Lake Garda

Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy, covering about 370 square kilometres and stretching roughly 51 kilometres from north to south. It sits at the interface of three Italian regions and is a major recreational and scenic destination.

The lake offers varied experiences: the sheltered southern basin with thermal springs and historic towns, the dramatic northern fjord-like inlet favoured by sailors and windsurfers, and steep lakeside villages with medieval castles and lakeside promenades. Popular activities include sailing, windsurfing, hiking on surrounding hills and boat excursions between towns.

Lake Garda was formed by glacial action during the last Ice Age, which created its deep basin and steep northern shores. Over centuries the lakeshore towns developed as fishing, trading and later tourist centres, preserving medieval castles and historical centres.

Geographically the lake lies between the regions of Lombardy, Veneto and Trentino-Alto Adige in northern Italy, with major nearby cities including Verona to the south and Brescia to the southwest; the lake is roughly 30 kilometres north of Verona by road.

• Winds for sailing: The lake's northerly and southerly wind systems - locally called the Peler and Ora - make it a world-class location for sailing and windsurfing year-round.
• Best viewpoints: Sirmione's Scaliger Castle and the northern towns of Riva and Malcesine offer the best panoramic views and convenient marina access for boat tours of the lake.

What to See #

• Sirmione: Sirmione - a peninsular town on the lake's southern shore famous for a medieval castle (Scaliger Castle) and thermal springs; the castle dates mainly to the 13th century.
• Riva del Garda: Riva del Garda - a town at the northern tip of the lake that is a hub for sailing, windsurfing and alpine access to the Garda mountains.
• Malcesine: Malcesine - a lakeside town on the eastern shore dominated by a lakeside medieval castle and served by a cable car to Monte Baldo for hiking and panoramic views.
• Limone sul Garda: Limone sul Garda - a western-shore town known historically for citrus cultivation and steep, terraced slopes above the lake.
• Isola del Garda: Isola del Garda - the largest island on the lake with a prominent late 19th-century villa and landscaped gardens visible from the water.