Where to stay in Lake Garda – 9 BEST TOWNS & HOTELS

Too hard to decide where to stay in Lake Garda? No wonder, this is the largest lake in Italy, much bigger than Lake Como or Lago Maggiore.

I have been travelling to the Italian lakes since I was born, sometimes for the weekend, other times for a long stay and Lago di Garda is definitely one of my favourites, with plenty of activities but also the possibility to have an easy going break, enjoying the local wine and cuisine.

In this guide I have organised the best places to stay in Lake Garda, my favourite 9 towns with a few suggested hotels.

But let’s jump straight into it.

Best places to stay in Lake Garda – Key Points

Instead of an index, in this post I have organised a quick reference table where I compare the best areas to stay in Lake Garda, with all the pros and cons. Click on the town name for more info or just keep reading for the full guide.

On the mobile, swipe left and right to see all the columns.

Are you organising an itinerary of Lake Garda? You have two possibilities:

• Use the bus and ferry and visit the towns connected by the transportation network
• Use the car and experience the lake as well as the surrounding areas whenever you want.

Lake Garda is one of the most dramatic and scenic lakes in Europe and my suggestion is to do it by car. I usually rent a vehicle in Italy (Verona and Milan are my typical entry airports/stations) and I start my road trip from there.

My 3 best hotels in Lake Garda

Casa Katy

• 20 meters from the lake
• Great value for money
• Cosy and lovely views

Check price

Relais Corte Paradiso

• Big 2BR
• Outdoor pool
• BBQ & Playground

Check price

Du Lac Et Du Parc Grand Resort

• Stunning lake and mountain views
• Amazing breakfast
• Wellness facilities and pools

Check price

Sirmione – Best town on Lake Garda first time

Perched on a scenic peninsula extending from the southern shore of Lake Garda, Sirmione has enchanted visitors since ancient Roman times thanks to its dramatic natural beauty, historic landmarks, and therapeutic thermal springs.

Sirmione is my favourite place to stay in Lake Garda. I have been 3 times there and I always loved so much wondering through the pedestrian cobblestone lanes, with posh Liberty-style villas, ruins dating to the 1st century AD, and the iconic Rocca Scaligera moated fortress guarding the harbour since the 13th century.

With so much history and postcard-worthy sights packed into a compact pedestrian zone just 2 kilometres long, Sirmione will give you so many great spots for photography.

But its popularity comes at a price during summer’s peak travel season from June through August when streets flood with visitors queued outside gelato shops, pizzerias spill onto alleyways jammed elbow to elbow, and vehicles get stuck in seemingly endless traffic on the single road leading onto the peninsula.

As much as I love Sirmione, I always try to visit it off-season, with May and September being my suggested months. Visiting in the quieter shoulder seasons allows you to better appreciate Sirmione’s romantic charms enjoyed by the Italian elite since the 19th century Fin de Siècle era.

My tip: book your accommodation as early as possible, you may have some luck with a last-minute stay but it’s more of a rare occasion.

Peschiera del Garda – Best for families

Located in the southern part of the lake, Peschiera del Garda is one of the best basecamps when travelling with children.

Its prime location less than 30 minutes from three major amusement parks keeps the thrills coming for young visitors while parents enjoy relaxing panoramic views of the lake when park energy gets spent.

By day you can plunge down waterslides surrounded by lush tropical gardens at Caneva, then head under the big top for death-defying stunt shows at MovieLand Studios.

Gardaland however towers as the main attraction, with over 40 rides and shows drawing nearly 3 million visitors annually to become Italy’s most popular theme park. Its hotels even allow staying within the magic so the fun never has to stop.

When seeking some cultural depth, it only takes a short drive to explore romantic Verona, from the Casa di Giulietta featuring the famed balcony that inspired Shakespeare to the Piazza Bra with its spectacular Roman Arena hosting events to this day.

Peschiera entertains more families than party-seekers. You will find plenty of bars and restaurants/pizzeria but not nightlife. The compact pedestrian town itself also has limited lodging options, so finding accommodation can pose challenges during the July and August high season.

My tip: Booking hotels in advance is always highly suggested, especially if travelling in July and August. However, my tip here is to reserve also your theme park tickets to bypass endless queues and better enjoy the day.

Bardolino – Best for couples

For couples craving a dash of dolce vita on the shore of the lake, the postcard-perfect village of Bardolino overflows with Old World romance.

I visited this town for the first time with my future wife. I was suggested Bardolino by a few friends so I did not do much research on it and I did not really know what to expect.

What did I find? A compact pedestrian centre dotted with crimson blossoms, cute cafés, and candlelit trattorias that set an intimate mood from morning cappuccinos to twilight wine tastings. So beautiful and so romantic!

Compared to busier lakeside towns, Bardolino moves at a more relaxed pace with few attractions beyond its quaint cobblestone lanes and shimmering olive groves framing gorgeous vineyard views.

The main activity involves strolling hand-in-hand along the bustling lakefront promenade or getting lost together down narrow alleyways, with the 11th-century Romanesque church and its frescoed bell tower being two must-see places.

When pausing to rest weary legs, you can sample Bardolino, one of the best DOC red wines in northern Italy, at local enotecas pouring vintages from the surrounding hills dotting the horizon.

Once in town I also highly suggest joining one of the many vineyard tours and olive oil tastings. It’s going to be a great day out, especially on those busy weekends in summer when Lake Garda’s shore shore is packed.

I still remember like yesterday my first night there, enjoying the romantic charm of the village with candles flickering at intimate osterias and twinkling lights reflecting across the water.

But its sleepy character also equates to limited bars and clubs for late nights out. Other than wine and Italian fare, few unique attractions exist beyond soaking up the quaint local atmosphere.

That is why I find Bardolino to be the perfect place for couples looking for an enchanting and relaxing stay in Lake Garda.

Sipping Bardolino by Lake Garda is to taste the Italian dolce vita.

– Me

Garda – Great without a car

Nestled along a beautiful bay on Lake Garda’s eastern shores, the lakeside town of Garda will seduce you with its scenic setting, historic landmarks, and transportation perks allowing easy exploration without a car.

Its location directly across from Desenzano del Garda makes it accessible via regular ferry crossings, while direct buses connect Garda with Verona in just 45 minutes. This car-free convenience provides plenty of flexibility to visit Garda’s neighbouring villages or even across the lake.

Garda’s compact pedestrian centre offers pleasant wandering past gelaterias, pizzerias, and souvenir shops lining the scenic lakefront promenade. This is a popular spot for taking photos and enjoying sunset aperitivo cocktails on terraces gazing at the distant Dolomites turning pink.

Inland, you can climb the hill to Piazza Catullo to explore the ruins of a Roman villa and fortress with sweeping lake views.

As a harbour town, Garda also serves as the nautical hub with ferries crisscrossing the waters in every direction. You can easily island hop to reach colourful fishing villages like Limone sul Garda or Malcesine then catch later boats back.

With tickets bought dockside, spontaneous side trips become effortless. Just beware of early morning departures.

While Garda keeps the convenience of car-free travel, its popularity translates to summertime crowds. Book your accommodation well in advance especially if looking for budget lodging.

Desenzano del Garda

Located strategically near the southwestern end of the lake, Desenzano del Garda sparks with vibrant energy from its bustling cobblestone streets lined with restaurants, bars, and clubs attracting the young crowd.

Its proximity to the A4 motorway also makes the town easily accessible for weekenders flocking from Milan and Verona seeking lakeside fun after sundown.

You will find here some unique historic landmarks like the Villa Romana di Desenzano del Garda, the Castello di Desenzano del Garda, and the grand harbour Porto Vecchio with atmospheric pedestrian zones around Piazza Malvezzi, however, Desenzano is more known for the after dinner action.

Night owls party until dawn bouncing between the array of cocktail bars, dance clubs, and live music venues packed till morning during July and August. Even finding late-night fast food or a slice of pizza gets easy with so many options still served after midnight.

Unfortunately, while the nonstop action adds excitement, it also brings plenty of visitors, perpetual traffic around the peninsula road, packed waterfront cafés, and possibly loud party seekers lasting into dawn potentially annoying those seeking sleep.

For this reason, I usually suggest a stay in Desenzano to the young crowd looking more into enjoying the night than the daily lake activities.

Limone sul Garda

Nestled cliffside in the north of the western shore of Lake Garda, the charming village of Limone sul Garda lives up to its sunny name with vibrant yellow houses blooming amid jasmine and olive groves.

Its terraced lemon orchards cascading down steep slopes towards sparkling azure waters inspire wanderlust as a postcard comes to life.

Beyond the alluring scenery, Limone’s narrow cobblestone lanes winding past 16th-century palazzi will take you back in time with glimpses of ancient frescoes, wrought-iron balconies, and potted lemon trees gracing tiny courtyards.

The village’s humble scale and hillside intimacy contrast the summer crowds swarming larger resort towns for a more authentic Lake Garda experience accented with local lemon-infused cuisine and Limoncello aperitifs.

On the negative side, Limone’s secluded hillside location beyond the tourist trail also translates to distant drives to any other lake attractions. The rocky coastline leaves also little hope for a sandy beach.

Riva del Garda

Set along serene northern stretches of Lake Garda, the scenic resort town of Riva del Garda attracts active travellers with its stunning subalpine scenery rimming sparkling blue waters. Its maze of pedestrian lanes threading beneath pastel-hued medieval towers contrasts the busy windsurfers zigzagging across offshore gusts for an intoxicating fusion of adrenaline and dolce vita.

On land, Riva shines as a hub for outdoor adventures any season from miles of cycling paths like the thrilling cliffside Ponale route to nonexhaustive networks of hiking trails traversing olive groves and vineyard hills.

A visit to the bone-white outer walls of the 15th-century fortress Bastione di Riva standing vigil over the old town port is a great half-day adventure, especially when you need some resting on your legs.

Yet Riva’s popularity among adventure travellers also translates to swelling seasonal crowds that peak during summer heat waves. And limited sandy beaches often get eclipsed by rocky shores catering more to boardsports than sunbathers seeking lounge space.

So while the dramatic mountain backdrop promises exhilarating activities galore, expectations should align more with an extreme sports training ground than a lazy lakeside resort.

Costs here also trend higher than in Garda’s southern villages, which is probably one of the biggest cons of a stay in Riva del Garda.

But if you are eager to balance cycling, sailing, canyon jumping, or climbing between unwinding in atmospheric trattorias, Riva del Garda’s dynamic landscape overflows with possibilities.

Torbole

Perched along transparent waters on the northernmost edge of the lake, the lively village of Torbole serves as an adventure basecamp for thrill-seekers drawn to gusty winds fanning the Alpine-framed harbour.

Its consistent breezes and moderate climate nurture one of Europe’s top destinations for windsurfing, kitesurfing and sailing against dramatic Dolomite peaks.

While many visitors come to harness Torbole’s winds across the waves, its pretty pedestrian lanes shaded by lemon trees hold their own old-world appeal when surfing is over.

Local bars and restaurants spilling out onto the lakefront promenade foster a festive sailing culture, where comparing morning catches gets replaced by sunset Spritzes toasting another memorable Garda day.

Just note that Torbole’s prime watersports conditions also mean hotels book up fast during high summer. And its protected geographic location leaves little room for sprawling resort complexes beyond cozy family-run pensions.

Malcesine

Dramatically situated between steely cliffs and Lake Garda waters lies the postcard-perfect hamlet of Malcesine, constantly named one of Italy’s most beautiful villages.

Beyond its picture-perfect harbour kissing the foothills of Monte Baldo, Malcesine’s labyrinth of narrow cobblestone streets weave past medieval palazzi and Gothic-style archways that transport visitors back centuries with every turn.

Yet gondolas whisking passengers up to mountain trails over 2,000 metres above sea level contrast old-world ambience with the call of Dolomite adventures in the crisp mountain air high above romantic village rooftops.

Neighboring Riva del Garda and Torbole might claim watersports renown, but no Lake Garda locale blends intimate European charisma with high-altitude thrills like Malcesine.

Beyond the slopes, I suggest checking out the great views of the lake from Scaliger Castle, strolling seaside promenades for an evening gelato, or simply getting lost wandering the ancient lanes.

About the Author

Stefano is a seasoned travel expert and the visionary founder of MEL365.com, a leading travel website with traffic across 6 continents. With a rich background in the travel industry, Stefano spent four pivotal years at Amadeus Travel Distribution System, gaining invaluable insights into travel technologies and distribution.