Tips for Lake Garda

[NasiGoreng]

We have booked a week in Lake Garda in July. We are staying on the lake between Garda and Bardolino. In fact, I believe we can walk to both towns.

Any tips for what to do in these 2 places and also some must-do trips around Lake Garda. We will have our car with us.

Get up early and make it to the cable car in Malcesine by 8:30 am to go up Monte Baldo. You won't regret it to beat the crowds otherwise, it's a long wait.

Yes to Monte Baldo
Also drive to Sirmione
And get a boat across the lake
Fantastic restaurant in Garda if you like seafood - don't eat anything the whole day before you go though!!! About 10 courses - Al Graspo. Set price no menu - amazing value.

You can prebook the Monte Baldo cablecar to avoid queues. Sirmione is lovely but can get crowded, walk out to the Roman ruins on the headland and get a great vista to the north. Verona amphitheatre is impressive (even better see an opera!) and reasonable restaurants on the square.

You don't need a car.
Ferry to: Sirmione, Malcesine Gardone
Try an Aperol Spritz sitting by the lake in Garda

Lake Garda is breathtakingly beautiful.

Roads in peak season are gridlocked!

Stayed in Garda town last June and it was gorgeous. We didn’t have a car and not sure about driving and parking but it will give you the freedom to go wherever you want.

I agree Monte Baldo is a must, go early and take something warm to wear up there as it was chilly, 28 degrees in the town but cold up the mountain, and don’t wear flimsy shoes as there is quite a bit of walking up top. The views are amazing. And the old bit of the town of Malcesine is lovely, well worth a wander around.
Dh doesn’t do boats so we just got the bus everywhere. Very cheap and you can buy passes which works out even cheaper.
We went on the bus to Riva at the top of the lake which again is lovely and there is a nice walk along to Torbole from there. Beautiful. The scenery at the top of the lake is gorgeous.

We went on the bus to Verona. The city is stunning. Loved it.

Lake Garda is one of the best places I have been to and you will love it. Enjoy.

NasiGoreng and Whodeenie
where are you/did you stay? Place marked.
Had planned to go this summer but now looking at September. Thanks.

We stayed in Garda the first time we went. It is an excellent location for exploring the lake. I loved it.

We've stayed in Malcesine, Torbole and Gardone. Each has separate characteristics and tbh you have to be pretty determined to explore the opposite end of the lake if you stay at the other. West coast is less congested and touristy than East but less convenient for Verona and excursions other than by boat.

We went in August and the traffic was horrendous. Don’t get up early to go to Monte Boldo - get up really really early !

We are staying at The Germano Suites in Bardolino after much research. We have one of the apartments there. We wanted to be on the lake, have a pool and able to walk into Bardolino and we can also walk into Garda I believe.

The side of the lake around there has been paved and is very suitable for walking and cycling. The main problem will be dodging all the cyclists of which there are many. I'm jealous. I love Lake Garda.

LIZS I suspect the East side is busier because you keep the sun for longer and get to see the lovely sunsets.

We loved Limone.

Stayed in La Perla. Beautiful pool. Very near the bus terminus for trips and 5 mins to the lakeside.

Went last year and loved it so much we are going back this summer. We are further down in Pescheria though.

My only advice would be to try and sacrifice a night at the lake to spend in Verona. We did this as we had an early flight home the next day. Loved it so much there.

Lasize is also a beautiful town x

Do try and go to one of the markets. I believe the one in Garda is on a Friday.