Lake Garda - things to do

Lake Garda is served by many airports, including Milan, Brescia, Verona, Venice, Treviso, and Bergamo. Once you have arrived, a great way to get around the lake is undoubtedly by ferry, although having a car enables the freedom to visit the many towns around the lake.

Obvious tourist attractions are nearby, for example the cathedrals and churches of Milan or the Verona Amphitheatre. Whilst these may be top on the list, there are an infinite number of less-known treasures in towns and villages immediately surrounding Lake Garda.

Lake Garda is extraordinary. Lake Garda sport, food and attractions all represent quality. This region really is the perfect combination of natural beauty and exciting activities. 



All the finest qualities of sport can be found here. From the adrenaline rush of paragliding to the challenge of golf, from the novelty of snorkelling to the adventure of long walks, Lake Garda is the perfect place to test yourself in a beautiful and friendly Alpine setting.

Arzaga Golf Club has an 18 hole and 9 hole course designed by Jack Nicklaus II and Gary Player respectively. Both are visually stunning and also fantastic tests of golf. Garda Golf Country Club is a beautifully designed British course in the midst of this Italian landscape, and is widely considered one of the best new courses of the 21st century. Wherever you do choose, the mountainous landscape, lush grass and stunning views of the lake will make for one of the greatest golfing experiences you will ever have.

Malcesine Paragliding Club is a popular choice for this special sport, with expert instructors on hand for first timers. Perhaps you have often wondered what it’s like to be a bird flying over this most beautiful of lakes, descending 6000 feet through the pure blue sky, past the lush green hills, with the wind crashing in your face and the sun glistening on the calm, clear waters.

Around a dozen diving sites surrounding the lake cater for divers and snorkelers among you. With trained instructors available, you will be safe and secure as you plunge into or explore these depths. Or if you wish to stay above water, the town of Torbole, to the north of Lake Garda, has the perfect facilities for windsurfing on this most beautiful of lakes. 

But what really captures people’s imagination, especially in this region, is walking. An endless number of lakeside paths are ideal for romantic strolls, especially when the sun is setting and the boats drift by. It is also perfect for that favourite British past-time of packing up a few sandwiches, putting on those walking boots, and setting off with a vague but not necessarily concrete idea of where the days adventure will take you. If you’re feeling adventurous, get up early and hike up one of the lake’s many surrounding mountains, Monte Baldo being a regional favourite.

Lake Garda Food is equally sensational. The different eateries in the region boast their own distinct character and charm. You can sit in the beautiful courtyard of Trattoria Clementina in perhaps the region’s most admired town, Sirmione, whilst enjoying the cheeseboards and antipasti. Or why not try the freshly caught fish at Villa Fiordaliso in Gardone Riviera? Perhaps you could even make your way to restaurant Brasa in the countryside outside Tremosine, a place where local Italians outnumber tourists, kids can play in the garden and the most traditional of Italian cuisine can be found. Nothing quite beats tucking into top quality Italian food in a top quality Italian region. It is what Italy is all about.

It is not just Lake Garda food and sport that draws people to this exceptional region. The area boasts many attractions that interest and excite.

Manerba’s Natural Archaeology Park is both a museum and nature trail, maintaining important animals and plants. It is a tribute to the region’s archaeology and natural resources, and a treat for nature lovers. It holds fascinating finds, dating back thousands of years, from local excavations. A nature section explains through photographs and models the essence of the area’s environmental beauty. The clearly sign-posted trail takes you through the regions sensations of bright cheerful flowers, birds singing, rocky mountains and the serene lake. With stunning views to the south, it is an ecological paradise.

Heller Garden in Gardone Riviera is also a great place to visit. It boasts a wonderful array of plants from all over the globe. Beautiful ferns, gentle streams and crashing waterfalls, sculptures from the Middle East, decorations by artists such as Roy Lichtenstein and Keith Haring; what a perfect way to spend an afternoon. From the garden, a short walk through the delightful Gardone Sopra will bring you to arguably the region’s main attraction, Il Vittoriale.

This hillside estate was the home of the controversial Italian figure Gabriele D’Annunzio. It is a fascinating complex that reflects his flamboyant character. The reasons why people love history are evident here. Standing on the warship hidden in the garden makes you feel like a sailor, the SVA 10 aeroplane hanging from the Auditorium ceiling is a blast from the war, The Music Room is a tribute to this most ancient of arts that has defined a nation, the Greek sculptures, Persian peacocks and Chinese bronzes embody a range of oriental cultures in a very Italian setting. Each room you walk into really does bring you to an utterly new world. You can easily spend hours marvelling at the pure imagination expressed via the house, garden and museum.

Of course, no holiday is complete without trying something out of the ordinary, something that defies the status quo. Gardaland is the third-most-popular theme park in Europe. With six roller coasters among its many rides, thrill seekers will not be disappointed. Take Blue Tornado for example. This 2,510 foot long ride will take you 102 feet in the air, upside down, side to side, and whizzing to the ground at terrifying speeds.
At the other end of the scale, the Body-Mind Centre in Salo is an opportunity to relax both physically and mentally through shiatsu, foot reflexology, jin shin do and ayurvedic massage. It is the ideal way to round up your time in a region you will never forget.

Places to stay in the region of Lake Garda; see below.