Lake Garda
Lake Garda is Italy's largest lake, and people come for Sirmione's castle, the lemon groves on the west shore and windsurfing near Riva del Garda.
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Lake Garda is Italy's largest lake, in the north of the country across Lombardy, Veneto and Trentino. Most visitors come for the water and the towns along its shores. Sirmione sits on a narrow peninsula and is known for its medieval castle, which stands at the water's edge. The west shore has lemon groves, and the north end, around Riva del Garda, is the lake's main windsurfing area. Monte Baldo rises above the east shore and gives walks with wide views over the water.
The lake suits families, first-time visitors and active travelers. Because it is long, the shore you choose shapes the trip: a base in Sirmione puts you near the castle, while the north end suits people who want to sail or windsurf. Ferries link many lakeside towns, but road travel along the shore takes time, so plan fewer stops than you think. Late spring and early autumn bring mild weather without the midsummer crowds. Three days covers one or two shores, and a week lets you see the lake at an unhurried pace.
Lake Garda in five
- Pick your shore before you pick a hotelThe south has trains, theme parks and Sirmione. The east is lively with wine and Verona close. The north is for wind sports and hikes, and the west is quieter with narrow roads.Where to stay on Lake Garda
- Use ferries, not the lakeshore road, in summerNavigazione Laghi runs ships, a fast service and a car ferry between Maderno and Torri. The 2026 summer timetable ran from 16 May to 4 October; check the dates for your trip.Navigazione Laghi timetables
- Reach Sirmione by boat, and see it early or lateThe old town is a limited-traffic zone all year and day visitors cannot drive in. Arrive by ferry or bus before about 10am, or after the coaches leave.Lake Garda in 3 days
- Ride the Monte Baldo cable car on a clear dayThe cable car climbs from Malcesine in about 20 minutes. In 2026 the summer season ran from 4 April to 1 November; wind and cloud can stop it, so pick a clear morning.
- Flying in via Verona or Bergamo? Check entry firstVisitors from outside Europe should confirm EES and the 90-day count before booking nonrefundable boat tours or hotels.EES explained
Things to do in Lake Garda
See all attractions in Lake Garda
Need to know
- Airport
- Verona (VRN), 20–40 min by car; Bergamo and Milan airports 1.5–2 hours
- Getting there
- Train to Desenzano or Peschiera (Milan–Venice line); Milan about 50 min by fast train
- Getting around
- Ferries, lake buses and a car; trains serve the south shore only
- Best base
- Desenzano for trains, Malcesine or Riva for the north
- Time needed
- 3–5 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryClear7 rainy daysHigh7°Low3°Quiet, few ferriesJanuaryClear
Mixed
- High
- 7°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 51 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Quiet, few ferries
- FebruaryPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh10°Low4°Quiet, coldFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 66 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Quiet, cold
- MarchPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh13°Low6°Spring startsMarchPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 74 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring starts
- AprilPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh17°Low10°Spring, showersAprilPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 84 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, showers
- MayRain16 rainy daysHigh20°Low14°Hiking, warmMayRain
Good
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 148 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hiking, warm
- JunePartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh26°Low19°Swim, busyJunePartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 97 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Swim, busy
- JulyPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh28°Low21°Peak, crowdedJulyPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 101 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Peak, crowded
- AugustClear11 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh28°Low21°Peak, FerragostoAugustClear
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 103 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Peak, Ferragosto
- SeptemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh23°Low17°Warm, quieterSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 121 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, quieter
- OctoberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh18°Low13°Autumn, quietOctoberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 106 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn, quiet
- NovemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh12°Low8°Many closuresNovemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 106 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Many closures
- DecemberClear7 rainy daysHigh8°Low5°Christmas marketsDecemberClear
Mixed
- High
- 8°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 70 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Christmas markets
Average daily high and low in Desenzano del Garda, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Lake Garda
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
10
- Feels like
- 7°
- Humidity
- 59%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Lake Garda
11:41 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today17°8°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 17°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue15°8°33%Tuesday: Rain. High 15°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 33%.
- Wed14°10°23%Wednesday: Rain. High 14°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 23%.
- Thu14°8°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri13°8°31%Friday: Cloudy. High 13°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 31%.
- Sat12°9°38%Saturday: Rain. High 12°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 38%.
- Sun14°11°30%Sunday: Rain. High 14°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 30%.
Updated 09:21 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- Jun–SepArena di Verona FestivalVerona, a day trip
- SepFestivaletteraturaMantua, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Veronaabout 20–30 min by train from PeschieraA Roman arena and Juliet's courtyard, close to the east shore.Read the guide
- Mantuaabout 45–60 min by car, or by train via VeronaA Gonzaga city with lakes on three sides.Read the guide
- Bresciaabout 30 min by train from DesenzanoRoman ruins and a hilltop castle.Read the guide
Before you go to Lake Garda
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Rules for Lake Garda, checked
Lake Garda FAQ
Which side of Lake Garda is best to stay on?
The south (Sirmione, Desenzano) for trains and ease, the east (Lazise, Bardolino) for families and wine, the north (Riva, Torbole) for outdoor sports, and Malcesine for mountain views. Most first-timers choose Sirmione or Desenzano.
How many days do you need at Lake Garda?
Three days give you Sirmione, one ferry day and Monte Baldo. Five days lets you cover both ends of the lake without driving long distances every day.
Do you need a car at Lake Garda?
Not for the south shore, where trains and ferries run. Elsewhere a car helps, but lakeshore roads are slow in summer. Ferries and buses link many towns, and a base near a ferry dock lets you skip the car.
Is Lake Garda better than Lake Como?
Garda is bigger, warmer and better for families and active travelers, with more mid-price hotels. Como is narrower and more glamorous, with steep mountain views. Our comparison page sets them side by side.
Can you swim in Lake Garda?
Yes, mainly from June to September. Many beaches are pebbly, and some sections are private lidos with fees. Check local notices on water quality, and avoid swimming near ferry lanes.