An A to Z list of fun things to do on Lake Garda
We are a family of five with a holiday home near Tremosine Lake Garda for 10 years. This list is some of the favourite things we and friends have done over the years.
What can you see? | Where | |
Alpe del Garda | Buy locally made food and wine from the dairy and farm shop. The local speciality is a soft cheese called Formagella ( www.alpedelgarda.it ) | Vesio, Tremosine |
Monte Baldo cable car | Catch cable car to top of Monte Baldo, the highest mountain around lake Garda. Great view, walks, Paragliding and winter skiing. Idea. Catch a ferry to Malcesine from one of the lake ports. | Base station in Malcesine |
Campione | Campione del Garda is a centre of windsurfing and sailing on the lake. Also some nice beaches and bars. | Western shore south of Limone |
Canyoning | Outdoor adventure climbing and floating through canyons and streams. Visit www.skyclimber.it to organise. | Vesio, Tremosine |
Ferries on Lake Garda | Catch Lake Garda ferries from Limone, Riva, Malcesine, Sirmione etc. Regular services in the summer. | Most ports |
More things to do on Lake Garda: Catch a ferry to Malcesine or Riva
What can you see? | Where | |
Free Climbing | The north of the lake around Arco is an international centre of free climbing and mountaineering. | Arco |
Food Festivals | If you like eating local delicacies then look out for the food festivals that take place during the year. A big favourite is Cinquemiglia del ghiottone - five miles of gluttony - a wonderful celebration in June each year where diners walk 5 miles between 7 villages eating a course in each village. ( www.infotremosine.it ) | Tremosine |
Gardaland | Gardaland is a major amusement park run by the Merlin Group . A big day out for the kids. Details at www.gardaland.it | South Eastern corner of lake |
Hiking and trekking | There is a huge network of marked mountain trails in the Alto Garda Bresciano National Park. You can walk from Valle di Bondo up to the Nota Pass and the Tremalzo Pass at 1700m through winding paths and world war one military tunnels. These are probably the best mountains near Lake Garda. | Vesio Tremosine |
Limone | Limone sul Garda is a beautiful town on western shore of Lake Garda. Swim in the lake, shop (leather goods a speciality), eat or catch a ferry. | Western shore |
Mountain Biking | The Tremalzo pass and Nota Pass are a centre for mountain biking. Many cycle the Tremalzo mountain bike tour up from Lake Garda to Tremalzo and down the other side to Lake Ledro. Mountain bike hire is available at www.skyclimber.it | Vesio. Tremosine |
More things to do in Lake Garda. Visit Limone to swim, shop or eat
What can you see? | Where | |
Paragliding | There is Paragliding from the slopes of Monte Baldo above Malcesine. Beginners can go in a pair with an instructor. | Malcesine |
Pedalo hire | Hire a pedalo from next to the castle in Riva. Explore the lake round Riva and swim in the lake. | Riva |
Picnic in the mountains | In Valle di Bondo at the entrance to the Alta Garda Bresciano National Park there are several lovely public picknic areas where you can barbeque and grill next to a mountain river. Take the road to Vesio and follow directions to Valle di Bondo. | Vesio Tremosine |
Pool swimming | Vesio, Tremosine has some beautiful swimming pools set in gardens and with open air eating. The best are La Berna ( www.residencelaberna.com ) and La Fenice ( www.hotellafenice.it ) | Vesio, Tremosine |
Riva | Riva del Garda is an ancient walled town on the northern tip of the Lake. Many of its historic buildings and the castle were built when it was part of the Venetian empire. Favourite activities are swimming from the sandy beach (with lifeguards), shopping and eating in the many restaurants and bars or taking a lake trip. You can hire a sailing boat or bicycle from Hotel du lac du parc. Tip. Cycle up the river to Arco. | Northern point of lake |
More things to do on Lake Garda: Visit Riva to swim, sail and shop in the market
Casa Paradiso Garda. Market day at Riva (Wednesdays)
What can you see? | Where | |
Sailing | The Lake is a centre of competitive sailing. Riva and Torbole have marinas. You can book a sailing dinghy, catamaran and lessons at Hotel du lac du parc Riva ( www.dulacetduparc.com ) Another sailing centre is Campione | Riva, Campione |
Skiing | In the winter months there is skiing on the slopes of Monte Baldo. Catch the cable car from Malcesine. | Monte Baldo |
Strada della Forra | This precipitous road from Pieve down to Limone was descibed by Winston Churchill as the 8th wonder of the world. The opening sequence of James Bond "Quantum of Solace" was filmed where the road joins the lake between Campione and Limone | Pieve Tremosine |
Swimming in Lake Garda | Some of the best places for a family to go swimming are Riva and Limone. Riva has a sandy beach next to a park with offshore pontoons. Limone has a stony beach and at the southern end away from the town is very beautiful. | Western shore |
Tennis | A centre for tennis in Lake Garda is Voltino, Tremosine. You can hire clay courts and receive lessons for all levels. Try Hotel PinetaCampi.( www.hotelpinetacampi.com ) | Voltino. Tremosine |
More things to do on Lake Garda. Swim in the Lake at Riva, Limone or Campione
What can you see? | Where | |
Terrazza del Brivido | The Terrazza del Brivido, Pieve is a balcony overhanging a 500m drop down to the lake. Pieve has lovely winding streets where Klimt once painted. | Pieve, Tremosine |
Vesio di Tremosine | Vesio, Tremosine is a beautiful village overlooking the lake. Good places to eat are Sole / Fenice which has an excellent restuarant and pizzeria ( www.hotellafenice.it ) and Val d'egoi a popular country restaurant in Valle di Bondo. ( www.agriturvaldegoi.com ) | Above Limone |
Via Ferrata | In the first world war the Italian and Austrian armies fought across the mountains surrounding the lake. The armies built tunnels, ladders and wireways (called Via Ferrata) across the vertical cliffs. If you have a head for heights there are regular tours of the wireways. See skyclimber. | All round lake |
Windsurfing | Campione del Garda and Riva are major centres of windsurfing on the lake. | Campione |
More things to do on Lake Garda. Visit Tremosine for mountains, tennis, swimming etc
Swimming in Vesio, Tremosine
