Regular readers will already be aware that I’m a huge admirer of Lake Garda. Its activities, general vibe and natural beauty are hard to match anywhere in Europe. What I haven’t yet done though, is share my thoughts on where to stay in Lake Garda, based on your particular travel type.
This is necessary because, well, Lake Garda is massive, with quite different landscapes and vibes stretching across its gorgeous azure water. If you don’t do your research, you could find yourself isolated far away from the parts of the lake where you actually want to be spending most of your time doing activities.
However, you can pretty easily get bogged down in endless comparisons around which is town or village is best for solo travelers, couples, families etc. Equally, with dramatically different landscapes depending on if you choose to stay in the north, south, east or west, narrowing down your decision on where to base yourselves can become a confusing and time-consuming endeavour.
That’s where I come in, as I’ll guide you on the best places to stay around Lake Garda based on precisely what type of traveler you are. I’ll break things down by compass and by what each area is best known for so that you can quickly and easily identify your lake side Eden.
So grab yourself a cheeky glass of Bardolino, and let’s get looking and booking…
HOW LAKE GARDA'S GEOGRAPHY AFFECTS WHERE TO STAY
Lake Garda’s geography gives each part of the lake a unique feel, which matters a lot when choosing where to stay. As Italy’s largest lake, at about 52 km long and up to 17 km wide, it straddles three different Italian regions, Lombardy (west), Veneto (east), and Trentino-Alto Adige (north).
It has a very distinctive shape (cock and balls, anyone? Really….just me?!), which can be described as narrow and fjord-like in the north, and wider and more open in the south. The alps in the north give shelter to the lake, creating a mild micro-climate which in turn allows Mediterranean plants (olive trees, citrus, palms) to grow unusually far north.
North vs South
Much like the rest of Italy, Lake Garda has a distinct North/South divide. The north half of the lake (above Salo in the west & Garda in the east) is much narrower and deep, carved by ancient glaciers and framed by dramatic alpine mountains. Towns and villages up here often cling to cliffs and you’ll generally find a cooler climate.
The north retains a more adventurous alpine spirit, and is great if you’re into outdoor activities or if you prefer steeper, winding villages. The biggest draws in the north are Riva del Garda, Limone sul Garda and Malcesine.
The south, by contrast, is wider and flatter with a gentler landscape, surrounded by rolling fertile hills full of vineyards and olive groves. The big three towns along the southern lake shore are Desenzano (south west), Sirmione (south central), and Peschiera del Garda (southeast).
While the sheltered lake creates a relatively mild micro-climate everywhere, the south definitely feels more Mediterranean and relaxed, with easier access due to its larger flatter towns and beaches.
Southwest vs Southeast
Lake Garda’s western and eastern shores also offer two distinct experiences, shaped by the lake’s geography. The west side is generally steeper and more dramatic, with rocky cliffs often rising straight from deep water. Towns like Salò and San Felice del Benaco also favour travellers who value morning sunshine, a quieter atmosphere, and a more traditional, nature-focused stay.
The topography in the southeast is gentler, with a mix of hills, and flatter lakeside areas which tend to extend further inland. Places like Peschiera, Bardolino, Lazise, and Garda are lively, walkable, and really well set up for visitors, with plenty of beaches, long promenades, and cafes and restaurants. The east is ideal if you want convenience, a sociable vibe, and a good balance of picturesque, vibrant towns.
WHERE TO STAY IN LAKE GARDA?
As well as looking at how geography influences things, you should probably think about what type of traveler you are. Are you traveling with kids? Are you part of a couple looking for some lurve? Are you visiting primarily for food tourism? Or does your commitment to slow travel mean you’re rocking up without a car?
Whatever it is, I’ve broken down the best places to stay into those categories to make it easier for you, so let’s get stuck in…
FOR COUPLES
Lake Garda is so ridiculously romantic that you can’t really go wrong anywhere. But for those of you intent on bringing your full Barry White LP collection along, allow me to suggest the stunning cliff-side beauty of the north’s Limone sul Garda, and either Casa L’Andrunèl (mid-range) or the adults-only splurge option: EALA My Lakeside Dream, with its in-house Michelin starred restaurant by chef Alfio Ghezzi.
In Malcesine, almost directly opposite, two great mid-range options are Hotel Casa Barca – another adults-only hotel with comprehensive spa facilities, and Ambienthotel PrimaLuna 3S known for its wonderful lake views.
The ultimate eye-wateringly splurge option comes in the form of Villa Punta San Vigilio, a two-bedroom property with private pool in the tiny village of Punta San Vigilio, which has played host to Winston Churchill, as well as several members of the royal family (although let’s hope not Andrew).
Down south, the exclusive and ever-popular southern peninsular town of Sirmione beckons romantics with echoes of Maria Callas at sunset. Check out the no-holds-barred luxury option of Villa Cortine Palace Relais Chateaux, set in 4 hectares of truly gorgeous private grounds, or a relatively rare great value option in this most exclusive of towns, Hotel Casa Scaligeri.
Nearby Desenzano (arguably Lake Garda’s classiest town), serves up a somewhat quirkier stay in the town center at B&B Bellavista, or try Hotel Piccola Vela with its hot tub and pool very much designed with third base in mind.
BEST TOWNS FOR FAMILIES
If I had to choose a part of the lake that best suits families, it would be Lake Garda’s southeast. Here, the landscape is flatter, its towns have well-trodden, comprehensive infrastructure with loads of cafes, restaurants and shops, and there are loads of child friendly activities around. Narrowing it down further, I’d recommend staying in the town of Peschiera del Garda…
From Peschiera, Italy’s largest theme park, Gardaland, is just a 10 minute drive away, while there are other family-friendly activities (kayaking and paddle-boarding) available directly in town. Lake swimming is dead easy here as the water is shallow, with gradually shelving beaches compared with further north.
There are also two large water parks close by (Parco Cavour – just south of Peschiera, and Caneva Aquapark – which is part of the Movieland theme park between Peschiera and Lazise). Also, Jungle Adventure Park with its tree top trails and zip lines etc., is easily reachable by car just north of Garda.
In terms of where to stay, check out either Le Ali Del Frassino or Hotel Puccini for two very highly-rated family resorts in Peschiera. If you’re feeling brave, you could even stay directly in one of Gardaland’s three different themed hotels.
Where to Stay With Kids on the Westside (RIP Nate Dog!)
My love for Peschiera is not to say that there aren’t other family-friendly areas elsewhere. In the west, the calm, relaxing areas around San Felice del Benaco also boast easily accessible swimming for kids, as well as various family-oriented resorts which specialise in complete breaks for all ages. Furthermore, access to the north via ferry and bus is arguably better and less time-consuming from there.
Specifically, check out the wonderful and highly sought-after Fornella Camping and Wellness Family Resort. Loads of activities for kids, a mini market on site, tennis court, spa facilities, and a selection of comfortable beach side cabins to choose from.
ACTIVE TRAVELLERS & FAMILIES WITH OLDER KIDS
If you value being close to some of the best outdoor activities in the region, or you’re travelling with older children, staying in Riva del Garda is definitely worth considering.
Riva is the town located right at the northern tip of the lake. It’s surrounded by steep mountains, which makes it a great base for those who prefer active holidays full of adrenaline pumping experiences which make the most of the local environment (think canyoning, cable car rides to great hiking areas, sailing, windsurfing and kite surfing, biking, via ferrata, and even paragliding).
For where to stay, check out Parc Hotel Flora S, as they have an outdoor pool, a wellness center, with some rooms having private jacuzzis to sooth your weary bones once the adrenaline wears off 😉
WHERE TO STAY IN LAKE GARDA WITHOUT A CAR?
I reckon the best places to stay without a car are either Desenzano or Peschiera on the lake’s southern shoreline. These are the only towns anywhere around Lake Garda that have train stations, and their connections to nearby cities including Verona, Milan, and Venice are excellent.
Ferry connections from both towns are good, and if ferries are likely to be your primary mode of transport between villages, both Desenzano and Peschiera enable you to see the different geographic zones of the lake much easier than if you isolate yourselves without a car all the way up in the north.
Bus Lines in the West and East
The bus network on the eastern side of the lake is operated by ATV Verona Bus Lines. From Peschiera you can jump on line 164 which takes you up to Garda, while also stopping everywhere in between, including Gardaland, Lazise, Bardolino etc. From there you can then jump aboard the 484 line to explore the northern half of the lake up to Riva. Alternatively, take line 483 directly from Peschiera up to Malcesine.
Buses on the western side of the lake are operated by ARRIVA Brescia Bus Lines. From Desenzano they connect all lakeside towns on the southern shore with line 26, as well as most along the western shore on line 27, including Salò, Limone sul Garda, extending all the way to Riva. Here’s a link to their site so you can plan your own bus trips from Desenzano.
And if you change your mind and decide to hire a car on arrival, this is easily done in Desenzano.
Where to Stay
Check out La Vite 2.0 apartments in Desenzano or La Casa in Paese in Peschiera as both are close to their respective train station and have excellent reviews across the board.
FOR FOODIES AND WINOS
The best towns to stay in for wine lovers and foodies are either Bardolino, Lazise, Garda, or Peschiera del Garda, as all four towns make great bases from which to visit local wineries for tours and tastings.
Bardolino even lends its name to arguably the most famous DOC (controlled designation of origin) wine region around the lake, Bardolino DOC (surprise surprise). As you leave either Garda, Bardolino, or Lazise to the east you will encounter its vineyards after just a few minutes of travel.
You’ll also find the equally well-regarded Custoza DOC region, which begins just south of Lazise and extends around the villages of Pastrengo, Peschiera, and Custoza.
And if you’re happy to venture a little further eastward towards the city of Verona, you’ll also stumble into one of Italy’s most famous wine regions, Valpolicella – home to the highly-prized and rather unique Amarone wine. I talk about some of the best ways to experience these regions in my other post on things to do in Lake Garda, so if you love boozing then definitely check that out too for some great tours and tastings.
In Lazise, the 5* Hotel Quellenhof Luxury Resort is known for its exceptional food, while the town is also home to a pasta-making class which I took a couple of years ago, and enjoyed immensely!
Down in Pozzolengo, just south of Peschiera, you can even stay at the very highly-rated vineyard hotel at Cobue Wine Resort & Spa to enjoy wine tastings as well as spa and pool facilities.
Two more places in Bardolino to relax among the olive groves and vines is at either Agriturismo Costadoro or B&B Agriturismo Soleluna, where you can expect organic food, and local produce directly from the farms.
INTERACTIVE LAKE GARDA HOTELS MAP
For those of you that prefer to ignore all my carefully researched recommendations (no offense taken!), then go ahead and search by location using the interactive accommodation map below. You can even input the number of travellers and check availability and prices directly among various different providers. Drag the map around, zoom in and out, and have a good look at all the hotel and apartment options in the town you’re most interested in…
OUTRO (ROUND-UP & ADVICE FOR FIRST TIME VISITORS)
So there you have it – my recommendations on where to stay in Lake Garda based on your travel type.
If I was to sum up a few general things and my own views, I’d say that staying in the north will generally suit active travelers or romantics who want dramatic views, outdoor activities & great hiking or fresh mountain air. The south, on the other hand, is probably better for laid-back sightseeing, food, wine & culture, and classic lakeside charm.
And if you’re more of a generalist visiting Lake Garda for the first time, I reckon one of the southeastern towns will be the best spot for you, i.e. Peschiera, Lazise or Bardolino. On my first visit I stayed just outside of Peschiera, in a place called San Benedetto, and from there with a bike I found it really easy to ride into Peschiera and then take ferries to Lazise, Bardolino and Garda.
While all of these villages are relatively similar in terms of landscape and harbour side location, they all exude bucket loads of charm, and make for wonderful eating, drinking and people watching.
Peschiera, in particular, is an excellent choice for day trips to the other southern towns of Sirmione and Desenzano, and it has accommodation options to suit all budgets, in contrast with other more expensive towns like Sirmione, Limone, and Malcesine.
If you’re looking for things to do in Lake Garda then do read my post on that, and if you’re planning to visit Venice as well, you may like to know how to avoid its crowds!
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