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The Ultimate Lake Garda bucket list: Top 45 things to do on Lake Garda
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The Ultimate Lake Garda bucket list: Top 45 things to do on Lake Garda

Jo Mackay
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As the largest and easternmost lake in Italy, and one of Italy’s most popular tourist destinations, there is certainly plenty to see and do around Lake Garda. Here’s our list to the top 50 things to see and do around the lake during your Italian Lakes villa holiday.

  1. Enjoy the rides at Gardaland.
  2. Marvel at the views from the top of the Rocca Scaligero in Sirmione.
  3. Go wine tasting in the hills around Bardolino (or visit during the annual Festa dell’ Uva harvest in late September and early October or during the Palio del Chiaretto which celebrates the area’s rosĂ© wine).
  4. See the animals on a safari at the Parco Natura Viva in Bussolengo.
  5. Spend the day at one of Lake Garda’s beaches. One of our favourites is the Val di Sogno near Malcesine but there are plenty just waiting to be discovered.
  6. Visit the ruins of what is believed to have once been the home of the Roman poet Catallus – the Grotte di Catullo – in Sirmione.
  7. Admire the orchids at the Parco della Rocca in Manerba del Garda, along with the ruins of the Medieval castle – the Rocca di Manerba.
  8. Take the cable car to the summit of Monte Baldo to enjoy the view.
  9. Marvel at the curiosities inside the Villa il Vittoriale, once the home of the poet Gabriele d’Annunzio, in Gardone.
  10. Head to Venice for the day.
  11. Wander through the old Medieval streets and waterside parks of Riva del Garda.
  12. Enjoy a day trip to visit some of the villas designed by Palladio including Villa Emo in Fanzolo, Villa Barbaro in Maser and the buildings in his home town of Vicenza.
  13. Explore the streets and Medieval castle of Malcesine.
  14. Admire the exotic plants at the Giardino Botanico Hruska in Gardone.
  15. Visit the 4th century Villa Romana in Desenzano del Garda.
  16. Enjoy the thrills at Movieland, Lake Garda’s theme park that revolves around cinema.
  17. Take in the incredible views of the lake at the Camaldolese Hermitage near Garda.
  18. Go hiking along the trails around Torri del Benaco to discover prehistoric rock carvings.
  19. Enjoy some water sports on the lake – windsurfing, kitesurfing and sailing are the most popular.
  20. Visit the Arboreto di Arco, an arboretum built by the archduke Albert of Hapsburg when Arco became the imperial Winter residence of the Hapsburg court, before climbing up to the Castello di Arco that sits on a cliff above.
  21. Spend the day in Verona, the home of Romeo and Juliet and the Arena di Verona.
  22. Complete the 140 km cycle around Lake Garda (whilst paths are already in place in certain parts of the lake, the path with be fully completed by 2026).
  23. Take a boat trio to Garda’s largest island – Isola del Garda – or to Garda’s other island Isola dei Conigli (also called Isola San Biagio).
  24. Stroll along the picturesque waterfront of Limone sul Garda and breathe in the scent of its lemon groves by visiting La Limonaia del Castel.
  25. Go deep underwater at the Porto San Nicolò dive site off the shores of Riva del Garda.
  26. Enjoy a boat trip to admire the dramatic scenery of the Northern part of Lake Garda.
  27. Drive along the same route that featured in the opening sequence of the James Bond film, Quantum of Solace, which was also described by Winston Churchill once as the 8th wonder of the world – the Strada della Forra near Tremosine.
  28. Tackle the treetop adventure course at the Parco Avventura delle Busatte in Torbole.
  29. Go clubbing and enjoy the nightlife in Desenzano. 
  30. Rake a leisurely stroll along the Zanardelli lakefront in Salò before visiting the city’s museum.
  31. Make a splash at the Caneva Aquapark in Lazise or at the Parco La Quiete in Lonato del Garda.
  32. Marvel at the Cascata del Varone, a dramatic waterfall north of Riva.
  33. Explore the lofty peaks of the nearby Dolomite Mountains on a day trip from Lake Garda.
  34. Go rock climbing in Arco.
  35. Wallow in the thermal baths at the Aquaria Thermal SPA in Sirmione or the Parco Termale del Garda in Cola (along with others).
  36. Go hiking – there are plenty of trails to enjoy but a couple of our favourites include Sentiero Busatte-Tempesta near Torbole and the Old Ponale Road Path in Riva del Garda.
  37. Go for a swim in the nearby crystal clear waters of the smaller Lake Tenno. Whilst there make sure you visit the hamlet Canale di Tenno too!
  38. Discover Italy’s shortest river – the picturesque River Aril in Cassone -which is just 175 metres long as it heads down a small waterfall under a road and 3 bridges into Lake Garda.
  39. Go shopping at one of Lake Garda’s weekly markets.
  40. Visit the town that gave the lake its name – Garda.
  41. Explore the historic centre of Peschiera del Garda and its pentagonal fortress.
  42. Head to Padenghe sul Garda to check out the 12th century Padenghe Castle with its well preserved drawbridge and towers.
  43. Take a drive along the the scenic Gardesana Occidentale to Gargnano, one of Lake Garda’s most picturesque villages.
  44. Discover the incredible history of the area by taking a walk in the mountains at Passo Nota to find trenches and battlefields from WWI.
  45.  Do a grappa tasting (grappa is a grape-based pomace brandy that originates in Northern Italy).

Can’t wait to tick the things of this bucket list for yourself? Then check out the Lake Garda villa rentals available from Italian Lakes villa rental specialists, Bookings For You.

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