Lake Garda
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By Dion Protani
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Latest update: 21 January 2024
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Offering a captivating mixture between rugged mountain scenery, clear azure water and a sprinkling of delightful lakeside towns, it's no surprise that Lake Garda is one of Italy's most popular destinations.
With a total surface area of 370 km², Lake Garda is the biggest and best known lake in Italy covering three of the country's different regions: Lombardy (Lombardia), Trentino Alto-Adige and Veneto. From top to bottom the lake measures 51 km with the scenery between its northern and southern areas quite different. |
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Sheer cliffs at the northern end of the lake
The top (north) of the lake feels hemmed-in on all sides with the sheer cliffs standing guard over the water. If driving in this area for example you'll pass through tunnels of various shapes and sizes while vertiginous drops with spectacular scenery loom around each corner.
Parts of the north-western stretch of road can make you feel like you're driving along the Amalfi Coast Road but with the big difference of the land-mass and mountains on the opposite shore.
Compared to the narrow, thin northern section of the lake, the southern half, also known as Basso Garda ("Lower Garda"), takes a more circular form and is surrounded by gently rolling hills and verdant countryside interspersed with holiday resorts and larger towns alike.
Parts of the north-western stretch of road can make you feel like you're driving along the Amalfi Coast Road but with the big difference of the land-mass and mountains on the opposite shore.
Compared to the narrow, thin northern section of the lake, the southern half, also known as Basso Garda ("Lower Garda"), takes a more circular form and is surrounded by gently rolling hills and verdant countryside interspersed with holiday resorts and larger towns alike.
Lake Garda's geography
As well as covering three geographical regions, Lake Garda also spans three distinct provinces. The northernmost section of the lake belongs to Trento Province in the Trentino Alto-Adige Region, with most of the western shore belonging to Brescia Province (Lombardy Region) and the eastern shore to Verona Province (Veneto Region).
Sometimes referred to by its Latin name "Benaco", Lake Garda is famous for water sports, particularly in the northern section with its predictable winds providing succour to windsurfers and sailors alike; there are companies that hire out equipment as well as schools where you can take lessons.
Sometimes referred to by its Latin name "Benaco", Lake Garda is famous for water sports, particularly in the northern section with its predictable winds providing succour to windsurfers and sailors alike; there are companies that hire out equipment as well as schools where you can take lessons.
Lakeside resorts
Aside from its at times dazzlingly-blue water, the main attraction of Lake Garda lies with the dozens of pretty towns that are spread out along its shoreline.
The most populous town around the lake is Desenzano del Garda (around 28,000 residents) which lies at its south-eastern corner while some of the favourite destinations for tourists include the likes of Riva del Garda (Trentino) at the northern tip and the delightful Limone sul Garda (Lombardy) just a short drive south away.
Other highlights include the Roman town of Sirmione (Lombardy) with its castle and thermal spas while on the lake's eastern shores lies Malcesine (Veneto) with its tight, narrow streets and multi-coloured buildings.
The most populous town around the lake is Desenzano del Garda (around 28,000 residents) which lies at its south-eastern corner while some of the favourite destinations for tourists include the likes of Riva del Garda (Trentino) at the northern tip and the delightful Limone sul Garda (Lombardy) just a short drive south away.
Other highlights include the Roman town of Sirmione (Lombardy) with its castle and thermal spas while on the lake's eastern shores lies Malcesine (Veneto) with its tight, narrow streets and multi-coloured buildings.
Lake Garda travel
There are many ways to reach Lake Garda; if flying in from abroad the closest airport is Verona Villafranca Airport which is just a 20 minute drive to Peschiera del Garda (Veneto) while there are also domestic Italian flights to Brescia's Montichiari Airport to the west of the lake and around a 30 minute drive to Desenzano.
An alternative airport for international flights is Orio al Serio Airport serving Milan but closer to the city of Bergamo with a journey time of roughly one hour from the lake by car. The southern half of the lake is easy to reach by train with stations at Desenzano and Peschiera among others while for the northern section things get a little more complicated; the closest station being Rovereto which is a 45 minute bus ride from Riva.
Allowing for the irregular shape of the lake, a ring road circles it which is mainly single carriageway and narrow at times, particularly on the north-western section. The road passes through each of the main towns and whilst it can get very busy during peak season, some of the scenery is breathtaking and a circuit of the road itself can provide a memorable day out.
If you're not travelling by car or simply don't wish to drive then the easiest way to move around the lake is on the lake itself. There are roughly 30 stops dotted around the lake from where you can take ferries, catamarans and hydrofoils to each of the main destinations.
An alternative airport for international flights is Orio al Serio Airport serving Milan but closer to the city of Bergamo with a journey time of roughly one hour from the lake by car. The southern half of the lake is easy to reach by train with stations at Desenzano and Peschiera among others while for the northern section things get a little more complicated; the closest station being Rovereto which is a 45 minute bus ride from Riva.
Allowing for the irregular shape of the lake, a ring road circles it which is mainly single carriageway and narrow at times, particularly on the north-western section. The road passes through each of the main towns and whilst it can get very busy during peak season, some of the scenery is breathtaking and a circuit of the road itself can provide a memorable day out.
If you're not travelling by car or simply don't wish to drive then the easiest way to move around the lake is on the lake itself. There are roughly 30 stops dotted around the lake from where you can take ferries, catamarans and hydrofoils to each of the main destinations.
Lago di Garda
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Surface area: 370 km²
Provinces: Brescia, Trentino, Verona Regions: Lombardy, Veneto, Trentino Alto-Adige South Tyrol Transport options: car bus, train, ferry, hydrofoil Nearest airports: Verona (int'l), Brescia (domestic), Bergamo (int'l) Close by cities: Verona (Veneto), Brescia (Lombardy) Recommended hotel: Garni Gianmartin |
