Lake Garda, Lombardy & Veneto, Italy

Also known as:  Garda Lake, Lago di Garda

Lake Garda, or Lago di Garda in Italian, is the largest lake in Italy, sprawling over 90,000 acres with beautiful vistas. To the north, the lake is graced by the mystical Dolomites, whose awkward and angular rock formations, towering at heights close to 10,000 feet, and soul-inspiring beauty earned them the UNESCO Natural Heritage label in 2009. To the south of the lake, the rather low and…
Keep scrolling to read more.

Welcome to the ultimate guide to Lake Garda! Article topics include:

Looking for Lake Garda cabins or other accommodations? Save time and use this interactive map to find, compare and book at the best rates. Or explore more of our favorite travel partners.

This post contains affiliate links. If you click and purchase, we may earn a small referral fee at no extra cost to you. Read our full disclosure.

Explore Area Hotels

Nearby offer more hotel accommodations:

  • Check TripAdvisor
  • Check Expedia
  • Check Hotels.com
  • Check Booking.com

    • All About Lake Garda, Italy

    Lake Locations: Italy - Lombardy Region, Italy - Veneto Region, Italy -

    Lake Garda, or Lago di Garda in Italian, is the largest lake in Italy, sprawling over 90,000 acres with beautiful vistas. To the north, the lake is graced by the mystical Dolomites, whose awkward and angular rock formations, towering at heights close to 10,000 feet, and soul-inspiring beauty earned them the UNESCO Natural Heritage label in 2009. To the south of the lake, the rather low and gentle rolling hills are accentuated by vibrant and colorful Italian architecture. Along the coasts of the long and narrow water body, in the many towns and villages, are hundreds of historical sites and places for nature, adventure, entertainment and rejuvenation.

    Lake Garda is conveniently located less than 20 miles from Verona (think Romeo and Juliet), 60 miles east of Milan, and 80 miles west of Venice. Choose your activity level in this vibrant part of Italy. For cyclists, Largo di Garda is a biker’s paradise with biking trails and pathways suitable for beginners as well as tough climbs and terrains for more advanced cyclists. Regardless of skill level, biking in, up and around the natural landscapes surrounding the lake is a thrilling experience.

    Nordic walking and hiking are popular activities. Many walking routes explore the various historical and scenic sights around Lake Garda, and hiking up the mountains proves itself an adventurous and challenging activity. The breathtaking panoramic views of the lake and altering shorelines will be rewarding. Trekking and horseback riding is another way to appreciate the scenery. There are also many opportunities for rock and cliff climbers, paragliders and skiers! Visitors can also ride a cable car to the top of Mount Baldo for panoramic lake views. Cable car tours originate from the town of Malcesine on the lake’s eastern shore.

    During a visit to Lake Garda, one must save time to take advantage of its proximity to Italy’s incredible art, culture and history. There are many sites of historical import to explore and appreciate. Begin with the ruins and remains belonging to the early Romans and first settlers to the Lake Garda area. Next, learn how Napolean left his mark on this Italian countryside, how the Red Cross formed as a result of lakeside battle, and why Lake Garda was so important to Mussolini.

    The warm, summery Mediterranean climate is a fertile atmosphere for Italy’s grape vineyards, famous olives, and lemons. From Lake Garda, you will have access to some of the finest products.

    After you have finished exploring the region, it’s time to explore Lake Garda’s 90,000 acres of water. Sailing and windsurfing are extremely popular — watch the colorful sails glide gracefully over the water. Rent a motorboat, paddleboat or kayak for a cruise on the lake. There are over 30 species of fish in Lake Garda; the most common are trout, chub, carp, salmon, whitefish, pike, perch, bleak, tench, and eel. Swimmers enjoy plenty of choice areas in the lake: Though the southern end tends to be warmer and shallower nearer the shore, Lake Garda is deep with an average depth 346 feet and a maximum depth of over 1000 feet! Take extra care when swimming and keep in mind that you won’t have to venture too far from the shore before the bottom drops out from beneath your feet.

    Boat tours are available to the largest island in the lake, Isola del Garda, to view its ornate Venetian villa and magnificent gardens. The island’s long history dates back to the Roman Empire. Saint Francis of Assisi founded a monastery on the island around 1220. Today, the island is owned by the Cavazza family who opened the island to public tours in 2002. Boat tours are available from several locations on the southern and western shores of the lake.

    Vacation rentals and real estate are so abundant around Lake Garda that you will have no excuse not to spend a whole summer enjoying one of Italy’s most dynamic destinations.

    Things to Do at Lake Garda

    These are some activities in the Lake Garda, Italy area visitors can enjoy:

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Boating
    • Sailing
    • Swimming
    • Kayaking
    • Hiking
    • Biking
    • Horseback Riding
    • Ruins

    What Kind of Fish Are in Lake Garda?

    Lake Garda has been known to have the following fish species:

    • Carp
    • Eel
    • Perch
    • Pike
    • Salmon
    • Tench
    • Trout
    • Whitefish
    divider

    Find Places to Stay at Lake Garda

    If you’re considering a Lake Garda lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

    Note: These are affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you click and make a purchase. Read our full disclosure policy here.

    More Sites to Book a Lake Garda Vacation

    Our interactive Lake Garda lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

    Check TripAdvisor
    Check Expedia
    Find a Campspot
    All Travel Resources

    Lake Garda Statistics & Helpful Links

    divider

    Lake Type: Natural Freshwater Lake, Not Dammed

    Surface Area: 91,520 acres

    Shoreline Length: 90 miles

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 213 feet

    Average Depth: 446 feet

    Maximum Depth: 1,135 feet

    Water Volume: 39,749,268 acre-feet

    Water Residence Time: 26.8

    Drainage Area: 873 sq. miles

    Lake Garda Map

    More local lakes to explore in this area:

    LakeLubbers heart icon

    Lake Como, Italy

    LakeLubbers heart icon

    Lake Iseo

    LakeLubbers heart icon

    Lake Idro

    We strive to keep information on LakeLubbers as accurate as possible. If you’ve found something here that needs updating, please touch base by filling out our Content Correction form.

    Shop Lake Garda Gifts

    Custom Lake Tumblers

    Create Your Own Captain / First Mate Custom 20oz Tumbler

    ORDER HERE
    Custom Lake T Shirt

    Create Your Personalized My Boat My Rules Unisex T-Shirt

    ORDER HERE
    Custom Lake Coffee Mug - On Lake Time

    Create a Custom Coffee Mug – 11oz or 15oz

    ORDER HERE
    VIEW ALL CUSTOM LAKE PRODUCTS

    More Lake Garda news from LakeLubbers.com

    • Advertise your vacation rental property or local business: DETAILS HERE
    • The Lake Garda forum has been discontinued: HERE’S WHY
    • New Lake Garda photos coming soon!
    • You’re invited to join our lake-lovin’ community on Facebook and Instagram!
    • Share this Lake Garda article with your fellow LakeLubbers: