Where is the best place to live on Lake Garda. A trip to Lake Garda: where to stay for foreign tourists? Castle in Padeng

Details Liya Usmanova, photo: Natalya Studenkova March 02, 2019 Garda

Lake Garda in northern Italy: how to plan a route, where to swim and what cities to see - I will answer these and other questions and tell you where else to go if you are staying on this lake

I like Lake Garda at any time of the year - the views of the mountains and lake are mesmerizing even in cloudy weather. Little ones cozy towns They delight you with ancient houses and castles. Germans, Austrians and Swiss like to relax here - residents of these countries can easily get here. Russian speech is also heard often.

Like Como, people of different incomes relax here - both billionaires and European pensioners. Not far from expensive villas you can rent a budget apartment or a room in a guest house.

Lake Garda in Italian - Lago di Garda. Italy's largest lake is fed by the glacial waters of the Alps. The length of the lake is 52 km, maximum width is 17 km. The northern part of the lake is narrow, similar to fjords: here the mountains approach the very shore. In the southern part, Garda is much wider, the terrain is more flat, and the mountains are visible only in the distance.

When to go to Lake Garda and how to dress

The weather on Lake Garda is slightly different in the north and south. I'll bring you average temperature and I’ll tell you how to dress and what to take with you. This information can be used as a basis, but keep in mind that the weather is different every year.

June, July and August

Summer on Garda.

Sirmione in August.

June is a wonderful month: air temperature up to 25 degrees, lots of sun.
Most tourists come in July and August. Prices for hotels and dinners in restaurants are high at this time.
The guidebooks write that due to the proximity of the Alps, in summer it is not as hot on Garda as on the Adriatic or Mediterranean coasts. “Not hot” is relative here. The temperature in July-August is up to +30 degrees. This is not comfortable for those who do not like heat.
There are thunderstorms in summer. They don't last long, but they rumble loudly.
Unlike Lake Como, there are many beaches. Swimming season is from June to August. The water in the southern part of the lake warms up to +26-27 degrees. In the northern part, the water is a couple of degrees colder. An alternative to swimming in the lake is the thermal baths in the southern part of the lake. These are the names of pools with hot water from underground sources, usually at hotels.
Pack clothes as if you were going to a resort. Warm clothes are worth taking for trips to the mountains. Slippers that fit your feet will be useful for entering the water over pebbles.

September

September is sunny and warm, temperatures up to +24. Just like in the summer, thunderstorms thunder. There are fewer tourists as holidays and holidays are over. By the middle of the month, only a few swim - the water quickly cools down. You need summer clothes, something warm for the evening, a windbreaker for hiking in the mountains.

October and November

I love looking at the lake framed by gold and red leaves. Roses, pansies and something else are still blooming. There are still many days in October when the daytime temperature reaches +19. You need a light autumn jacket, jeans, and a sweater.
By the end of the month it gets colder, usually sharply. At this time, you already need a warmer jacket.
In November - +11-14 degrees, but snow may also fall. There are fewer and fewer leaves on the trees. Need a fall jacket. It gets foggy after lunch. Heavy rains are rare, drizzle is more common. It is worth taking an umbrella or a cape over your clothes.

December and January

It's festive and beautiful on the lake at Christmas. But after the New Year, many restaurants and hotels close until Easter. There are supermarkets and restaurants for local residents. Sirmione, Riva and Desenzano remain more or less lively.
Relaxation for everyone. Temperature - +5-10 degrees, often humid and windy. Sometimes wet snow. But there are also many sunny days. In winter, people on Garda dress like in Moscow or St. Petersburg in October-early November - a warm autumn jacket or a light winter down jacket, it depends on your cold tolerance.

February March

In February, nature wakes up and spring is felt in the air. Sunny days alternate with cloudy and foggy ones. Flowers are already blooming in the flower beds. You need an autumn jacket, jeans or trousers, low shoes or sneakers. Air temperature - +8-10 degrees.
At the beginning of March it is joyful, sunny, bushes and trees begin to bloom. Although the weather is unpredictable, snow may fall. At the end of March up to +13 degrees, cold in the evenings. Fog and rain are possible.

April and May

In May, near Garda.

A wonderful time to go to the lake. Warm, joyful from the sun and greenery, few people. In April it is up to +17, there are many sunny days, camellias and azaleas bloom. In May, the temperature on other days reaches +22. It's still cold to swim. The lake is deep and warms up slowly. Fog and rain are possible.

Where are the most beautiful views on Lake Garda?

View of Riva del Garda.

From the city of Garda and above. The lake narrows to the north, the mountains approach the water. WITH eastern shore The views are better than from the west. The TOP 4 for scenic views are occupied by Malcesine, Limone sul Garda, Riva del Garda and Torbole.

Which roads are the most beautiful?

Road from Riva del Garda.

East coast of Garda.

Around the lake there is a road 260 km long. The sections from Torbole to Malcesine and some sections from Malcesine to Bardolino are considered the most photogenic. The Riva-Torbole section partially runs along the coast. There are many tunnels from Riva to Limone.

What is the relief like in cities?

All hotels are near the lake, but at different altitudes.

Peschiera and Sirmione are almost flat. In the rest, the terrain is hilly to one degree or another. So, when choosing a hotel, consider how high you will have to climb. On the map the object is next to the lake, but in reality it is on a hill.

Como or Garda: where to go

It depends on the route and purpose of the trip. Both lakes are wonderful.

Where to swim on Lake Garda: beaches

There are many beaches on Garda, most of them are pebbly and rocky, as well as grass. There are sandy ones at hotels.
Paid beaches with sunbeds and sun loungers cost from 3.5 to 12 € per 1 day. The sandy beaches, suitable for families with children, have trampolines and other entertainment. There are paid parking lots near the beaches. Cost - 1.5 - 3 € per hour. Free beaches a lot, that's not a problem.
The peculiarity of the lake is that the water level sometimes suddenly rises by 20-30 cm. This is due to a drop in atmospheric pressure. The tide lasts from a few minutes to several hours, and sometimes the whole day.

How to choose a beach

The beaches on Lake Garde are different, so you need to decide what is important to you.

1. Is it necessary quiet deserted beach, a beach equipped for families with children, or beach with bars and restaurants, where music constantly pours out.

2. The water is clear where the beaches are pebbly or rocky. On sandy water often cloudy. Sometimes algae washes up on the beaches, and reeds grow along the shores.

3. Water temperature. In the north of the lake the water is colder, but the scenery is more picturesque. South part It is attractive because the water here is 2-3 degrees warmer, and there are also thermal baths - pools with thermal water.

1. Spiaggia Tifu beach in Limone sul Garda

A pleasant place for a family holiday.

2. Parco Baia delle Sirene near the town of Corno

Paid beach in the park area. Restaurants, gelaterias (ice cream shops), tennis tables, children's entertainment, etc. A 1-day ticket in the summer of 2018 cost 12 euros.

3. Salo

Pebble beach with piers that are great for jumping into the water. The place is liked by both people with children and young people. Sun loungers are available at Mokai Beach Bar.

4.Desenzano

Beach in Desenzano.

Pebble and rocky beaches. There are a lot of young people, music is constantly playing in bars.

5. Malcesine

Not a bad place if combined beach holiday and cultural tourism.

6. Sabbioni Beach in Riva del Garda

An option for those who are interested aquatic species sports including windsurfing and kayaking. There is a path along the beach with bars, cafes, and gelaterias.

7. Lazise

Sandy beach in Lazise handsome. Part of the beach, however, is occupied by a campsite, but there are also free places.

8. Sirmione

Beach in Sirmione

Sirmione has several beaches. Jamaica Beach ( Giamaica Beach small, crowded during the season. The beach is rocky, with slabs near the shore that people like to walk on - it’s fun, but slippery. This beach has a section with free thermal mineral water. Water from the thermal baths is drained here, more on that below.

How to get to Lake Garda

Ferry on Lake Garda.

From Milan, Bergamo, Venice, Verona, take the train to the town Desenzano del Garda. Schedule on trenitalia.com.
From Verona it is 20 minutes by train, ticket 4.5 €. From Milano ( Milano Centrale) – from 1 hour 20 minutes, ticket from 9 €. From Bergamo - with a transfer to Rovato or Treviglio, and also (more expensive) through Brescia.
Boats leave from Desenzano del Garda in different directions. For example, the ferry takes 20 minutes to Sirmione and the ticket costs 5 €.
There are many other options, see schedules:
- buses from Brescia, Trento, Verona and along the western bank of the Garda.
- buses on the eastern part of Lake Garda.
Schedule of boats on the lines Desenzano – Peschiera – Riva del Garda And Maderno– Torri on the shipping company website.
There are also small boats that do not run according to a schedule, but when they are full. They are often cheaper than larger ones.
Please note that buses and trains may be late from time to time.

Where to stay, hotel prices

If you are going to Garda, then you need to look for a hotel or guesthouse in advance. Moreover, the sooner, the greater the chances of finding something decent for an adequate amount. The place is popular, and Europeans sometimes plan their vacation a year in advance. True, sometimes you manage to grab an inexpensive refusal number literally on the eve of your trip. From the second half of July and in August, prices everywhere in Garda are high and many good places busy.

You can see hotel prices on the map:

Where to stay closer to Verona

Sirmione, Lazise

Amusement parks on Garda

In the southern part of Lake Garda there is the most popular amusement park in Italy, Gardaland, with attractions for visitors of all ages, and an aquarium nearby. Gardaland is very popular place, in 2018 it was visited by 2.8 million people.
A little further north is Movieland - theme park with attractions based on popular films, there are also attractions for kids.

Restaurants and supermarkets

Restaurant on the shores of Lake Garda.

In resort towns there are many trattoria and pizzerias with colorful interiors and a variety of dishes. Prices are a little higher than average, designed for European tourists. Lunch time starts from 13:00, dinner - from 19:00. At this time, everyone rushes to restaurants, and there are queues in popular places.

I advise you to look for specific addresses by names of supermarkets on Google maps: type in the search Conad Limone Sul Garda or COOP Sirniome and find the address. Here are the names of supermarkets that are on the lake: COOP, Carrefour, Conad, Lidl, EuroSpar. Or search without a name, just supermercato, but a lot of unnecessary stuff will pop up.
Don't forget about the markets, prices are lower there, and local residents They do their shopping at the markets.
On the central streets there are many shops with gifts and souvenirs, clothing and accessories. Souvenir shops sell ceramics and forged items, but the quality of workmanship does not always correspond to the price. Ceramics are only suitable for kitchen decoration, and they are unlikely to be used for their intended purpose.

Is it safe to holiday on Garda

This is a safe place. You can calmly walk around the neighborhood, relax, go to bars. Within reason, of course. Crime cases happen everywhere.
Natural hazards: bears and poisonous snakes live in the mountains. The chances of meeting them are extremely small, but you need to know about them. There are ticks and mosquitoes below. Anti-mosquito products are more expensive than in Russia.
Be careful on the roads - Italians often break the rules.

Which towns on Garda are worth visiting?

Southern part of the lake

Sirmione

Castle of the Scaligers.

Archaeological zone.

A popular tourist town on the Garda is Sirmione (8 thousand inhabitants). It is located at the end of a cape that extends far into the lake

Tall pine trees and ancient villas, with water approaching from both sides - this is the picture that opens when you drive onto the cape. On the shore and at the beginning of the cape, in front of Sirmione, there is the village of Colombare, where you can also rent apartments and villas, there are cafes and shops.
After driving along a narrow isthmus, you find yourself in a parking lot in front of Sirmione, which is actually an island because it is separated from the cape by a moat.

The area is very green, along the alleys there are oleanders, pines, shrubs, palms and olive trees. From the embankment there is a stunning view of the lake, the opposite shore with houses above the water and the Alps in the haze in the distance. Swans and ducks swim near the shore, and even go out for a walk on the steps, which delights tourists. It's even more beautiful here in the evening. The sunset in the sky and the lights of the buildings create a fabulous view.
Sirmione itself begins with a well-fortified castle Castello dei Scaligeri, built in the 13th century by the Verona Scaliger family, which owned the city at that time. Later the city came under the rule of the Venetian Republic. Back in the era of the Roman Empire, there was a resort here; the rich residents of Verona had villas here.

To get to the castle, you need to cross the bridge. The moat surrounding the castle also serves as a marina - motor boats and speedboats are moored here. The fortress in Sirmione is the steepest on Lake Garda. For 6 € you can walk around the fortress walls and climb the towers. With a combined ticket for 12 € you can also see the Grottoes of Catullus, more about them below.
Behind the castle begin the quarters of Sirmione, typical of Italian cities, with stone houses with tiled roofs and palm trees. But the streets end on the shore, near the water. Life is in full swing until nightfall - there are dozens of hotels, restaurants, bars. The shops Armani, Dolce & Gabbana And Versace are adjacent to souvenir shops that sell trinkets, T-shirts and beach towels.

If you step aside, you will find yourself on quiet medieval stone streets. Next begins a calm green area where there is a spa complex, hotels and villas, and the Lido del Biondi beach. At the end of the cape there is a zone archaeological excavations and the grotto of Catullus. These are the remains of a villa that supposedly belonged to the ancient Roman poet Catullus. Close to via Catullo, 9 lived the famous opera singer Maria Callas. Now this is a hotel Villa Callas Diana Sirmione.

The rapid development of tourism in Sirmione began after the discovery of the healing properties of the local thermal spring. Water rich in minerals helps with joint diseases, rheumatism, psoriasis, etc. Some hotels have swimming pools with thermal water, and guests can swim in them freely. Or live somewhere else and buy a ticket to the thermal baths. This is not a cheap pleasure.
Sirmione has several spa hotels and several dozen cheaper hotels and apartments. You can see prices, for example, on the Hotellook website.
You can sit in the thermal water for free. On the beach Giamaica Beach We were near the grotto of Catullus in the spring, still in warm jackets, and were surprised that people were sitting and lying there. Excess flows from the pipe here mineral water, and local residents and tourists take advantage of this - they fenced the area with stones. The hot water of the spring and the cold water of the lake mix. The water temperature, depending on the season, is +30-35 degrees. The beach smells like rotten chicken eggs - the smell of hydrogen sulfide. From the Scaliger Castle it takes 15 minutes to walk here.

Peschiera del Garda

Sunrise in Peschiera del Garda

The city of Peschiera del Garda (11 thousand inhabitants) is not so popular as a resort, however, two whole objects in it are included in the list World Heritage UNESCO - a historical center inside the defensive walls and remains of prehistoric pile settlements in the Alps

The city is quite small and surrounded by fortified walls.
IN Tourism Peschiera InfoPoint- office tourist information- on Piazza Cesare Betteloni, 15 There are employees with knowledge of Russian. In the office you can buy transport tickets, get a schedule, and book an excursion. During the low season it is only open on weekends. On Mondays there is a large market next to the office, there are supermarkets in the city Lidl And Eurospar.
Peschiera is convenient from a logistics point of view. There is a ferry port here, Train Station, regular buses, it is next to the motorway. From here to Verona - 20 minutes by train, it is also easy and convenient to get to Milan, Venice and cities on the lake. This is a big advantage, since not all towns on the Garda have good connections with other settlements. It is also close to Gardaland, Movieland and other attractions, so families with children planning to visit these parks will find it convenient to live here.

Sigurta

Sigurt Park.

August in the park.

8 km from Peschiera there is the beautiful Sigurta Park - Parco Giardino Sigurta in the town of Valeggio sul Mincio

People walk around the park, ride in golf carts, and there is a sightseeing train. You can have lunch in the village of Borghetto, although it is a tourist place, everyone really likes it. And also take a walk to the ruins of the Scaliger Castle (it is visible from the park). In 2019, the operating schedule of Sigurty Park is as follows: from March 8 to November 10: from 9:00 to 19:00, in early March, October and November - from 9:00 to 18:00. The ticket office closes an hour earlier. The ticket costs 14 €.

Desenzano del Garda

Embankment in Desenzano.

Castello in Desenzano.

Desenzano del Garda (29 thousand inhabitants) is the most Big city on the lake and a mecca for shopping and restaurant lovers

This city comes alive in the afternoon. Vacationers walk along the embankments past numerous boats and yachts. At night, it is a paradise for party and nightclub lovers. People from surrounding towns come here to have fun.
This expensive place. Therefore, there is a reason to stay somewhere else and come here for half a day. Desenzano - beautiful city, and it's worth a stroll through its winding streets.
I would recommend walking to the castle Castello di Desenzano, from there most wonderful view to the city and lake. Only big fans of castles should go inside - it's mostly new. Masonry remains from antiquity former walls lock, which is visible under the glass on the floor.
Excavation of the ruins of a Roman villa ( Villa Romana and Antiquarium) is another attraction of Desenzano. The villa has restored mosaics on the floor and the remains of an ancient underground heating system. A combined ticket entitles you to visit Villa Romana and fortresses.
The city also has railroad station, from where trains go to Verona, Venice and Milan. On high speed train It takes 1.5 hours to get to Venice, and less than an hour to Milan. The station is 1 km from the lake - walk uphill or take the local bus.

Padenghe sul Garda

Castle in Padeng.

Medieval festival in Padeng.

Padenghe sul Garda (4.6 thousand inhabitants) - Small town ok so medieval castle on the mountain

IN Castello(castle) there are still people living there. In the second half of August, a two-day Medieval Festival takes place here - a market for ancient crafts is open, knightly tournaments, a costume procession, etc. are held.

Gardone Riviera

Gardone.

Residential building in Gardone.

Gardone Riviera (2.6 thousand people) on the western shore of the lake is a small tourist town

In Gardone, it is pleasant to stroll along the promenade, enjoying the amazing views. Sometimes it feels like you're at sea.
Villa Fiordaliso, where Mussolini once lived, is located 1 km from the city center. Now this is an expensive hotel Villa Fiordaliso. Below are the main attractions of this city.

Villa Vittoriale

A visit to Villa Vittoriale takes several hours.

The most famous landmark of Gardone is the Villa Vittoriale ( Il Vittoriale degli Italiani), where the famous Italian poet, politician and pilot Gabriele d'Annunzio (1863-1938) lived.
To be honest, I didn’t know anything about this lean man with a Salvador Dali mustache. And the personality is extraordinary. He proclaimed and for 16 months headed the Republic of Fiume, which no one in the world except the USSR and Catalonia recognized. Its constitution stipulated that every citizen of Fiume should receive a musical education. So Villa d'Annunzio is something. Here, among the cypress trees, all sorts of things are displayed - from old shells and an amphitheater to a blue horse and a destroyer. Half a day flies by instantly. The house itself is also worth going to. You are allowed inside only with a guided tour in English and Italian , but they give printouts in Russian. A ticket to the garden and house in 2019 costs 16 €.

Botanical Garden André Heller

IN botanical garden Andre Heller collected 3 thousand plant species.

A minimum of 1 hour is required to visit the garden.

Botanical Garden Giardino Botanico Fondazione André Heller founded by dentist Arthur Grushka, who treated Nicholas II. He was fond of botany and collected a collection of exotic plants - he brought magnolias, primroses, and irises from the Himalayas, Australia, and New Zealand. He collected 3 thousand plants on 1.5 hectares. Artificial ponds, gorges and waterfalls add charm. In 1988, the garden was purchased by the Austrian artist Andre Heller, and now the garden is managed by his foundation. Entrance - 12 €.

Saló del Garda

Salo has the longest embankment in Garda.

Salo is a calm town.

The town of Salo (10 thousand inhabitants) on the southwestern shore of the lake in the shadow of Monte Bartolomeo is not as publicized as others, but deserves attention

This city has the longest promenade on Lake Garda Lungolago- with picturesque views, yachts, cafes and restaurants. Lard is also suitable for sports and fishing. On Saturdays there is a market here, popular with locals.

Portese

Portese is a tiny quiet town where three hundred people live

The easiest way to get here without a car is by ferry, since the train station is far away. Ideal place, if you don’t like fuss and crowds. The beach is pebble, but there are large stones from which people jump into the water. The beach is never crowded.

Northern part of the lake

Malcesine

Malcesine (4 thousand inhabitants) is considered the most beautiful in Garda. Mountain landscapes, tiled roofs, resort atmosphere - this is what attracts tourists

The city is small but densely built up. Attractions are located compactly, within a 5-10 minute walk. There is also a Scaliger fortress here ( Castello Scaligero), its history begins in the 6th century AD. It was destroyed, restored, and changed many owners.
Lots of shops in the center. On the outskirts of Malcesine, north of the city, there is sandy beaches, but they are small. And the sand there is coarse.
Malcesine - starting point for the cable car ride up the mountain Monte Baldo(1700 m). The view of the lake from a height of 2 thousand meters is magical, and this must see!
Look for the cable car following the signs for Funivia Malcesine. Address - Malcesine, Via Navene Vecchia, 12. From the pier - 10 minutes walk. The carriages can accommodate 30 people and the ascent takes 20 minutes. During the season there are queues, sometimes for 2 hours: first to the ticket office, then to the ski lift. It is optimal to arrive at opening at 8 o'clock. If you have time, you can go down the trails on foot. Schedule and cost on the cable car website, you can also buy a ticket here. On the same site there are routes for walking in the mountains. It is more profitable to buy a combined ticket for the castle + funicular. Monte Baldo popular with cyclists and paragliders. There is a farm of alpacas, artiodactyls from South America. Don't forget warm clothes, it is windy and cool at the top.

Riva del Garda

Center of Riva del Garda.

Promenade of Riva del Garda.

Riva del Garda (17.5 thousand inhabitants) is the northernmost and second largest city on Lake Garda. Favorite place those who love mountains and hiking.

This town was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until 1918. The beaches here are mostly rocky.
The medieval fortress (1508) houses the city museum MAG Museo Alto Garda with paintings from different eras, weapons and clothing, ancient tools. The symbol of the city is the Apponal Tower ( Torre Apponale), which is depicted on postcards. 2 €, 165 steps up - and admire the view of the lake.
I recommend going up to the chapel Santa Barbara. The trail is beautiful, although steep and rocky in places. Not very prepared people spend 1.5-2 hours climbing. The chapel is tiny, in front of it is a two-level recreation area. In the evening the church is illuminated.
The 11 km long walking route to the waterfall is popular Ponale. It goes from Riva del Garda to the Ledro Valley, the elevation gain is 600 meters. The route is wonderful and does not require special preparation. Cyclists love this route.
From Riva you can go to Villa Canale, an authentic medieval village protected by UNESCO. Everything here has been preserved as it was 300-400 years ago. The village is 12 km away, but on mountain roads.

Limone Sul Garda

Limone sul Garda (1.2 thousand inhabitants) - a picturesque mountain town on the opposite bank from Malcesine

Dishes, ceramics, textiles - everything here is painted with lemons. And of course, limoncello, a liqueur infused with lemon zest, is sold everywhere, although it is mostly produced in the south of Italy.
The indigenous inhabitants of this city are carriers of the longevity gene. They are less likely than others to suffer from atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases.
Several small beaches are pebble. Remember the car chase along the lake in the James Bond movie Quantum of Solace? This part was filmed right here.

Where else to go if you're staying in Garda

Isola del Garda

tiny island Isola del Garda located in the commune of San Felice del Benaco / San Felice del Benaco in the southwest of the lake.
The length of the island is 1 km, width - up to 600 m. This is a private territory that belongs to an aristocratic family. The place is interesting: there is a villa in the Gothic Venetian style, reminiscent of the Doge's Palace in Venice, and a luxurious garden with a collection of roses.
How to get to the island of Garda: take a tour, the schedule is published on the official website of the island of Garda. You need to select your departure city and reserve a tour (in English, Italian or German). You can only get to the island during certain hours. Allow three hours for the trip, including the journey to the island.

Parco Natura Viva Zoo and Safari Park

The park consists of two zones: a safari park (excursion by car) and a wildlife park (on foot). An adult ticket for both parts in 2019 costs 22 €. Best time visits - during feeding, around noon, when the animals go to the feeders. On holidays and weekends the park is crowded. Address: Bussolengo 40, Località Figara.
The park is closed from January 7 to March 7.

Parco Grotta Cascata Varone

Near Riva del Garda there are small lakes Ledro and Tenno. Don't miss it on your way to Tenno Parco Grotta Cascata Varone With beautiful waterfall. Although on the map it is next to Riva del Garda, it’s difficult to reach on foot, you have to go up the serpentine road. You can take a taxi. The ticket costs 6 €.
Park opening hours:
January-February from 10:00 to 17:00,
March - from 9:00 to 17:00,
April - from 9:00 to 18:00,
May, June, July, August - from 9:00 to 19:00,
September - from 9:00 to 18:00,
October - from 9:00 to 17:00,
November and December - from 10:00 to 17:00.
The ticket office closes an hour earlier.

Parco delle Cascate di Molina

Waterfalls Park in Molina - budget at least 3 hours for a visit, or better yet the whole day. There are two walking routes in the park: the shorter one is marked in red, the longer one is marked in black. On the “black” route the views are more beautiful. There are queues for tickets at the height of the season. The ticket costs 6 €.
Park operating schedule in 2019:
from March 31 to September 30 - daily from 9.00 to 19.30 (last entry at 17.30),
from October 1 to November 4 - daily from 10.00 to 18.00 (last entry at 16.00),
from November 5 to March 30 open on Sundays and holidays from 10.00 to 15.30 (last entry at 14.00). The park is closed from December 21 to January 5. In winter it closes in case of unfavorable weather.

Sanctuary of the Mountain Madonna

In the mountains of the eastern part of the lake there is a church Santuario Madonna della Corona, carved into the rock. You can get there from the village of Spiazzi on foot or by bus. Stop at the trattoria Speranza. Round trip ticket 3 €.

Viewpoint at Santuario Di Montecastello

Church Santuario Di Montecastello next to Gardola on the western shore of the lake - people come here for the views of the lake.

Thermal Park del Garda in Cola

The thermal park in Cola in the mountains (see map near Lazise) is an artificial lake with a grotto and a jacuzzi. The water temperature in its different parts is +35-39 degrees. Transparent plastic curtains are installed from the building where the cafe, sauna, bar is located to the entrance to the water during the cold season.

Trento and Rovereto

Countless tourists flock to Italy just to look at the historical beauties of Rome and Florence. If you turn your attention a little further north, you can unexpectedly discover most beautiful region mountain lakes that are worthy of a separate trip. For example, Lake Garda.

Now we will analyze in detail the rest on this largest lake northern Italy, we will work out the issues transport accessibility, attractions and recreation features.

It’s probably worth starting with this lake – Lado di Garda, since this is the most big lake(370 km2) in northern Italy. It borders three regions at once - Trentino-Alto Alige, Veneto and Lombardi. The northern narrow part of the lake goes deep between two mountain ranges, which is why the landscapes here are somewhat reminiscent of the Norwegian fjords.

To begin with, I would like to suggest watching a video about a vacation on Lake Garda from my favorite channel “How are we doing there” (there are only 3 videos in the series, if you like it, look for the continuation):

Lago di Garda is located right in the middle between Milan and Venice, so it would be wise to stop here for swimming and sunbathing if you plan to travel between these cities. Nearest Big City — Verona– located 40 km from the town of Garda. There is a very well-developed bus connection between them, so renting a car to get here is not at all necessary.

How to get to Lake Garda

Closest to the lake international Airport is located in Verona, so if the purpose of the trip is the lakes, it would be wiser to fly to Verona. A ticket for the S7 plane Moscow – Verona at the end of August will cost 6,600 rubles. without luggage and 8700 rub. with luggage.

The distance from Verona to the nearest towns on the coast is about 30-40 km. But in order to plot the exact route, first decide which part of the lake you want to stop at and whether you want to go inland to see up close the shaggy mountains that start right from the shore. We will consider several route options.

Cities on Lake Garda

There are many picturesque towns around Lake Garda, and each of them has something to offer tourists. We will tell you about several cities that are the most popular among travelers and the most convenient in terms of transport accessibility.

Peschiera

How to get to Peschiera del Garda

From Verona: From central station Verona to Peschiera del Garda station there is a train running several times an hour, travel time is 15 minutes, cost is 3.35 €.

From Milan: You can also arrive by direct train from Milan. Travel time is 1.5 hours, cost of the trip is 10.50 €.

Attractions of Peschiera

Peschiera del Garda is a charming town south coast lakes, and of all the above-mentioned cities it is closest to Verona. central part the town will appeal to fans nightlife– there are many cafes and restaurants that are quite crowded in the evenings.

Despite the fact that the city is very small (10 thousand people), there are also interesting sights here, for example, the old fortress, where military operations took place during the Austro-Italian War in 1848 - it is quite gloomy, but interesting from a historical point of view place. For one thing you can look at Porto Verona gate, which are almost 500 years old, or church Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Martino Vescovo.

Peschiera is an ideal destination if you are traveling with children, as Gardaland amusement park is nearby.

Gardaland

The Gardaland amusement park is located 2.7 km from the Peschiera del Garda train station. This is one of the largest amusement parks in Europe, which secretly claims to be called “Italian Disneyland”. There really is a huge amount of entertainment here - a variety of attractions, slides and an aquarium. The area of ​​the amusement park itself is about 200,000 m2. It would be a great idea to go here with your children.

The photo shows a huge Blue Tornado slide:

The easiest way to get to the Gardaland amusement park from Verona is through Peschiera. Next, we take bus 164 near the Peschiera del Garda railway station and get off after one stop.

There is a shuttle from Peschiera del Garda station to Gardaland, free for hotel guests in the amusement park.

Check the website for current prices. There are family tickets to the park and aquarium at a discounted price of 33 € per person.

If you want to stay longer and try out all the attractions, for which one day, of course, is not enough, it is better to stay at the Gardaland Resort Hotel or Gardaland Adventure Hotel. If you book through Booking, a night in the first will cost from 138 €, in the second – from 155 € (prices at the beginning of September) for a double room. The second hotel will be most interesting for children - each room is themed in the style of the jungle, Arabian night, Arctic, etc.

If you are still in doubt, take a look at the map of Gardaland - there is definitely enough entertainment for everyone.

Address: Via Derna, 4, 37014 Castelnuovo del Garda VR, Italy

They also offer a variety of wellness treatments, including inhalations, massages, wraps, etc.

There are also several hotels in Sirmione with their own small thermal spa centers - Grand Hotel Terme, Hotel Sirmione, Hotel Fonte Boiola.

Working hours: July-August from 9 to 24, September-December - Mon-Wed, Sun - from 9 to 22, Thu - from 11 to 24, Fri-Sat - 9 to 24. The website also indicates the busiest hours, when in the center there are large quantity visitors.

Addresses: Terme Virgilio - Piazza Virgilio, 2 25019 Colombare di Sirmione, Terme Catullo - P.zza Don A. Piatti, 1 25019 Sirmione, Aquaria - P.zza Don A. Piatti, 1 25019 Sirmione.

Desenzano

How to get to Desenzano

Desenzano is also on south coast lakes and is adjacent to the cities of Sirmione and Peschiera, the latter is only 15 km away, there is a regular train, travel time is 8 minutes. You can also get to Desenzano from Verona - by train the journey takes 25 minutes, ticket 4 € (Desenzano del Garda-Sirmione station). As mentioned above, there is also a train service from Milan.

What to see in Desenzano

Despite the fact that Desenzano also has many historical attractions, for tourists the most interesting thing in Desenzano is, of course, the beaches. There are two of them here - Desenzano beach And Rivoltella beach.

The first one is located near historical center, you can even see it standing at the port of Porto Vecchio. Since the beach is located near the center, it can be very crowded during the season, keep this in mind. The beach is pebble. There are toilets and a cafe on site, and you can rent a boat. The beach itself is free.

The second beach – Rivotella Beach – is located much further from the center (3 km from the railway station) closer to the town of Rivotella. You can walk, or you can take bus 22 right at the station and for 1.90 € (1.5 hour ticket) and 10 minutes get to the Rivotella Bar Serenissima stop right by the beach.

There are also several bars and cafes, amenities, and you can rent a boat. There are two small volleyball fields.

In the same area there are several hotels with access to the beach - Hotel Acquaviva del Garda or Admiral Hotel Villa Erme. On the map you can look for other hotels with a beach along the coast.

Garda

On west coast lakes, also not far from Verona is the city of Garda. In itself, it is a very small city - the population is only 4 thousand people. Wonderful ones here panoramic views, but there are no large beaches or attractions, so most often tourists come to this city to make a transfer and go further to Malcesine and other northern cities.

However, there is where to swim - along the clean and beautiful embankment Passeggiata Rivalunga There are several descents into the water, several cafes and places for sun loungers nearby.

How to get to the city of Garda

The easiest way from Verona will get to the town of Garda by bus 185 (50 minutes) or 163 (1 hour 15 minutes) for 4 € (tariff zone 5, ticket valid for 120 minutes). The ticket can be bought at the ticket office at Porto Nuova and Garda stations or online. There are three buses back – 163, 164, 185.

Buses depart from central bus station Verona Stazione Fs - B3, it is located 300 meters from the Porto Nuova train station. The final stop is at the bus station in the center of Garda, there are hotels and supermarkets nearby, and the embankment is 300 m away.

You can also get here and from Milan: we take the train to Peschiera, and then change to bus 483.

Malcesine

How to get to Malcesine

Option one - take the above-mentioned LN026 at the bus station in Verona or take the train to Peschiera and bus stop Peschiera Porto change to bus 483.

Option two is to first get to the city of Garda by bus 185, from there take bus 484 to Malcesine.

Whichever option you choose, the travel time will be almost the same. The cost of the trip will be about 9€.

Attractions Malcesine

Because of geographical features There are very few areas of the coast suitable for a beach here. However, this fact is more than compensated by the picturesque views of the old Italian town against the backdrop of green mountains, the peaks of which disappear into the haze of clouds. If you are more interested in a mountain holiday than a beach holiday, Malcesine is for you.

If you really want to swim, you can go to the northern part of the city - opposite the Ambient Hotel PrimaLuna there is a place suitable for swimming.

As for attractions and entertainment, it has its own Sculliger Castle and the remarkably preserved Palazzo dei Capitani (free admission).

But the most attractive place for tourists here is mountain Monte Baldo, where the funicular goes regularly. A ticket for the funicular costs 20€, for children under 18 years old - 8€. Detailed information you can see it, you can buy a ticket online.

When is the best time to swim - weather and water temperature

The best time to swim in the lake is summer months, in August the water warms up to 27°. The water temperature in September is already lower – a maximum of 22°.

The climate in the lake area is much milder than in neighboring areas, which sharply distinguishes Lago di Garda from other lakes. But the problem for those who like to swim is that the lake is replenished with cold water flowing from mountain river Flume Sarca, which flows into the lake in its northern part in the city of Torbole. Therefore, if you are thinking about where it is better to swim, and if cold water is quite a significant problem for you, do not take risks and stop for a swim in the towns in the southern part of the lake, and you can go north just for beautiful views.

On the one hand, given our plans to travel more around the surrounding area and the sights of Lake Garda, we didn’t want to overpay for five-star hotels, or at the same time children's park entertainment Gardaland, where we were also going to visit. It’s better to spend the “extra” money on entertainment. But on the other hand, I didn’t really want to find myself in uncomfortable conditions with two small children. Also, for now, it’s more convenient for me to cook my daughter’s food on her own; I don’t really want to give her restaurant food yet. Moreover, in European hotels and restaurants, the “children’s menu” most often consists of pizza, pasta, chicken nuggets and fries with Coca-Cola. In Europe they generally have a rather vague idea of ​​porridge, except that in England you can find oatmeal in hotels in the morning. How do you resolve food issues while on vacation with children?

In general, we decided that since we were traveling with children, it would be better to find not a hotel, but an apartment on Lake Garda with a kitchen and a refrigerator, so that I could at least cook breakfast myself, or even steam buckwheat for lunch in a thermos for my daughter. After calling several apartment complexes on Lake Garda, I found out that many were already booked for Easter and there were no vacancies. And then, somehow, I accidentally came across The Garda Village ****. According to the description, I liked everything, they even had a special offer for Easter - 240 euros for 3 nights. Just in case, I called them to find out more about their conditions in the apartment and check the price. The fact is that even in expensive hotels I encountered this situation - there was one price on the website, they sent me a completely different price by email, and when I called the hotel, I heard a third one. Moreover, the difference was about 100 euros.

The Garda Village **** is located 3.5 km from Sirmione and is a complex on 16 hectares of land right on the shores of Lake Garda, consisting of two-storey houses with apartments, bungalows and mobile homes on wheels or, as they are also called , campsites. That is, in principle, in The Garda Village **** you can organize a budget holiday on Lake Garda with several options for comfort levels.

On the territory of The Garda Village **** there is a restaurant, a pizzeria, a bar and a cafe, which we somehow didn’t even go to, since we had lunch and dinner all the time while traveling, but out of curiosity I looked at the prices.

The bar is open from 6 am to 24.00, the restaurant from 11.00 to 23.30. Coffee costs 1 euro, cappuccino – 2 euros, beer 0.33 l – 3.50 euros. Pizza – 7-9 euros. Children's menu - pasta with tomato sauce - 5 euros, spaghetti bolognese - 5.50 euros, hamburger with fries - 6 euros, sausage with fries - 6 euros, chicken legs with fries - 6.50. In general, it is clear that such a children's menu does not suit us :) Adult menu - salmon with lemon sauce - 11 euros, other fish - 13-15 euros, meat - 10-15 euros, pasta with vegetables (seafood, shrimp) - 9- 13 euros, risotto – 13 euros. Salads – about 9 euros. Desserts – 4.50 euros.

The cafe has a terrace overlooking the lake and the stage, where in the summer animators perform performances and, as I understand it, you can dance in the evening.

At the local supermarket you can buy basic products: water, pasta, vegetables, fruits, milk, meat, canned food. The supermarket is open from 7.30 to 12.00 and from 16.00 to 19.30.

There are tennis courts where you can play volleyball, a football field and a large children's playground.

The large pool was not yet filled with water at Easter, but the pool bar was already open.

The beach at The Garda Village **** is not really suitable for swimming, as it seemed to me.

In general, from what I saw, when vacationing on Lake Garda with children, it is best to use the pools rather than swim in the lake, so it is better to look for hotels or apartments with their own pool. Although, this is my opinion, since I don’t like swimming in rivers or other bodies of fresh water.

Now about accommodation options. They asked for 240 euros for three nights for a standard two-room bungalow for four (two adults, two children). Behind the bungalow increased comfort we had to pay 270 euros, which we did. One more child under 3 years old (five people in total) can be accommodated in the bungalow, with the cost of renting a cot.

The apartments in two-story houses are a little larger in size, the difference in price is purely symbolic, but they were all already booked. There are also apartments that can accommodate six people.

Cheaper options are living in a smaller mobile home. So...

...or something like that

The last option is the cheapest - about 60 euros per day. In addition, you can order meals on site - one, two or full board, the children's menu is cheaper than the adult one. It is better to check all prices and availability of houses or apartments on the hotel website gardavillage.it. There you can also see photos of all the bungalows and apartments inside, including their layout.

Our comfort bungalow had two rooms. Immediately upon entering you find yourself in the kitchen, there is also a sofa for children and a dining table. All utensils for eating and cooking are available, including electric stove with hood, microwave, refrigerator with freezer, TV, telephone and air conditioning.

The sofa folds out in height, but this design seemed not entirely reliable to us, so my daughter slept with us in another room, and my son slept on the sofa.

The bedroom is not large, there is a bed, bedside tables on top and bedside shelves, a mirror.

The bathroom is small - shower, toilet, bidet, washbasin, clothes dryer in the corner. The only toiletries are a bar of soap and, sorry, one roll of toilet paper. Everything else can be bought at the supermarket.

Upon check-in, two towels are provided for each person; they, like bed linen, are not changed. If you want to get fresh ones, you need to pay extra. All additional paid services I have listed below.

Each house also has its own small covered terrace at the entrance with a table and chairs and its own free parking space. During the season on Lake Garda, which starts from the end of May and ends in mid-September, upon arrival on Saturday, guests are offered a cocktail and a nightly entertainment, free access to the lake and swimming pool, free safe at the reception. The website says that during the season, check-in/check-out is possible only on Wednesdays and Saturdays, but this needs to be clarified directly with the administration of The Garda Village ****. Before our check-in, they sent me a letter that I needed to pay 30% of the cost, but for a long time they could not find our payment and said that the room was still assigned to us, we could come without any problems. Maybe it's just because it's still early in the season.

Additional charges:
Late check-out – € 25.00
Additional cleaning of bungalows/apartments/cabins – € 25.00
Baby cot for children under 3 years – € 8.00 per day
Change of bed linen – € 10.00 per set on request
Change of towels – € 5.00 per set per person on request
Use of washing machine or dryer – € 2.50 each
Tennis courts – € 10.00 per hour
Internet Wi fi in certain areas of the complex: 1 hour – € 2.50; 5 hours – € 5.00; 24 hours – € 15.00

As for the comfort of our room, I can say that, in principle, everything was not bad. True, on the first night we didn’t figure out that we could turn on the air conditioner for heating and it was somewhat cool to sleep, but the following nights we already slept with the air conditioner on. In summer, of course, there will be no such problem. But the shutters in the bungalows are so tight, and there is such silence outside the window that even at 8 am it was completely dark and the children were fast asleep, although at home they wake up much earlier than 7. The floors in the bungalows and apartments are tiled and quite cold. We noticed a spider in the corner, probably in the summer there may be more of them, since the houses are right on the ground.

Overall, it seems to me that when looking for a hotel on Lake Garda, it is worth paying attention to the apartments in The Garda Village **** complex, especially if you are planning a holiday on Lake Garda with children. It is quite possible to stay here, especially considering its advantageous location - the main attractions on Lake Garda are approximately the same distance. Also, not every hotel or apartment has direct access to the lake, like here. It takes a maximum of half an hour to get there by car. Before – even less. If we compare prices in expensive hotels on Lake Garda, then I was offered options for two nights for 470 euros at the Gardaland Hotel or for 700-800 euros for three nights in other five-star hotels in Sirmione.

I will summarize and write what are the pros and cons, in my opinion, of The Garda Village **** complex for living on Lake Garda.

pros.

• Location: On the lakeside, approximately equidistant from all the attractions on Lake Garda, close to Verona and not far from Venice.
• Infrastructure. The complex has everything you need for living: a restaurant, a supermarket, a swimming pool, playgrounds and sports grounds.
• Entertainment. Animators, excursions, water sports.
• Price. A relatively inexpensive accommodation option on Lake Garda, and you can choose different qualification categories. Loyal and friendly staff at the reception.
• Facilities. All the amenities in the houses and apartments, your own terrace with a table, the ability to cook yourself if desired. The kitchen is well equipped, spacious refrigerator, TV for background sound.
• Comfort of living. Absolute silence all around, good light insulation. The car is parked nearby under the apartments, houses or bungalows.

Minuses.

• Comfort. Our apartments did not seem super comfortable to me. Also, the tiles on the floor do not add coziness at all. You can only use slippers in the shower for hygiene purposes. Air conditioning is only in one room, where the kitchen is.
• Beach. I don’t know how it is in other complexes, but here I didn’t like the swimming beach at all - the water is not very clean, you can only enter it from the bridge.
• Additional paid services. You have to pay separately for cleaning, change of linen and towels, and internet.

Did you like The Garda Village **** complex? Where do you prefer to stay when traveling – hotels, apartments or campsites?

The closest airports to Lake Garda are Verona and Milan. You can search for cheap flight options and compare hotel prices in the form below.

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And she stubbornly strived to visit here again, and not just passing through, but with feeling, really, for a few days. This wish came true when wishes are supposed to come true - on my birthday.

I’ll say right away that we were on Lake Garda for two days, and that’s very little for such a place. Firstly, because it is simply huge - to go around the lake by car (without stopping) it will take at least 4 hours, and given that along this road there will be different interesting places– Mount Monte Baldo, the cities of Malcesine, Sirmione, Limone sul Garda and many others, with their castles, restaurants and gelaterias, then the travel time around the lake will increase many times over. There are also thermal springs, amusement parks, farms where you can taste wine and much more.

City of Sirmione

In general, based on our trip, I have compiled an extremely busy itinerary, so you can transform it as you wish - remove something if you have little time or stretch it out over more days, if possible, so that you can get everywhere calmly and without exhaustion .

Northern part of the lake. Riva del Garda

We started our journey around Lake Garda by car from its northern part. It is more mountainous and therefore the landscapes here, to be honest, are more impressive than on the south coast. Rocky Mountains at the foot of which waves crash, and clouds cling to the peaks - this is worth seeing. The lake is so large that the waves here can be very impressive, and given that the opposite shore is not visible, you get the feeling that you are at sea.

Marina in Torbole

In the north of the island, the most popular town is Riva del Garda. It is quite small and there are not many attractions there, the main thing that is there is an embankment overlooking the lake and mountains.

In Riva del Garda you can stop for a couple of hours, see the ancient Rocca fortress, Palazzo Pretorio and stroll along the streets (very Italian and picturesque - colorful houses, shutters, linen on the balconies and that’s all that we imagine when we hear the phrase “Italian” town").

Here you can also climb the peaks of Monte Roccheta and Monte Brione. The views from these points are incredible. If you have too little time to storm the peaks, but still want to see the panorama of the city, then climb to the ancient bastion, it is located at an altitude of 300 meters above the city and the climb to it will take only 15-20 minutes.

If you are planning to have lunch in Riva del Garda, I recommend the enoteca restaurant Enosteria I Momenti, there is very tasty pizza, fresh fish and friendly waiters.

From Riva del Garda to Malcesine

The towns of Lake Garda are small and located close to each other. If you go from Riva del Garda to Malcesine, there will be more picturesque places on your way - Linfano, Torbole, Navene. Each of them has what tourists come here for - views of the lake, cozy restaurants, shops, authentic streets.

street in Malcesine

But our goal is the city of Malcesine. And not even because there is an impressive old castle above the water (which is undoubtedly worth a closer look if you have time), but because this is where the lift to the most famous and most high mountain Lake Garda - Monte Baldo. The funicular on Monte Baldo in Malcesine is very easy to find - firstly, there are signs, and secondly, in the same direction, to the lift station, there are a huge number of people walking besides you.

street in Malcesine

Tip: come to the ski lift early in the morning (it opens from 8:00). After 9-10 hours, in order to get the coveted ticket and go to the lift booth, you will have to stand in line (sometimes for several hours). Funicular cost: 22 euros per person (round trip).

In our case, an emergency situation occurred - while we were standing in line for tickets, the lift broke down and the staff did not give a clear answer as to how soon it would be repaired. In view of this, we decided to take a risk, because we still wanted to get to the mountain, and we went to the top by car. Google gave us two routes, and we chose the one to the north (highlighted in blue on the map below) because we were going to go that way anyway. And you know, it was a very right decision, which led to the most memorable moment of the entire trip.

Climbing Monte Baldo

Road to Monte Baldo

So, we head towards the town of Garda and immediately after it we turn onto the SP8 road. You will begin to slowly climb, passing countless fields of vineyards, small sleepy towns and villas standing alone among the fields.

Vineyards in the Lake Garda region

We noticed one tricky feature - the grape fields are without a fence and are not protected, only if the grapes there are still sour (tested empirically 🙂), or if they have already been harvested, but if they are ripe, still on the branches and are about to be harvested, then The boundaries of the field with such grapes are prudently fenced with a metal mesh.

In the area of ​​the town of Ferrara di Monte Baldo, the road becomes especially steep (at the same time quite narrow and absolutely without barriers - that is, if you fly away, you will fly away) and noticeably colder. In return for these inconveniences, you get simply incredible 360-degree landscapes, fresh delicious air mixed with the aromas of mountain herbs and perfect, peaceful silence.

Landscapes around Monte Baldo

There are practically no tourists here, but there are many, many cows grazing in the mountain meadows. When the wind blows, the bells on their necks begin to ring loudly and monotonously, creating sounds similar to meditation music.

Meadows with cows at the foot of Monte Baldo

This climb up Monte Baldo was a journey within a journey for us. Here you forget that you came to one of the most tourist places Italy and you really relax both soul and body.

And some more landscapes of Monte Baldo

Path in the mountains. Monte Baldo. Italy

The city of Sirmione is the most popular place on Lake Garda

“A holiday on Lake Garda would not be complete without visiting this town” - having encountered such a message in almost all reviews about Sirmione, we of course decided to come here. We headed to this city immediately after descending from Monte Baldo.

On the way to Sirmione

A short digression: if you have the opportunity and desire, you can stop by Gardaland - big park attractions in the southern part of the island, on the way to Sirmione. This is, for a second, the third most popular park of its kind in Europe. There are many attractions here, including a “very scary” roller coaster that will be interesting for adults to ride too. The cost of a day ticket starts from 34 euros (depending on the method of purchase, buying online on the website is cheaper).

Let's return to Sirmione.

The plus of this place is that it is truly incredibly beautiful, the minus is that millions of people think the same and this tiny peninsula city is simply suffocating with tourists. No seriously, while walking around Sirmione we stood in line on the street. In line to just go! What's so special here?

Sirmione Fortress

The peninsula is surrounded ancient fortress– her walls look very impressive and authentic, it’s true. Each house in the city also resembles a small work of art. A sort of little Venice, only with a lake instead of canals. The streets are very narrow, on some of them it is even impossible for two people to pass each other.

Streets of Sirmione

One of the houses in Sirmione

Another feature and attraction of Sirmione is the gelateria. There are a lot of them here, just incredibly many. In every house (without exaggeration) in this city they sell dozens of types of Italian ice cream in a variety of cones (there were also very huge ones - with half a kilo of ice cream inside, no less). Yes, gelato in Sirmione is really very tasty, but it is expensive here, even for Italy.

The same gelato. Sirmione

Advice: do not buy ice cream in the first shops at the entrance to the city (at the fortress gates), go further, deeper into the streets, closer to the thermal baths, in this area it will be 1-1.5 euros cheaper.

Baths of Sirmione

Healing springs are another feature of Sirmione. There are a lot of spa centers with thermal water, in some of them it may have that characteristic smell of hydrogen sulfide (but not strong).

The most popular thermal baths– a large complex that has saunas, swimming pools with warm water and views of the lake, the ability to order massages and body wraps.

An adult ticket costs 39 euros (for 5 hours) on weekdays and 43 euros on holidays. It would be safer to make a preliminary reservation by phone or mail.

There is also Terme di Sirmione S.p.A. and Terme Virgilio (but the latter are specifically therapeutic, more like others than others, not like a spa for relaxation, but like a serious wellness center, which is worth going to with a doctor’s referral for specific procedures).

Advice: if you are going to the Baths of Sirmione on your birthday, be sure to inform the staff of the centers about this, because, as a rule, birthday parties are provided Special offers and discounts.

From Sirmione we begin to move up again, to the north of the lake, only along its western part. The road here is very picturesque, just be prepared for the fact that sometimes it will take you away from the coast and hide beautiful villas behind the houses.

Here it is worth visiting the town of Salo (emphasis on the last syllable 🙂) and, of course, Limone sul Garda.

Limone is a very picturesque and charming city. The signs with house numbers in the shape of lemons alone are worth it. Everything here is buried in flowers, lemonade is sold on every corner (just be careful, it is very sour, but invigorating). No other town on Lake Garda has this feeling. seaside resort like here in Limon.

There are many routes between Limone sul Garda and Malcesine water buses(one flight costs from 9 to 13 euros), the crossing lasts no more than 20 minutes. Therefore, you can make a round trip and appreciate the scenery of the lake from the water.

Actually, Limone is Ending station our route, then we go again towards Riva del Garda along the road that goes above the lake (unlike the one on the east coast - it winds along the bottom, near the water).

West coast of Lake Garda

When we passed this section, it was already dark, but the mountains and the lake were clearly visible - they were illuminated by the full moon, leaving a path on the water, and the lanterns and the light of houses on the opposite coast merged into one bright thread at the foot of the mountains.

Where to stay on Lake Garda

There are many hotels here, but finding the right one was not so easy. Firstly, everything is quite expensive (from 100 euros per night for two), and secondly, I want to have a beautiful view from the window, and a balcony, and at the same time there is no noise from the road (which, let me remind you, goes around the entire coast, that is, if the hotel is near the water, then there will be a roadway nearby).

There are several hotels included in our shot-list:

• , which is located in Riva del Garda. Its advantages are, undoubtedly, a gorgeous view (remember, I wrote above that it is in this part of the mountains along the lake that are the highest), balconies in the rooms (in each), a roof terrace, stylish rooms and remoteness (at least not great) from the road that runs along the shore (there is a small park between the hotel and the lake). This is where we wanted to stay, but there was a little confusion and we booked another place (more on that below).

Terrace of the Bellariva Hotel

• – it is located in Limone sul Garda. Hotel with an outdoor swimming pool, its own garden, lake views and sunbathing area. We didn’t choose it for only one reason - because we wanted to stay in the north of the lake, and it is a little lower (but in blooming and green Lemon).

• – we ended up stopping here. This hotel didn’t really fit in with our plans, because the rooms at an adequate budget had a view, but without a balcony, but the superior apartments had private terraces with a jacuzzi, but it cost 253 euros per night. We sighed at these cool rooms with a jacuzzi and decided to book the first option (Bellariva), but mixed up the hotels and accidentally booked the standard (without balcony) here in Lago di Garda. We realized the mistake only when we were already standing in the room - with huge windows, but on the first floor and right next to the road. We had to get out of the situation - we went to the reception and said that supposedly Booking did not indicate that the room was on the first floor in front of the road, so we were not ready to rent it. And then a miracle happened - the polite girl at the reception apologized for the fact that Booking did not have this information and changed our room without additional payment. The one with the jacuzzi! 🙂

That same terrace with a jacuzzi (photo from the hotel website, because when there was such beautiful and soft light on the terrace, we were not in the room, and photos in the dark don’t convey all the charm)

Conclusion

Sunset on Lake Garda. Malcesine

Lake Garda is not about “going to see for one day”; you can easily spend a full-fledged vacation here: sunbathing on the beach, walking among the narrow streets of cities or vineyards, climbing peaks covered with dense forests. There are as many types of entertainment on this lake as there are local gelato flavors, wine varieties and pizza toppings, and the landscapes you see here will remain in your heart for a lifetime.

PS: If the article was useful to you, you can thank me by booking a hotel for your trip by going to Booking. Thank you!

Having traveled up and down all 4 of the most famous northern Italian lakes (Garda, Como, Lugano and Maggiore), I made an unequivocal conclusion for myself - for a long summer holiday The lake is best. You can argue which lake is more beautiful, which is more secluded, where better hotels and beaches. Here everyone has their own opinion, but this article is not about that, but about where vacations are more interesting and varied.

On the lake Maggiorebest place to live in Stresa (Stresa) or in Verbania (Verbania), these are the most Beautiful places, from which you can take a boat to visit the amazing Borromean islands of Pescatore, Bella and Madre with two magnificent castles, you can climb Mt. Mottarone (Mottarone) http://www.stresa-mottarone.it/ and ride down from there on a mountain bike or ride the luge-rail track up there. Near Stresa there is beautiful park around the villa Pallavicino ( Parco della Villa Pallavicino) http://www.parcozoopallavicino.it/ , and boats depart from the pier to Swiss Ascona. A circular railway-water route is also proposed, but I’m not sure that this is interesting - I drove by car through the places where it runs and didn’t see anything outstanding. So, I think it’s worth staying on Lago Maggiore for 2-3 days, no more.

Lake ComoMost often we perceive it as the place where George Clooney lived in his villa in the recent past. He sold the villa, but many famous people They still own property here to this day. The lake is remote from the main tourist routes, the banks are steep, the roads are narrow. All this makes it a little less accessible than other lakes, which is what attracts high society here. The main local entertainment is boat trips and visiting public parks and villas. This is for us tourists, but the mighty of the world This, apparently, is where they simply find peace and solitude.

Lake Lugano and is not remarkable at all, except for the very Swiss Lugano- a solid, calm, but not very outstanding city. There is also a miniature park “Switzerland in Miniature” (Swissminiatur), but it clearly does not live up to the Klagenfurt “Minimundus” (Minimundus), not until “Mini Italy” (Italy in miniature) in Rimini.

And finally, the lake. Main tourist centers Three coastal towns can be considered: Sirmione, Riva del Garda, Malcesine in conjunction with Limone sul Garda. You can stay in them, but if you want more peace and quiet, then any place from Malcesine before Torri del Benaco. This coast, in my opinion, is the best for living in terms of beauty, location relative to all attractions, and price-quality ratio. The water in the lake is clean and warms up to 24 degrees in summer, so swimming is quite possible, only the beaches are rocky, there are no sandy ones.So, what can you visit, how to have fun on Lake Garda, where to go and what to see.

1. Limone sul Garda

Strictly speaking, from any point on the lake you can swim to Limone Sul Garda to the country of “limonia”, where, indeed, lemons grow and limoncello, a sickly sweet lemon liqueur, is sold at every turn.

2. Mount Monte Baldo

The climb up the mountain is memorable for its gorgeous panoramas and llamas grazing in the high-mountain meadows. It costs 20 euros, you need to come early, there may be a long line by mid-day. For extreme sports enthusiasts, there is another form of entertainment - going down on a mountain bike; you can rent a bike right there at the lower station of the funicular. And don't forget that it can be cold and windy at the top.

3. Sirmione

The main city of the lake is definitely Sirmione(Sirmione). Himself geographical position very unusual. A long peninsula, several kilometers wide at the base and several hundred meters wide at the end, is separated from Sirmione by a channel and the powerful walls of the Scaliger fortress. In fact, it is an island, and a very beautiful one at that.

My favorite route starts with climbing the fortress and then walking along the right bank to the public beach. The path runs along the shore and in one place there are pipes for discharging excess thermal water directly into the lake, as evidenced by the obvious smell of hydrogen sulfide. Take a photo on the pier and then climb up through the olive grove with comfortable benches for relaxation. On the road turn right towards the villa Catullo. There is little left of the villa of the ancient Roman poet, and the need to visit the ruins for a fee always makes me doubtful, but from the entrance there will be a beautiful panorama, so the walk makes sense. On your way back, turn right in the direction of the ancient church Chiesa di San Pietro in Mavino.

Then, continuing forward, you will go to the Baths of Catullo and then to the shopping and entertainment part of the city. The Baths of Catullo are small and purely therapeutic and relaxing. Hot hydrogen sulfide water is supplied to small outdoor pools, in which you just need to soak. They have no other entertainment. The town itself is untouched by modern urban planning and is distinguished by its cleanliness, abundance of flowers, shops, restaurants and other tourist delights. And, of course, crowds of vacationers during the high season.

4. Gardaland

6. Safari Park and Zoo

Very green place, it’s a good place to spend time with children, take a walk, and look at the animals. For example, the enclosure where rhinos and hippos live together is very funny, because in the wild they are not neighbors. If you arrive by car, then drive straight to the gate. They will sell you a ticket from the window, and you will be able to drive your car through the safari park. That is, you will slowly drive through an area where animals roam freely, and only then, after parking your car, you can visit a classic zoo.

7. Sigurta Park

A very large private park, worth at least half a day to explore. You can explore it on foot or rent a bicycle or an electric car, similar to those used on golf courses.

8. Trip to Verona

From almost any city you can get to Verona by regular bus. The city is famous and undoubtedly interesting. The history, dating back to the times of the Celts and Romans, is forever imprinted on the marble pavements. The city of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, rulers from the Scaliger dynasty and the great Dante, has only one significant drawback - it is too touristy. The flow of people wanting to rub Juliet’s bronze breasts never stops for almost a minute, neither in winter nor in summer, nor on weekdays, nor on weekends. In addition to historical monuments, tourists are attracted by the boutique street Via Giuseppe Mazzini, where the best brands of almost all fashion houses in the world are presented. Come to Verona, but be prepared for human noise, hustle and bustle. There are many restaurants in the center, but almost all of them are aimed at tourists. The best place where I had lunch is http://www.listonristorantepizzeria.it/ and best dish they have “Spaghetti allo Scoglio” (spaghetti with shellfish and fruits of the sea).

9. Varone Waterfall

The Varone Waterfall is located near Riva del Garda, but you can’t get there on foot. The waterfall is interesting because the water falls in a cave, and not in the open air. The spectacle is interesting and pleasant, especially when it’s +30º outside in the shade.

10. Thermae Aquardence

Modern baths halfway from Verona to Lake Garda http://www.aquardens.it/. Getting to them other than by car is problematic. The water is thermal, but without a pronounced smell or taste. Large spaces of water indoors and outdoors make swimming comfortable, even with large quantity visitors.

11. Baths of Catullo

Located in the historical part of Sirmione, they are the most famous and popular. The smell of hydrogen sulfide water is not very pleasant, but its beneficial properties and the view of the lake compensate for this drawback. The thermal baths are small, the number of visitors is limited, there is nowhere to swim, you can only lie in the outdoor pools and relax.

12. Thermal Villa Cedri

The pools are located directly in the park in the shade of large trees. This is the main attractive side of this hydrotherapy complex http://www.villadeicedri.it/.

13. Outlets

There are two outlets located approximately at the same distance from Sirmione. One near Mantua http://www.mantovaoutlet.it/. The other one is near Brescia http://www.franciacortaoutlet.it/. Both feature not very well-known brands of clothing and shoes of average quality. There are not many expensive shops. For luxury brands, you should go to Verona or to the outlet http://www.mcarthurglen.com/, located 30 km from Venice.

14. On a boat through coastal towns

15. On foot and by bike

It’s great that starting from Riva ( Riva del Garda) and to the town of Garda there is a cycling and walking trail along the coast. In other places there are also long lakeside promenades, with the exception of the western one rocky shore, where, in principle, there is little life. This sets Garda apart from many other lakes. Even if somewhere the path is blocked by a private villa or hotel grounds, the path will go around them and again go out to the water. You can walk along the beautiful coast for several hours and return home by bus or boat.

Result: Garda is one of the most beautiful and interesting lakes Northern Italy. Tropical nature against the backdrop of the snow-capped Alps, pure water, the chic and elegance of a fashionable resort combined with excellent cuisine and local wine will not leave anyone indifferent. Great holiday You are guaranteed!

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Dmitry Sokolov

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