- Spend a sunny day on the beach or head to Gardaland for some family fun
- Walk through olive groves and vineyards on an Inghams guided walk
- Saunter around boutiques and rustic shops in Garda's old town
The eponymous town of Garda is a sought-after summer holiday spot whether for families, friends, couples or solo travellers – but that’s nothing new. People have flocked to Lake Garda for millennia, each leaving their storied stamp; from Bronze Age rock art and Roman vineyards to Venetian villas and historic hotels. Summer holidays in Garda are all about whiling away time walking around the old town and along the promenade. But there’s still more to see beyond this sheltered bay. The rest of Lake Garda calls – as well as the cities of Venice and Verona, just a ferry and train ride away.
Walking holidays in Garda
Heading to Garda for a walking holiday is a great way to get to know the lake from a different perspective. Heading up to La Rocca on one of our Inghams guided walks, is an experience most visitors won't have done before, so you'll get a chance to experience and learn about the real Lake Garda. Or, saunter along the lakeside, ice-cream or spritz in hand and watch the world go by... All life is on the lake, paddle boarders, sunbathers, paragliders, long-lunchers; make sure you don't miss it!
Family holidays in Garda
Summer walking holidays in Garda embrace laid-back lakeside living. Drift along the promenade, stopping at one of the many bars for an Aperol spritz or for the young ones, a generous scoop of stracciatella gelato. We love wandering around Garda's historic town centre, with its Gothic-Venetian church and villas. Make sure to drop by the Friday market to browse stalls piled high with bottles of Bardolino wine and marbled mountain cheeses from the nearby Dolomites. Children will love trying the tasters in the different stalls- see how many types of cheese you can get your hands on; in true Italian style, the food and drink is delicious and fresh!
Check out more family activities under under the 'Things to Do' tab below.
Sightseeing in Garda: must see summer holiday sights
Garda's tree-lined promenade stretches south to Bardolino and further still to Lazise – a beautiful lakeside walk or cycle; children will love pedalling way along the lakeside. Follow it north, and and you'll find yourself in Punta San Vigilio. This scenic headland is topped with cypress trees, an historic 16th Century villa and a trattoria with tables laid out, just a pebble’s throw from the water. Mermaid Bay is just around the corner – it's one of the best summer beaches and sunset watching spots on Lake Garda, and well worth forking out a few euros for the entry fee. It's a wonderful spot for a family beach day! If you fancy giving the calf muscles a workout, make sure you climb the 6km up to La Rocca for panoramic views, it's a beautiful walk. Look out over the pin-striped vineyards and sailing boats that characterise the eastern shore of Lake Garda.
Exploring Lake Garda by boat, bus and cable car
Buses and ferries pootle between the towns of Lake Garda all summer long. Torri del Benaco is a 10-minute ride away. Here, a museum castle that once belonged to the ruling Scaliger family exhibits local curiosities like antique olive presses and Bronze Age carvings found in Garda’s hills. Alternatively, head for the ferry port. It’s a short hop across the water to Gardone's Heller Botanical Gardens or the castle-crowned Sirmione. The further north you venture, the more mountain views there are to enjoy. Jump off in Malcesine to peruse the pretty terracotta-tiled town before hopping on the cable car up Monte Baldo. Monte Baldo is full of fantastic walking trails, where you'll find some of the best views of Lake Garda. There's a good range of trails so it's not hard to find a path that children will love just as much as adults.
V for Venice (and vineyards)
Olive groves and vineyards fill the hills behind Garda – an excellent chance to sample Bardolino's famous red wine. For a mini adventure, catch the boat to Peschiera on Lake Garda’s southern edge, where the train station offers direct services to Verona (just 20 minutes away) and Venice (a scenic 1 hour 15 minutes).
Why book a summer holiday in Garda with Inghams?
Experience the freedom of flexible walking holidays in Garda with Inghams. With no fixed itineraries and no moving around each night, you can simply unpack, settle in, and explore at your own pace.
- With 90 years of travel experience, we know how to take the hassle out of your holiday to Garda
- Flights, transfers and accommodation are included in every holiday package plus two optional guided walks per week
- We’re with you every step of the way with insider knowledge and tailored support from our Destination Experts during your holiday
- During your stay you’ll have access to our Digital Resort Guides, which are packed with self-guided walks, things to do and useful information for your Garda holiday
Discover more Inghams holidays to Lake Garda
