Lake Garda Holidays

Things to do in Lake Garda

Holidays to Lake Garda, Italy’s largest freshwater lake, provide a dazzling combination of beautiful scenery, history, quiet relaxation and lively entertainment. The Mediterranean climate is the perfect accompaniment to the day's activities.

• Explore its Roman ruins or medieval castle.
• Wander through its lemon and olive groves.
• Mingle with other shoppers at one of the local street markets or in the elegant boutiques.
• Eat and drink at one of the many bars, cafes and restaurants. Fresh fish from the lake is a frequent feature, alongside local dishes of polenta and meat, as well classic Italian pasta and pizza recipes.
• Go swimming, windsurfing or simply soak up the sun from one of the beaches.
• Enjoy the lakeside amusement parks.
• Take the cable car up into the surrounding mountains to marvel at the stupendous views, go hiking or, in winter, skiing.

Attractions and activities on holiday in Lake Garda

For those on holiday in Lake Garda with youngsters and those simply young at heart, you’ll find entertainment at one of Garda's two amusement parks. On the south-eastern corner of the lake younger visitors can play pirates and run round with dinosaurs at Gardaland. Alternatively CanevaWorld is occupied by the exhilarating Aquaparadise and the action packed Movieland.

For a more cultural and historical experience, in the centre of the southern shore you’ll find the quaint village of Sirmione, a village on the lake’s southern shore, features a fortified grotto, the Rocca Scaligera, thermal baths and peaceful olive groves and orchards.Boasting a maze of roman ruins and a castle, the village is well worth a visit. From the eastern shore you can take the cable up Monte Baldo for skiing in the winter months and biking, hiking or simple view gazing in the summer.

For all the shopaholics on holiday in Lake Garda don’t fear, you’ll get your fix. From pretty street markets to elegant boutiques, all your needs and wants are catered for.

You could be forgiven for thinking you were at the seaside on the broad southern end of the lake where the waters are a windsurfers dream, and the summers are long with a warm Mediterranean climate.

Shakespeare is said to have imagined Juliet standing on a particular stone balcony in Verona while she called out for Romeo. Once an inn and now a World Heritage site, known as Casa di Giulietta, you can still see the building and its balcony today.

Two adjacent lakeside adventure parks provide the perfect opportunity for younger visitors to burn off energy. Gardaland offers fairytale magic, dinosaurs, adventure rides and an aquarium, while CanevaWorld has a waterpark and Movieland.

Lake Garda boasts easy and efficient rail and road links to most major towns including Milan and Venice. The nearby cities of Brescia and Mantua make easy day trips for lovers of Roman history, opera and Italian gastronomy.

Best time of the year to visit

Whether you are seeking entertainment or relaxation, families, couples and singles can all enjoy holidays to Lake Garda throughout the year. Spring and late summer offer balmy temperatures, plenty of sunshine and are ideal for sightseeing, shopping, hiking and cycling. July and August are hotter but perfect for those wanting to enjoy the water. Winters are relatively mild but the skiing resort of Cableway Malcesine Monte Baldo is high enough to have almost 40 kilometres of slopes suitable for skiers of all levels.

How to get to destination

Lake Garda lies close to the airports of Verona-Villafranca and Brescia-Montichiari. Venice airport and Milan’s Linate and Malpesna airports are further away but still accessible to holidaymakers bound for Lake Garda. Flight times from the UK vary according to the departure and destination airports but average between two and two-and-a-half hours. Local time at Lake Garda is one hour ahead of UK time.

Destination is known for

As well as the famous opera in nearby Verona, the villages and resorts of Lake Garda are home to several smaller theatrical and music festivals. Meanwhile, a highlight of many holidays to Lake Garda is a visit to the remains of a Roman villa that was reputedly the one-time home of the poet Catullus. Located in Sirmione, the Villa Romana has views over the lake and contains some well-preserved mosaics.

Food, drink and nightlife on holiday in Lake Garda

Known for its nightlife the towns and villages of Lake Garda offer up a wealth of restaurants, bars and discos. You’ll find typical Italian cuisine, pizza and pasta cooked in lashings of locally produced olive oil ensuring you finish off any meal with a traditional and refreshing digestif.

Book a holiday to Lake Garda with lastminute.com and you’ll be rewarded with a trip full of activity, adventure and Italian culture. Suitable for families and couples alike, the varied attractions of a holiday in Lake Garda will satisfy all kinds of tastes. Book all your holidays to Italy with lastminute.com