Holiday rentals in Lake Garda

Lake Garda is Italy’s largest lake with over 90 miles of shoreline across the regions of Venuto, Trentino Alto-Adige, and Lombardy, between Milan and Verona. There are 15 towns dotted along the lake, including picturesque Sirmione in the south, featuring a grand old castle and a 2,000-year-old grotto. The town of Garda on the eastern shore boasts a lively promenade where you’ll find musicians and street performers and a market on Fridays. Bardolino is one of the lake’s most popular destinations with many cafes and restaurants for alfresco pit stops, small shops to browse, and medieval churches, as well as some of Italy’s finest vineyards.

On the lake’s northwestern shore, more traditional Limone is home to cobblestone streets, a busy harbour where you can get out on the water, pebble beaches, and miles of scenic lemon groves. The medieval town of Malcesine is set below the Monte Baldo Mountain with pastel-coloured buildings, churches, and restaurants, as well as a castle set high on a clifftop. To the north, Riva is a gateway to the Italian Alps and is surrounded by Roman town walls. This end of the lake is narrow, and the sheltering from the mountains creates ideal conditions for windsurfing and paddleboarding.

Summer is a great time to book a villa in Lake Garda. You can expect consistent warm and sunny days for taking it easy at the beaches and exploring towns around the lake. Don’t forget to pack your hat and sunscreen, as it can get very hot. In June, the Chiaretto Wine Festival takes place in Bardolino to celebrate the fruity red wines grown in the region around the town. Springtime is pleasant, as the temperatures are a little cooler, but you can still expect sunny, mild days. In May, the Night of Enchantment takes place in Desenzano with a parade, music, and an amazing spectacle when thousands of floating candles are released onto the lake. The event closes with a huge firework display. If you’re visiting in winter, make sure you pack layers, as it can get quite chilly.

Scaligero Castle

Head to the town of Sirmione and explore one of Italy’s best-preserved castles, dating back to 1250. The two crenellated towers of the castle loom large over the lake with a large drawbridge over the waters, which give you access to the castle. Climbing the 146 steps up to the patrol path rewards you with spectacular views across the lake and the surrounding region. The castle’s entrance is also the gateway to the historic centre of Sirmione, home to ancient cobblestone streets and traditional buildings.

Limone

Take a slow wander around the narrow streets and squares of Limone, one of the oldest towns on Lake Garda. The town is famous for growing lemons as well as other citrus fruits like mandarins, bitter oranges, and kumquats, which you can sample at the restaurants and cafes around the old town. Visit the 11th-century church of San Pietro in Oliveto, one of the oldest Romanesque churches in Northern Italy, and stop by Piazza Settembre for an energising espresso.

The Monte Baldo cable car

Head to the town of Malcesine, where you can board the cable car at the foot of Monte Baldo for the 1,800-metre rise to the top of the mountain. The cable car is unique with its rotating cabins, which means you can appreciate a full 360-degree panorama of Monte Baldo and Lake Garda on the climb. Once you reach the top, the views just get better as you stand high up in the Italian Alps.