Lake Garda holidays

Stunning rustic scenery and enchanting towns embody the timeless appeal of this majestic lake. Whether you’re looking to unwind as you get to know the café culture, or get active on the water, Lake Garda is the ideal choice for an idyllic Italian escape. Don’t forget your camera!

Popular Lake Garda Resorts

Poiano Resort Hotel

Garda, Lake Garda

Our rating

Based on 2209 reviews

Perfect for all ages
Great range of facilities
Free bus to the resort centre
Olympic size swimming pool
Tennis court

Grand Hotel Gardone Riviera

Gardone Riviera, Lake Garda

Our rating

Based on 1492 reviews

Perfect for adults
Grand, iconic hotel
Stunning lake views
Private bathing platform
Central location

Poiano Resort Apartments

Garda, Lake Garda

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Our rating

Based on 350 reviews

Great range of sports and activities
Larger apartments available
Olympic size swimming pool
Complimentary bus to the resort centre
Quiet setting

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Language

Italian

Currency

euro

Time difference

+1hr

Cost of a beer

from around €4 a bottle

3 course meal

from around €30

Flight times

3.5hrs

Magnificent mountains

Stretching between the Alps and the Dolomites, the imposing mountain backdrop frames the lake and provides the perfect playground for outdoorsy types. Hiking, mountain biking and watersports are all popular activities. Don’t miss a ride on the funicular from Malcesine to the top of Monte Baldo for breathtaking views of the lake.

Charming towns

One of the pleasures of the lakeside is exploring the picturesque towns that dot the shoreline. Spend your days village-hopping with easy transport links. Why not take a leisurely stroll around the cobbled streets of Peschiera or head to Sirmione to discover its 13th century castle?

Full of flavour

The rolling hills to the east produce the famous full-bodied wines, Bardolino and Valpolicella. This region flourishes with olive groves and fragrant lemon orchards. Be sure to dine al fresco in Limone and sample delicious dishes made with fresh local produce for a true taste of la dolce vita.

Malcesine

Malcesine’s harbourside is the perfect place to linger over a glass of something cold as you watch the world glide by.

Riva

A picturesque village with a 14th century castle and bustling piazzas full of local life await you here in remarkable Riva.

Garda

This handsome town is a colourful fishing village and a great base for getting around the region.

Gardone Riviera

Full of old-world charm with a lush lakeside promenade, botanical gardens and pretty piazza, the Gardone Riviera is another perfect puzzle piece of the region.

Limone

Old fishermen’s houses and lemon groves give this town a laid-back Mediterranean vibe.

Bardolino

Renowned for its grape growing on vast vineyards up in the hills, Bardolino is filled with pretty pastel houses adorning the docks of moored boats as well as endless wine tasting opportunities.

Desenzano

Classic old villas, cathedrals and a glitzy marina all flank the lakeside in Desenzano.

San Felice del Benaco

This peaceful town lies on the idyllic western waterfront of Lake Garda, close to the Gothic churches and crumbling castles of Isola Del Garda.

Sirmione

Small but stylish, Sirmione is perfectly perched by the lake. Its quaint castle is shielded by an arching moat, while there are Roman ruins to explore and heavenly views curving all around.

Peschiera

Shops, cafés and trattorias aplenty can be found within Peschiera’s medieval walls, so leave no historic stone unturned.

Toscolano Maderno

This terracotta-topped town overlooks the west side of the mighty lake.

Calvagese della Riviera Brescia

This sleepy commune, nestled within northern Italy, offers the ideal base to get around the unrivalled paradise of Lake Garda, just minutes away.

Beaches

For a classic day on the beach, head to the sweeping Golden Bay – close to Mellieha, it’s gifted with soft, dusty sand and shallow water that’s suited to paddling. Mellieha Bay has a great stretch, too. So if you’re after a bit of choice, Malta’s got it in spades.

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Sights

Malta’s bursting with historical sights, from mysterious temples to the palazzos of the walled city of Mdina. In Valletta, there’s plenty of architecture left over from the days of the crusaders, and perfectly-preserved war rooms from the Second World War. It’s a fantastic site for historic ruins and blemishes of bygone times.

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Activities

Families flock to wild waterparks, with one major draw sitting between Sliema and St Paul’s Bay. And watersports are big, especially in Qawra and Bugibba, where a sheltered bay keeps the waves really calm for water-skiing and banana boats. Exploring the little towns and waterside paths is essential.

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Eating and drinking

Traditional meals here are all about freshly-netted seafood. Most Maltese places do their own version of a tasty fish pie, keeping homely touches on tap. And if you’re in search of bags of flavour, garlic-packed stews are big around here. It’s all finished off with the local tipple – prickly-pear liqueur.

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Gourmet eateries

Bardolino, Lake Garda

Walking through the narrow streets of Bardolino, you will be spoilt for choice for places to eat. Restaurants use local fresh fish and produce. Popular among tourists and locals is fine dining restaurant La...

Authentic Italian classics

Garda, Lake Garda

You're spoilt for choice for Italian restaurants in Garda, and standards here are high. Head to friendly Osteria Caffe Amaro for an excellent menu of regional cuisine, plus delicious desserts. Or, taste a...

Shopping

If you want shopping malls filled with familiar names, stretch your legs around Sliema and you’ll quickly tick boxes. Meanwhile in Valletta, the island’s capital, you’ll discover that the city does a great line in fashion boutiques and quirky craft shops. So get ready for a spree!

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Garda weekly market

Garda, Lake Garda

Shop for clothes, jewellery, handbags, leather goods, porcelain ornaments and more at Garda's Friday weekly market held by the lakeside. It's a typical colourful Italian market, great for finding souvenirs to...

Italian craft shops

Limone, Lake Garda

You'll find many of the shops in Limone around the harbour and clustered behind the promenade. There are some quirky things on sale here, from kitchenware to model cars to dried fruit. Also look out for quality...

Nightlife

Sure, things seem cool, calm and collected here across Malta and Gozo, but glammed-up St Julian’s is Malta’s big party town, full of chic nightclubs to brag about. Bugibba’s a great after-dark spot, too, with a raft of fun bars and Brit pubs to chill out in.

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A variety of local pubs

Riva, Lake Garda

There are a variety of local pubs and small bars around Riva. Friendly Pub all'Oca has a great vibe and lots of character so it's a popular choice for cocktails, beer and tapas. The party gets going late at...

Atmospheric local bars

Sirmione, Lake Garda

In Sirmione evening fun begins with an aperitif in one of the many cosy bars in the centre, and continues with dinner in one of the traditional restaurants. Barracuda Bar is a popular drinking destination...