Lakes, Lake Garda

Lake Garda was formed by glaciers at the end of the last ice age and is the largest lake in Italy. 70 Klm long and surrounded by mountains in the north, the lake offers the unique opportunity of skiing whilst looking down on the lake below during the winter months.

During the summer the villages around the lake are alive with summer festivals and celebration of the warmer months. A popular destination, it has good (pebbly) beaches with fresh clear water.

Why Lake Garda

• Centrally located for excursions
• Better value and potential than Lake Como
• Easy destination to arrive at

More about the area

The countryside around the south of the lake is given mainly to vinyards and olive groves thanks to the mild subtropical climate. Small villages dot the hillsides, often with small walled communities (like castles) that hark back to bygone eras.

Moving north up the lake, the terrain at the sides of the lake becomes steeper and the lakes narrower. At half way up the lake there is Monte Baldo on the Eastern side at 2200 mt and Mount Pizzocolo on the west at 1400 mt. creating wonderful and dramatic scenery. The villages in this area are either lakeside or hill communities taking advantage of richly vegetated valleys.

Activities in the area are many and varied. The lake is perfect for any type of watersport having good winds in the north and flat water in the south. There are several world class golf courses, countless walking, hiking and mountain bike trails, arguably the best amusementpark in Europe (Gardaland) and great wine and food.

Our rental properties in Lake Garda

Our self-catering holiday villas and apartments for rent are situated in the most advantageous localities of the Lake Garda area. See our vacation locality pages for Salo, Desenzano and Sirmione or conduct a global search for the holiday accommodation that suits your requirements.

Things to do in Lake Garda

• Catch ferries to visit the villages around the lake
• Walking, hiking, beach, sailing ….
• Visit the thermal springs and Sirmione
• Visit Gardaland amusement park
• Day trips to Verona, Mantua, Milan or Venice

Locality Links

Desenzano
Picturesque lakeside town at the south of Lake Garda, well connected by trains and freeways connecting Milan to Venice

Salo
One of the pearls of the Lake, Salo is tucked into a bay where the stylish antique village spreads out around the lake offering a beautiful long lakeside promenade

Riva del Garda
A busy windsurfing and kite surfing centre, Riva has a beautiful old town and beautiful views down the lake.

Malcesine
Beautiful sunsets over the lake and a short cablecar ride away from Monte Baldo (1700m)

Toscolano Maderno
Beautiful lakeside village half way up the western shore with breathtaking walks and views

Peschiera
Picturesque village on the south-eastern shore of the lake, well connected to Verona, Venice ...

Torri del Benaco
Small port and village under Monte Baldo on the eastern shores of Lake Garda

Albisano

Gardone Riviera
An exclusive resort area comprising 8 beautiful villages on the south eastern shore of the lake

Manerba
Prominent headland with several small villages and some of the best beaches on Lake Garda

Bardolino

Limone
Popular excursion destination for travellers wanting the dramatic scenery that Lake Garda offers.

Sirmione
Incredible peninsula at the bottom of Lake Garda, popular for excursions

Verona
Nearby Lake Garda, Verona has the second oldest Roman arena, was the fabled home to Romeo and Juliet and is famed for its beautiful marbled streets and buildings.

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