Which Italian lake in spring?

[thetinsoldier]

Me and dh, young adult kids. Easter time.

looking for somewhere with lake walks, the possibility to do longer alpine walks, boat trips, things to do, great veggie food. Not sure if we will be hiring a car or travelling by train/local bus.

We’ve been to Lake Como, which was fab.

Any recommendations? 🙏

Lake Garda hands down. It’s very different from Como but in a good way - very wide, flat beaches, lots more to do. Plenty of veggie food. We walked for miles along the ‘coast’ of the lake and it was just wonderful

Good morning! Another early waker here! Having been to Lake Como, it’s Lake Garda that I love and return to. We like Desenzano for its easy access to the train station and ferries all over the lake. We’ll be returning next year. Flights go to Verona and it’s an easy transfer to various towns around the lake. Well don’t hire a car as train, bus and ferry transport is so good, but you could do.
You won’t be bored - plenty to do including walks, sightseeing, shopping, delicious food etc. it’s easy to get to other lake towns or further afield (Milan, Venice, Verona) for day trips, although other than Verona we stick to sightseeing round the lake.

Another vote for Lake Garda! Verona is gorgeous, do a boat trip from Sirmione on the lake, get the cable car at Monte Baldo, and if you like theme parks, Movieland is brilliant! As has been mentioned already, so many other places are accessible by train for day trips from Verona.

We're just back from Lake Garda. Nice but too touristy. I'd look at Lago Maggiore or something more mountainy, like Idro.

Not Italy, but Annecy in France fulfils your criteria.

We go to lake Garda every year but stay in a quiet non touristy location. The weather can be variable at Easter - could be cold / wet or warm/ sunny or both. My favourite lake is Lago d’Iseo as its very small and you aren't allowed to take cars on the island in the centre.

Como might still be chilly at Easter. Garda would be a better bet and too early in season to be crowded. The boats etc may be on a more limited timetable though.

This. We are currently here and it's far too crowded for me.

We are in Bardolino but I must say, I would go north to the mountain ranges.

But there are plenty of signs where it says that things are closed November to April and I would think that resorts are also very quite with maybe limitation about public transport. Do your research properly.

Lake Garda!

Lake Garda is my favourite place in the world, (see username) but you need to be careful with Easter. Some of the restaurants aren’t even open until late April.
And as always, like anywhere in Europe, you aren’t guaranteed good weather before at least May

Where did you stay on Como? The towns have quite different feels to them. I love Como, Maggiore, Lugano. Not so keen on Garda.

Maggiore. It’s a tad less touristy than the other two, but the piemontese side has a lot of lovely towns to visit. You can get a boat the the Borromeo islands near Stresa, a hydrofoil to Locarno in Switzerland for a nice day trip, or go hiking in the hills between Maggiore and Orta, you can visit lake Orta for a different vibe. Also mountain resorts are a short drive away, although they’re low lying so not much chance of skiing at Easter unless we get massive snowfalls next winter. Will you have a car? Out of season ish it’s easier to get around if you have a car and you can visit more places.

to stay I would advise Arona or Verbania. Stresa is nice to visit for a day but has become a bit tacksville and is more overpriced.

Milan is also in easy reach (1 hour on the train from Arona) and it’s quite pleasant temp wise in the spring.

Lake Garda is beautiful, but be aware that in 2027 Easter falls at the end of March, which is about as early in the calendar as it ever falls. This in turn means that the weather can still be on the chilly side and that many of the attractions, facilities and businesses won't actually be open as they typically don't open until mid to late April.

Thanks, all! Some great advice.

When I say Easter, I mean April/may.

just not the height of summer!!

Thank you. will do some research.

What were you expecting it to be, in August? 😅

Lake Garda x Enjoy your Aperol Spritz!

Indeed, much of Northern Europe descends on the Italian lakes in summer, the tunnels through the Alps have long queues. Should be easing now though.

Well, we arrived at the 27th August. Nearly back to school in most of England and most of the German states have also finished their Summer holidays.

But what I meant was more the infrastructure. We are in Bardolino and it feels like just an ongoing series of hotels, resorts and restaurants and shops catering for tourists. All the way south to Sirmione.

It got a bit better when we moved up the beaten track into the mountains for hikes. But I definitely wouldn't go here for a relaxing beach holiday. The same reason I don't really enjoy Majorca anymore that much.

Mottarone cable car is still closed, following the accident in 2021. It never reopened. Please document yourselves, I’d expect a travel company to know.

Stresa has become tacky town, better to stay in Arona.

https://www.sawdays.co.uk/detour/inspiration/3-days-in-lake-garda-itinerary/

we stay in Gargnano on the western side. Quiet and non touristy