On Lake Garda the town matters more for your holiday than the hotel itself. In the north the mountains rise straight out of the water, while in the south the lake becomes wide and flat. The west shore belongs to Lombardy, the east shore to Veneto and the northern tip to Trentino.
The towns at a glance
| Town | Shore | Ideal for | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riva del Garda | North | Active travellers, cyclists, windsurfers | Mountains, old town, good facilities | Cooler water, further from the airport |
| Limone sul Garda | West | Couples, views | Lemon groves, cycle path above the lake | Very busy by day, little beach |
| Malcesine | East | Everyone | Castle, Monte Baldo cable car | Narrow lanes, hard to park |
| Garda | East | Couples, walkers | Bay, flat promenade | Busy in August |
| Bardolino | East/South | Families, walkers | Long lakeside promenade, flat | Beaches rather narrow |
| Lazise | South/East | Families | Town walls, close to Gardaland | Very busy in summer |
| Sirmione | South | Couples, short breaks, car-free | Moated castle, warm water | Old town very crowded by day |
By type of trip
With children: Lazise and Bardolino. The shores are flat, the paths suit pushchairs and Gardaland is close. More in our guide to family hotels.
Without a car: Sirmione or Peschiera. Train connection, boats and buses in every direction.
Active holiday: Riva del Garda and Torbole in the north for cycling, hiking and water sports, Malcesine for Monte Baldo.
Peace and quiet: the west shore between Gargnano and Limone, outside the day-tripper hours.
Town profiles
Frequently asked questions
Which town on Lake Garda is best for families?
Lazise, Bardolino and Peschiera on the south-east shore: flat shores, long promenades and Gardaland only minutes away.
Which town is the most practical without a car?
Sirmione, Peschiera and Desenzano in the south, because the Peschiera and Desenzano-Sirmione stations are on the Milan-Venice line.
Where is Lake Garda quietest?
On the west shore between Gargnano and Limone: steep coast, smaller villages and less through traffic.
Bardolino
Bardolino on Lake Garda: flat lakeside promenade, sunbathing lawns and short trips to Garda, Lazise and Gardaland. Where families and couples stay best.
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Desenzano
Desenzano del Garda: the largest town on Lake Garda, with a station on the Milan-Venice line, harbour, Roman villa and Sirmione next door. Where to stay.
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Garda
Hotels in Garda on the east shore: sheltered bay, flat promenade to Bardolino and good boat links. Who the town suits and where to stay.
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Gardaland hotels
Looking for a Gardaland hotel? Castelnuovo del Garda, Peschiera and Lazise compared: distance to the park, lake location, getting there and family tips.
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West shore
Lake Garda's west shore at a glance: Salò, Gardone Riviera, Gargnano and Limone compared. Where it is quiet, what to see and how to get around.
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Lazise
Lazise on Lake Garda's south-east shore: town walls, harbour and Gardaland within minutes. Where families and couples stay and what to do.
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Limone sul Garda
Hotels in Limone sul Garda: which location, when it is quiet and what to see, from lemon houses and the old town to the cycle path above the lake.
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Malcesine
Lakefront hotels in Malcesine on Lake Garda: which areas sit on the water, plus Scaliger Castle, old town and the Monte Baldo cable car. With map and prices.
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Peschiera
Peschiera del Garda on the south shore: UNESCO fortress town, station on the Milan-Venice line, Gardaland next door. Where to stay and what to do.
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Riva del Garda
Riva del Garda on the north shore: mountains right at the lake, old town, cycle paths and water sports. Which location for which hotel, getting there and day trips.
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Sirmione
Sirmione on Lake Garda's south shore: moated castle, Roman villa and the warmest swimming water. Where to stay, how to get there by train and which boat tour to pick.
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Torri del Benaco
Hotels in Torri del Benaco on Lake Garda: harbour, Scaliger Castle, the car ferry to Maderno and the best areas to stay. Quieter than Malcesine, with map and prices.
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