Top Things to do in Lake Garda
What to do and see in Lake Garda, Lake Garda: The Best Things to do
The largest of Italy’s fresh-water lakes, Lake Garda is located in northeast Italy. Tourists traveling here will find plenty of excursions and activities to keep them entertained year-round—everything from visiting hilly wine regions to exploring 14th-century castles. The towns and communities surrounding Lake Garda offer easy day trips from Venice, easily accessible by car or train. Major sights include the towns of Sirmione (which attracts most Lake Garda visitors thanks to its historic Rocca Scaligiera castle) and Riva del Garda (for the Varone waterfalls located nearby), as well as the region’s hills, which offer numerous hiking trails for adventurous walkers.
Restaurants in Lake Garda
1. Onepio Winery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 140 reviews
Do you want to know which is the secret ingredient? Only by drinking a glass of this collection, you’ll recognize the secret ingredient. Easy to guess…Love
Reviewed By D9266FRnicolah
We visited Onepio to do the gold wine tasting which was excellent and great value for money. Most importantly we tasted a number of great wines - we were allowed to pick which ones we wanted to taste from a selection so it can be tailored to personal preferences. We had some lovely local cheeses and other snacks to accompany also. Our hostess was really knowledgable taking us through each wine and how its grown and produced. She struck a great balance between talking to us and giving us time to just enjoy the wine. We stayed for a drink after in the sunshine and ordered a few bottles to be sent home also. Very glad we visited.
2. Lago di Garda
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,326 reviews
Lake Garda, unique for its enchanted villages, shopping and fun opportunities,is also the perfect setting for your activity and watersports holidays or week-ends. This is Lake Garda, the Essence of Italy!
Reviewed By Brian484950 - Liverpool, United Kingdom
What a beautiful place to stay for a late breakaway everything is so idyllic and laid back my wife and I enjoyed every minute so many places to eat you are spoiled for choice the place is absolutely clean and tidy,shopping centre is well worth a visit.
3. Grotte di Catullo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,926 reviews
Reviewed By irinak576 - Basel, Switzerland
As much as this archeological site is interesting as such, it boasts the lake views to come there for! It is easy to spend several hours here, even half a day if the weather is nice. The museum is surrounded by meadows with old olive trees, so you will always find some shade. Bringing your own lunch and enjoy it sinking in the lake views could be a good idea!
4. Bracco Baldo Beach
5. Castello Scaligero
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,522 reviews
Reviewed By X4948WLsteved - Birmingham, United Kingdom
Really good for seeing a historical building very well preserved Entrance cost €8 and we’ll w the money The view of the peninsula are amazing and well worth the climb to the top of the main tower Best time to visit is when it’s cool in the morning We visited about 9.30am before the tourists coaches
6. Monte Baldo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,046 reviews
Reviewed By Fritz_Oz - Sydney, Australia
Monte Baldo is a fantastic place to visit during a trip at Lake Garda. Easy access via Cable Car (you might want to buy your tickets earlier to jump the long queue at the ticket office) Fantastic views, great for hiking or just a little walk. You might want to consider renting a mountain bike or go for a paragliding tandem flight with one of the local professional tandem pilots.
7. Santuario della Madonna del Frassino
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 341 reviews
Reviewed By alessandrofL127YD - Milan, Italy
A tiny statue of Madonna with little Jesus appeared in the early 1500s among the branches of an ash tree, according to popular belief it was invoked by a shepherd who had just been bitten by a snake that did not die. In 1510 a first small church was created on the site of the discovery , then during many years and many miracles the church was enlarged. In 1518 was built a friars convent beside the church who it’s still active. Facade with frescoed portico , above the portico a beautiful rose window completed a very simple facade . Inside with one nave and five chapels for each side, the twos beside the central altar are bigger and protected by beautiful wrought iron gate, the one on the right contain the small statue of Madonna of ash tree with beautiful frescoe by Domenico Morone done on 16th century . Of the same period are the beautiful paintings done by Paolo Farinati and are in the three chapels on the left side, the fourth chapel on the left is decorated by a beautiful painting of Zeno da Verona depicting Saints Peter and John dated 1541. Unusual the central altar with beautiful pipe organ . From a door next to the Madonna’s chapel is possible to enter in the first cloister with frescoes dated 1653 by Pietro Muttoni , the second cloister is also frescoed and all over the walls you can see mani ex voto and pictures of miraculous people .
8. Old Ponale Road Path
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,232 reviews
One follows via Gargnano (Gardesana Occidentale National Road SS 45bis) from the centre of Riva heading towards Limone. On the right before the tunnel, take the old road which once linked Riva del Garda with the Ledro Valley. From there one can enjoy breathtaking panoramas for once in a lifetime photo opportunities.
Reviewed By MaurizioL435 - Castelnuovo Rangone, Italy
It is an easy walk or easy mountain bike ride that offers a spectacular and breathtaking view of the lake and the surrounding area. It is also littered with ruins from the WW1 era that can be visited, and at the very top, there is the Bar Ponale Alto which is a cafè that offers coffee, and food, which can be enjoyed on the terraces overlooking the Ponale gorge. Definitely a must see.
9. Gardaland Park
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 19,047 reviews
Live the adventure of Gardaland Resort, the first destination to have fun in Italy! Unforgettable emotions are waiting in the incredible Amusement Park, in a completely themed Aquarium and a fairy-like hotel.
Reviewed By furry_007 - Cork, Ireland
We had an absolutely brilliant day out here with our two young kids (ages 7&8). There really is something for everyone, thrill rides, water rides, simple play parks, plenty of food choices. An absolute must if you are near by. We'll be back again when the kids are big enough for the serious rollercoasters
10. Movieland Park
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 3,510 reviews
Movieland Park is the first Italian amusement park on cinema dedicated to the family with 100,000 square meters of emotions, more than 20 attractions, 10 shows, 8 restaurants, shops and bars to offer a day of fun for everyone! At Movieland Park you can experience the thrill of the great films, entering the set, observing actors and stunts. You will challenge fear, you will experience real emotions, you will show courage and you will meet the myths of great cinema! After the success of Pangea, the world of dinosaurs, the first attraction in the world where you are driving; the new Area of Space arrives and you can become an astronaut by passing 3 missions and trying the G forces! Hollywood Studios in Italy!
Reviewed By IanDeeHarold
We went to Movie Land on 29th May, it was brilliant!! What a change to the same old theme parks, with rollercoasters and other thrill rides. Movieland does have a few of these so don't worry! The best thing is the other attractions, these are so different to other parks, really full of thrills, laughs and shocks. The Horror Walkround was one of the best I've ever visited, it scared us half to death, Pangera, Magnum and Kitt Speedboats was just excellent. The park has everything you need, is spotlessly clean and the staff are helpful and friendly, can't fault it, thank you for a wonderful Day x
