My wife and I will be flying into MIlan in late June and, on our way to Venice, would like to spend a day or two along Lake La Garda. We'd like to hear recommendations on best town/s to stay in and best places for lodging.
Posted by
Massachusetts
847 posts
The most scenic part is the upper part - the towns of Malcesine, Limone, and Riva del Garda. I based in Malcesine and loved it. But another option, if you only have a day or two is to base in Sirmione. That town (on the southern end of the lake) gets horribly overrun by daytrippers but if you spent the night it might be much nicer late and early in the day. If you had two nights you could do a day trip by ferry up the lake to see the more scenic northern end and those towns and still enjoy Sirmione when it's at it's least crowded.
Here's my photos - https://andiamo.zenfolio.com/p1016537666
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
15161 posts
Any town in the North Lake is good. I like Malcesine and Limone, however Limone is harder to find accommodations. Give it a try.
Posted by
martinez, ca, usa
2299 posts
hi eprager58
we stayed in bardolino at hotel nettuno, on the lake, a few years back for their annual wine festival. it's a gorgeous lake with lots of cute villages around it. have fun
aloha
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32202 posts
I agree with others that Malcesine or Limone would be good choices. I wasn't impressed with Sirmione, especially as there's no rail service there so getting back and forth is a bit more challenging. If you want to stay on the south end of the lake, Peschiera del Garda is very convenient as it has both rail and boat service.
Posted by
OP
8 posts
Thank you all for your invaluable advice. Very appreciated
Posted by
Seattle, WA
16241 posts
We spent three nights in Malcescine a few years back and loved it. If we return we would probably choose Hotel Castello.
Posted by
11156 posts
We enjoyed Hotel Castello in Malcesine too. It has lovely views and a sand beach.
However, Saló on SW area of the lake is special, toney feel to the town, long walkway along the lake. Most visitors were Europeans. We loved Hotel Bellerive.
We stayed in these two places on the way to and from the Dolomites.
Posted by
39 posts
Been here in the spring years ago for Bardolinos 2 day wine fest ... caught cheap flights to Italy years later and came back for the big 5 day wine fest in Bardolino.... stayed in a "Garda town" hotel on the promenade which winds down to Bardolino ... nowadays we look for festivals and events then book our flights.... enjoy .... so much to see.. so little time!