11 things you need to do on the Garda

There are so many attractions on Lake Garda that it is difficult to list them in a dozen or so points. However, you have to choose something and in our opinion these places are the most worthy of attention if you are going to Garda for the first time.

1. See the amazing views from the top of Monte Baldo

To see Lake Garda from a bird's eye view, simply take the cable car that goes up to Monte Baldo, 1,700 meters high. In just 10 minutes, you will reach the summit, from where you will have an incredible view. In good weather, the view of the lake is spectacular.

Set aside a full day for this tour and be patient as the lines for the gondola are quite long.

The carriages also stop halfway up the peak at San Michele, where a local road leads. On the way back, you can get off the cable car here and walk back to Malcesine (about 1 hour walk) and discover real farms and areas of Lake Garda that are not crowded with tourists. You can also drive to the San Michele intermediate station, and from there take the cable car or walk to the peak. This is definitely a better option if there is a long queue of people at the starting station.

You will receive a map of the hiking and cycling routes at the information point. A single ticket from Malcesine to San Michele costs €6, and a return ticket costs €10. The cable car to the top costs around €20 return.

Tip: Choose a nice day to hike. Clouds over the lake will spoil the view, or even prevent you from seeing the lake. In high season, it is worth getting up early and queuing really early in the morning to avoid standing in very long lines. Also, remember to bring warm clothes even in summer, because it can be cold up there. It is worth buying tickets at information points, campsites or other tourist attractions in Malcesine, such as the castle. It is cheaper and you do not have to queue at the ticket office in front of the cable car.

2. Enter Malcesine

Malcesine is located on the slopes of Monte Baldo and is the location of the lower station of the gondola that goes to the top of the mountain. The old town with its medieval buildings and narrow streets is very attractive and popular in the summer. The Castello Scaligero (with the museum) is also a popular tourist destination. The castle owes its popularity, among other things, to the images and descriptions of German poets such as Goethe, who is the leitmotif of the museum. But it is the castle's position on the top of a rock, overlooking the lake with a beautiful view, that makes it so unique and has been a national treasure since 1902.

The old town of Malcesine is a great place to relax, eat, drink and have an ice cream. In the centre there are 3 main squares: Piazza Turazza, Piazza Cavour and Piazza Vittorio, where you can find many restaurants and cafes.

3. Rent a sailboat, motorboat or windsurf

The northern part of Lake Garda is famous for its water sports there. Torbole is considered the capital of windsurfing and hosts many competitions. Further west towards Malcesine and Brenzone are two popular kitesurfing spots.

It is worth adding that in the Trentino region, i.e. in the northernmost part of Garda, kitesurfing is strictly prohibited, but you can easily practice windsurfing, sailing, kayaking or SUP - all this equipment can be rented from the professional Sailing du Lac rental company , which has several branches in different towns on Garda www.sailingdulac.com

If you want to take a motorboat, you can only do so in the southern part of the lake, because in the north it is forbidden to use boats with combustion engines. The view of the coast from the sea is an unforgettable experience. If you want to visit the cities, I recommend mooring in Peschiera del Garda or Salò, but you can also take a boat to several islands on Lake Garda, such as Isola del Garda, where the beautiful Villa Borghese is located. Motorboats can be chartered in many places, and we recommend booking them in advance with Click & Boat , which also has a very wide range of boat and yacht charters.

4. Go wild at Gardaland Amusement Park

Adrenaline lovers should not miss Gardaland. It is the third largest amusement park in Europe. Gardaland was voted number one by TripAdvisor users in the "10 best amusement parks and water parks in Italy" and number 6 in Europe in the Travelers' Choice Awards 2014.

The park was founded in 1975 by Livio Furini, who, after visiting Disneyland in California, decided to build something similar in Italy. In recent years, the park has been renovated and new attractions have been added.

Tip: Set aside some time (around 2 hours) to visit the Sea Life Aquarium, located in the parking lot outside the park. There are thousands of marine animals on display, including some of the most incredible ones. Book your tickets in advance or buy them at the Altomincio Family Park campsite, for example, to avoid waiting in long lines at the ticket office and save money.

5. Visit the Sigurta Botanical Garden

The Giardino Sigurtà Park is one of the best in Italy and considered the second most beautiful in Europe. In this green oasis, tourists can stroll through green, endless lawns, old forests, ponds full of lilies, beautiful alleys of roses, orchids and tulips or relax on the green lawns.

Tip: The park can be explored on foot, by bike or by special train, but you can also rent a melex on site, which comes with a tablet with a map and interesting facts.

6. Discover local delicacies

There are many good places to eat around Garda, with a wide selection of Mediterranean dishes to suit everyone.

We highly recommend Leon d'Oro - a restaurant in Riva del Garda at Via Fiume 28, run by the same family since 1939, friendly service serving Mediterranean and local delicacies, and interestingly - the chef is a Pole who has lived in Italy for many years. It is best to book in advance (even out of season) if you want to be sure of a free place for dinner www.leondororiva.it

7. Boat trip

A great way to explore Lake Garda is by boat. Navigazione Lago di Garda offers many connections, including ferries. The basic rule is that boats and ferries go from the south to the north of the lake or vice versa. If the timetable near the city shows a time, it means that the boat stops there.

Tip: Ticket offices open around 30 minutes before the boat leaves. Remember, however, that there may be a lot of people willing to travel by boat, so in the season it is better to buy a ticket in advance. You can take your bikes on the ship and return to the lake yourself.

8. Eat ice cream

In fact, it is a must-see place anywhere in Italy...

9. See the view from the Scaliger Castle in Sirmione

Sirmione is a charming town on a peninsula that stretches across the southern end of Lake Garda. The town is guarded by Rocco Scaliger, a 12th-century fortress. The castle is surrounded by a moat, surrounded by massive walls and port fortifications.

Today, this castle is in excellent condition and is open to visitors: two towers overlook the lake and the marina. You have to climb to the top and admire the view of the entire peninsula and the surrounding area. The entrance to the castle is also the entrance to the historic old town of Sirmione.

Tip: if you don't have time to go to this peninsula, you can also admire Sirmione from the deck of a boat.

10. Discover the Lake Garda region by mountain bike

The landscape around Lake Garda is a mountain biker’s paradise and offers something for everyone, regardless of ability. Extreme mountain bikers will enjoy the mountains to the north of the lake, while the gentle hills to the south of the lake are better for less demanding cyclists. Cycling is also a great alternative for exploring cities and towns, history and art, while also discovering local food and wine.

The Mincio River flows from Peschiera del Garda, along which runs a 35 km cycle path. It connects Peschiera with Mantua and is a very important part of the popular Ciclopista del Sole cycle path (eurovelo 6).

Tip: There are many bike rentals on Lake Garda. A bike for a day costs around €10. An electric bike costs around €50. Don't forget to bring your camera!

11. Riva del Garda

The town of Riva del Garda is located on the northern shore of Lake Garda and has an incredible charm. This is where the lake is narrowest and is located between the two cliffs of Monte Rocchetta. The water here is cooler and bluer, and the landscape is shaped by the bordering Dolomites.

Here you can experience true peace and quiet, as motorboats are prohibited on this part of the lake. A beautiful promenade and cycle path run along the coast from Riva del Garda to Torbole. Along the way you can stop at cafés, restaurants or a playground if you are travelling with your family. From Riva del Garda it is worth going in the other direction to the famous Via Ponale, which offers a beautiful view of the entire Garda Trentino coast.

Tip: Head to the edge of the pier next to the conference center. You can see the old city center and take great photos of the lake.

Where to stay overnight on Lake Garda?

It all depends on how you want to spend your vacation. If you like an active holiday and want to cycle, hike, do via ferrata, climb, windsurf, kitesurf or sail, then the northern part of the lake, and especially the Garda Trentino region, is definitely better. The campsites in this place are well prepared for active guests. They have water sports equipment and bike rentals. At the same time, the campsites in the northern part of Lake Garda are much smaller than those in the south. Due to the limited space they have at their disposal, these campsites are not large family parks, but small, cosy, family campsites.

You will find such large facilities in the south of Garda. There are also 5-star facilities with water parks, children's entertainment and sports facilities. The south of Garda is also a good place to spend your holiday if you like motorboats. There is no water silence like in the north of Garda. There are plenty of motorboat rentals and many campsites have their own marinas and moorings.

In our campsite finder you will find the best campsites on Lake Garda .