Where to sleep in Garda: an area-by-area guide
Lake Garda is big and each area has its own personality. The choice of accommodation depends on what you are looking for: nightlife, tranquility, sports, culture or family. Here is a comprehensive guide to choosing the right base for your Garda vacation.
Upper Garda: Riva, Torbole, Arco
Who it is for: sportsmen, mountain lovers, active couples.
Riva del Garda, Torbole and Arco are an outdoor sports paradise. Windsurfing, climbing, hiking and mountain biking find ideal conditions here. The atmosphere is sporty and international. Accommodations range from lakeside campgrounds to hotels with spas, with excellent value for money compared to more touristy areas.
The tip: choose Torbole if you do water sports, Arco for climbing, Riva to have everything at your fingertips.
Brescian shore: Limone, Gargnano, Salò, Gardone
Who it is for: romantic couples, lovers of good food, those seeking elegance.
The western shore is the most elegant: refined villages, gourmet restaurants, and a Riviera atmosphere. Limone is picturesque but small, Gargnano is the most discreet and authentic, Salò is lively with shopping and clubs, and Gardone is the chic choice with the Vittoriale and gourmet restaurants.
The tip: Gargnano to escape the crowds, Salò for social life, Gardone for luxury.
Valtenesi: Manerba, Moniga, Padenghe
Who it’s for: families, lovers of wine and tranquility.
The Valtenesi hills offer farmhouses, B&Bs and country apartments with lake views at reasonable prices. Manerba has the best beaches, Moniga and Padenghe are quiet villages surrounded by vineyards and olive groves.
The tip: perfect for those who have a car and want to explore quietly. Lower prices compared to the shore.
Lower Garda: Sirmione, Desenzano, Peschiera
Who it’s for: those arriving by train, families, nightlife.
Sirmione is the ultimate romantic choice, with thermal baths and castle. Desenzano is the liveliest town on the lake, with train station, nightclubs and markets. Peschiera is the transportation hub and the ideal base for Gardaland.
The tip: Desenzano for those arriving by train. Sirmione for couples. Peschiera for families with amusement parks.
Veronese shore: Lazise, Bardolino, Garda, Malcesine
Who it is for: everyone-the most versatile bank.
Lazise and Bardolino are lively villages with beaches, restaurants, and evening life. Garda is quieter and more refined. Malcesine is the pearl of the northeast, with castle, cable car, and picture-postcard atmosphere.
The tip: Bardolino for wineries and social life. Malcesine for pure beauty.
Types of accommodation
- Lake view hotels: from €80 to €300 per night. The most beautiful are on the Brescian shore
- Agriturismi: from 60€ to 120€. The best in the Valtenesi and Veronese hinterland.
- B&Bs and room rentals: from 50€ to 100€. Widespread everywhere, excellent value for money
- Apartments: from 70€ to 200€. Ideal for families and long stays
- Campsites: from €25 to €80. Best on the lake in Lazise, Peschiera and Limone
When to book
For July and August, book at least 2-3 months in advance, especially for lake-view facilities. June and September offer better availability and lower prices. Winter is the season for savings, with discounts of up to 50 percent.
