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Lake Garda: Desenzano, Sirmione or Bardolino?

Posted by (New Jersey) on

Hello! I’m back again with another Lake Garda question 😄 I’ve appreciated so much advice so far, and am now trying to decide among these 3 areas. All have pros and cons!

We’re traveling in August (hot! busy!). We’re a family of 4 with teens who need separate beds, so that influences our hotel choices.

Our wishlist:

We’d really like a place with a pool or easy swimming access since it will be hot.

But we also really want to be in or very close to a charming center to walk to restaurants and gelato. We’re more interested in historic piazzas rather than a resort feel, that’s just not our vibe.

So none of the places we’ve found are checking all of the boxes.

We do plan to visit other towns during the days, and also would like to do some easy biking and maybe watersports.

Below are the considerations we’re weighing, based on the available lodging. If any of this is off-base please let me know!

THANK YOU for any thoughts! I’d especially love to know what your teens/older kids enjoyed.

Desenzano:
-Hotel does not have pool but is near a beach
-Great walkability to town center with lots of options
-Good access to other towns

Bardolino:
-Hotel would not have pool
-Easy access to bike trail and watersports
-Town is maybe a little smaller?
-Not quite clear on swimming beaches

Sirmione:
-Hotel has a pool
-10ish minutes walk from center rather than right there
-Busy, but could enjoy the town after daytrippers leave?
-Not as easy to access other towns, I don’t think…

Posted by
53 posts

I am on the lake every year a few times, so I know it best.
Desenzano: It is a bigger town, and in my opinion it doesn't have the tipical italien flair.
Sirmione: this is the most overrated town/village all around the lake. It would be a good decision if you only want to use the comfort of a hotel, but not if you want to explore the lake. Every trip out of your hotel, even for a short walk, will be crowded.
Bardolino: this is my beloved town. But you also can choose the neighboring Garda Town. Both of it are offering hotels with pools, both are connected by a trail along the lake (takes about 45 minutes), both have lots of restaurants, coffee-bars. And from both of them you can experience the lake easily by taking the ferry or the bus. Also a day-trip by bus to Verona is possible.
But whatever you choose: Try to book accommodation ASAP. It is very high season and the best offers are already fully booked.
If you need recommendations for accomodation in Bardolino or Garda Town, please ask.

Posted by
133 posts

Thank you! I do love the feel of Bardolino. But the place we are considering has the least access to swimming. I’m just not sure how much to prioritize that in August!

Good to hear this opinion on Desenzano. I’m just going by photos and video that make it seem charming!

Posted by
1513 posts

Bardolino: this is my beloved town. But you also can choose the
neighboring Garda Town.

I agree, but we always stay in a mobile home in a camping site in between. E.g. https://www.camping-serenella.it/en/airone-camping-serenella.php. Or https://www.camping-serenella.it/en/gabbiano-camping-serenella.php if your children want separate bed rooms.

  • Easy access to either town
  • Easy access to the beach (but it is gravel, not sand)
  • Swimming pools
  • Playground (probably not relevant for teens)

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