Weekend on Lake Garda

If you are looking for a weekend where to discover the activities that Lake Garda can offer, you are in the right place!

North of Verona, Lake Garda is the most suitable for families and water sports among the Italian lakes. It is also the largest lake in Italy, extending from the alpine mountains to the northern edge of the Pianura Padana. 

The southern shore is lined with beaches and backed by low hills, while to the north, mountains and cliffs overlooking the lake, especially along the western shore. Its terrain offers Lake Garda a wide variety of attractions for sports-loving tourists, from constant winds for sailing, windsurfing and kitesurfing and also mountains for climbing, abseiling and mountain biking, all overlooking the lake.

At the same time, its location gives Lake Garda a year-round temperate climate where olives and lemons grow well. Furthermore we can find several well fortified castles, Roman remains and sites of interest for fans of the Second World War. Add long sandy beaches and a little bit of town with lakeside walks and cafes surrounding the postcard marinas, whose sole purpose seems to be the dolce vita, and Lake Garda truly has something for everyone. You could easily spend a weekend at Lake Garda without having to find yourself in the situation of not knowing how to occupy the time.

You could easily spend a weekend at Lake Garda without having to find yourself in the situation of not knowing how to occupy the time.

Weekend on Lake Garda: what to visit?

Thanks to the countless number of localities on the Garda lakefront, it is possible to visit numerous characteristic towns of the place, among the best known, we find: Sirmione, Desenzano del Garda, Malcesine, Riva del Garda.

Weekend on Lake Garda: SIRMIONE

The picturesque town of Sirmione is located at the end of a long promontory that juts out into Lake Garda from its southern shore.

It’s hard to find a more charming entrance to a city: across  a bridge on a drawbridge and into the courtyard of a castle that looks like it was built for a movie set. The fortress surrounded by water was built in the 12th century by the Scaligeri, the ruling family of Verona, as part of their defensive network against Milan and was subsequently maintained by the Venetian Empire.

Visit its restored interiors and climb the tower for a panoramic view of lake Garda and the city. Before the Scaligeri, the Romans came here to bath in the sulfur springs, which today are the basis of a luxurious spa.

Expect crowds in elegant Sirmione on weekends, filling its expensive boutiques and cafes.

Weekend on Lake Garda: DESENZANO DEL GARDA

If you arrive at Lake Garda by train or from the A4 motorway, Desenzano del Garda is the place where you will probably see Italy’s largest lake for the first time.

Just west of Sirmione, it is a lively village centered on a basin of the tourist port and on the piers from which steamboats and hydrofoils leave for the towns around Lake Garda.

There isn’t much left of the castle that once crowned its hill, but Villa Romana, a Roman villa, has been excavated near the historic center and features impressive mosaics. The parish church preserves a painting by Tiepolo.

With numerous bars and restaurants and convenient boat connections, Desenzano is a great base for exploring the lake. Most of the best beaches on Lake Garda are found along this southern shore.

Weekend on Lake Garda: MALCESINE

Malcesine is a well-known tourist resort on the Veronese side of the upper Lake Garda. At its top, a 13th-century castle, a Scaliger Castle, stands on a cliff, whose ramparts fall directly onto the lake below.

The views are, of course, superb, as the opposite shore of Lake Garda is even steeper and in this northern segment the mountains rise on all sides. It is possible to visit the castle and the museum inside.

Narrow alleys lead up to the castle through a jumble of medieval stone buildings and small squares. Inevitably, a city this perfect image will have its share of temptations for tourists, making it a pleasant stopping place for strolling, dining and browsing the artists’ studios.

On the uphill side of the main road, where there is also a convenient place to park while visiting Malcesine, a revolving cable car takes you even higher to views and trails along the scenic ridge of Monte Baldo.

Weekend on Lake Garda: RIVA DEL GARDA

At the northern end of Lake Garda, Riva del Garda is located between the mountains and the water, a pleasant combination of ancient medieval streets and sunny parks and seaside promenades.

Hovering above the historic center on the precipitous Rocchetta is a Venetian watchtower, and below, in the porticoed square of the port, there is a massive clock tower.

To the east, on the lake shore, stands the ancient Rocca del Riva, yet another Scaligeri castle, built between the 12th and 15th centuries. Inside is the excellent Civic Museum, with prehistoric and later finds, well exhibited and interpreted.

The beach of nearby Torbole is best known as one of the best spots for windsurfing and kitesurfing due to the constant winds, which also make the northern part of Lake Garda a favorite for sailing. Lessons and rentals for both sports are available here.

 

 

 

Weekend on Lake Garda: Sport, nature and adventure.