Visiting Italy's Largest Lake Is More Affordable and Less Crowded Than Lake Como — Here's How to Plan Your Trip

Lake Garda is an under-the-radar alternative with dazzling resorts, Michelin-starred restaurants, and charming waterfront towns.

When it comes to the Italian Lakes District, Lake Como tends to hog the spotlight, but it’s far from the only beautiful body of water worth spending time on. Aside from Como, there’s Lake Iseo, Lake Maggiore, and Lake Garda, which is the largest. Straddling two regions — Lombardia to the west and Veneto to the east — Lake Garda is an underrated gem.

Popular among Italians, Germans, Austrians, and Swiss visitors, Lake Garda is a paradise for active travelers, with plenty of opportunities for cycling, hiking, sailing, windsurfing, and paragliding. Along the lake’s shores, you’ll find cute little towns — some of which are recognized among the borghi più belli d’Italia (most beautiful villages in Italy) — where you can visit castles, taste local specialties, shop for souvenirs, and enjoy leisurely strolls. It’s the ideal destination to add to a trip to Verona (less than an hour away) or Milan (about an hour and a half away).

On a recent trip to Lake Garda, I fell in love with the beautiful landscapes, the tranquil setting, and the down-to-earth vibes — a few of the things that Fulvio De Bonis, co-founder of luxury travel company Imago Artis Travel, and Alina Deutsch, general manager at the Cape of Senses resort love about the lake too. I tapped into their expert knowledge about the best things to do on the lake.

Lake Guarda, Italy

• Check into Cape of Senses, the lake’s newest luxury resort, and take in the views from the infinity pool.

• Go for a boat ride to enjoy the beautiful scenery and live the lake lifestyle.

• Indulge in a gourmet tasting menu at Il Fagiano, the Michelin-starred restaurant in the Grand Hotel Fasano.

• Visit Sirmione, one of the lake’s most charming towns, and climb to the top of the Castello Scaligero for panoramic views.

• See the lemon groves in Limone sul Garda and try some limoncino (the northern Italian version of limoncello).

Best Hotels and Resorts

Cape of Senses

This new adults-only resort has a sleek, modern design and a focus on wellness. When I checked in this spring and was welcomed onto the terrace overlooking the lake, I could instantly feel my stress melt away. The indoor/outdoor infinity pool and an excellent massage helped, too. Breakfast and dinner are served at the more formal restaurant Al Tramonto, while lunch is available at the casual Osteria La Pergola.

Grand Hotel Fasano

Initially built in 1888 as a hunting lodge for the Austrian royal family, this Leading Hotels of the World member has kept its historic charm while being updated for today’s modern travelers. It’s one of the few hotels in the area with direct lake access, and guests love sunbathing on the lake’s shores or catching a boat from the dock. It’s also known for its Michelin-starred restaurant, Il Fagiano.

Lefay Resort & Spa

Set on 27 acres on a hill overlooking the lake, Lefay is one of Italy’s leading wellness and sustainability-focused resorts. The award-winning spa offers a variety of multi-day wellness packages targeted at weight loss, improving sleep, detoxing, beauty, and a la carte treatments.

Best Things to Do

Take a boat tour of the lake

Undoubtedly, one of the best things to do in Lake Garda is take a boat ride. “It’s about the sense of freedom and excitement you feel when on the boat,” says Deutsch. “The warm breeze of Lake Garda gently caressing you and the Mediterranean landscape make the experience even dreamier.”

Visit poet Gabriele d’Annunzio’s home and gardens

De Bonis suggests visiting the Vittoriale degli Italiani, poet Gabriele d’Annunzio’s estate in Gardone Riviera. “An exceptional collector and interior designer, the poet designed in detail the scenography of his house, the Prioria, where thousands of art objects, ceramics, silver, and carpets were collected: here, you can lose yourselves among memorabilia and old memories,” he says. “The garden is one of the most stunning in Italy, facing the lake from the amphitheater.”

Tour an olive grove

Deutsch considers Le Prandine in Torri del Benaco a hidden gem on the lake. “The best part about visiting Le Prandine is walking amidst 100-year-old olive trees and a garden of citrus and medicinal herbs,” she says. “The mind immediately comes to peace, and all five senses are activated, especially during the olive oil tasting.”

Do a wine tasting in Lugana del Garda

“Not everyone knows that in the Southern part of Lake Garda, there is a wine region, where Lugana, one of the lake's excellences, is produced,” De Bonis says. “A relaxing and fun way to discover this area is to start with an e-bike from Desenzano and pedal between the vineyards, stopping in some local wineries for a tasting.”

Admire the views from the Terrazza del Brivido

“If you are looking for a great panoramic point, stop by The Terrazza del Brivido, one of the most famous viewpoints of Tremosine sul Garda. It is literally suspended at more than [1,100 feet] in the air,” De Bonis says. “Those who don't suffer from vertigo can venture onto the platform to admire the lake and the curves of the Gardesana from a truly unique perspective.”

Best Restaurants

Il Fagiano

The Michelin-starred restaurant inside the Grand Hotel Fasano has been a mainstay on Lake Garda’s dining scene for ages — and it doesn’t disappoint. Months later, I’m still thinking about the incredible risotto with lemon, burrata, and licorice that I ate there. Whether you order one of the tasting menus or choose from the dishes a la carte, the maître d’ and sommelier Nicola Filippello will guide you to the best wine selection.

La Regata dal Pesci

“La Regata dal Pesci is known for its tasteful seafood dishes and lakeside ambiance, offering a delightful culinary experience,” says Deutsch. “You have to try their seven-course tasting menu.” My husband and I tried the five-course tasting menu and were more than satisfied with the delicious food and the thoughtful service.

Osteria Dalie e Fagioli

My husband and I loved this welcoming osteria in Manerba del Garda. The wood-beamed ceilings, white tablecloths, and elegant table settings create a romantic atmosphere without being stuffy. The menu offers modern takes on traditional dishes, like gnocchi with a sauce made from local Bagòss cheese and slow-cooked ribs with mustard and buttery mashed potatoes.

Locanda Perbellini

For dinner, Deutsch recommends the elegant Locanda Perbellini in Garda. “Choosing a favorite dish here is nearly impossible as each one is a unique combination of flavors. Even the most traditional dishes will surprise you with creativity and excellence,” she says. “My favorite dish is their interpretation of the traditional cacio e pepe: rigatoni pasta, cacio cheese, pepper, lobster, and lime.”

Best Time to Visit

Deutsch says the best time to visit Lake Garda is autumn, especially October and November. “Lake Garda is less crowded during autumn, and the weather is pleasantly mild,” she says. “Nature showcases its best colors, and the sunsets are more intense and breathtaking. Autumn is the perfect season for a peaceful and relaxing holiday.”

De Bonis prefers the spring, especially in Limone sul Garda. “The best time to go is between April and May to be able to smell all the scent of the citrus fruits in bloom,” he says.

Summer (i.e., June, July, and August) are peak season on the lake, so if you plan to visit, be prepared for crowds, traffic, and high hotel rates. Increased demand can also make it hard to find a taxi during this period.

Many hotels and restaurants close during the winter and you likely won’t be able to take a boat tour of the lake, but if you’d rather relax at the spa, this is the best time of year to find a tranquil atmosphere with fewer crowds.

How to Get There

The closest international airports are Milan Bergamo Airport (for destinations on the western side of the lake) and Valerio Catullo Airport in Verona (for destinations on the eastern side of the lake). It’s also possible to take a train to Desanzano del Garda or Peschiera del Garda and then organize a car transfer through your hotel or take a taxi.

Towns to Visit

Sirmione

A small peninsula jutting into the lake, Sirmione is known as one of the lake’s most charming towns. “Sirmione is a small gem, but the real treasure is the Grotte di Catullo, a corner of paradise surrounded by water. Despite the name, it is surprising to know that these are not caves but a villa from the Roman era, which was not owned by Catullus, but by an aristocratic family,” De Bonis explains. For breathtaking views, climb up to the top of the tower in the Castello Scaligero, a Medieval fortress surrounded by water.

Limone Sul Garda

“Limone sul Garda is a picturesque and colorful town once known for its citrus cultivations. The production of citrus fruits began during the domination of the Duchy of Milan; nowadays, the production of lemons is no longer sufficient to guarantee the export of the product, but the city is committed to safeguarding and protecting some of the lemon groves, which are part of its historical and cultural heritage,” De Bonis says, recommending a visit to the Limonaia del Castèl. Here, you can also taste lemon-made products such as limoncino, the northern Italian version of limoncello.

Gardone Riviera

One of the borghi più belli d’Italia, this charming town is known for its beautiful gardens, including the Vittoriale degli Italiani and the Giardino Botanico - Fondazione André Heller, where works by Keith Haring, Roy Lichtenstein, Auguste Rodin, Fernand Leger, and other artists are poised in a botanical garden containing around 3,000 plant species.

Punta San Vigilio

“Called the ‘little Portofino,’ San Vigilio has always been considered a splendid peninsula, a destination for important guests, such as the King of Naples, Winston Churchill, Prince Charles of England, Laurence Olivier, and many others,” De Bonis notes. “The most beautiful time to see this peninsula is at sunset when the sun slowly disappears into the crystal waters of the lake.”

How to Get Around

There are ferries that stop in 20 towns along the lake, but if you don’t want to be tied to the ferry schedule, renting a car is the best way to get around. Just keep in mind that in the summer, the roads around the lake get clogged up with cars, tour buses, and cyclists.

Don’t count on getting an Uber here, but taxis are generally available. Some hotels also have vehicles available to use. Cape of Senses has a Fiat 500, e-Vespa, and e-bikes available to rent for three-hour blocks or the whole day.

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