A holiday apartment on Lake Garda is worth it mainly from a week upwards, for families and for groups. You get more space, your own kitchen and often a pool in the complex. On short stays, the final cleaning fee and minimum stay quickly eat up the price advantage.
Hotel or apartment?
| Criterion | Apartment | Hotel |
|---|---|---|
| Ideal length | 7 nights or more | 2-6 nights |
| Space | Living room, often a terrace | Usually one room |
| Meals | Self-catering, restaurants as you like | Breakfast or half board |
| Extra costs | Final cleaning, bed linen, tourist tax | Tourist tax |
| Flexibility | Minimum stay in peak season | Arrival on any day |
Count the final cleaning fee. Over a week it hardly matters, but over three nights it can raise the price per night considerably. Always compare the total price.
Where to rent an apartment on Lake Garda
- Families with small children: Lazise and Bardolino, with flat shores, many complexes with pools and Gardaland nearby.
- Active holidays: Riva del Garda and Torbole, with cycle paths and mountains on the doorstep.
- Without a car: apartments within walking distance of a boat landing, for example in Garda or Malcesine.
- Peace and quiet: the west shore between Gargnano and Limone.
Checklist before booking
- Check the location on the map: having Lake Garda in the name does not mean it is by the lake. Some complexes are several kilometres inland.
- Parking: in the old towns of Malcesine, Lazise or Sirmione, your own space is worth its weight in gold.
- Pool season: many complex pools are open only from May to September.
- Air conditioning: almost a must on the south shore in July and August.
- Cancellation: book early for peak season, but with free cancellation.
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Frequently asked questions
When is a holiday apartment on Lake Garda worth it?
From about a week, for families and groups. You save on restaurant meals and get more space. For two or three nights a hotel is usually more convenient.
Are there apartments with a pool on Lake Garda?
Yes, a great many, mostly in the resorts inland from Bardolino, Lazise and on the south shore. On the steep north shore they are rarer and pricier.
In which towns does an apartment work without a car?
In towns with a boat landing and shops within walking distance: Garda, Bardolino, Lazise, Malcesine or Riva. Apartments inland almost always need a car.
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