3 nights in Verona…include Lake Garda?

I love lake Garda. The northeastern part is where it is most beautiful and the mountains are right in front of you. There are more than a few towns that have a nice relaxed vibe and are not too glitzy. More Europeans than Americans or other international tourists than Como.

I would say if you have a car, do it. Not sure how easy it would be to see the best of it only using public transportation.

I would definitely go! If you don't have a car you can easily get a train to Desenzano del Garda (possibly other parts of the lake as well?). From there it's very easy to take a boat to visit Sirmione.

when I stayed in Peschiera del Garda (closer to Verona, you can get ferries!) I was just in awe of the scenery.......I didn't make it to anywhere further north than Garda town, but I know more north is even better....

I think that the scenery might be similar to Como, what was drawing you to Verona? I would find what is most interesting and prioritize them and see where Garda falls....

I want to go back to Garda so badly, but I haven't been to Lake Como

Thanks for your replies. It sounds like we should go! I hired a car to take us if we decide to go, so that would make it easier. I believe the plan was to take a boat ride while we’re there also. The thing that gave me a bit of pause is that I’m told it’s an 8-hour excursion. I suppose with the drive to/from, a boat ride and exploring the town, that could take 8 hours. Does that sound about right? Anyway, it sounds like those who replied give the green light to Lake Garda so I think we’ll go. Thanks!
P.S. in Bolzano now and spent the day in the gorgeous area at the top of the cable car…Ritten. Spectacular day of walking in the most incredible scenery!

Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy (or did I imagine that?) and a boat from the top to the bottom will be probably 2.5+ hours each way. You're not gonna do that after picking up a car and driving that far.

I would suggest to maybe go up north to Riva del Garda (or somewhere else possibly on the north or northeastern side of the lake), park the car, maybe take a SHORT ferry (it's 45 min from Riva del Garda to Limone sul Garda), then explore said town (whichever you decide upon), then ferry back and explore your parked car town. You will get a boat, two towns, and not too long of a day. Malcesine (which is closer to Verona) is only 20 min by ferry to Limone, and it has the cable car to Monte Baldo, though I don't know if it is still running. (ugh last day in the "summer" is Oct 12, are you going to be there before then?)

Another option since you mention "Garda" in particular, is the castle-y mansion on Isola del Garda on an island in the middle of the lake. I just discovered it and it looks super neat! They actually have free ferries from Garda town (and other places?) to get there and that could be a fun trip too, and that's WAY closer to Verona.

We were in Verona for three nights following five at Lake Como. We hit blistery hot weather. We decided to take the bus to Sirmone on Lake Garda.

We had a very nice day and would do the same with hot weather. But we did end up feeling like we would have liked another day in Verona. We ended up with only two evenings and one full day.

You won’t need a car to see Verona, actually it will be a hassle to have given the traffic and parking restrictions in the city center. However being an Americanized Italian, I can’t imagine life without a car, so I always had one, even in Verona. However I stay in hotels outside the city center (outside the ZTL) then I drive to the parking lot here, outside the city center walls but only one minute walk from the Arena. If you intend to stay in Verona, with a car, do the same and find a hotel with parking outside the city center.

At lake Garda I like the north side also (Malcesine, Riva, Limone, etc.) mainly for the majestic mountains around. The south side is kind of flat and the mountain scenery not there, although the towns are nice. Sirmione is very quaint and pretty but super crowded in summer, and weekends always.

A car is useful to have at the lake because trains are only in Desenzano and Peschiera, on the south side, but buses are available. The lake is indeed the largest in Italy and very long, so it takes a long time by ferry from Desenzano or Peschiera all the way north to Riva. A reasonable short boat ride alternative is from Malcesine to Limone. It’s a very popular ride and there are both public ferries and private boat excursions operating there. The most gorgeous drive is along the west shore (also featured in James Bond’s Quantum of Solace). On the same shore is also the Strada della Forra, a breathtaking drive through the gorges. I think that road might still be closed due to a landslide, so check if it reopened before going up.
You can check all of the above on YouTube videos or Google videos and images.

My understanding is that we’ll be driven (car service) to Sirmione from Verona, spend a bit of time there, take a 1-hour boat ride between Sirmione and Desenzano, spend some time in Desenzano then head back to Verona. How does that sound?

hey hey allison (hey neighbor)
it's your decision about lake garda, it is not a town but the largest lake with many smaller towns/villages around it. when is this trip and how many people is "we"?
we love lake garda, attended their annual wine festival "festa dell'uva" in bardolino which was fabulous. pretty town along with many others, with views of lake and mountains. Roberto knows italy being from there, take his post with a grain of salt. yes it is pretty the further north you go but don't how much time do you have and how deep are your pockets for driver? do go to another town instead of sirmione, it has been mentioned so so much here on the forum. lake garda use to be quiet with many european travelers but seems to exploded with many giving it a chance and passing by lake como.
there are many private tours, bus tours, along with trains going to sirmione and is bumper to bumper people slowing roaming around like a can of sardines, so touristy. many holding blue & gold travel guides. go to another town. (lakegardatravel.net/ click town guides and look at the towns) (reminds me of how how i feel about san gimignano, so so packed, rather go to a smaller unknown town not many go to)
after our weekend for festival, we drove up the lake a bit then down to pescheira to have lunch in city center and back to venice for our greek island cruise.
we just double booked hotel in bardolino and kept our apartment in venice. what ever you decide do, have a great time and enjoy
aloha

Official Garda tourist website
https://www.visitgarda.com/en/garda_lake/

I think Peschiera is more interesting than Desenzano. Do you really need to pay a car service if your trip is only to Sirmione? Take the train or even better, the bus LN026 from Verona to Peschiera, visit Peschiera, then using the same bus proceed to Sirmione, visit Sirmione, then return.

https://www.visitgarda.com/en/Bus-timetables/

If you have time you can take one of the many organized boat tours of various length.
They offer many at the Sirmione harbor. Just walk there and see what you’d like. I’d rather spend money on a private boat tour than on a car driver, given the fact that the area is so easy to reach with cheap,public transportation.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Rg42gkKd8wkj8EPq5?g_st=ipc

There is also the regular ferry that connects Sirmione to Peschiera or all other towns in the lake. The ferry dock is next to the tourist harbor linked above. Ferry timetables below.
https://www.navigazionelaghi.it/en/

Oh yeah, no need for a car if you're just going to the south part. Take the train.

I ADORE the tiny town we stayed in, Peschiera, but I also think there's a lot of "walking around and looking at stuff" in the towns along the lake. I would take the train to Peschiera (or Desenzano because it's most likely the same train) and make my way to Sirmione to take a boat tour (or even better if it can pick you up in Peschiera and drop you in Sirmione!). That way you get 2 towns, water, scenery, and ease of transport with the train!

We were in Verona in August for 2 nights. One night we went to the opera. We had more than enough time to see Verona so we took a half day self guided day trip to Bardolino on Lake Garda. The hotel told us to take the bus. So easy! We walked over from our hotel (near the Arena). Bardolino has a rose festival every year, and I love rose, so that's why we chose Bardolino. It was a nice town on a beautiful lake and we had lunch lakeside.