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LAKE GARDA 101
• The easiest airports to fly into are Verona, Milan, and Venice. Check which side of the lake you're staying on before choosing your airport, as this makes a big difference in drive times. • Choose your base carefully, as getting between towns on opposite sides of the lake can take over an hour. • Lake Garda is big, and the vibe varies significantly depending on where you stay. Up north, there’s an emphasis on adventure, with excellent windsurfing, sailing, and hiking. The western shore is known for its grand waterfront hotels, historic villas, and old-world elegance, while the eastern shore has a more laid-back, village-y feel, with incredible sunsets over the water. • Renting a car is very handy, allowing you to easily explore towns, restaurants, and hiking trails near your hotel, but there are also plenty of ferries connecting the lake's towns. Plan a few excursions by car and a few by ferry (some ferries even transport cars). • Lake Garda is a great stop on a larger northern Italy itinerary. Pair it with time in Venice, the Dolomites, or Milan. • If you rent a house, don't miss the local farmers' markets. They're held in towns all around the lake, and the produce is incredible.
WHERE TO STAY
There are plenty of hotels around Lake Garda, but none quite as spectacular as the world-class Grand Hotel a Villa Feltrinelli. Set in a former family palace right on the lake, it's discreet luxury executed perfectly (but it's very expensive, so hardly a casual holiday option). The other thing about Feltrinelli is that you won't want to do much beyond enjoying the property itself. It's a place to simply be. The lake's other hotels are better suited to actually exploring the area, taking in its landscapes, regional cuisine, and local culture.
Most noteworthy is Locanda San Vigilio, a completely magical, albeit very unrenovated, 13-room hotel that feels almost entirely untouched (in the best way). Its waterfront location on the eastern shore is breathtaking, with incredible sunset views. What it lacks in traditional luxury, it more than makes up for in soul and kind service—it feels like everyone who works here has been here for decades.
For more of a villa-like experience on the eastern shore, Borgo San Sonnea offers a handful of chic, apartment-style suites with beautiful views and a peaceful atmosphere. The rooms are very comfortable, with an earthy, minimalist design and full kitchens. While there's no restaurant, the property has a garden filled with incredible produce (purple carrots! candy-striped radishes!) that you can pick yourself and cook in your suite. There's also an honor bar stocked with pantry staples like pasta, tomato sauce, and pesto for easy dinners at home.
On the western shore, Villa Arcadio is a sweet boutique hotel set in a former monastery in the hills above Salò. Charming and well-priced, it's a lovely pick for couples—just be sure to book the one room with original frescoes. Just up the lake is Grand Hotel Fasano, an old-world waterfront hotel originally built in the 19th century as a residence for the Austrian imperial family. It's a classic, family-friendly pick, with beautiful grounds and a stunning lakeside setting. The rooms are a bit on the simple side, but splurge on a lake-view room with a terrace and the views will more than make up for it.
EDITORS’ PICKS
Spazio Luce · Verona
Spazio Luce
Kicking off this list with a place that’s not really in Lake Garda but is essential to any trip. An hour by car from the lake, this farmhouse restaurant is more than worth the trek. Set high, high in the mountains, this very special spot uses seasonal ingredients from its own farm in vegetable-forward dishes like mushrooms topped with pecorino and apple puree, corn with spicy tomato jam and rich ricotta, and pecorino risotto. Adding to the appeal are the charming dining spaces: a dining room overlooking the open kitchen, a terrace with mountain views, and an intimate greenhouse. Come for a long, leisurely lunch, and a hike afterwards.
Baia delle Sirene · Verona
Baia delle Sirene
This lovely beach club on the eastern side of Lake Garda is a casual place for a day by the water, with a pebbled shoreline and olive trees surrounding the cove. Come for a chilled-out day by the water, with lunch or dinner at the nearby Taverna San Viglio.
Alla Borsa · Verona
Alla Borsa
A destination for tortellini lovers in the town of Valeggio sul Mincio, just south of Lake Garda. This family-run spot is as traditional as it gets, and the paper-thin tortellini is the must-order (try the pumpkin-filled version—it's incredible). Book a table on the terrace if the weather is nice, then go for a walk through nearby Borghetto sul Mincio.
Taverna San Vigilio · Verona
Taverna San Vigilio
The casual harbor restaurant at Locanda San Vigilio is a destination whether you are staying at the hotel or not. Arrive by boat or car (ideally the former) for sunset aperitivo and snacks on the dock.
Verona · Verona
Verona
Depending on where you're staying on Lake Garda, Verona may be just a 30-40 minute drive away, making it an excellent day trip. Yes, it's the famed setting of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, but it's also a beautiful Italian city with historic architecture and an excellent dining scene. Come for a stroll through the historic center and lunch at either Trattoria al Pompiere or Antica Bottega del Vino.
Isola del Garda · Lake Garda
Isola del Garda
The largest island on Lake Garda, Isola del Garda is privately owned but open to visitors for guided tours. It’s a commitment—the island is accessible only by boat, and the experience takes about half a day—but worth it to see the stunning Venetian neo-Gothic villa and its manicured gardens.
Passeggiata Rivalunga Garda Bardolino
This lakefront promenade is one of the best spots for a morning walk or run with beautiful views. Follow the two-mile path from Garda to Bardolino, stopping for a swim or coffee along the way.
Osteria Antico Brolo · Lake Garda
Osteria Antico Brolo
Tucked in a very charming town on the Gardone Riviera, this local classic is revered for its elegant osteria cuisine, including beef tartare with truffle, vitello tonnato, Roman-style gnocchi, and more. Pair it with a visit to the nearby Vittoriale degli Italiani or André Heller Botanical Garden.
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