Holidays in Lake Garda

There are lots of little nooks to explore in Limone. The Church of Saint Rocco is a hidden gem and we love visiting the oil mill for some tastings. Why not visit Limonaia Del Castel to learn about the town’s history with lemon-centric history, or head to the free tourist museum to find out why Limone's residents live longer thanks to their genes. 

Staying in Limone you'll be in a great position for hopping from town to town in Lake Garda. You won't be far from Malcesine so we'd recommend hopping on a ferry and visiting the town for some shopping, lakeside strolls and to visit the famous Sacligero Castle. You can also head up Monte Baldo if you’re a fan of walking and great views! Riva's also easy to get to; it's the ideal spot if you're into your watersports, or head to Sirmione for the day, for another Scaligero Castle and some of the best gelato on the lake! You can pre-book our Tour of Lake Garda excursion to see even more of the lake during your stay.

When on your family holiday Malcesine, you can't miss the famous Scaligero Castle in the town- this is a great opportunity to teach youngsters a bit of history. It's a great town if you want to go for a family walk, stroll along the lakeside or by head up to Monte Baldo on the cable car; see if you can spot the paragliders flying over Monte Baldo as you go along. The views from the top of Monte Baldo are fantastic!

If you're a food loving family then make sure you try Malcesine's famous spit-roasted chicken and chips at the Speck Stube. Here you'll enjoy some al fresco dining on tressle tables in a large garden area with a playground for children to run around in. For dessert, grab an ice-cream by the lake- there are some fantastic artisanal ice-cream shops in the old town, why not buy a cone and walk around the cobbled streets.

If you're looking for some evening entertainment with the young ones, Malcesine occasionally hosts local evenings dedicated to children (mid-July onwards) which feature children's entertainment including magic shows at the 'Padre Mario Casella' gardens. 

Sirmione has a rich history so there’s lots to see and do. On the tip of the Sirmione peninsula is a Roman archaeological site known as the Grotte di Catullo, which, according to an unfounded belief, was once the ancient lakeside residence of the poet Gaius Valerius Catullus. The crowning jewel of Sirmione however, is Scaligero Castle which welcomes visitors to the historical town centre with its characteristic moat, swallowtail battlements and walls.

Sirmione’s been known for its healing thermal waters since the Roman times and there’s plenty of places to enjoy them on the tiny peninsula. Sirmione's thermal baths are about more than just wellness. It's not just about feeling good, it's about healing, and feeling better about oneself, and above all, health. The local thermal baths are filled with sulfate-containing water from an underwater spring, which promises relief for various diseases. Aquaria’s our go-to place when we need to relax- it has the biggest pools and over 10,000 square metres to chill out in.

The area around Bardolino and Garda is serious about its wine and there are lots of opportunities to learn all about it by taking trips to the nearby vineyards. Go to the Zeni Winery in Bardolino for a tasting and tour of the vines; one of our favourite activities on a warm summer's afternoon! There’s a great museum there too. Cantina Lenotti is another local winery where you can try some lovely local wines. Both are well worth scoping out!

Bardolino Wine Festival takes place twice a year. There are plenty of opportunities to taste the local wines and sample regional food specialties. There's also a programme of musical concerts which end in a spectacular firework display over the lake. Bardolino's Palio del Chiaretto takes place at the end of May and celebrates rosé wine whilst the Bardolino Grape & Wine Festival which takes place between September and October celebrates all that is wine!

As well as wine, Bardolino and Garda are known for their olive oil. You’ll find a museum about two kilometres outside Bardolino where you can see traditional equipment used to make the oil and a shop where you can buy some of the local produce. The fresh olive oil that you'll find here, is like nothing else- some call it liquid gold!

It’s almost impossible to resist taking to the water in Malcesine. Paddle boarding is a great activity for everyone and gives you a unique view of the town. Get more serious and take a sailing or kite surfing course. It’s always nice to come back from holiday with a few new skills.

If cycling's more your speed, there’s nothing quite like jumping on your saddle and peddling along side Lake Garda. It’s such a relaxing thing to do and a great way to build up your appetite! We'd recommend a leisurely bike ride along the shore to one of Malcesine’s nearby resorts where you can stop for lunch. If all that sounds a bit tame, then take to the sky. The top of Monte Baldo has some great, thrill-seeking routes down the mountain.

The north of Lake Garda has some of the best cycling trails in Europe. Challenge yourself with the steep routes down Monte Altissimo that has the famous ex-Seicentouno. It’s not for the faint-hearted! There are plenty of less scary options too. They involve gentle rides along the lake and heading up hills for beautiful views.

Monte Brione's also a great place to go for a cycle. There are specific cycle paths and paved roads on the mountain so it’s not hard to find an easy biking route that will be suitable for all ages- there’s a great loop which takes about an hour to complete, which is worth trying out if you're on a family holiday. If you want something more challenging, there are plenty of thrill-seeker mountain biking trails to try your hand at.

Head to the lakeside and rent out a paddle board or a kayak. If you're on a family holiday, this is the best way to get some family bonding time in, there’s nothing better than gliding across the water on a paddle board- for more of a challenge you could even try tandem paddle boarding. Sailing is also a great way to get youngsters trying their hand at something new.

Windsurfing is also very popular in Riva and you can normally see it taking place from the piazza. Get involved and try it for yourself, there are plenty of places locally to book lessons or rent equipment. If you’d rather relax then sit yourself down on the white pebble beach. It’s a popular spot for swimmers and sun bathing.

The wind conditions in the North of the lake are perfect for watersports, so you won’t struggle to get going!