Lake Garda, also known as Benaco, is the largest lake in Italy, covering 370 km² across the regions of Lombardy, Veneto, and Trentino‑Alto Adige.
In the north, the lake appears narrow and long, almost like a fjord, surrounded by steep mountains that plunge directly into the water. The southern part widens, offering a gentler landscape. Thanks to its unique features, Lake Garda is a popular tourist destination, loved by visitors of all ages for holidays focused on sport, relaxation, food, and fun. Key hubs for sailing, windsurfing, and free climbing are the towns of Riva del Garda, Torbole, and Arco. Other nearby Trentino locations include Tenno, the Ledro Valley, and Dro.
Lake Garda offers a remarkable variety of landscapes, a mild climate, Mediterranean vegetation with olive trees, lemon trees, oleanders, and orange trees, and crystal‑clear waters surrounded by historical sites, castles, fortresses, churches, and museums.
The lake is defined by sheer mountains in the north and moraine hills in the south. Among the mountain chains bordering the lake is Monte Baldo, stretching for 40 km along the Trentino‑Verona axis, and Monte Pizzocolo, offering views of the Adamello, the Apennines, and Monte Rosa. To the south, between the provinces of Brescia, Mantua, and Verona, lies a vast moraine amphitheatre, home to Mediterranean plants such as vines, olive trees, and various fruit trees.
The lake area also includes numerous intermoraine lakes and wetlands, often protected by nature reserves or river parks, such as Castellaro Lagusello and the Mincio Park. Many towns overlook the lake, spread across the provinces of Trento, Verona, and Brescia.
What to Do and See at Lake Garda
There are countless activities suitable for everyone: families, sports lovers, wellness seekers, food enthusiasts, and those looking for pure entertainment.
Active Holiday
A true paradise of outdoor activities. Famous for sailing, kitesurfing, and windsurfing, Lake Garda also offers trekking, nordic walking, hiking, cycling (over 1,000 km of marked trails), horseback riding, golf, canyoning, rock climbing in the Arco area, diving, and paragliding from Monte Baldo.
Wellness
Thanks to its climate, Lake Garda is ideal for restoring body and mind. There are several thermal centres, such as Terme di Sirmione, Garda Thermae in Arco, and the Garda Thermal Park in Lazise. Many hotels also feature wellness centres.
Culture
Art and culture lovers will find plenty to explore: villas, Venetian and Scaliger castles (such as those in Arco and Tenno), medieval villages, historic buildings, churches, squares, archaeological sites, and natural areas.
Food & Wine
Lake Garda is a celebration of flavours and colours. Local products include extra‑virgin olive oil, freshwater fish, meat, polenta, citrus fruits, and excellent wines such as Merlot, Cabernet, Nosiola, Bardolino, Lugana, and Garda Classico Groppello.
Theme Parks
Families can enjoy numerous theme parks: Gardaland, Canevaworld, Movie Studios, Parco Natura Viva in Pastrengo, and Parco Giardino Sigurtà in Valeggio sul Mincio.
Events
All year round, Lake Garda hosts events of every kind: romantic fireworks, international sport competitions, fairs, food festivals, cultural events, and concerts.
How to Get to Lake Garda
By Car
A22 Brenner Motorway: exit Rovereto Sud for Limone, Riva del Garda, Torbole, Tremosine, Malcesine; exit Affi for Torri, Bardolino, Cavaion.
A4 Milan–Venice: exit Peschiera for Peschiera del Garda, Lazise, Castelnuovo; exit Sirmione for Sirmione and Lugana; exit Desenzano for Desenzano, Salò, Gardone, Tignale, Manerba.
SS249 Gardesana Orientale (east coast) and SS45bis Gardesana Occidentale (west coast).
By Train
German DB and Austrian ÖBB trains stop in Bolzano, Trento, and Verona. For the northern Garda area, the nearest station is Rovereto, with connections to Riva del Garda, Torbole, Arco, Dro, Malcesine, Drena, Valvestino. For the southern area, the closest stations are Desenzano and Peschiera.
By Bus
Six main bus lines connect the lake to Garda, Malcesine, Riva del Garda, Brescia, Desenzano, Sirmione, Peschiera, Verona, Lazise, Salò, Gardone Riviera, Gargnano, and Rovereto.
By Plane
Nearby airports: Verona, Brescia, Milan Linate, Milan Malpensa, Venice. Local lines ATV 164 and ATV 184 connect Verona Airport to the eastern shore and up to Riva del Garda.
Getting Around
Once at Lake Garda, you can travel by hydrofoils, catamarans, and ferries, or take the Malcesine cable car to Monte Baldo for breathtaking views.
