Lake Como vs lake Garda area

Lake Garda.

Thanks[][1]

You are welcome!
Don't tell Rick Steves however. The man is fixated with Varenna on lake Como, which is also a pretty lake, but after you've seen Varenna and Bellagio you are done.
Lake Garda has:
Plenty of pretty towns (Sirmione, Peschiera, Malcesine, Riva, Limone, Torbole, Gragnano, Torri, etc)
A gondola from Malcesine up to the top of Monte Baldo for outstanding views of the lake from above.
Spectacular majestic mountains on the north side of the lake.
Italy's most famous Themepark, Gardaland, an Aquatic park (in case you have kids).
The Auto Safari NatureAdventure park, a huge drive through zoological park.
The beautiful city of Verona.
The Valpolicella wine producing region.
And the Dolomites are just a short drive away.

No kids, but you are definitely swaying me. Thank you!

http://www.poiano.com/lakegarda/free_time_theme_parks.php

Although any place in Italy can be reached by public transportation, however to fully maximize your time at the lake I recommend a rental car for the days you plan to stay at lake Garda. That will give you the opportunity, not only to visit the lake area with maximum flexibility, but also to take a drive to the Valpolicella and/or the Dolomites mountains, which are all within less than 45 min drive from the lake. Also Rail service is only available in Peschiera and Desenzano in the south and bus service, although available at all towns, tends to stop early in late afternoon/early evening. You can rent a car in Verona both in the city or the Verona airport. Verona is 15 min drive from the lake. Do not rent a convertible if you intend to visit the NaturaViva Auto Safari as convertibles are not allowed inside (or you'll be dinner to some exotic animal).

Great feedback, grazie!

Roberto,

"The man is fixated with Vernazza on lake Como, which is also a pretty lake, but after you've seen Vernazza and Bellagio you are done."

I'm assuming you mean Varenna and Bellagio?

We have spent three nights each in Varenna (Lago di Como) and Malcescine ( Lago di Garda).

I agree with Roberto that there is more to see and do around Garda. And at the north end of the lake it is also more scenic, with mountains dropping down to the lake. Lots of active sports on offer---windsurfing and strenuous hiking at Malcescine, for example ( we hiked up Monte Baldo and rode the rotating gondola partway down, then walked the rest. A good day!).

Not to say Varenna isn't nice; it is a charming little town. But apart from strolling the waterfront path and walking up to the castle or to the Fiume, there isn't a lot for the active traveler. The water there did not look clean enough for swimming, although across the lake at Menaggio ( a 15- minute ferry ride) it was. There is a great cooking class up at Il Caminetto above town which was fun and interesting. It was good that we signed up for that as that day it was too hazy to see across the lake---apparently a common phenomenon at Como ( Rick refers to it as "lazy hazy Como" in one of his videos). But the sunsets are lovely and dinner on the deck at Albergo Milano's restaurant is a treat, and very romantic.

Como struck us a being more about " lifestyles of the rich and famous" and relaxation, not our travel style. But the food was great, more true Italian than what we found at Garda, which is in the region where you will find German spoken as much as Italian ( like the Dolomites).

I believe Rick features Como and Varenna because itis easily reached by train, one hour from Milan. He really likes train travel. For Garda you really need a car to doit right, unless you have to spend on a boat ride up lake to get to the good places.

We, too, are considering Garda vs Como, and wonder what the weather (specifically, frequency of RAIN!) is around mid May in Garda. I can't tell on-line whether Sirmione is a busier spa-town, or is similar to Varenna in activity level. Can anyone help?

cygrov18,

Sirmione can be VERY busy at times, although I'm not sure what it will be like in May. It's also not the most convenient location to stay on Lago di Garda as there's no rail access. You'll have to travel by train to either Desenzano or Peschiera and then take Bus or Taxi from there. Parking can also be scarce (and expensive) at times.

Varenna is a great location to experience Il dolce far niente and it's a much more relaxing location. There is a rail station and also a ferry dock for trips around the lake.

End of May is generally the best time to travel to Italy weatherwise, including the lakes. Sirmione is very pretty and the most famous of all towns on lake Garda (actually of all lakes) as such it is generally overrun by tourists just like Disneyland. Actually lake Garda is by far the most visited lake in Italy and a popular summer holiday destination especially with the Germans (probably because it's very close to the Brenner pass). In fact It is known to many Italians as "il Mare dei Tedeschi." (The Germans' Sea). Generally May is not as crowded as July and August.