1 each way per person (single ticket can be purchased on the ground at the price of €1.00 or €1.50 if you purchase the ticket on board the bus).
Garda city
Narrow and charming streets full of restaurants and shops. Garda is a town located on the east coast of the lake of the same name.
As you can see in the images, there is a lovely historic center also full of shops, bars, restaurants, hotels, shops with many typical local specialities, like all the villages on the lake.
From the historic center there is a road that runs along the lake where people, in some areas without rocks, lie down to sunbathe. The photo below is not retouched, the colors are exactly those of the lake that I photographed on one of my beloved walks.
Lake Garda has stony beaches so it is recommended to wear lake shoes that allow you to walk and swim without any problem. In this article I have listed the most beautiful towns on Lake Garda to visit. Hope I helped you!
About me: Hi I’m Moira, I was born and grew up in Italy about 100 km from Lake Garda.
NOT Italian readers? Translate this blog using automatic Google Translator or your web browser translation engine.
PC: Right-click anywhere on the page and select “Translate” from the context menu. This will automatically translate the contents of the web page to Chrome’s set language. Phone and tablet:
Tap the three dots (Android) or cog icon (iOS) on the right-hand side of the translation pop-up to automatically translate certain languages or sites. In the “label” column you can click on the category you need to read all the articles relating to the topic concerned.
THE MOST READ: