These are the most beautiful and delicious places on Lake Garda

Most beautiful places on Lake Garda

Limone del Garda

A town with lemon in its name obviously revolves around… lemons. The same goes for Limone del Garda, one of the loveliest places on Lake Garda. Not so very long ago, the inhabitants made their living growing lemons, and the poles from the lemon groves still stand proudly along the edge of the village. Two lemon gardens are still in use and beautifully lit in the evenings. At La Limonaia del Castèl, they don’t hold back: they grow no fewer than fifty citrus varieties, from lemons to oranges and grapefruits to mandarins. Sample everything, then settle down at one of the waterside terraces. What is a spritz without lemon or orange?

Sirmione

You can’t really go wrong when choosing one of the beautiful towns on Lake Garda, but Sirmione certainly comes out on top. What else would you expect from a village built on a peninsula in the lake? It starts with the entrance bridge into the village, where the castle (with all kinds of turrets, exactly as you would draw a castle) awaits you. Via charming streets and probably a terrace or two, you make your way through the village to the unmissable final destination: the Grotte di Catullo, the remains of a huge Roman villa complex where you could easily spend a few hours exploring.

Monte Baldo

The farther north you go along Lake Garda, the higher the mountains become. If you want to head up into the heights, Malcesine is the place to be. From here, a cable car takes you to an altitude of 1,700 metres on Monte Baldo—something of Lake Garda’s home mountain. And it’s a wonderful experience. First, enjoy the view of the lake and the colourful villages, then savour the ultimate tranquillity on the mountain. A few cowbells ring, a few insects buzz, but both literally and figuratively, you distance yourself from the bustle by the lake.

Desenzano del Garda

If you’re looking for a little more of a city feel, try Desenzano. It is the largest of the towns on Lake Garda, has a car-free centre and offers everything your shopping heart could desire. Not only tasteful boutiques and major chains (tip: from mid-June to the end of August, the shops stay open until late every Wednesday during ‘le notte bianche’), but also a market on Tuesday mornings that may well be the best on the entire lake. Want to really go out for the night? Desenzano is the perfect location for that too. Just dress up a little, because the Italians do the same.

Isola del Garda

Of course, you’ll want to get out on the water too. Many places on Lake Garda have a harbour, and it’s fun just to make the crossing from one side to the other. Wind in your hair, water all around you, an ice cream on the other side and then a pleasant trip back. If you want to turn it into a bigger adventure, take the boat to Isola del Garda (departing from twelve different harbours), the largest island in Lake Garda. You’ll be amazed as the enormous villa and its accompanying garden gradually come into view, and you’ll immediately understand why the Romans already wanted to live here. Tip: book a combined ticket for the boat and a tour of the villa, so you can also peek inside a few of the rooms.

Bardolino

An obvious choice for all wine lovers, but of course you should taste a true Bardolino in the town of the same name. You’ll be able to boast at your next party about that wonderful Bardolino you tasted with a view of the vines. Take a tasting at a winery (Cantina Ca’ dei Frati or Cantina Bertani, for example), walk through the vineyards along the Sentiero del Vino, then reward yourself for all that hard work with a glass of wine at Piazza Matteotti in the heart of Bardolino. Also delicious, but in slightly smaller quantities: Bardolino’s olive oil. At Frantoio Bonamini, they’ll be happy to give you a guided tour including a tasting.

Riva del Garda

The north of the lake is just a little less popular than the south, but don’t write it off. Every afternoon, a refreshing wind blows here, turning places like Riva and Torbole into windsurfing and kitesurfing paradises. You can feel that in the streets too, where you walk among surf dudes—and chicks—and the shops sell cool surf brands. The local beach, Sabioni, stretches for kilometres and has grassy sections, which is a welcome change from all the pebble beaches. The locals spend their beach days here too, so find a spot and savour Italian beach life.