Traveling with children, you certainly want to embrace the immensity: to have a rich cultural program, a carefree vacation on the beach, fun entertainment, not very tiring journeys and, of course, a reasonable price. Italy meets all these parameters in the best possible way.

And in continuation of the theme of holidays in Italy, I want to tell you about one more place where you can have a wonderful rest with the whole family - this is the amazing Lake Garda, by the way, the largest in Italy. Its area is 370 square kilometers, the maximum width is 17 kilometers, and the length from north to south is 51 kilometers.

The area of ​​Lake Garda, which is ideal for a comfortable family holiday, is famous for its beautiful Mediterranean landscapes, thermal waters and healing springs, as well as unique winds (moving from east to west) that attract windsurfers here.

Climate on Lake Garda

Among the pre-Alpine lakes of Italy, Garda is the most southern in terms of location. The high peaks of the Dolomites protect the lake from northern winds. The weather here is very warm and comfortable.

In summer, due to the large mass of water and the low location above sea level, these places do not have sweltering heat. Average summer temperature: +22°С, in the hottest month of summer - July: +29°С. In winter, the temperature does not fall below zero.

The natural landscapes of the lake are amazingly beautiful. In the north, these are rocky mountains, overgrown with pine trees in places, in the south - gently sloping green hills. Due to the mild microclimate, Mediterranean plants grow in large numbers in the lake area: many pines, palms, cypresses, olive and lemon trees, vineyards, orchids and bergamots.

Due to the large number of lemon plantations, the coastal strip in the northwest is often referred to as the "lemon coast". The eastern coast is called "olive" because of the extensive olive groves. The southern and southwestern coasts are completely covered with vineyards.

This is interesting: the most common trees on Lake Garda are cypress and olive (the latter was brought to these places in ancient times during the Etruscan era and became very widespread under the Romans).

Resorts of Lake Garda

There are a lot of small towns in the Lake Garda area (the population of some of them is less than 500 inhabitants). Almost every one has comfortable hotels, hotels and apartments. However, most tourists stay in cities such as Desenzano del Garda and Sirmione. And this is due not only to the amazing beauty of these places and a large selection of housing, but also to the proximity of the highway, railway and bus stations.

Going to Lake Garda with children, it is important to choose the right resort. Due to the large length of the coast, water warms up differently in different parts of it. If we compare the northern and southern coasts, then on the latter the water is warmer and the climate is milder. There is a more Mediterranean landscape and lush vegetation.

The western part of the coast is characterized by the location of hotels mainly on the slopes at some distance from the water with a narrow strip of beach (as on the Neapolitan coast). The road for children, especially for toddlers, is not very convenient and there is not always enough strength to overcome the descent or ascent.

A beach holiday on Lake Garda is specific and somewhat different from a holiday on the sea coast. The beaches are usually not very wide and long. In season the water is quite warm, even on the northwest coast. The depth of the lake along the coastline is small. Suitable for toddlers. Sandy beaches are equipped with everything you need and almost all are free. Most of them belong to hotels.

The infrastructure of the resorts in the lake area is well developed, as many of them were created on the basis of long-existing towns with a developed network of shops, cafes and restaurants.

Sirmione

Sirmione – a small old town with well-preserved architecture (Castle of the Scaligers of the XIII century, the ruins of the villa of the poet of Ancient Rome Catullus).

This resort is ideal for those who want not only to relax, but also to heal. At the end of the 19th century, quite by accident, one of the divers in Sirmione discovered a healing spring. Later, a thermal center appeared here.

You can enjoy the benefits of hot springs in the pools of the Catullo Spa and Virgillio Spa complexes. Wellness procedures are especially useful for children with respiratory diseases and often ill with colds.

Desenzano del Garda

Desenzano del Garda is a resort on the southeast coast of Lake Garda in a picturesque place where you can enjoy magnificent views of the lake along its entire length.

In addition, this resort is famous for its vibrant nightlife and entertainment.

This is interesting: The cathedral and the medieval castle of the 16th century, ancient Roman ruins have been preserved in the town. In the Cathedral of Desenzano del Garda is the painting "The Last Supper" by the famous Italian artist Giovanni Battista Tiepolo.

Bardolino

Bardolino is a small resort town located 4 kilometers east of the lake. It is surrounded by olive groves, orchards and vineyards. The charm of the resort is added by beautiful nature and ancient architecture.

Malcesine

Malcesine is an old town, immersed in flowers, located on a coastal hill. This is the most beautiful place on the east coast of Lake Garda. Complements the overall picture of the medieval castle of Scaligero in the city center.

Limone

Limone is a west coast resort that was once a fishing village. Lovers of yachting and windsurfing love to relax here. Hotels are located very close to the coast or slightly higher with a beautiful panorama, from which you need to go down to the water.

Riva del Garda

The north coast is a little more modest than the south, but with stunningly beautiful views. A vivid example of this is the picturesque resort of Riva del Garda. This is not the most convenient place for a beach holiday. The resort is more suitable for relaxation or for a short visit.

Hotels for families with children on Lake Garda

The hotels here are different: from inexpensive apartments to expensive five-star hotels, these can be both modern buildings and old villa-hotels.

The Park Hotel Paradiso & Golf complex is located two kilometers from the modern resort of Peschiera del Garda in a picturesque natural setting. From here it is convenient to go on excursions to various places and take bike rides around the lake.

The complex consists of four old country houses of the XVIII century, which were restored while maintaining the original architecture. They housed 4 hotels:

• Active Hotel Paradiso & Golf 4*
• Park Hotel 4*
• Residence Golf 2*
• Residence Eden 2*

Hotels operate on an all-inclusive basis, specially designed for a carefree family vacation.

Hotel Leonardo Da Vinci 4 * is located near the village of Limone sul Garda (20 minutes on foot or by free bus) in a huge park. It consists of several buildings, works on an all-inclusive basis and is ideal for family holidays (children's meals, a swimming pool with a slide, children's and sports animation, a trampoline, a playground).

Activities and excursions on Lake Garda

A calm and measured holiday with children on Lake Garda, if desired, can be diluted with excursions to nearby cities. From Desenzano del Garda you can easily reach Verona (30 km), Venice (114 km), Brescia (25 km), Milan (125 km) or Genoa (230 km) by train or bus.

The whole family can go on excursions and on the lake itself:

• The amazing beauty of the Grottoes of Catullus in Sirmione is one of the main attractions of Lake Garda. It will be interesting for everyone: both adults and children.

• Mount Baldo and the Scaliger Castle in Sirmione await lovers of history and nature.
• From Sirmione you can also take a short trip around the lake by boat, admire the beautiful bay and the magnificent castle of the Borghese family in the center of the lake (the area is private and you cannot get there without prior reservation).

Lake Garda is also an ideal place for outdoor enthusiasts. Windsurfers and divers meet here every year. Fishermen will get real pleasure from their favorite pastime. There are about 25 species of fish in the lake. In addition, there is everything you need for fans of horse riding, tennis, cycling and hiking along mountain trails.

For families with children in the Lake Garda area, you can find a lot of entertainment: Gardaland, Aquaparadise, Natura Viva Park, Movieland, Sigurta Park (a botanical paradise), a knight's show, several natural parks and water parks. Let's talk about the most popular in more detail.

Gardaland

Gardaland is an amusement park. It is also called the analogue of Disneyland Paris.

Attractions in this park are divided into 3 types: adrenaline, fantasy and adventure. At the same time, most of the attractions are completely different from those already known.

Gardaland will make you plunge into the fabulous fantasy world not only of your children, but also of you. You can arrange family excavations of the Egyptian pyramids, become pirates, ride in the "dead loop".

Sea Life Aquarium

Next to the Gardaland park is the huge Sea Life Aquarium, in the pools and aquariums of which thousands of marine life live.

Movieland (Movieland Studios)

Movieland is located 5 kilometers north of Gardaland with exciting rides based on the most beloved films.

This is a theme park imbued with the spirit of action cinema. Here you will learn how films of this genre are made, see how stunts are performed and how stuntmen work. And most importantly, you can become the hero of a real movie. Isn't this what many adults and children dream of?

Movieland has its own water park, and colorful firework shows are held in the evenings.

Safari Park "Natura Viva"

The Natura Viva park is an amazing place where dozens of species of animals and birds peacefully coexist. Of course, each in his own enclosure.

In the Natura Viva safari park you will find not only an exciting car safari, but also walking tours through the botanical garden and the Dinosaur Park.

Sigurta Park

A visit to the Giardino Sigurta Park will bring real pleasure to lovers of untouched nature and endangered plants. Here you will find magnificent gardens, flower alleys, lakes and rare plants, most of which have healing properties.

The passage of the labyrinth of "living" walls will be a real adventure for your family. And the final destination in the form of a tower is a reward to the winner. It offers a beautiful view of the entire park and its most distant hidden corners.

One of the main attractions of the park is a centuries-old oak tree (the age of the mighty giant is more than 400 years old) and a long avenue of roses (its length is one kilometer).

Children will surely enjoy visiting the farm and getting to know its inhabitants. Creative workshops and educational programs are regularly held in the park for children and their parents.

This green oasis and the most beautiful park in the world is huge. It is impossible to get around it all on foot. But you can use mini steam locomotives.

Knight's Tournament (Medieval Times)

Medieval Times is a great bright show. Thanks to the atmosphere, costumes and magnificent theatrical scenes from knightly tournaments, both adults and children will be able to fully plunge into the Middle Ages.

A feast (included in the ticket price) in honor of the winner will make this show even more believable.

Park Jungle Adventure

If you are into the soul of Mowgli, this park is definitely for you. Bungees, creepers, rope bridges, traps and all sorts of obstacles await those who dare to challenge the real jungle.

water parks

In the Lake Garda area there are many water parks: large and small, with restaurants and cafes. In many of them you can play tennis, football or volleyball, or go canoeing. In one of the water parks there is a huge aquarium.

The most popular of them:

• Aqua Paradise Park
• Picoverde
• Riovalli Parco Acquatico
• Altomincio
• Parco Acquatico Cavour
• sea ​​life

In my opinion, the main task for a traveler is to properly plan and organize your vacation. Then you will definitely have a minimum of unforeseen situations and a maximum of positive emotions.

• If you have such an opportunity, it is better to rent a car. This way you will save a lot of time, which you will definitely find what to spend on. To use this service, you need an international driving license and a navigator with a map of Italy. You can book a car online. Your car will be delivered either directly to the airport or to the town where you plan to stay.
• It is best to stay in residences or apart-hotels. They always have a kitchen with all the necessary household appliances. You can easily cook something yourself. This is very important when you have small children with you. But if you wish, you can always order 3 meals a day at the hotel.
• In order to have a balanced vacation, it is best to use a “chess” travel plan: the first day is a relaxing holiday at the sea or lake, the second day is an excursion to a theme park, the third day is a vacation at sea, etc. So you will have time to relax, and you can replenish your piggy bank of impressions.

And finally, one more recommendation: if you are already itching to go with the whole family to Lake Garda, but you still have doubts or have any questions, contact the Tour Garda website. Charming Victoria will help you organize your trip: she will select accommodation, provide a transfer, organize excursions for you, and also give you free advice on all issues related to your vacation on Lake Garda.

A few weeks ago we made a small but eventful trip. Without planning anything, without booking a hotel, without looking at the list of places we want to see, on Saturday morning we got into the car and drove to Garda, stopping wherever we wanted.
Definitely a great trip! In two days we saw so many beautiful places, we drove for so long along the road with a view of the mountains and the lake, that in the end we even got a little tired of the beauty. Everything is in moderation :)

Some useful information:
There are several ways to get from Verona to Garda:
1) by bus from Verona, but it goes only on the eastern side of the lake (Garda-Malcesine-Riva del Garda route). I wrote a separate post about Malcesine and once again I note that the town is very beautiful.
2) by train to Peschiera del Garda and there you can get, for example, to Sirmione or another town by bus or train. If you need it in Sirmione, then you can take the direct bus "Verona-Brescia"
3) and, of course, a car and then you can go around the whole Garda, and on the way you can also look at Lake Tenno (which we did)

Today I would just like to briefly tell a little about the trip, show a few photos (just kidding, actually a lot due to the fact that I simply don’t know how to show few photos).

We made our first stop in a town that has the same name as the lake itself.

The embankment, in principle, like the entire Garda, is filled with tourists from Germany, and, to a greater extent, older people. There, tourists are in no hurry to go anywhere, they don’t take hundreds of photos (it seemed that I was the only one) and it’s not so often you can find selfie sticks. The lake sets you up for a calm, measured rest. We stayed there for a very short time: 30 minutes at most. That day the weather was changeable and there was a thunderstorm, so we hurried back to the car.

After visiting a few more places, we decided to stop for lunch at a German bistro restaurant . They cook incredible tasty ribs, but like many places on the Garda, you can only get there by car. In addition to delicious food, the open area of ​​the restaurant simply cannot fail to delight: a fabulous house at the entrance, rose hedges that decorate your meal, and just a beautiful view. There is a separate large playground for children.

After lunch, we firmly decided to keep our way to Tenno Lake (which I would like to talk about separately), but literally after 10 minutes we stopped in front of an empty shore, with a pier and boats. Initially, our stop was supposed to take about 5 minutes, just to just look around. It turned out that just looking around was not enough. But to sit on the pier, watching a lonely boat in the middle of the lake, dream about fishing, jump on stones, dip your feet in the water and get stuck for an hour just looking right and left (do not forget that there is beauty everywhere you look), in general , even enough.

It was nice and unexpected to meet swans every time. It seemed that they decided to go around with us (in their case, swim around) the lake.

And here are the boats that will ferry you from one coast to another. I would like to note that they are not cheap. Around 9 euros, a one-way ticket will cost, and it will take 5-10 minutes to swim.

After our hour of doing nothing, we decided that we still needed to do something and went for ice cream, despite the fact that it was already hard to breathe after a hearty lunch.
In just a couple of minutes, we realized that it was a very right decision! Such views and such a charming town called Riva del Garda are not to be missed.

In Riva del Garda, car parking is quite large. You need to keep in mind that in Italy, blue markings mean that parking is paid. In addition to the fact that it is paid, check the allowed parking time. You can easily find a parking lot where you are allowed to stand only from 12 at night. Of course, you can leave the car at another time, but the Italian carabinieri quite well replenish the city budget through fines in the sense that they write them out very quickly.
If you suddenly see white markings, then, as a rule, such parking is free. Also in Riva del Garda there is a shopping center where the first two hours of parking are free.

The lake is designed exclusively for tourists. The prices there are high: starting from food in supermarkets (a pack of coffee is 2-4 euros more expensive than in a regular store in Verona, cherries at 7 euros per kg, latte macchiato in a bar from 3.5 euros, and in the center of Verona you can easily find it for 1.5 -2) and ending with prices for hotels or apartments on airbnb.
If you are going to Garda not solely for the purpose of swimming (and I think that your goal will still not be swimming in cool water), then I would advise you to go during the following period: April-early June, September-October. Prices in hotels fall by about 70-100 euros!
We booked during our lunch at a German restaurant and managed to find a room with a lake view including a good breakfast for around 80 euros. But there are a couple of things:
1) you can’t get to such a hotel without a car
2) there are no bars, restaurants, etc. You have to go by car to have dinner.
3) inside the number is nothing
4) in July-August the same number cost already 170 euros! I didn't hesitate and looked. Face difference.

I did not expect such a good breakfast at the hotel. Italians like to offer guests their traditional breakfast in the form of brioches (croissants) and coffee. But, apparently, since the main flow of tourists from Germany is on the Garda, the breakfast was good: scrambled eggs, bacon, prosciutto, muesli, cereals, cheeses, juices, fruits, fresh incredibly tasty croissants, etc.

Our view from the room! In the morning we woke up to the sound of the waves (and there are waves on the guard), the chirping of birds and, unfortunately, the howling of the cold wind. Despite the by no means hot weather, early in the morning it was already possible to observe how surfers were conquering the lake.
I think that for now it’s worth finishing my already long story, but I hope that soon I will share with you description of two places about which I would like to tell separately.

30 kilometers from the city of Romeo and Juliet is the picturesque and cleanest Lake Garda in Europe. The reservoir was formed in a glacial-tectonic fault. The location is simply magnificent - at the foot of the Alps (this is the southernmost pre-Alpine lake), not far from Venice (only 35 kilometers) and Milan (actually 140 kilometers are not so far and not far, but nevertheless). The lake stretched into three provinces - Lombardy, Veneto and Trentino.

Lake Garda is especially popular with windsurfers, the steep slopes and winds attract watersports enthusiasts and paragliders. The beaches along the lake are mostly covered with pebbles, there are equipped ones, but there are wild ones, so to speak. So you can enjoy sunbathing. Also, there are 10 diving companies on the lake, so you can explore the coastal and underwater beauty of the lake.

So to come to the lake and not try to ride at least on a boat is simply a sin.

Around the lake there are several (if not about a dozen) very cozy Italian towns that are worth visiting to see the local sights and enjoy the scenery.

Moniga del Garda is a small town that is considered the center of the recreation area on Lake Garda. Archaeologists have proven that this area was inhabited as early as 1800-2000 BC. According to legend, the goddess Diana Mukina lived in these parts, and the name of the town of Garda comes from her name. Along the entire coast of the lake are scattered ... read more

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Monthly weather in Garda:

Month	Temperature		Cloudiness	Rainy days / Precipitation	Number of solar hours per day
	Happy	At night
January	5.4°C	0.6°C	28.3%	3 days (33.4 mm.)	9 a.m. 10m.
February	7.6°C	2.2°C	38.1%	5 days (55.9 mm.)	10 a.m. 24m.
March	12.3°C	5.0°C	29.5%	3 days (46.1 mm.)	11h. 56m.
April	16.9°C	8.2°C	31.3%	6 days (74.2 mm.)	13h. 33m.
May	20.2°C	11.1°C	28.5%	9 days (98.8 mm.)	14h. 55m.
June	25.0°C	15.8°C	22.2%	7 days (82.6 mm.)	15h. 38m.
July	27.1°C	17.6°C	20.9%	6 days (74.3 mm.)	15h. 17m.
August	27.4°C	17.8°C	18.8%	5 days (61.1 mm.)	14h. 4m.
September	22.9°C	14.5°C	23.8%	4 days (65.0 mm.)	12h. 31m.
October	17.6°C	10.3°C	27.2%	3 days (67.6 mm.)	10 a.m. 56m.
November	11.6°C	5.9°C	31.9%	5 days (62.7 mm.)	9 a.m. 31m.
December	6.5°C	1.8°C	24.8%	2 days (30.4 mm.)	8h. 46m.

* This table shows average weather data collected over more than three years

REVIEWS OF TOURISTS:

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HOLIDAY PRICES:

Prices for holidays in Garda. September 2016.

tour cost

The cost of the visa is 35 euros. They got to the lake on the relay. Ufa - Prague by Czech Airlines, 215 euros per person (round trip). From Prague to Bergamo we used the Wizzair low-cost airline, 30 euros / 1 ticket. We paid extra 10 euros for luggage for the early booking promotion. Bergamo - Desenzano traveled with the help of TrenItalia (railway service), 12 euros / 1 ticket. Everywhere used earlier booking on the websites of carriers. Tickets for railway transport can be taken directly at the stations from vending machines. The average check of hotels (with breakfast) around the lake (Desenzano, Salo, Limone) for a double room is 75 euros.

It is better to move between the towns around the lake by boats. The cost is from 6 euros. Buses are cheaper, but you will not see anything beautiful. Riva waterfall, 10 euros for two, Mount Monte Baldo (Malcesine), 40 euros for two, Sirmione at the Scaliger castle and grottoes can be viewed for free. Gardaland (local Disneyland) - 80 euros for two. You can go to Venice and Verona by train, prices are from 8 to 15 euros. These are the prices for Trenord and Trenitalia, high-speed Frecci are twice as expensive. The ticket is valid for the whole day.

Food and products

You can have lunch in a cafe for an average of 8-10 euros per person. Romantic dinner on the shore of the lake, in a restaurant on the open floor from 50 euros. Awesome ice cream in Sirmione 1 euro / 1 scoop. I counted 40 species, but I managed to try only 3 (. The wine is young! For every taste from 1 to 5 euros. Mozzarella, Gorgonzola from 1.5 euros / portion package. Products can be bought in supermarkets on the second coastline. For example, in In * S. Italian beer package 3 x 0.3 l, from 2 euros.

Souvenirs and other goods

Magnets from 1 euro. You can visit the new outlet in Brescia (francecorta). Men's shirts from 29 euros. Belts from 10 euros. Shoes from 50 euros. Do not forget to issue Tax free. You will return at the airport of departure from 12 to 20%. % return depends on the nature of the purchase (clothing, jewelry).

Cost of services and entertainment

The only thing worth taking besides excursions is the BOAT! There are restrictions. You need to have rights. From 100 euros per day. You can ride with a group of 5-6 people.

Total money spent on vacation

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HOLIDAY REPORTS:

Holiday experience in September

We have long dreamed of visiting the Italian lakes. Photos on the Internet beckoned with azure smoothness, rocky mountains, white sails of boats - a truly impressive landscape! For recreation, we chose a town with the beautiful name of Desenzano del Garda, which attracted us with its beach, proximity to transport, and nice views.

In early September, most of the tourists left the lake. Many have children and work. But still, the city did not look empty. The public that occupied cafes and restaurants in the evenings spoke a variety of languages, including Russian. There are many of our compatriots here.

We stopped in the very center, overlooking the beautiful little harbor of Porto Viecco, reminiscent of Venice. Of course, the area is not quiet at all, but we were never disturbed by noise. But the beach and the promenade are two steps away.

Desenzano del Garda is a charming town! Light, welcoming, sunny. It has everything you may need for a pleasant stay - excellent cuisine, at reasonable prices, shopping opportunities, a fairly spacious beach, beautiful views, the opportunity to explore historical sights.

In the castle of Castello di Desenzano, you can take a walk in the beautiful morning hours along the narrow old streets. At this time it is still not hot, the fountains murmur, the bells of the Cathedral are heard. And as soon as it gets hot, you can go to the beach after having breakfast in one of the cozy cafes on the waterfront.

On the shore of the lake you will be met by curious ducks and swans, who collect tribute from the vacationers with pieces of buns. It is incredibly interesting for children to feed the birds, which almost without fear take food from the palm of their hand.

The atmosphere of the town is very pleasant and carefree, in the evening it is full of entertainment, from boat trips to discos and cafes with live music, where you can dance.

Youth rest

There are many entertainments, life boils and rages in the evening and at night. Here you can dance at a disco, listen to live music, ride a boat during the day, rent a catamaran or just lie on the beach. There are a lot of young people here who rent bicycles and go around the lake to see the neighboring towns or just admire the mountains and views.

Family holiday

For families, this is the perfect place. Here you can do everything together. In addition to relaxing on the beach, cafes, restaurants, parks and historical sites, excursions are also offered. For example, you can go to the mountains, or visit the caves. In addition, very close to the interesting towns of Italy - Bergamo, Verona, Brescia. There are just so many things to do!

What to take with you on vacation?

For a summer vacation by the lake, you need to take a pair of swimsuits. The climate is humid and they do not always dry quickly. Be sure to take comfortable shoes. When visiting ancient medieval towns, where the pavement of the streets is cobblestone pavement, shoes should simply be on thick soles. I would advise you to take a light blouse with you, as it is sometimes cool in the evening.

The sun cream was very helpful.

Where is the best place to stay?

Who cares, but we like to settle in the center. This time we chose a hotel right next to the small harbor of Porto Viecco. Hotel Piroscafo is the perfect place for us. It was close to the embankment and the beach, not far from the railway station, there are many shopping streets nearby, as well as pleasant cafes and restaurants. Breakfast was included in the price, so there was no problem finding food in the morning. Our view was right on the bay, incredible view! Wake up - and in the soul a holiday! Very clean and comfortable. The staff is friendly.

What to do at the resort?

Of course, you need to see the surrounding towns. Very good Bergamo. We got to the old city on the funicular and it made a big impression on us. The walls and the city center are in excellent condition. The atmosphere is just incredible! Although it seems to go farthest to him. Verona is also very pretty, there is something to see and where to walk, but for some reason Bergamo sunk into the soul more.

Be sure to take a boat trip. The lake is very large, and pleasant perspectives and angles open up from the boat. You can rent a boat. And you should definitely go to the Castle. It is best to visit the local tourist center. They speak English and everyone is great.

The beach in Desenzano del Garda is rocky, but nevertheless very comfortable. Everything is provided. There is a place to sit, lie down, change clothes. There are plenty of places to eat nearby. You can rent an umbrella and sun lounger. But we got by without it. Since lying on the beach is not quite our format. We swam for about an hour in the morning and evening, and then walked or drove around the surrounding towns.

And she stubbornly strove to visit here again and not just passing through, but with feeling, really, for a few days. This wish came true when wishes actually come true - on my birthday.

I will say right away that we were on Lake Garda for two days, and this is very little for such a place. Firstly, because it is simply huge - it will take at least 4 hours to go around the lake by car (without stops), and considering that along this road here and there there will be various interesting places - Mount Monte Baldo, the city of Malcesine, Sirmione, Limone sul Garda and many others, with their castles, restaurants and gelaterias, the detour around the lake will increase many times over. And yet, there are thermal springs, amusement parks, farms where you can taste wine and much more.

City of Sirmione

In general, based on our trip, I made an extremely busy route, so you can transform it as you like - remove something if you have little time or stretch it for more days, if there is an opportunity, so that you can calmly, without exhausting yourself everywhere .

Northern part of the lake. Riva del Garda

We started our journey around Lake Garda by car from its northern part. It is more mountainous and therefore the landscapes here, to be honest, are more impressive than on the south coast. Rocky mountains at the foot of which waves beat, and clouds cling to the peaks - it's worth seeing. The lake is so big that the waves here are very impressive, and given that the opposite shore is not visible, you get the feeling that you are at sea.

Pier in Torbol

In the north of the island, the most popular town is Riva del Garda. It is quite small and there are not very many sights, the main thing that is here is the embankment overlooking the lake and mountains.

In Riva del Garda, you can stop for a couple of hours, see the ancient fortress of Rocca, the Palazzo Pretorio and walk along the streets (very Italian and picturesque - colorful houses, shutters, linen on the balconies, and that's all that we represent with the phrase "Italian town").

And here you can climb the peaks of Monte Roqueta and Monte Brione. These vantage points offer incredible views. If you have too little time to storm the peaks, but you still want to see the panorama of the city, go up to the ancient bastion, it is located at an altitude of 300 meters above the city and the ascent to it will take only 15-20 minutes.

If you are planning to dine in Riva del Garda, then I recommend the enoteca restaurant Enosteria I Momenti, here is very tasty pizza, fresh fish and friendly waiters.

From Riva del Garda to Malcesine

The cities of Lake Garda are small and located close to each other. If you go from Riva del Garda to Malcesine, then on your way there will be more picturesque places - Linfano, Torbole, Navene. Each of them has something that tourists come here for - lake views, cozy restaurants, shops, authentic streets.

street in Malcesine

But our goal is the city of Malcesine. And not even because there is an impressive old castle above the water (which is undoubtedly worth a closer look if you have time), but because it is here that the lift to the most famous and highest mountain of Lake Garda - Monte Baldo is located. The funicular on Monte Baldo in Malcesine is very easy to find - firstly, there are signs, and secondly - in the same direction, to the lift station, besides you there are a huge number of people.

street in Malcesine

Tip: come to the lift early in the morning (it works from 8:00). Hours after 9-10, in order to get the coveted ticket and go to the lift cabin, you will have to stand in line (sometimes several hours). Funicular cost: 22 euros per person (round trip).

In our case, an emergency situation occurred - while we were standing in line for tickets, the lift broke down and the staff did not give a clear answer as soon as it would be repaired. In view of this, we decided to take a chance, because we still wanted to get to the mountain, and went to the top by car. Google gave us two routes, and we chose the one to the north (highlighted in blue on the map below), because we were going to go in that direction anyway. And you know, it was a very right decision, which led to the most memorable moment of the whole trip.

Climbing Monte Baldo

The road to Monte Baldo

So, we are heading towards the town of Garda and immediately after it we turn onto the SP8 road. You will begin to climb slowly, passing countless fields of vineyards, small sleepy towns and villas standing alone among the fields.

Vineyards around Lake Garda

We noticed one tricky feature - grape fields are without a fence and are not protected, only if the grapes are still sour there (verified by experience 🙂), or if they have already been harvested, but if they are ripe, still on the branches and they are about to be harvested, then the boundaries of the field with such grapes are prudently fenced with a metal mesh.

In the area of ​​​​the town of Ferrara di Monte Baldo, the road becomes especially steep (at the same time it is quite narrow and absolutely without fences - that is, you fly away, you fly away) and it gets noticeably colder. In return for these inconveniences, you get simply incredible 360-degree landscapes, fresh tasty air mixed with the aromas of mountain herbs and perfect peaceful silence.

Landscapes near Monte Baldo

There are practically no tourists here, but there are many, many cows grazing in mountain meadows. When the wind blows, the bells around their necks begin to chime loudly in a monotone, making sounds similar to meditation music.

Meadows with cows at the foot of Mount Baldo

This ascent to Monte Baldo was a journey within a journey for us. Here you forget that you have arrived in one of the most touristic places in Italy and have a great rest both in body and soul.

And some more landscapes of Monte Baldo

Path in the mountains. Monte Baldo. Italy

Sirmione is the most popular place on Lake Garda

“Holidays on Lake Garda will not be complete if you do not visit this town” - having met such a message in almost all the reviews about Sirmione, we of course decided to stop by here. We headed to this city immediately after descending from Monte Baldo.

On the road to Sirmione

A small digression: if you have the opportunity and desire, you can stop by Gardaland - a large amusement park in the southern part of the island, on the way to Sirmione. This, for a second, is the third most popular such park in Europe. There are many attractions here, there are “very scary” roller coasters, which will be interesting for adults to ride. The cost of a ticket for a day costs from 34 euros (depending on the method of purchase, buying online on the site is cheaper).

Let's go back to Sirmione.

The plus of this place is that it is really incredibly beautiful, the minus is that millions of people think the same way and this tiny peninsular city is simply suffocated by tourists. No seriously, walking around Sirmione we stood in line on the street. In line to just go! What is so special here?

Fortress of Sirmione

The peninsula is surrounded by an ancient fortress - its walls look very impressive and authentic, it's true. Each house in the city also resembles a small work of art. A sort of little Venice, only with a lake instead of canals. The streets are very narrow, on some of them it is even impossible for two people to pass.

Streets of Sirmione

One of the houses in Sirmione

Another feature and attraction of Sirmione is gelateria. There are a lot of them, just incredibly a lot. In every house (without exaggeration) in this city they sell dozens of types of Italian ice cream in a variety of cones (there were also very huge ones - with half a kilo of ice cream inside, no less). Yes, gelato in Sirmione is really very tasty, but it is expensive here, even for Italy.

The same gelato. Sirmione

Tip: do not buy ice cream in the first shops at the entrance to the city (at the fortress gates), go further, deeper into the streets, closer to the terms, in this area it will be 1-1.5 euros cheaper.

Baths of Sirmione

Healing springs are another feature of Sirmione. There are a lot of spa centers with thermal water, in some of them it can have the very characteristic smell of hydrogen sulfide (but not strong).

Most Popular Thermae– a large complex with saunas, pools with warm water and a view of the lake, the ability to order massages and body wraps.

An adult ticket costs 39 euros (for 5 hours) on weekdays and 43 euros on holidays. It will be safer to make a preliminary reservation by phone or mail.

There is also Terme di Sirmione S.p.A. and Terme Virgilio (but the latter are specifically curative, more than others look not like a spa for relaxation, but like a serious wellness center, which is worth going to with a doctor's referral for specific procedures).

Tip: if you are going to the Baths of Sirmione on your birthday, be sure to inform the staff of the centers about this, because, as a rule, special offers and discounts are provided for birthday people.

From Sirmione we begin to move up again, to the north of the lake, only along its western part. The road here is very picturesque, just be prepared for the fact that sometimes it will take you away from the coast and hide beautiful villas behind the houses.

Here it is worth stopping by the town of Salo (emphasis on the last syllable 🙂) and, of course, Limone sul Garda.

Limone is a very picturesque and charming town. Only the signs with house numbers in the form of lemons are worth something. Here everything is buried in flowers, lemonade is sold on every corner (just be careful, it is very sour, but invigorating). No town on Lake Garda has the same seaside feel as here in Limone.

There are many river buses between Limone sul Garda and Malcesine (one trip costs from 9 to 13 euros), the crossing lasts no more than 20 minutes. Therefore, you can make a trip back and forth and appreciate the scenery of the lake from the water.

Actually, Limone is the final stop of our route, then we go again towards Riva del Garda along the road that goes over the lake (unlike the one on the east coast - it winds along the bottom, near the water).

West coast of Lake Garda

When we passed this section, it was already dark, but the mountains and the lake were clearly visible - they were illuminated by the full moon, leaving a path on the water, and the lanterns and the light of houses on the opposite coast merged into one bright thread at the foot of the mountains.

Where to stay on Lake Garda

There are many hotels here, but finding the right one was not so easy. Firstly, everything is quite expensive (from 100 euros per night for two), and secondly, I want the view from the window to be beautiful, and the balcony, and at the same time there was no noise from the road (which, I remind you, goes around the entire coast, that is, if the hotel is near the water, then there will be a roadway nearby).

Several hotels were included in our shot-list:

• located in Riva del Garda. Its advantages are, undoubtedly, a gorgeous view (remember, I wrote above that it is in this part of the mountain along the lake that the highest ones are), balconies in the rooms (in each), a rooftop terrace, stylish rooms and remoteness (at least not great) from the road that runs along the coast (there is a small park between the hotel and the lake). This is where we wanted to stay, but there was a little confusion and we booked another place (more on that below).

Terrace of the Bellariva Hotel

• – it is located in Limone sul Garda. Hotel with an outdoor pool, private garden, lake view and sunbathing area. They did not choose it for only one reason - because they wanted to stop exactly in the north of the lake, and it is a little lower (but in a flowering and green Lemon).

• ended up stopping here. This hotel did not really fit in with our plans, because the rooms on an adequate budget were, although with a view, but without a balcony, but the superior apartments had private terraces with a jacuzzi, but it cost 253 euros per night. We sighed at these cool rooms with a jacuzzi and decided to book the first option (Bellariva), but mixed up the hotels and inadvertently booked the standard (no balcony) here in Lago di Garda. We realized the mistake only when we were already in the room - with huge windows, but on the first floor and right next to the road. I had to get out of the situation - we went to the reception and said that supposedly it was not indicated on Booking that the room was on the first floor in front of the road, so we were not ready to rent it. And then a miracle happened - a polite girl at the reception apologized for the fact that Booking did not have this information and changed our number without additional payment. The one with the jacuzzi! 🙂

The same terrace with a jacuzzi (photo from the hotel website, because during such a beautiful and soft light on the terrace, we were not in the room, and photos in the dark do not convey all the charm)

Conclusion

Sunset on Lake Garda. Malcesine

Lake Garda is not about “going to see for one day”, you can easily spend a full vacation here: sunbathing on the beach, walking among the narrow streets of cities or vineyards, climbing peaks covered with dense forests. The types of entertainment on this lake are no less than the tastes of local gelato, varieties of wine and pizza toppings, and the landscapes that you will see here will remain in your heart for a lifetime.

PS: If the article was useful to you, you can thank me by booking a hotel for the trip by going to Booking , Thank you!

Renting an apartment on is a great idea for a family or secluded vacation. Most accommodation options are located right on the lake, have all the necessary infrastructure within walking distance.

We have chosen the best apartments for you according to the advice of our readers and reviews from tourists on booking.com. Using a special filter link, you can only find apartments with ratings above 8 out of 10. Booking is carried out in the same way as when booking a hotel. During the high season (late May to August) you may be asked to pay the full amount of your stay in advance without the possibility of cancellation.

The presentable complex La Giolosa Wellness Resort is a great opportunity for families and friends to relax on the shores of Lake Garda. The apartments are located near the coast, in the municipality of Moniga in the province of Brescia.

From the balconies and terraces panoramas of the lake open, the complex has its own swimming pool. Clients are provided with: a cooking room equipped with an induction cooker; refrigerator; bathroom with all accessories; washing machines.

All rooms are air conditioned. Moniga is famous for its chiaretto, a dark red wine, and tasting it at the gourmet restaurant H2O (two kilometers from the apartment) will enhance your trip to Italy.

Appartamento Rocchetta

The small hotel building Rocchetta is located in the famous resort town of Salo on the western coast of the region. The rooms have everything you need for a comfortable stay: a fully equipped kitchen, shower, air conditioning in the rooms, Wi-Fi, free parking and a grocery store on site.

Nearby there is a beach with opportunities for diving, yachting, windsurfing, fishing. The Market Square (600 m from the apartment) is a place for shopping lovers. Near the hotel there is a local bus stop.

Elite Maison

The cozy Elite Maison apartments are located within walking distance from the railway station of the resort town of Desenzano on the south shore of Lake Garda. There is also a bus stop and a port nearby. The service includes a beautiful kitchen with a stove, oven, necessary utensils; washing machine. The rooms have comfortable upholstered furniture, Wi-Fi is available everywhere in the apartments, and there is free parking.

In the immediate vicinity - the beach with all water activities. Not far from the hotel there are shops that are highly appreciated by connoisseurs of shopping.

Piccola Casa Malcesine

On the very shores of Lake Garda there is a small hotel complex - apartments Piccola Casa Malcesine, a 10-minute drive to the resort town of Malcesine province. The apartments have functional furniture, rooms are decorated in red and white colors, many have balconies with lake views. The kitchen has everything you need for cooking and storing food. The beach starts right at the exit of the hotel, there is a restaurant and a shop nearby.

Malcesone is interesting for its architecture: the Scaliger Castle, the Church of the Madonna del Rosario, the Palace of the Captains (3.5-4 km); by cable car you can climb Mount Baldo (lift 6-7 km from the apartment).

Antico Palazzo Signorile

Antico Palazzo Signorile is located in Salo, just 150 meters from the beach. The rooms are furnished with great taste, the living room has a fireplace, TV; comfortable beds in the bedroom. All kitchen utensils, iron, washing machine are provided. The use of towels and bed linen is included in the room rate. The complex does not have its own parking, Wi-Fi is also missing. The location in the city center provides access to the city's commercial outlets and cultural treasures.

Hotel Residence Torbole

The resort of Nago Torbole, where the 3-star Residence Torbole is located, is located on the northern coast of Lake Garda, in the province of Trentino. From the windows of the rooms and from the balconies a picturesque panorama of the lake opens against the backdrop of the rocky mountains. Modern comfortable furniture in the rooms, a well-equipped kitchen, rich breakfasts, Wi-Fi - these are the offers of the hospitable staff of the hotel. Nearby there is a private beach, a supermarket, a bus stop, a pier.

Torbol has excellent conditions for windsurfing and yachting, as well as water cruises to the resorts of Lake Garda.

5 STAR SIRMIONE WITH PRIVATE BEACH AND GARAGE

5 STAR SIRMIONE WITH PRIVATE BEACH AND GARAGE is located on a narrow, long peninsula in the historic center of Sirmione. Cozy rooms and a well-groomed area create comfortable conditions for rest and relaxation.

The kitchen is equipped with an electric stove and microwave, an oven and a refrigerator. The famous Scaliger Castle and the remains of Roman buildings are 300 meters away.

The thermal waters of the Catulla (600 m) and Virgilio (3 km) complexes have a strong healing effect. The hotel has its own beach and covered parking. The train station in Desenzano is about 6 km away.

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