We are starting to plan a trip to Lake Garda. Right now we are thinking of flying into Milan, stay a couple of days then go to Verona for a day or two and the go up to Malcecine on Lake Garda fo 5 to 6 days. Has anyone had a similar itinerary and how did you like Lake Garda? We are thinking of going in mid to late September.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16133 posts
I’ve been to Lake Garda on several occasions during my lifetime but never stayed longer than 3 nights at the time. But I’m sure there are plenty of activities that can keep you busy for longer. There are lots of Italians (and Northern Europeans, especially Germans, Austrians, and Dutch) who have no issues spending weeks there, sometimes every year. Except for once when I was a kid and was there on an organized bus tour with my church, I’ve all ways had a car in that area. I suppose you can get by without one since the lake is well served by ferry boats and buses, and on the south side (Desenzano and Peschiera) by trains too. I also prefer the north lake side, so Malcesine is an excellent choice. If you are into windsurfing Lake Garda is one of the most popular venues in Europe for that activity. Somehow the lake gets plenty of wind barreling down from the mountains around.
Posted by
73 posts
We visited Lake Garda for the first time in May and loved it. We took a train from Venice to Verona and then took private transport from Verona to Malcesine, where we stayed for 3 nights. Malcesine is lovely! We took the funivia to the top of Monte Baldo (it will be cold) for hiking and beautiful views. We also took the ferry to Limone for a day. If you need a hotel, check out Hotel Aurora.
Posted by
10 posts
We are also planning on Lake Garda in September. We plan to stay 5 nights in Riva in the north and then move for 4-5 nights somewhere closer the south end of the lake. Sadly, Rick doesn't much on Lake Garda but I did purchase the Marco Polo Lake Garda book which gives a great overview of the Lake and things to do. We will use public transportation.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17560 posts
We spent a lovely week at Lago di Garda last September—-we were there exactly two months ago. We divided our time between Salò (2 nights) and Malcescine (4 nights). Salò was quiet and peaceful; Malcescine was still bustling with other tourists. The oldtown area narrow streets were packed with sightseers, and the line for the Monte Baldo junivia was 45 minutes for the ride up (we should have started earlier) and 60 minutes for the ride down (consider walking down, at least for the second leg. We did not because it was raining and we were both having foot problems).
I remember walking HOtel Aurora several times; it is well-located and looks nice. But if you would like a room right on the lake with view and balcony, I recommend Hotel Venezia:
https://www.hotelvenezia-malcesine.it/en
Beautiful room, great breakfast buffet, and very kind and welcoming staff.
Posted by
San Carlos, CA, USA
393 posts
Message for jblair1432 :
If going to Riva, I recommend the Holiday IV Gardan hotel. Short walk from the center, very friendly staff, modern rooms, UNBELIEVABLE spread for breakfast. Very cute animal theme decor.
I can also highly recommend Leon D'Oro (the Golden Lion) for dinner. Beautiful restaurant, excellent food. Try the Strangolapreti in butter /sage sauce!
Posted by
Glostrup, Denmark
1394 posts
I was at Lake Garda the first time in 1966 and the latest (but not the last) in September 2024. I have gone by plane, car, motorcycle. I dream of going by train, but after two heavily delayed train trips to London, my wife is opposed to trains through Germany :-(
Plane to Milano, train to Peschiera and boat to Bardolino
Plane to Verona, bus to Garda
We always stay in a mobile home on a camping site between Bardolino and Garda and take boats around the lake.
We are not going next year due to the https://www.iubilaeum2025.va/en.html, but expect to be back in 2026 :-)
Malcesine is a nice town and the view from the top of https://www.funiviedelbaldo.it/en/ is magnificient.
The whole area is heavily touristed, but the fact that it has been a tourist centre since roman time, makes it seem alright - lol
Be sure to visit the market when it comes near you.
Posted by
martinez, ca, usa
2418 posts
hey hey bhill7269
few years back we drove from venice to bardolino for their annual wine festival "festa dell uva e del vino". seems dates are oct 3-6th 2025, keep eye on dates. (carnifest.com/bardolino wine festival) we stayed at hotel nettuno on sunday night, parked the car in front, dropped off luggage and walked the pathway to festival. loved the festival, the gorgeous lake and it's views
bought signature glass and wine necklace at entrance, bring small euros, and roamed the festival with wine, food, music, dancing, parade, and fireworks over lake on sunday night, end of festival. it was an eat great food, drink bardolino wine and be merry.
we even went to village center, sat with people from germany/austria with appetizers and wine. was just a fabulous time to celebrate.
look at booking.com for other hotels available, rooms do sell out or higher prices.
something different and to enjoy. good luck
aloha