Lake Garda, the largest lake in Italy and miracle of nature. That’s why we aren’t surprised that there are countless exciting activities for all ages, be it one of the many markets or the amusement parks. But even a chill day on the water gives you the ultimate holiday feeling. To find out, what trips around the Lake Garda you should not miss and what to see, keep on reading …
What to do at Lake Garda
Monte Baldo
Monte Baldo is a mountain range on the eastern shore of Lake Garda. The highest point is at 2200 meters above sea level, that can be reached by the cable car in just a few minutes to enjoy the breathtaking lake view. The special feature of the cable car is that the cabin has a 360-degree panorama. In this way, you can see every corner around Monte Baldo and let yourself be carried away feeling like a bird flying over the lake.
In high season, the cable car runs every half hour from 8 am. In a cabin holds up to 80 people, so even in summer, when it can get very busy, no long waiting times arise. Nevertheless, we recommend you start early in the morning to avoid crowds and make the most of the day.
The peninsula Sirmione
Sirmione is one of the most beautiful cities at Lake Garda and probably even one of the most romantic in the North of Italy. The old city center is located on a peninsula, which rises 4 km into the lake and has been declared a car-free zone. The heart of Sirmione is full of narrow, winding streets with cozy restaurants, chic boutiques and, of course, the best gelaterias; so don’t resist the temptation of ice cream! Every Monday morning there is a market at the Piazza Mercato, where they mainly sell fresh and local fruits and vegetables.
TIP: Go to Sirmione for breakfast, as it can be quite crowded during the day in the summer months. In the morning it is quieter and the search for a parking space will not ruin your day.
Sightseeing and shopping in Verona
The famous city of Verona is very close to Lake Garda. From the south of the lake, it’s just about half an hour by car. What you really should not miss is the Piazza Brà, the largest square in Europe. Despite its size, it has a very special coziness and elegance and impresses with its many bars, restaurants, buildings and palaces. At the end of the square is the world famous Roman Amphitheater.
Besides, the typical Italian houses with their colorful window shutters are already an attraction in themselves. Also pay a visit to the Casa di Giulietta, the house of Juliet (from Romeo & Juliet). After that, take a little stroll around, because in Verona you are in the right place for famous fashion shops, designer shops and authentic Italian boutiques.
Amusement parks
Fun for everyone: the Gardaland!
The most famous amusement park in Italy is the magical Gardaland. This park has something for everyone: many attractions for the little and the bigger ones, spectacular shows and theme worlds. The Gardaland is located in the municipality of Castelnuovo del Garda at attracts thousands of visitors every year since 1975. In the Gardaland, there is also a Sea Life Aquarium with more than 500 animals. It is best to buy a combination ticket for the amusement park and the aquarium to save a little extra money.
Canevaworld
Another great amusement park is the Canevaworld. It is located between the popular villages Peschiera del Garda and Lazise, right next to the Gardaland. The park covers more than 300,000 square meters and is divided into four themed areas, of which the Aqua Paradise Park is the largest. It is the largest water park in Italy, full of fun attractions in and on the water.
Apart from Gardaland and Canevaworld, there are also the Medieval Times, a medieval-style amusement park, and Movieland Studios, with attractions such as Hollywood and the Rock Star Café.
Do you want to discover Venice? We also have wonderful holiday homes there!
A boat trip on the lake
The lake view from the shore is something magical. But experience Lake Garda from a different perspective on a boat tour. From the boat, you can see the impressive mountains and the colorful houses and discover more hidden corners.
You can either go on an organized day trip or rent a boat for yourself; for the smaller boats, no boating license is required. There are several drop-off points from where you can drive to picturesque villages such as Bardolino.
Scooter tour
Since there is so much to see and to do at Lake Garda, we recommend renting a scooter to explore the lake and its surroundings. Make a stop in one of the wonderful villages and enjoy the lake atmosphere. On your way, you’ll drive by impressive mountains and gorgeous little cities, always on the panoramic coast road. On the Lake Garda, there are several scooter rentals, most of them in the south.
One thing is clear now, you will never ever ask yourself again: what to do at Lake Garda! That’s why it’s a destination for your bucket list and a place everyone needs to visit at least once in their life. Just like Rome, so why not take a look at our Rome city guide!