I was planning my whole Italy road trip and somehow I thought Lake Como would be on the list but instead I found myself enjoying Lake Garda way more!

It is way more diverse, there are more things to do that doesn’t involve “paying” for a photo opp and Riva Del Garda, Sirmione and Limone Sul Garda are all noteworthy stops.

If you want the touristy part of Lake Garda (in Sirmione) you have that, but if you also want the adventurous lake activities (up in Riva Del Garda) like cycling through some of their gorgeous vineyards and gorging on pasta and pizza, it also has that. This is why you have to visit Lake Garda.

I will walk you through on the things you can do in Lake Garda, where to stay and how you make it as a road trip from Verona to the Dolomites.

Why You Should Visit Lake Garda?

It is simply one of Italy’s largest lake where you get to see stunning alpine mountains, and have access to swimming coves 100metres away from your accomodation (I am not kidding on that!)

The lake is vast that it covers 370 square km — I feel like even one day is not enough to cover it. You should try and stay here for 3 days and 2 nights.

It also has world class walking, hiking and cycling trails. I could spend a whole week here in Lake Garda and forget that the South side of Italy existed because it does feel like you are next to a beach.

The exciting part is the fresh produce: I saw dozens of vans outside selling citrusy like lemons from Limone and olive oil and regional wines.

Also Read: My Real Dolomites Itinerary: 5 to 7 Days (What I Loved About It)

How To Get To Lake Garda?

By car: Drive from Milan/Verona (total 2 hours to reach to Lake Garda). You can book your car from DiscoverCars here.
By train: no station on the lake itself — so get off at Desenzano or Peschiera (both on the Milan–Venice line) (book here), then bus/taxi to town. From Verona it's just 10–15 min to Peschiera.
By bus: FlixBus from Milan to Peschiera (approx 2 hrs). From Verona, ATV buses run direct to Peschiera, Lazise, Bardolino, and Garda (much better option)
What I did: Train from Milan to Verona — book a rental car from Verona and drive to Bardolino & Lake Garda (Riva Del Garda) — drive to Dolomites day after.

Where To Stay in Lake Garda?

My Recommended Stay in Lake Garda: Parc Hotel Flora

**Why I Like It:** Nice, spacious room with views of Riva Del Garda
**Why It Is Worth It?** The room, the views, the balcony, views and spa is amazing!
**Book It Here!**

In Sirmione (In The Centre & Thermal Spas)

Bardolino (Easy Bus Access to Verona or Malcesine & Quieter Parts)

Riva Del Garda (For Outdoorsy Hikes, Cycling & Drive Out to Dolomites)

Hotel Benascus (Budget)
Parc Hotel Flora (Mid-range)
Lido Palace (Luxury)

10 Best Things To Do in Lake Garda

1. Start with Sirmione and Visit Castello Scaligero

I am starting the first bit with Sirminone because it is important you see the touristy bits first like walking through its 13th century castle.

It is basically the gateway to the old town and the moat around it makes for a pretty solid photo even if everyone is doing the same. The entry fee is small (around €6). You get to climb the towers, and get a view of the lake.

I’ll be real: Sirminone gets busy and touristy fast which is why I would go here early morning before all the day trippers from Verona and Milan show up. Once you are done with the castle, it is nice to just get lost in the narrow streets around it, there’s gelato everywhere and some pretty nice streets.

2. Soak in The Thermal Spas

soak in the thermal spas, one of the best things to do in lake garda

This was something which was worth doing called Spa & Thermal Garden! You get 25% off if you book it here and it costs around €19.

Why is it worth it? Sirmione sits on natural thermal spring and the water is genuinely mineral rich and warm because of the volcanic activity under the lake.

It is also really amazing in the evening and the highlight was looking straight onto the lake. Especially in colder climates in November or December, I highly recommend splurging over here!

3. Visit Malcesine and Palazzo dei Capitani near Bardolino

Malcecsine is on the opposite side of the lake from Bardolino but it is an easy detour and worth the drive around or a quick ferry across.

Palazzo dei Capitani sits right on the water and used to be a base for the Scalligeri and Venetian rulers so I thought it was pretty ethereal walking through here. You can also climb up to Castello di Malcesine if you have time, it overlooks the whole town and Monte Baldo is behind it.

The town is also much nicer to walk around and doesn’t feel so crazy busy like Sirmione — there are cobblestone streets and cute shops so I would give some time here to sit and people watch a bit.

4. Have The Best Pasta In Hole In The Wall Shops

we had the best pasta here in lake garda in this tiny cute shop

We ate in some shops which was simple but the pasta was the best I have ever had in Italy. The lakeside spots near Bardolino especially are full of small trattorias doing incredible pasta at prices that felt almost wrong to what you’d pay in a bigger city.

You have to try eating at L'Osterietta del Lago to try their fish bruscettas and fritters. And you should also have the pasta at Bar Pizzeria Le Scalete — everything about this and their pasta was simple but true Italian taste.

You have to try their Spaghetti Alle Vongole which is a Sicilian version of pasta with clams but they do it really well here!

Just get anything with olive oil drizzle on top and it was mindblowing!

The shops around Bardolino and Lazise are also worth browsing that are not so touristy. I loved talking to the locals here and ask what they make like the ceramic stores, local wine shops.

5. Cable car up to or Hike Monte Baldo

Monte Baldo is often known as the “Botanical Garden of Europe” simply because of how many plant species grow on its slopes, but honestly I loved the views and not just the flora.

You can take a cable car up to Malcesine if you want the easy way. The tickets were €30 each on the day (but €28 each if you buy online), then you’re given a time slot and told to come back.

I would save your energy for other hikes in Lake Garda if you are short on time.

6. Go On a Vespa Tour Around Lake Garda

Vespas are not just reserved for the Amalfi coast — doing it in Lake Garda is a thing. It is the real dolce vita experience as you get to tour villages with panoramas and indulge in some wine tasting.

It starts in Lasize and the tour lasts around 3-4 hours. Highly recommend doing this! You can book it here.

7. Head to Riva del Garda & Hike The Busatte Tempesta Forest Path

I absolutely loved Riva del Garda — everyone was moving and enjoying the lake or walking up places so one of that is Busatte Tempesta path — it is about a 8km hike and takes about 3.5 hours to hike.

This is such a great way to see Lake Garda as it takes you through a trail of olive groves and forest with lookpout points over the lake. It is rated as moderate difficulty and not very hard. You can easily find the route on AllTrails.

8. Cycle to Arco and explore cycling in Lake Garda.

cycling in lake garda, possibly the bestest thing i did

We rented the bikes from Happy Bikes in Riva Del Garda (you can get a ebike or a normal bike) and cycle two routes: the one I did is to Arco and towards Lake Toblino and the other route is the cycling path via Ponale

The ride towards Arco is mostly flat but it is lovely to just cycle pass olive groves and see a different side of Italy while stopping to get a drink.

I absolutely wanted to do the Ponale path and think it must be done. The Strada del Ponale cycling route from Riva del Garda to the Ledro Valley is about 10 kilometers long one-way and you should do it if you have time.

9. Take a Lake Garda Hills Wine Tour

The hills above Bardolino and Lazise are prime vineyards so even if you are not into wine tasting, the scenery alone is worth it.

Most tours combine a couple of small family run vineyards with tastings featuring cheese and cured meats on the side. You can book the wine tour here.

I went with fairly generic tasting wine experience but came out actually understanding what makes Bardolino wine different from other Italian reds.

It is lighter and you see how the grapes are grown here compared to somewhere like Tuscany.

10. Take a detour and visit the Dolomites on a day trip.

If you are not doing the whole multi day stint in the Dolomites, you absolutely should do it as a day trip from Riva Del Garda. It is only a 2-3 hour drive from Lake Garda.

This tour to the Dolomites takes care of everything and you get to stop in towns of Moena or Cavalese and get to window-shop while enjoying a cup of hot chocolate before travelling to the Pordoi Pass, 2,240 metres above sea level.

It also stops in Ortisei which is the OG town in the Dolomites so where everything is happening.

Also read my other Italy guides:

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My Epic Guide in Lake Garda: 10 Best Things To Do