Lake Garda is Italy’s largest lake, spanning three provinces of Italy (Trentino, Verona, and Brescia). On a visit to Lake Garda, not only can you visit the long list of lovely towns that line the lake, but you can also cruise to Lake Garda’s islands, take your pick from hikes in the area, visit vineyards and go wine tasting, take your kids to the amusement park, explore the castles and medieval towns, or relax on the beach. In this Lake Garda itinerary, we provide multiple ways on how to best spend your time.
For the best experience, plan on spending a few days at Lake Garda. There is plenty here to keep you busy for several days. You could even spend a full week here, using Lake Garda as a home base for day tripping to Verona, Venice, or the Dolomites.
In this guide we list multiple Lake Garda itineraries. Whether you have just a few hours here, or a full week, we provide multiple ways on how to spend your time. And if you have any questions, just let us know in the comment section below.
Table of Contents
Overview of Lake Garda
This long, narrow lake is located in northern Italy. It spans three Italian provinces: Verona in the southeast, Brescia in the southwest, and Trentino in the north.
In the north, the lake is surrounded by mountains, as this part of the lake sits at the foot of the Alps. The southern area around Lake Garda is flatter and less dramatic and can be several degrees warmer than the northern end of the lake.
The southern area of Lake Garda is more popular and more crowded. With its location, it’s not far from Verona and it is right on the path of those traveling between Milan and Venice. Sirmione tends to be one of the busiest towns on Lake Garda.
The northern end still gets very busy, but crowds are more manageable here during the summer months. With its mountainous backdrop, this is the prettier end of the lake. Plus, there are a few great hikes and hidden gems to explore in the north.
If you were to drive the roads that circle Lake Garda, it would take just under 4 hours, without time for stops. It’s possible to see Lake Garda in one day by car, but you will have to limit your sightseeing to just a few places.
Malcesine
Best Things to Do in Lake Garda
Lake Garda has a long and wonderful list of things to do. We cover the full list in our Lake Garda Bucket List and as you read this itinerary, I recommend that you refer to this list. It will open in a different browser window so you can pop back and forth between these two articles. We also have detailed guides with advice on where to stay for Sirmione and Riva del Garda.
We organized the list of things to do in Lake Garda by geographical area. Not only does this make the long list more manageable, but if you have multiple days in Lake Garda, it also makes sense to plan your day by picking one area and exploring it.
Things to Do in Northern Lake Garda (Trentino)
- Riva del Garda: the largest city on the northern end of Lake Garda
- Villa Canale (Borgo Medioevale di Canale)
- Visit Torbole and go windsurfing
- Arco and Torre di Arco
- Varone Waterfall
- Hike to Punta Larici
Riva del Garda | Lake Garda Itinerary
Things to Do in Eastern Lake Garda (Verona)
- Visit Malcesine
- Ride the Cable Car to Monte Baldo
- Cassone di Malcesine
- Torri del Benaco
- Bardolino and the nearby vineyards
- Hike to Rocca del Garda
- Gardaland Theme Park and Gardaland SEA LIFE Aquarium
Torri del Benaco
Things to Do in Western Lake Garda (Brescia)
- Sirmione: the most popular town to visit in Lake Garda
- Scaligero Castle in Sirmione
- Desenzano del Garda
- Rocca di Manerba
- Salo
- Cruise to Isola del Garda
- Tour Vittoriale degli Italiani
- Visit Limone sul Garda
Sirmione | Lake Garda Itinerary
Top 10 Things to Do in Lake Garda
Here is the list of what we think are the top experiences in Lake Garda. These are located throughout Lake Garda so you will not be able to get to all of these in one day.
- Riva del Garda
- Villa Canale (Borgo Medioevale di Canale)
- Sirmione
- Scaligero Castle
- Malcesine
- Boat trip from Salo to Isola del Garda
- Rocca di Manerba
- Torri del Benaco
- Limone sul Garda
- Cable car to Monte Baldo
How Much Time Do You Need in Lake Garda?
If you want to see and do everything on our top 10 list, you will need a minimum of three days. And even then, you may not get to everything, unless you start early and don’t mind days packed with sightseeing.
We spent three and a half days in Lake Garda in July 2022. For us, that was the perfect amount of time, because we had enough time to tour the entire lake. However, in the summer months, you need to be prepared for hot weather and big crowds. More on this later.
Many people visit Lake Garda in one day, on a big tour of Italy. From the south end of the lake, you can either cruise to several towns or spend your time in the charming medieval town of Sirmione.
If you have several days, you can spend each day visiting a different area of the lake. This can all be done from one home base or you can stay in two different locations on Lake Garda.
Lake Garda does not look big on a map, but it takes a while to drive the roads that circle it, both because speed limits are low but also because traffic jams are common. Staying in two towns (Riva del Garda and Sirmione) cuts down on driving time and lets you experience both ends of Lake Garda.
Torre Apponale in Riva del Garda
Half Day in Lake Garda Itinerary
This itinerary is for those who plan to visit Lake Garda on a day trip or just want to see a piece of it while traveling through Italy. There are several things you can do with your time (PICK ONE OF THESE).
Visit Sirmione
Sirmione is one of the most picturesque towns on Lake Garda. With a compact city center, the best castle on the lake to visit, an archaeological site, and some great shopping and restaurants, it’s easy to spend a few hours here. You can also add on a boat cruise around the peninsula.
Cruise on Lake Garda
There are numerous half day cruises that take you to a few of the more popular towns on the lake. Or you can hire a private boat to take you around or ride the Lake Garda ferry. Many of these cruises and ferries start in Desenzano del Garda, Peschiera, Salo, Riva del Garda, or Sirmione.
Visit Riva del Garda
If you happen to be arriving from northern Italy or the Dolomites, spend your time in Riva del Garda. This beautiful town is less crowded than Sirmione and has some wonderful things to do, with a bell tower to climb, a funicular that takes you up to an ancient fortress (and a spectacular viewpoint), and colorful streets to explore. While here, don’t miss nearby Borgo Medioevale di Canale (Villa Canale), a tiny medieval village that is a hidden gem on Lake Garda.
Borgo Medioevale di Canale
One Day in Lake Garda Itinerary: Without a Car
If you only have one day in Lake Garda, I think it’s best to tour the lake using the ferries/boats.
There is a ferry that connects many of the top sights on the lake, so you can spend the day hopping from one to the other on the ferry.
Desenzano and Peschiero are the main ferry hubs on Lake Garda. These towns also have train stations, so these are a good starting point if you are traveling by train. From here, the ferry travels to other towns on the lake. Here is a map of ferry routes.
For timetables and prices of the ferries, visit the official website. Just be aware that the website is difficult to use and also covers Lake Como, so make sure you select Lake Garda.
Top places to visit by ferry include Sirmione, Riva del Garda, Malcesine, and Limone Sul Garda. Due to travel times, you will have to limit your visit to two to three towns and get started as soon as possible. The first boats start operating at 8 am.
You can also take a boat tour of Lake Garda and combine this with a few hours in Sirmione.
PRO TRAVEL TIP: If you prefer to tour Lake Garda by boat, even if you have a car, you can still take the ferry or private boat around the lake. This cuts out the hassle of driving and parking at each town, which is challenging during the summer months.
Limone sul Garda | Lake Garda Itinerary
One Day in Lake Garda Itinerary: With a Car
If you have a car and one day in Lake Garda, you are going to be limited to one area of the lake or you will need to be prepared to do a lot of driving.
If you are coming in from the Dolomites or Austria, spend your time on the north end of Lake Garda. Visit Villa Canale and spend the day exploring Riva del Garda. You have the option to do one of the hikes in the area, just be aware that if you are here in the summer, it could be 32°C/90°F or hotter, so an afternoon hike may not be very pleasant.
If you will be approaching Lake Garda on the southern end (coming from Venice, Verona, Milan, or Florence), spend a few hours in Sirmione and consider taking a boat tour of the lake from here. Or you could visit Sirmione in the morning (before it gets very crowded) and either visit the wine regions around Bardolino or visit Rocca di Manerba and Salo.
Another option is to visit Malcesine and Sirmione. Malcesine is one of our favorite places on Lake Garda but to get here it is 1.5-hour drive from the southern end of the lake. It’s doable in a day but you will spend a lot of your time in your car.
Daily Itineraries of Lake Garda
Next are single day itineraries that concentrate on one area of Lake Garda. These can be linked together to form two day, three day, or four day itineraries. These work best if you have a car.
IMPORTANT NOTE: For more details on how to visit each town/sight, refer to our Things to Do in Lake Garda article.
Northern Lake Garda Itinerary
This itinerary can be done without a car, but you will have to skip Villa Canale and the Varone waterfall. We cover many of the places listed for this Northern Lake Garda itinerary in our guide to Riva del Garda.
Morning Option #1: Go on a hike/walk. The Old Ponale Road Path is an easy walk (or bike ride) along an old road. You will go through numerous tunnels and have great views of Riva del Garda. Punta Larici is a challenging hike to a spectacular viewpoint of the lake. Or hike up to Monte Brione or Chapel Santa Barbara.
Note: If you will be visiting in the summer, it’s best to start hiking before 8 am to avoid the hottest part of the day. If you can’t get to Riva del Garda that early in the day, do option #2.
Punta Larici
Morning Option #2: Visit Varone waterfall and Villa Canale. These are a short drive from Riva del Garda and located near each other.
Morning Option #3: Visit Limone Sul Garda. This lovely town is a 15 to 20-minute drive from Riva del Garda. If you visit Limone from Riva, it saves you a very long drive from Sirmione to get here (if you also plan to visit Sirmione while at Lake Garda).
Midday and afternoon: Explore Riva del Garda
Evening: Have dinner and drinks. For great sunset views, ride the funicular to Bastione de Riva and have dinner here.
The view from Bastione de Riva
Eastern Lake Garda Itinerary
Spend one day visiting the sights along the eastern side of Lake Garda. This itinerary starts in the north and ends in the south, since that is the way that we did it. If you are starting in the south, you could either drive up to Malcesine and work your way south (this works well if you want to end with the wine region) or do this itinerary in the opposite order.
How to Use This Map: Click the icons on the map to get more information about each place to go and the driving routes. Click the star next to the title of the map to add this map to your Google Maps account. To view it on your phone or computer, open Google Maps, click the menu button, go to “Your Places,” click Maps, and you will see this map on your list.
Morning: Malcesine and the cable car to Monte Baldo
View from Monte Baldo | Mattia Riccadonna/shutterstock.com
Midday: Lunch in Torri del Benaco
Afternoon: Bardolino, Lazise, and the wine region. We planned to visit Villa Calicantus but this was closed during our visit. You can also take a guided tour of the area.
Optional: Santuario Madonna della Corona. This is not located on Lake Garda but is just a short drive away. This beautiful church literally clings to the mountainside, making it one of the most unique churches we have seen in Europe.
Evening: Sirmione
Santuario Madonna della Corona
Western Lake Garda Itinerary
Spend one day visiting the sights along the western side of Lake Garda. This itinerary is done out and back from Sirmione, since that is the way that we did it. You will drive approximately 140 km with a driving time of 3.5 hours (longer if there is traffic).
How to Use This Map: Click the icons on the map to get more information about each place to go and the driving route. Click the star next to the title of the map to add this map to your Google Maps account. To view it on your phone or computer, open Google Maps, click the menu button, go to “Your Places,” click Maps, and you will see this map on your list.
Morning: Drive from Sirmione to Rocca di Manerba and it’s a short walk to the remains of an ancient fortress and a viewpoint of Lake Garda.
Midday: Salo. We took a one hour boat tour with Taxi Boat Salo to see Isola del Garda. Have lunch in Salo.
Isola del Garda | Lake Garda Itinerary
Afternoon: Drive to and visit Vittoriale degli Italiani. Then continue the drive to Limone Sul Garda and explore the town. Before driving this far north, just be aware that it is a 2-hour drive to get back to Sirmione. If you don’t want to do that much driving, turn around after visiting Vittoriale degli Italiani (and visit Limone from Riva del Garda if you have plans to also stay in Riva del Garda).
Evening: Sirmione
Two Days in Lake Garda Itinerary
With two days in Lake Garda, you can choose two of the daily itineraries listed above.
Three Days in Lake Garda Itinerary
This itinerary combines the three itineraries above into one efficient trip around Lake Garda. I really like this itinerary because it minimizes driving and you get to spend two nights in Riva del Garda. This town is much less crowded than Sirmione and easier to get in and out of if you are traveling by car.
Day 1: Follow the Western Lake Garda Itinerary, starting in Sirmione and ending in Riva del Garda. Since you won’t spend time backtracking, you can visit Limone Sul Garda in the afternoon, before getting to Riva del Garda. Stay in Riva del Garda.
Day 2: Follow the Northern Lake Garda Itinerary. Stay in Riva del Garda.
Day 3: Follow the Eastern Lake Garda Itinerary with a small modification. In the morning, visit Malcesine and ride the cable car to Monte Baldo. Have lunch in Torri del Benaco. Drive to Sirmione and spend the rest of the day in Sirmione. Sleep in Sirmione.
Scaligero Castle, Sirmione (drone photo)
Four Days in Lake Garda Itinerary
This is our exact itinerary and it worked very well. It’s really a three day itinerary with some extra time the morning of day 4. We drove in from the Dolomites so we started on the northern end of Lake Garda, spending one night in Riva del Garda and two nights in Sirmione.
Day 1: In the morning we drove from Selva di Val Gardena in the Dolomites to Riva del Garda. We visited Villa Canale and the Varone waterfall and then spent the afternoon in Riva del Garda.
Day 2: Punta Larici hike at 7 am. Then we drove down the east side of Lake Garda, including the day trip to Santuario Madonna della Corona, ending in Sirmione, where we spent the night.
Day 3: West side of Lake Garda (Sirmione to Limone Sul Garda to Sirmione); sleep in Sirmione. We did not have time to tour Sirmione on this day so we saved it for the following day.
Day 4: Sirmione in the morning. In the afternoon, we drove to Chamonix, France. If you are visiting with kids, you could add on Gardaland to this day.
Five or More Days on Riva del Garda
With more time, you can add on more days to Sirmione (to relax in the spa or use this as a home base for day tripping to Verona or Venice) or Riva del Garda (to go hiking or day trip to the Dolomites).
Piazza del Brolio, Riva del Garda
Best Time to Visit Lake Garda
WINTER: The weather is cold, rainfall is at its lowest for the year, and crowds are low. Average daytime highs are a chilly 7°C/45°F. It’s not the most pleasant time to visit Lake Garda but you won’t have to contend with crowds.
SPRING: The weather warms up nicely, with average highs in May getting to 22°C/73°F. However, the water is still very cold (the water in Lake Garda is from snowmelt) so if you plan to go swimming, you might want to go later in the year. May into June can be rainy so be prepared for some wet days.
SUMMER: The average high in summer is 29°C/84°F but it can be much warmer than this. During our visit, the high temperature was around 33°C/92°F but it can get even hotter than this (and it did…a few days later high temperatures hit 36°C/97°F). Crowds are also at their highest, as are prices for hotels. The heat and high crowds really took away from the experience and if we did it again, we’d visit Lake Garda in late spring or early fall.
FALL: Temperatures cool off, crowds begin to diminish, but rainfall increases, peaking in October.
VERDICT: The best month to visit Lake Garda is September. It can still be warm but hot temperatures are unusual. Rainfall is low and crowds won’t be at peak levels. May and June are also great months to visit Lake Garda.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Lake Garda or Lake Como?
Between Lake Garda and Lake Como, Lake Como is by far our favorite lake. It’s smaller size and trio of towns that are easily accessible by ferry makes Lake Como very easy to explore. Plus, Bellagio and Varenna are much prettier towns than any on Lake Garda, in my opinion.
What is the best month to visit Lake Garda?
September is the best month to visit Lake Garda. The weather is warm and generally sunny and crowd levels are beginning to lessen. Plus, the water is still warm for swimming.
How long does it take to drive around Lake Garda?
If you were to drive the roads that circle Lake Garda, it would take just under 4 hours, without time for stops. It’s possible to see Lake Garda in one day by car, but you will have to limit your sightseeing to just a few places.
Sirmione | Lake Garda Itinerary
If you have any questions about this Lake Garda itinerary, let us know in the comment section below.
More Information for Your Trip to Italy
LAKE GARDA: Plan your visit with our article Best Things to Do in Lake Garda. We also have information about things to do in Sirmione and Riva del Garda.
DOLOMITES: We cover important things to know before you go and travel tips in our article How to Plan a Trip to the Dolomites. For ideas on what to do, read our article Best Things to Do in the Dolomites. Check out our Dolomites Hotel Guide for recommendations on where to stay. And for links to all of our articles, take a look at our Dolomites Travel Guide.
MILAN & LAKE COMO: Learn how to visit Milan on a day trip or while traveling between the Cinque Terre, Florence and Venice. Lake Como and Bellagio are two more beautiful places in Italy that are great day trip destinations.
BEST OF ITALY: In our guide to the Best Places to Visit in Italy, we list 25 beautiful destinations to consider for your next trip to Italy.
VENICE: We cover the top experiences in Venice in our Venice Bucket List. Learn where to get the best views of Venice in our article 12 Beautiful Views of Venice. And to help you plan your time, take a look at our one day in Venice itinerary and two days in Venice itinerary.
We have TONS more information about Italy in our Italy Travel Guide, including Rome, Florence, Venice, Tuscany, the Dolomites, the Amalfi Coast, the Cinque Terre, Basilicata, and Puglia.
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Comments 6
Thank you for writing these extremely informative itineraries. They’ve been invaluable in creating my own itinerary for my upcoming trip through, France, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Italian Lakes. Your insight and the sharing of your experiences has been far better than the vast majority of writers that I’ve read. Happy travelling and I look forward to reading more about the various places you’ve visited.
Author
Hello Donna. Thank you so much for your very kind comment. I’m glad we could help you plan your trip! Cheers, Julie
Great information, we will be in Lake Garda in October, day trip to Venice and Milan.
Thank you for this site
Author
You’re welcome!
Hi
We will be flying to Milan God willing, September 15. We have scheduled 2 nights in Lake Como, 1 night in the Trento area, 5 nights in Cortina d Ampezzo and 5 nights in Selva di Cadore. I know it is really overextended in these areas. I have to allow for slow down time for Pat. He has a glioblastoma malignant brain tumor we are treating. He is taking both chemo oral meds and infusions. We will be traveling between his IV infusions which are scheduled every 21 days. My question is we have 3 nights before we fly back to Madrid not scheduled driving from Selva di Cadore. We fly from Milan to Madrid at 2:30 in the afternoon. I will be returning our car in the late morning. I would like to see both the North and South of Lake Garda. Is it possible to stay in the South of Lake Garda and then drive to the airport in Milan on the morning that we fly?
Author
Hello Beverly. Nice to hear from you again. Yes, that should work fine. We did something similar. From Sirmione, we drove past Milan and then continued to Chamonix, France. It is a quick and easy drive from the south end of Lake Garda to Milan, mostly on the highway. Sirmione is a very pretty town to stay in. Just be aware that if you stay in the historic city center (inside of the gates) driving through the city is challenging, with the tight streets and pedestrians. You can stay just outside of the city, which makes it easier to park, get to your hotel, and drive to Milan. And by the way, 10 nights in the Dolomites sounds amazing. It’s great to have so much time here…it’s one of our favorite places in the world so to have a lot of time here is fantastic, in my opinion. Cheers, Julie