Activities on Lake Garda

Lake Garda is a haven for thrill-seekers and features countless activities that will make your trip unforgettable. With stunning natural landscapes, charming towns, and historic castles, it offers something for everyone!

Malcesine is a storybook Italian town with cobblestone streets and a medieval castle that seems to touch the sky. Explore this gorgeous town for a taste of history and modern culture!
1. Hiking

Trekking on Lake Garda is a fantastic activity for all ages. There are shady walks suitable for families, while more challenging tours meander over high rocky plateaus and meadows with breathtaking vistas.

The brilliant Garda Trek initiative offers three multi-day hut to hut routes, which circle the peaks around the lake. The Top Loop requires seven days of hiking and is best suited to experienced hikers used to climbing at altitude.

A more leisurely hike is the one that leads to Punta di San Vigilio near Torbole, and takes you to an incredible spot where you can enjoy unreal views of the lake and surrounding mountains in complete silence. Alternatively, you can take the cable car up to Monte Baldo for stunning vistas of the lake and mountains.
2. Cycling

Thanks to the year-round temperate climate, Lake Garda invites bike lovers to explore its scenic landscape and surrounding mountains. Its vast network of paths offer both easy rides for the whole family and challenging routes for advanced cyclists.

Take a sightseeing cruise on the lake to admire Lake Garda’s main highlights in just one excursion! This tour gracefully sails past renowned sites like the Grottoes of Catullus and is sure to please.

Trekking experts may want to take on the Top Loop, a 95 km route that encircles the peaks of the northern shore known as ‘the crown of Lake Garda’. This challenging hike requires a good level of fitness and staying in refuges at altitude for most nights.
3. Water Sports

Lake Garda is a watersports enthusiast’s dream. Famous throughout the world for its sailing and windsurfing competitions, it’s also home to a wide range of other aquatic activities.

Explore the shoreline of this majestic lake by kayaking and canoeing along secluded coves and beautiful beaches. Or, challenge your balance and core strength with stand-up paddleboarding on the tranquil lake waters. Depending on the time of day, you can experience an unforgettable view with a stunning sunset reflection over the mountains and towns that line the shore. Canyoning tours are also a must-try activity here, with varying descents that cater to every skill level and experience.
4. Boating

A fjord-like lake that brushes the borders of three Italian regions, Lake Garda offers a huge variety of things to do. Whether you want to hop between historic towns by ferry, slink into a sailing yacht for fizz and fun or skipper your own craft to a secluded swim spot, there’s something for everyone.

To sail in style book a tour with Bertoldi Boats who specialise in noise and vibration-free electric boats that open the possibility for piano solos, proposals and wedding toasts at night. You can even circumnavigate the lake on their 5.6m, 40hp craft!
5. Boat Tours

Aboard a lakeside boat tour, you can enjoy the landscape and history of Italy’s largest lake from an entirely new perspective. Discover Lake Garda’s shorelines and soaring mountains from the water, glimpsing the luxury villas and postcard marinas that pepper the shoreline.

Explore the lake’s largest island, Isola Borghese, with a ticket to enter its neo-gothic palace and grounds. Pirates, monks, poet D’Annunzio, and Italian aristocrats have all hopped off their boats here to spend time at this enchanting lakeside castle.

For those with less time, a shorter cruise allows you to visit some of the highlights of Lake Garda including its scenic Sirmione peninsula and historic village.
6. Wine Tasting

A trip to one of the wineries around Lake Garda is a good way to vary your activities and enjoy some local wines. The region’s vineyards produce a variety of white and red varieties, perfect for pairing with the rich cuisine.

There are many boat tours available for travelers, private or shared, that go to different towns on the lake. You can also take a tour that goes around the whole lake for a full-day experience!

If you’re looking for a sweet treat, try the classic Cassata Gardesana. This cake is made of sponge, ricotta cheese, candied fruit, and a splash of liqueur. You’ll find it on the markets in towns like Limone sul Garda, and Lazise.
7. Theme Parks

Lake Garda (Lago di Garda) is famous for its natural beauty, but it also offers a range of exciting theme parks. Whether you want to experience the thrill of rollercoasters or test your nerve on a ropes course, there is something for everyone here!

Gardaland is one of the most popular attractions in the area and is open during high season from April to September. However, it reopens for select weekends in November and December for its annual Magic Winter event.aktivitäten am gardasee