~Our Experience~

See the travel highlights of the lake below :)

There are some days that feel like they’ve been pulled straight out of a postcard, and my day on Lake Garda was exactly that.

The morning began in the most magical way...with a view of everything that lied before us from the balcony of a beautiful villa up on a hill. As we set off I was overflowing with excitement for the adventure that was before us. A day in a new place with friends that wanted to show us it’s very best. No worrying about where we were going or what we were going to do. A plan layed out just for us and I’ll I had to do was enjoy it.

After short drive and walk through the city center of Riva del Garda (the northern most town on the lake) we found ourselves in front of the ferries waiting to board. In a few minutes we were off towards our destination. As we glided across the sparkling water I couldn’t help but be in awe of the mountains that rose so dramatically around the lake…and the mist that sat up so high and still it gave you the feeling that there must be smoke in the air. The temperature was mild and the wind blew through our hair. The scenery beautifully dotted with olive and lemon groves, vineyards, and lovely colorful villages that climbed effortlessly up the mountain sides….magic!

After a not short but not long ferry ride, we arrived in one of the lake’s storybook towns, Malcesine. Cobblestone streets twisted and turned up the hill and in between beautiful old buildings with faded shutters and flower filled balconies. I took in as much as I could. The art…the people…the views…the smells. I shopped from afar for items I knew I wouldn’t be buying this time around. I breathed in all the colors and all the magic trying to remember as many details as I could.

Our destination was *lunch on a picture perfect terrace with a vine covered pergola overlooking the lake. It was one of those views you can’t believe people get to look at everyday…heaven. We sat and enjoyed a delicious meal in a setting dreamier than I could have imagined. I have no idea now what anyone else ate that day but I dined on Gnocchi al gorgonzola e noci (Gnocchi with gorgonzola and walnuts)…and I’ve been dreaming about ever since. I fully intend to recreate it here on Life Lemons Italy - and of course, I’ll keep you posted:)

When the afternoon light started to soften, we made our way back through the town and to the ferry, taking a little side trip down a tree lined street by the water to take in the views. I was so relaxed and enchanted by our afternoon I barely remember the ferry trip home except for glimpses in my head of changing shadows on the mountains and wind surfers gliding across the lake.

When we returned back to Riva del Garda we took a little time to wonder through the streets and visit some of the local shops. We packed for this trip in a hurry and so we found ourselves in need of a shirt for my husband and some socks for my daughter who forgot to bring any…haha! It was a happy and relaxing way to bring our adventure to a close.

I would return to Lake Garda a million times over. It’s the kind of place that leaves you with more than photographs. It leaves you with a feeling that you’ve stepped into another time and place. Like you’ve been to some fairytale land that you never want to leave behind.

*In Malcesine we ate at Ristorante Paradiso Perduto (Lost Paradise) at Via Castello, 17.

The Big Highlights of Lago di Garda

Italy’s largest lake, Lago di Garda, feels like several destinations woven into one magical beautiful breathtaking place. Ringed by dramatic mountains to the north and rolling vineyards and olive groves to the south, Garda offers a perfect blend of nature, history, food, and that unique Italian beauty we all know and love. Whether you’re visiting for a few days or lingering a little longer, these are some of the biggest highlights that make Lake Garda so unforgettable.

The Landscape

One of the most magical things about Lago di Garda is how dramatically it transforms as you travel around it. The northern end, near Riva del Garda, feels alpine and dramatic, with steep cliffs and and towns grasping and the mountain sides. As you move south, the landscape softens into gentle hills, cypress trees, lemon groves, and vineyards. Like so many places in Italy, you don’t have to travel far for it to feel like another world.

Storybook Lake Towns

Lake Garda is dotted with postcard-perfect towns, each with its own personality.

Malcesine (North-East) is a favorite, with its winding cobblestone streets, flower-filled balconies, and the striking Castello Scaligero rising above the water.
Limone sul Garda (West), clinging to the dramatic western cliffs, is known for its historic lemon groves and colorful facades that seem to spill toward the lake.
Sirmione (South), perched on a narrow peninsula, feels almost surreal…surrounded by water, crowned by a medieval castle, and rich with Roman history.
Riva del Garda (North) sits where the lake meets the mountains, offering a more alpine feel with dramatic peaks, lively promenades, and a vibrant energy shaped by wind, water, and outdoor life.
Bardolino (South-East) is a relaxed wine town with a lovely lakeside promenade, known for its gentle pace, sunlit waterfront, and namesake wines.
Garda (East) feels elegant and understated, with a refined historic center, a picturesque harbor, and a calm, timeless atmosphere along the water.
Desenzano del Garda (South-West) is lively and stylish, blending Roman history with bustling piazzas, great shopping, and a vibrant lakeside scene.

Every town invites you to wander slowly, get a little lost, and sit for an espresso (or a Spritz) longer than planned.

Ferry Rides Across the Lake

A great way to experience Lago di Garda is by ferry. Gliding across the water offers spectacular views of the mountains, villages, and changing shoreline…and it feels wonderfully relaxing. Ferries connect many of the lake’s main towns, making it an easy (and scenic) way to explore without a car.

Castles & Villas

Lake Garda is steeped in history, from Roman ruins to medieval fortresses. Castello Scaligero in both Malcesine and Sirmione (yes, two different castles on two different parts of the lake with the same name) offers stunning views and a glimpse into the lake’s past. These two magical medieval castles truly make you feel as if you’ve stepped into that fairytale!

The castle in Malcesine sits high atop a rocky hill, overlooking both the town and the lake. In Sirmione, Castello Scaligero sits gracefully on the peninsula, surrounded by the waters of the lake.

Sirmione is also home to remarkable Roman villas

Grotte di Catullo – a Roman villa perched dramatically at the edge of the peninsula, with an olive grove and a nearby archaeological museum.
Villa Romana e Antiquarium di Desenzano del Garda – a lakeside villa dating back two millennia, famous for its delicate mosaics of animals and flowers.

These sites are a vivid reminder that people have been captivated by Lake Garda for thousands of years

Outdoor Beauty & Adventure

For nature and outdoor lovers, Garda is a dream…

Hiking and biking trails wind through olive groves and along mountain ridges. I actually can hardly believe the walking/biking path that clings to the mountain side called the Passerella ciclopedonale di Limone sul Garda (Limone sul Garda Pedestrian and Cycling Path) It’s so beautiful and I hope to be able to walk or bike it someday without the kids or when they are older!

The lake’s steady winds make it one of Europe’s top spots for windsurfing and sailing, especially in the north. During our ferry ride we witnessed this first hand. There were so many people out there! If surfing and sailing aren’t for you there are many other activities to do out on the water or around the lake as well, including canoeing, rafting and even paragliding:)

This place to so spectacular though you really don’t need to do anything too crazy to enjoy it, a simple lakeside walk or a swim on a warm afternoon would feel magical here.

Food, Wine & Slow Pleasures

Life on Lake Garda is deeply tied to its local flavors. Olive oil from the surrounding hills is delicate and prized, lake fish appears often on menus, and nearby wine regions like Bardolino and Valpolicella produce beautiful reds and rosés. Meals are definitely meant to be enjoyed here…preferably on a terrace overlooking the water, with time to linger and savor.

How to Get to Lake Garda

Lake Garda is surprisingly easy to reach and well connected to many of northern Italy’s major cities. Whether you’re traveling by train or car, getting there is part of the beautiful adventure.

By Train

Several towns around Lake Garda are served by nearby train stations, making train travel one of the most convenient options.

Desenzano del Garda–Sirmione and Peschiera del Garda (southern lake) are the main rail hubs, with frequent high-speed and regional trains from Milan, Venice, Verona, and Bologna.
From these stations, ferries, buses, or taxis can take you to other lakeside towns.

This is an excellent option if you plan to explore the southern and eastern parts of the lake without a car.