The pleasures of an Italian summer are multiple: soft, buttery light draping picturesque streets, pizza drenched in creamy burrata, icy Hugo spritzes on tap, and delicious gelato. The list goes on.
After spending a week lounging about the shores of the magnificent Lake Garda, coming back to reality was no easy feat.
At 50km long, Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy. It’s located in the northeast of the boot-shaped country, spanning the three regions of Lombardy, Veneto and Trentino-Alto Adige.
With a surface area of 370 square kilometers and a balmy Mediterranean climate, being there feels like you’re at the seaside but also surrounded by majestic mountains.
The Lago di Garda region is known for Gardaland, a distinctly light and prestigious olive oil, lemons, cheese and renowned wines.
Despite these impressive credentials, Lake Garda is the lesser-known, less glamorous baby brother of Lake Como, but a gem nonetheless. If you’re looking for a more affordable, slightly less touristy lakeside getaway, and you’re not George Clooney, then this is your spot.
If you’re planning a trip to Italy, check out our Italy Travel Guide, where you’ll find a curated selection of articles to inspire you and help plan your trip.
Where to Stay in Lake Garda
I stayed at Residence La Corte Danese, a B&B that completely hit the mark. It is ideally located in the town of Torri del Benaco, has beautiful views, and is affordable.
The wraparound balcony afforded me 180-degree views of the lake and pool. Sipping a café latte on the balcony every morning, watching the sky light up, was a definite highlight. The fact that this pensione is located on a hilltop, a stone’s throw from the lake, definitely adds to its appeal.
The rooms are spacious and clean, but nothing fancy. They’re all equipped with small kitchens, including a stove, oven, microwave, and fridge-freezer. We generally ate a crispy cornetto and coffee for breakfast at home. Lunches were salami or prosciutto panini, pesto pastas, or fresh tuna salads eaten poolside.
Note: Not all the rooms have expansive views and spacious balconies, so make sure you ask for one that does; it’s worth it.
Unforgettable Dining
Dinner was the big spettacolo of the day, and it never disappointed. My pensione was a short stroll from the centro storico (center), where all the restaurants, shops, and entertainment were.
Every night I tried a different trattoria, ristorante or taverna. Generally speaking, a taverna typically offers the most basic type of food and the lowest prices and a trattoria is a middle-of-the-road restaurant, with average prices and usually more offerings than a taverna. For a more upscale dining experience, with a price to match, look for a ristorante.
Meals ranged from luscious and light caprese salads, billowy-crusted pizzas, and homemade pastas to mouthwatering seafood risottos and perfectly crisp fritto misto (mixed fried fish).
My mission on this holiday was to relax, eat good food, and absorb the culture. This is not the place to go if you’re looking for a vibrant nightlife or intellectual stimulation. However, if you’re looking for a dose of languid pleasures, then Torri del Benaco is the place for you.
Evening entertainment entailed dinner, the quintessential passeggiata (stroll) along the lake’s shore, and random pockets of typical Italian entertainment such as a floating pirate-themed song-and-dance show and a festa, complete with stage singers, dancers and fireworks.
The truth is, being in Italy really is food for the soul. There’s something about the way the sun paints the sky, the history of the buildings, and the energy of the people that come together to remind you what life is all about.
Read More: Italy’s Lake District: Kayaking, Castle Hikes, and Villa Tours at the Swiss Border
Day Trips and Diversions
If you tire of simply relaxing and enjoying the food, scenery and atmosphere, there are some wonderful diversions.
Gardaland Resort
I had great plans to take the kids to Gardaland, a Disney-like amusement park, Italian-style. However, with temperatures reaching 32-35°C, no one could quite muster up the energy to stand in queues in the baking sun.
It’s definitely worth visiting in the cooler months, though. You can get a 1-day pass online for starting at €39. Check the Gardaland website for current ticket pricing, as rates vary by season.
Limone sul Garda
A boat trip to the picturesque, mountainside town of Limone sul Garda makes for a great day trip when you feel the need to leave the lake. The lemon-everything town is home to a restored 18th-century lemon house, Limonaia del Castel, which you can tour for a very reasonable price.
Lemon houses were originally greenhouse-type structures constructed on terraced slopes to protect the fragrant fruit from the winter frosts. The ticket includes a museum visit and spectacular views of the lake.
Located on the northwestern side of Lake Garda, this delightful town is definitely a must-see, if only for the creamy yet refreshing lemon ice cream you’ll find on every corner.
But, be warned, you will need to arrive mentally prepared for serious elbow jostling with swarms of sweating tourists, yourself included.
The Full-Day Lake Garda Tour on Viator is worth considering if you want to see more of the lake, with stops in Limone and other towns plus a boat ride to wrap up the day.
Markets
Check local sites for market days, as they tend to stick to set days and are well worth a visit if you’re looking to pick up some bargains.
There was a beautiful little market one night in Torri del Benaco, with gorgeous bags at a fraction of the price of those you get in shops, as well as olive oil, sweet delicacies, and the usual high-fashion knock-offs.
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Author Bio: Julia Riccardi is a Johannesburg-based copy editor, proofreader, and writer with a deep love for language and words. She loves to travel and is inspired by the sights, sounds, aromas, and flavours of the world.
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