The Lake Garda is one of Italy's jewels, spanning three regions: Lombardy, Trentino-Alto Adige, and Veneto. Today, we will focus on the Veneto side, full of charming villages, natural beauty, and activities to enjoy all year round. From destinations like Lazise or Bardolino to amusement parks like Gardaland or Parco Natura Viva, you’ll find experiences and activities for all ages!
Let’s discover together how to get to Lake Garda from Verona and what to see.
Lake Garda is about 30 km from Verona and can be easily reached by car or public transport. The best-connected town to Verona is probably Peschiera del Garda, which links to all other villages via several bus lines. Here's how to reach Lake Garda from Verona:
Peschiera del Garda is the perfect starting point to explore Lake Garda thanks to its excellent location: at the border with Lombardy and easily accessible from Verona, even via direct train connection.
Of Roman origin, Peschiera del Garda is a fortress city, located at the confluence of the Mincio River and Lake Garda. Its historic center can be accessed through one of its gates, such as Porta Brescia and Porta Verona, and once inside, visitors can wander through characteristic alleys, charming squares, and colorful houses. Don’t miss a walk along the tourist harbor, offering a splendid lake view.
Foto di Massimo Telò. Castelnuovo del Garda is not directly on the lake but is only a few kilometers away. It is also very easy to reach from Verona, being less than 20 km away.
Castelnuovo del Garda is mainly known for hosting Gardaland, Italy’s most famous amusement park. Nearby is also Parco Natura Viva, a zoo park offering a safari experience. However, its historic center also has much to offer, including Torre Viscontea, the main attraction of its castle, built in 1387 by Gian Galeazzo Visconti after defeating the Scaliger family. Castelnuovo del Garda has ancient origins, possibly dating back to Prehistoric times, later known as Quadrivium in Roman times, and gradually developing over the centuries.
Continuing north along the Venetian shore, about 10 km from Peschiera del Garda, we find Lazise, one of the lake's most important destinations, with beautiful views and a calm, relaxing atmosphere!
Lazise is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful villages and is well worth a visit. Start exploring from Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, the heart of the historic center, then stroll along the Old Port, home to the War Memorial Monument. The town also features numerous beautiful churches, such as the Romanesque Parish of San Nicolò overlooking the harbor and the Church of Saints Zenone and Martino. In summer, you can also relax on Lazise's beaches and enjoy a walk along the Marconi Lakeside, one of the most beautiful promenades on Lake Garda.
Moving further north, just over 5 km from Lazise, lies Bardolino, a must-visit village for those wanting to explore local culinary and wine traditions. The town is famous for producing Garda DOP olive oil and its Bardolino wine, a DOC wine available in both red and rosé versions.
With ancient origins traceable through the remains of a pile-dwelling civilization on southern Garda, Bardolino is rich in treasures to discover. Stroll through the historic center to visit the stunning Church of San Severo and the Church of San Zeno, admire the remains of the ancient castle surrounding the center, watch the sunset from the tourist harbor, and take a ride on Bardolino’s Ferris wheel. Of course, don’t miss a Bardolino wine tasting at one of the town’s wine shops or by visiting nearby wineries, such as Cantina Fratelli Zeni, which also houses a museum of antique winemaking tools alongside tastings and tours.
Foto di Christian Boesch. Less than 5 km from Bardolino, situated in a stunning bay, we find Garda, one of the most picturesque villages on Lake Garda. It is worth visiting not only for the town but also for the stunning natural setting: the Baia delle Sirene, close to the spectacular Punta San Vigilio and Monte Luppia, ideal spots for nature lovers.
Let’s return to Garda, a small gem on the lake. Start your visit in its small yet colorful historic center, with squares overlooking the lakeside, the most charming spot in the village, full of bars perfect for an aperitif. Additionally, the center is rich in beautiful villas and historic buildings, such as Palazzo Carlotti, Villa Albertini, Palazzo Fregoso, and Palazzo dei Capitani.
Foto di Adert. Heading past Punta San Vigilio from Garda, you can reach Torri del Benaco in about 10 minutes by car, a small hidden gem on the lake. Here, time seems to stand still, making it a must-visit destination.
The main attraction is the Scaliger Castle with its towers, housing a museum on the history of the area. The visit ends with the opportunity to climb the main tower, offering a wonderful panoramic view of the entire lake! Enjoy a walk through the small and colorful historic center and follow the lakeside promenade, which provides beautiful views, especially at sunset. In summer, relax on the beaches or take the daily ferry connecting the Venetian shore to the Brescia side.
Foto di Adert. Continuing north along the Venetian shore, we reach Brenzone sul Garda, known as the scattered municipality. This is because Brenzone has no actual center but consists of many small, charming villages to discover: Castelletto, Magugnano, Marniga, Sommavilla, Porto, and Castello.
The best way to explore the area is by bike: from here, you can embark on a beautiful bike path that takes you along the lake's shore, with beaches, stunning views, and small towns to visit. A must-stop is Castelletto, with its beach and ferry dock. Continuing to Magugnano, you’ll find a water sports center for windsurfing and paddleboarding, as well as numerous campgrounds.
Finally, we reach the northernmost point of the Venetian shore, near the border with Trentino-Alto Adige, where Malcesine, one of the most beautiful villages on Lake Garda, is located. It is about 45 km from Peschiera del Garda and approximately 65 km from Verona.
Malcesine is dominated by the Scaliger Castle, the main attraction of the town, which houses a museum of history and natural sciences. Visitors can also climb the towers and enjoy breathtaking views of the entire lake. But the beauty of Malcesine is best experienced by wandering through the streets of its historic center, among colorful houses and the tourist harbor, with small shops and boutiques. From here, you can also participate in excursions to Monte Baldo, featuring hiking and walks.
After exploring the villages, let’s look at the main attractions in the area:
Lake Garda offers opportunities for all kinds of experiences: from entertainment to cultural visits, relaxation, sports, day trips, and weekend explorations of its incredible villages and traditions. Here are some recommended itineraries:
If you’re staying in Verona and planning a day trip to Lake Garda, we recommend returning to the city for the night, as Verona offers a wide range of accommodation options.
Among the various choices is our Hotel San Marco, a 4-star hotel offering excellent services, including a wonderful wellness center with a pool to relax after a day full of activities, a fitness room, a restaurant, and private parking, ideal if you’re traveling to Verona by car.
The hotel is well located: it’s not right in the city center, making it easy to reach if you’re driving to Verona, yet only 2 km from the Verona Arena (about a 30-minute walk) and less than a 10-minute walk from the bus stop for destinations like Gardaland or Peschiera del Garda.
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