For your Lake Garda holidays, discover the charms of both Eastern and Western Lake Garda. The eastern shore, in particular, serves as a haven for fun and relaxation. Whether it’s thrilling rollercoaster rides, mountain biking adventures, or unwinding with a glass of wine as the sun sets, there’s something for everyone in this delightful region.
For your Italy holidays, Western Lake Garda offers a unique blend of Alpine and Mediterranean scenery, complete with gorgeous villas, lush gardens, and immersive wine-tasting experiences that delve into the rolling hills. Beyond the exquisite landscape and culinary delights, it stands out as a fabulous destination for a family holiday. With water parks, cable cars, and abundant opportunities for lakeside fun, it's hard to imagine anyone not finding the time to enjoy all that this region has to offer.
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Set in the small town of Valeggio sul Mincio, Sigurta Garden Park (Parco Giardino Sigurta) is one of the finest gardens in Italy. This huge, 56-hectares park was created in 1617; as well as rolling parkland and great trees, the park is famous for its swathes of tulips, roses, lilies and asters - and its 40,000 topiary box bushes. Tired of walking? Just hire a bike, golf car or take the road train.
Best for: Unique architecture.
While you're there: The top of the tower offers stunning views across the city.
When it comes to Gardaland , you might think you’ve taken a wrong turn somewhere and have ended up in Orlando instead of Italy. The area just to the north of Peschiera has several theme parks, of which Gardaland is the biggest. If you’re with kids, or are a big one yourself, then this is one of the best things to do in Lake Garda. At the Gardaland Park, bounce around on rollercoasters suitable for kids - like Peppa Pig Land and Kung Fu Academy - while the more adventurous and adrenaline-seekers can go for a whirl on the likes of Raptor or Blue Tornado. There’s also a Sea Life Aquarium and Legoland Water Park.
Best for: An adrenaline-pumped day.
While you're there: Stay at their Gardaland Hotel, Gardaland Adventure Hotel or Gardaland Magical Hotel.
Only a few kilometres up the road, Lazise is a lovely little town, with its grandly crenellated town walls stamped by a Venetian lion. It might remind you of Venice, but on a smaller scale; buildings line the lines of water, there’s a white bell tower and plenty of waterfront restaurants and cafes to pause at. And if you’re keen to get in the water, there’s plenty of water activities for you here; or back on dry land, check out the weekly Wednesday market. If you’re looking at Lake Garda holidays, Lazise is a genteel place to base yourself, and is close by to the likes of Gardaland and other popular Lake Garda areas.
Best for: Historic villas.
While you're there: There are plenty of camping spots here.
The old town of Malcesine stands at the gateway between Venetian and Austrian territory, in a fabulous setting with a distant backdrop of the Dolomites. A visit to this charming town is one of the most scenic things to do in Lake Garda, and so it’s very popular with other tourists. Castello Scaligero, perched on a rock to the north of the town, was built in the 13th century. The view from the battlements is striking - the deep blue of the sweeping lake, the flat-roofed houses huddled along the shoreline - but to switch the views around, get a great shot of the castle from the water.
Best for: The most photogenic spot in eastern Lake Garda.
While you're there: You can see artist drawings of the scenery in the castle museum.
Over on the western shore of Lake Garda sits Sirmione, set on a peninsula at the southern end of the lake. If you’re contemplating what to do in Lake Garda where you can take a slower pace, Sirmione has plenty of options: potter down the alleyways, wallow in sulphurous hot pools of Grotte di Catullo or meander through olive groves that lead onto Rocca Scaligera’s Roman ruins. There are also three villas of interest here - Villa Cortine Palace, where Princess Diana’s mother once stayed; Villa Meneghini, where opera singer Maria Callas lived in her 1950s heyday; and, leaving the best till last, the Palace Hotel Villa Cortine, which still serves the best Bellinis.
Best for: A delightful day trip.
While you're there: Rocca Scaligera has plenty of ice-cream parlours and craft shops.
Now, Salo has to be the most elegant resort on Lake Garda, with its clean harbour, bobbing boats and honey-coloured low-set buildings. Start with a stroll along Via San Carlo, the arcaded shopping street; watch chic matrons and yummy-mummies browse the designer shoe stores and stop for coffee in Vassalli Pasticceria. Once you’ve finished your iced coffee and crunchy hazelnut biscuits, saunter along the Lungolago, the waterfront. This promenade sweeps around the seductive bay and is the longest - and easily the best - on Lake Garda. Also on the waterfront is Piazza della Vittoria, the showpiece square and the gateway to Salo’s medieval heart.
Best for: Dressing up and burning rubber.
While you're there: Salo is linked to Mussolini, who set up the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Art Nouveau Hotel Laurin.
This old fishing port has been loved by plenty of tourists and figures throughout time, but this place has enough charm without the popularity. Pastel facades hide the pizza parlours, with steep, cobbled streets almost as quaint as the inner harbour. Up at the top of the hill is the authentic ‘lemon house’, the Limonaia del Castel, which reveals the secrets of lemon production. Once there were over 400 limonaie (lemon houses); these evocative lemon terraces are complex structures, with stone pilasters topped by wooden latticework - it’s quite a striking sight from the lake. Limone is as charming and sickly sweet as a Limoncello liqueur.
Best for: A bygone-era.
While you're there: Stretching high above Limone is the wilderness area of the Parco Alto Garda Bresciano, a regional park including hamlets and challenging hiking trails.
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