When most people dream of visiting Italy's famous lakes, Lake Como is usually the first destination that comes to mind. It receives all of the glamour, celebrity attention, and social media fame. But after visiting both, I have to admit something that may surprise you: I actually preferred Lake Garda.
Lake Garda Quick Facts
- Best time to visit
- May–June, Sept–Oct
- Where we stayed
- Villa Cortine Palace, Sirmione
- Recommended nights
- 4 nights
- Must do
- Full day boat rental
- Favorite village
- Lazise
- Don't miss
- Limone sul Garda in the north
- With kids
- Add a day at Gardaland
- Pairs well with
- Verona, Lake Como
Italy's Largest Lake — and Its Most Diverse
Lake Garda is Italy's largest lake, stretching nearly 32 miles from north to south. What makes it so special is its incredible diversity. The southern end feels Mediterranean, with charming medieval villages, olive groves, vineyards, and family-friendly beaches, while the northern end is surrounded by dramatic mountains that almost resemble the Swiss Alps. There truly is something for everyone. Unlike Lake Como, where many visitors remain in one town, Lake Garda invites you to explore. Every village has its own personality, and hopping from town to town by boat became one of our favorite memories of the trip.
Sanaz's tip: Don't try to see the whole lake in one trip — pick a home base and take day trips by boat. The journey between villages is half the magic.
Staying in Sirmione
We chose to stay in Sirmione, perhaps the most famous village on Lake Garda. Sirmione sits on a narrow peninsula that stretches into the lake and is known for its medieval castle, charming pedestrian streets, thermal spas, waterfront restaurants, and endless gelato shops. It is undeniably beautiful and one of those places that feels like it belongs in a storybook. The downside? It's also the busiest town on the lake. During the summer months, the narrow streets become packed with thousands of visitors. If you enjoy lively piazzas and bustling cafes, you'll probably love it. If you prefer quieter destinations, you may want to consider staying elsewhere and simply visiting Sirmione for the day. Fortunately, our hotel was only about an eight-minute walk from the historic center, making it easy to enjoy dinner, shopping, and evening strolls without staying directly in the middle of the crowds.
Sanaz's tip: Visit Sirmione early in the morning or after 6pm when the day-trippers have left — the village transforms into something genuinely magical.
Our Stay at Villa Cortine Palace Hotel
We stayed at Villa Cortine Palace Hotel, one of the most iconic luxury hotels on Lake Garda. The property itself is absolutely stunning. Originally built as a grand aristocratic villa, it is surrounded by magnificent botanical gardens, elegant statues, centuries-old trees, and spectacular views over Lake Garda. It truly feels like stepping back into the elegance of old Italy. Our room overlooked the lake, and waking up to those views each morning was unforgettable. That said, our experience wasn't quite what we expected. Because we were traveling as a family of five, our room felt smaller than we would have liked. Unfortunately, adjoining rooms weren't available during our stay. The hotel also embraces a very traditional style. While many travelers appreciate its historic charm and classic decor, I personally tend to prefer luxury hotels with a more contemporary design. The breakfast was lovely and elegant, although it didn't quite compare to the extraordinary breakfast experience we had at Grand Hotel Tremezzo on Lake Como. The biggest disappointment, however, was the service. For a hotel at this price point, I expected a far more personalized experience. During dinner at the hotel's renowned restaurant, the service felt surprisingly inattentive, and throughout our stay we often felt more like passing tourists than valued guests. Overall, Villa Cortine is undeniably beautiful, but I think it is best suited to couples looking for a romantic, old-world Italian experience. Families seeking larger rooms, warmer hospitality, and a more relaxed atmosphere may prefer another luxury property on Lake Garda.
Sanaz's tip: If you're traveling as a family of five, ask specifically about room configurations before booking Villa Cortine — adjoining rooms are not always available.
Rent a Boat — It's the Best Way to Experience Lake Garda
If there is one piece of advice I would give anyone visiting Lake Garda, it would be this: rent a boat. The lake is enormous, and each shoreline reveals another beautiful village waiting to be explored. Seeing Lake Garda from the water gives you a completely different perspective, with colorful waterfront towns, elegant villas, castles, vineyards, and dramatic mountain scenery unfolding around every bend. We spent the day cruising from village to village, stopping for lunch, gelato, shopping, and swimming in the crystal-clear water. It was easily one of the highlights of our trip.
Sanaz's tip: You don't need a boating license for smaller motorboats on Lake Garda — book directly from the marina in Sirmione for the best rates.
My Favorite Village: Lazise
Of all the villages we visited, Lazise completely stole my heart. Protected by remarkably intact medieval walls, Lazise has a lively harbor, beautiful lakefront promenade, charming piazzas, and some of my favorite shopping on the lake. The boutiques here were wonderful, and our family all ended up finding beautiful Italian clothing and unique souvenirs to take home. There were also countless cafes and restaurants lining the waterfront, making it the perfect place to spend a leisurely afternoon. If I were to return to Lake Garda, I would seriously consider staying in Lazise instead of Sirmione.
Sanaz's tip: Lazise is far less crowded than Sirmione and has better shopping — if you only have time for one village stop on your boat day, make it this one.
Other Beautiful Towns Worth Visiting
One thing I wish we had more time for was exploring the northern part of the lake. The towns of Limone sul Garda and Riva del Garda are considered among the most spectacular destinations on Lake Garda. Surrounded by dramatic cliffs and mountains, they offer a completely different atmosphere from the southern villages and are especially popular for hiking, cycling, sailing, and windsurfing. They remain at the very top of my list for our next visit. Other villages worth adding to your itinerary include Malcesine, famous for its medieval castle and cable car to Monte Baldo; Bardolino, known for its vineyards, wine tasting, and charming waterfront; and Garda, a relaxed lakeside town with elegant cafes and beautiful walking paths. Each village has its own distinct personality, which is part of what makes Lake Garda so enjoyable to explore.
Sanaz's tip: If you have an extra day, take the cable car from Malcesine up to Monte Baldo — the views over the lake from the top are extraordinary.
Swimming in the Lake
One of our favorite surprises was just how clean and inviting Lake Garda is. The water is crystal clear, and on warm summer days it's the perfect place to swim. Throughout the shoreline you'll find beaches, swimming platforms, and hidden coves where families gather to spend the afternoon. It feels much more relaxed than many crowded Mediterranean beach destinations.
Sanaz's tip: The swimming coves between Sirmione and Peschiera are some of the clearest water on the lake — anchor the boat and jump in.
Gardaland: A Great Addition for Families
If you're traveling with children, be sure to consider spending a day at Gardaland. Often compared to Disneyland, Gardaland is Italy's largest amusement park and features roller coasters, family rides, themed lands, live entertainment, and attractions for children of all ages. Unfortunately, we simply didn't have enough time to fit it into our itinerary, but it remains one of the biggest reasons I would love to return with our kids.
Sanaz's tip: Book Gardaland tickets online in advance — the queues at the gate can be very long in peak summer, and online prices are usually cheaper.
Final Thoughts
Lake Garda completely exceeded my expectations. While Lake Como may attract celebrities and international headlines, Lake Garda captured my heart. Its charming medieval villages, relaxed atmosphere, incredible boating, family-friendly activities, beautiful shopping, delicious restaurants, and endless opportunities for exploration make it one of Italy's most rewarding destinations. If you're deciding between the two lakes, don't overlook Lake Garda. In fact, if I could only choose one for a family vacation, I would happily return to Lake Garda. It offers the perfect balance of natural beauty, authentic Italian charm, outdoor adventure, and unforgettable lakeside towns that you'll want to explore again and again.
Sanaz's tip: Four nights is the sweet spot for Lake Garda — enough time for a full boat day, Sirmione, Lazise, and a lazy afternoon by the water.
Where to Eat & Drink
Lake Garda's villages are full of wonderful places to eat — the lakefront restaurants in Lazise alone are worth the boat trip.
Waterfront Restaurants, Lazise
Best lunch stop on the lakeThe lakefront promenade in Lazise is lined with wonderful restaurants serving fresh lake fish, handmade pasta, and classic Italian dishes. We lingered over a long lunch here watching the boats come and go — exactly the kind of afternoon that makes Italy so special.
Gelato in Sirmione
Essential Sirmione ritualSirmione has no shortage of excellent gelaterias, and wandering the pedestrian streets with a cone in hand is one of the great simple pleasures of the town. The quality is consistently high — look for the shops displaying natural-colored gelato rather than the artificially bright mounds.
Villa Cortine Palace Breakfast
Elegant lakeside settingBreakfast at Villa Cortine is a lovely, elegant affair — beautifully presented with fresh local ingredients, pastries, and lake views. It didn't quite reach the extraordinary heights of Grand Hotel Tremezzo on Lake Como, but it's a genuinely pleasant way to start the morning.
