Lake Garda recommendations?

Posted by js on 12/13/25 03:04 PM

I will be in Lake Garda July 13,14,15, 2026
( Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday)

Do you recommend Salo or Sirmione as my base?

What HOTEL do you recommend in those towns especially Salo (the town to which I am leaning )?

Do most hotels in Lake Garda have a place for me to park my rental car?

How do you suggest i best spend my days? I enjoy swimming, sightseeing exploring different towns by car or ferry. What towns do you suggest by ferry from salo?
I was thinking of maybe one half day in outdoor thermal pools.
I was thinking one day driving part way up the western coast. Do you think tge traffic will be prohibitive for this?

I look forward to your thoughts

Posted by Lin C

Surrey, UK

12/14/25 01:42 PM

785 posts

I would repost this is the Italy section of the destination Q&A forum for more response.
Salo is smaller and less picturesque than Sirmione. However, it does have a strong 20th century history, as the base of Mussolini's 3rd republic.
Parking is difficult everywhere around the lake - make sure you book a hotel which has private parking.
You don't give a budget.
There is a smaller choice of hotels in Salo - have a look at booking.com to find something which might suit.
Likewise Sirmione.
There is always a lot of traffic on the coast road, but weekends are worse.
I used to like just travelling round on the lake ferries.

Posted by Suki

New England

12/15/25 07:54 PM

12094 posts

We loved our time spent in Saló, highly recommended to us by Italian friends. Our hotel has changed its name and I don’t know the new name. Sorry.

Posted by princess pupule

martinez, ca, usa

12/17/25 12:10 AM

2885 posts

hey hey Js
been to lake garda several years ago staying in bardolino for their annual wine festival late september. it's a beautiful lake with much to do & see. renting a car you will need an IDP (aaa.com/IDP) which is mandatory in italy. also remember check-in is 3-4pm and check-out is 10-11am, unless prior approval.
no recommendations for hotels in the area, i would check booking.com. see what's available and email/call hotel for a better rate
book directly with them. when researching do look at parking, is it on premises & free or a fee.
hoping it's early with booking since summer is busy at the lakes, crowds, roads will have traffic probably everyday. friends went to sirmione and liked it, but was so crowded. private cars, many buses from milan and verona do tours there. go early morning or later afternoon when the day trippers leave or go to a smaller town.
thecrowdedplanet.com
things to do in lake garda
gardavisit.it
rossiwrites.com
20 best towns to visit around lake garda
just a few ideas/sites to help you out researching the lake. have a great time and enjoy
aloha