Lago di Garda is Italy's largest lake, stretching across three regions: Lombardy, Trentino Alto-Adige and Veneto. It's an impressive gem in Northern Italy with much to offer, so I've put this guide together for you to share some of the most unforgettable things to do at Lago di Garda that you won't want to miss!
Let's begin with a map of Lago di Garda, just to put its size into perspective for you.
As you can see, Lake Garda (light blue) is surrounded by the Lombardy region on the bottom and left side, the Trentino region on the top and the Veneto region on the right side. Since Lago di Garda is so big and surrounded by three different regions, it's no wonder that there are a ton of things to see and explore.
Let's dive into 3 of the most unforgettable things to do at Lake Garda are, shall we?
Limone sul Garda Bike Path
First things first, if there is just one thing you do at Lago di Garda, this should be it! Limone sul Garda is a lakeside village famous for its lemon groves and incredible olive oil. Driving through this quintessential village is in itself enough reason to visit, but the recent addition of Garda by Bike, what has been nicknamed Europe's most spectacular bike path, is all the more reason to put Limone sul Garda at the top of your list.
We visited Garda by Bike in January and brrr it was cold, especially with the wind coming from the lake! However, I would still recommend it, even during this chilly time of year, simply because there was hardly any other tourists in sight. I can imagine that during the high season, it will likely be packed with other people, which might take away from the beauty of this experience! However, if you do decide to visit in the winter months, be sure to bundle up and brace yourself for the cold.
Rocca di Manerba
To be completely honest, we stumbled upon Rocca di Manerba by accident. But I'm so glad we did. We were on our way to Jamaica Beach from Limone sul Garda and accidentally miscalculated the amount of time it would take to get there. When we realized there was no way we could get to Jamaica Beach before sunset, we decided to search for another place to stop.
That is when we found Rocca di Manerba. In case you're curious like me, 'rocca' means ruins. A rocca (literally: "rock") is a type of Italian fortified fortress, typically located on a hilltop, where the inhabitants of a historically clustered village might take refuge when in need.
But there is much more to see than the ruins of this medieval castle, my favorite being the panoramic viewpoint of Lago di Garda. It is a wonderful place to visit for sunset, I highly recommend it!
Sentiero Panoramico
When I first heard about the Sentiero Panoramico, which translates to "Panoramic Path," I wasn't sure the hype would be worth it! When we arrived to what appeared to be the entrance point to Sentiero Panoramico and had to start hiking through the woods - I was even more concerned! Fortunately, I soon discovered that it was absolutely worth it. My doubts were diminished once the views started opening up as we continued hiking along the path (suitable for all ages, but be mindful it does go a bit uphill at times). The path led us through lush nature and offered breathtaking views.
Eventually, we reached the two sections of Sentiero Panoramico with stairs and railings bolted onto the rocks. We loved it! After reaching the end of the second section, we turned around and headed back. I would suggest arriving by late morning, so you have the day to enjoy this beautiful place.
Do you want to visit Lake Garda?
Let me know in the comments which of these three experiences you'd most like to do, or feel free to recommend a part of Lake Garda that I didn't include and I'll be sure to visit it next time!
In Love & Gratitude,
Kimberly
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