The Best Places to Stay in Lake Garda

If you’re looking for a great place to stay in Lake Garda we have you covered. After taking trip after trip to this beautiful part of Italy we have curated some of the best locations, hotels and apartments to give you the perfect base for exploring from.

Lake Garda is simply beautiful. It’s a gorgeous mix of dramatic mountains, crystal waters and charming Italian towns, each with its own character and charm.

If you love wandering cobbled streets, stopping for a cappuccino or a glass of local wine, and soaking up the history and natural beauty all around you, then Lake Garda deserves a spot at the very top of your bucket list. With so many choices, from dreamy lakeside villas to welcoming family-friendly hotels, discovering the best places to stay in Lake Garda is an essential to make the most out of your trip.

North, Central or South? It Actually Matters

The lake is basically split into three areas, which have different vibes and appeal to different people.

The southern end is flatter, warmer and much easier to navigate without a car. I learned this the hard way when I first visited and tried to rely on buses in the north—absolute nightmare! The south connects brilliantly to trains and ferries, making day trips to Verona or Venice really easy. Over half of the visitors to Lake Garda stay in this region, and honestly, if you’re a first-timer or bringing the family, it makes sense.

Meanwhile, the north is all dramatic cliffs and windy roads—absolutely stunning but a bit trickier to get around. You really have to plan carefully to make the most of your trip and probably need to hire a car.

Southern Shores: Where Convenience Meets Charm

Desenzano del Garda: The Transport Win

If you’re skipping the rental car (and the stress that comes with Italian driving), Desenzano is your best bet. It sits on the Milan-Venice train line and has fantastic connections.

My first trip, I based myself at Hotel Vittorio and absolutely loved my stay. Their balcony rooms face directly over the water, and I spent every evening with a chilled glass of local Lugana wine watching the sunset ripple across the lake. The ferry dock is about a 10-minute walk, perfect for hopping to other towns without the faff of buses or expense of taxis.

It’s got a bit more of a city feel than some of the smaller towns—proper shops that don’t shut for three hours at midday, restaurants open late, and young locals meeting for aperitivo. But that means it feels less like a tourist trap and more like a real place.

The downside? If you want to explore the stunning northern towns, you’re looking at longer ferry rides. And it’s not the quaintest spot on the lake—if you’re after those picture-perfect cobbled streets, you might be disappointed.

Sirmione: The Peninsula Paradise

Sirmione is so pretty. It sits on this narrow peninsula jutting into the lake, with a proper medieval castle complete with moat at the entrance. Walking through the castle gates for the first time felt like stepping into an Italian fairy tale.

If you want to splash out then stay at Villa Cortine Palace, it’s worth every penny. The grounds are like something from a film set—statues hiding among cypress trees, a private dock where staff bring you towels and drinks, and gardens that seem to stretch forever.

The catch? It’s pricey as anything, especially in high season. And getting in and out can be a pain—the single road gets choked with cars in summer, and there’s no train station. But if you’re staying put or happy with ferries, it’s magical particularly once all the day trippers have left and you can enjoy wandering through the quiet streets.

For a more budget-friendly option, you can stay at a little B&B called La Dimora del Garda just outside the old town. The owner makes these incredible breakfasts with homemade cakes and local cheeses. It’s only a five-minute walk to the lake and a lovely little beach called Lido Galeazzi, the perfect spot to relax or hire a kayak or paddle board.

Peschiera: Theme Park Central

Got kids? Peschiera might be the perfect place for you. It’s perfectly positioned for Gardaland (Italy’s answer to Disneyland) and has this lovely canal system running through it—think mini Venice but without the crowds and extortionate prices.

Hotel Parchi del Garda is perfect if you are staying in the summer. After sweating through Gardaland all day, coming back and cooling off in their massive pool is absolute heaven. They also run shuttle buses to the theme parks, which means you can have a cheeky prosecco with lunch without worrying about driving back.

The town itself has decent beaches and a relaxed feel. It’s not the most glamorous spot on the lake, but practical if theme parks are on your agenda and it also has good transport links.

Central Lake Garda: The Sweet Spot

Bardolino and Garda Town: Wine and Walks

The central region gives you the best of both worlds—still relatively easy to reach but with more dramatic scenery than the south.

Bardolino is known for its red wines (the Bardolino wine trail is brilliant), and has this gorgeous promenade that connects it to neighbouring Garda town.

If you are looking for a self-catering apartment, Residenza Olivo, is perfect and offers hotel perks like a pool and reception for local advice. The location was spot-on—quiet enough for sleeping with windows open but a 5-minute walk to restaurants and the ferry.

If you are looking for something a little more traditional then try La Vittoria Boutique Hotel which is set right by the harbour with lake views.

The central location of Bardolino, means day trips north or south are doable without spending half your day on transport. And the weekly market is brilliant for picking up local cheeses, fresh fruit and vegetables to make your own Italian feast.

Only downside? Fewer direct train connections, so airport transfers take a bit more planning. But once you’re there, the ferry network is easy to use and the central location means you can explore the north and south.

Northern Lake Garda: For the Views and the Active

Riva del Garda: Mountain Majesty

The north is where the lake gets dramatic— Dolomite foothills plunge straight into the water creating a fjord-like setting that’s properly breathtaking.

Lido Palace in Riva offers true luxury and incredible mountain views. The hotel itself is gorgeous—all glass and light with a spa that will ruin all future spa experiences for you.

Riva’s a bit of a hiking paradise. You can take the panoramic lift up to Bastione, but don’t think you are in for a gentle stroll. It’s still a strenuous walk but its definitely worth it for the amazing views of the lake that you get from the top.

The northern winds make it perfect for windsurfing and sailing—I had a go at paddleboarding and spent more time in the water than on it, much to the amusement of my family and the locals drinking their aperitivos lakeside.

Just keep in mind that getting here without a car requires some planning—it’s a long way from major airports, and public transport gets less reliable the further north you go.

Limone: Lemon Groves and Hidden Gems

Limone has to be my favourite—it’s an impossibly pretty town on the western shore, with steep streets lined with lemon trees and tiny shops selling limoncello and homemade lemonade.

For a luxury stay EALA My Lakeside Dream hotel—has an infinity pool facing the mountains which makes you feel like you are floating right into the lake. The modern, sleek design contrasts beautifully with the traditional town and the facilities are out of this world. Perfect for couples as it is adults only.

If you’re looking for somewhere to take the family, Hotel Leonardo Da Vinci is ideal, as it’s designed with children in mind. There’s a kids’ club, family-friendly rooms, two swimming pools, and even a shuttle service into Limone so little legs don’t get tired.

Limone does get cruise ship visitors during the day, but by evening it’s quiet and peaceful again. We found this tiny restaurant tucked away up a side street where the nonna was still making pasta by hand. No English menu, just whatever she decided to cook that day—absolutely magic.

Our Practical Tips

Here’s what nobody tells you but makes all the difference:

• Ferry tickets get much cheaper if you buy multi-day passes. I saved nearly €50 on a week-long stay by getting a weekly ticket.
• If you’re there in summer, book places with air con. The lake breeze helps, but July and August can be sweltering.
• Even in fancy restaurants, you’ll see Italians in shorts and t-shirts. Lake Garda’s pretty relaxed dress-code wise.

In the end, there’s no wrong place to stay on Lake Garda—it just depends what kind of holiday you’re after. Want easy access and family fun? Stick south. After dramatic photos and hiking trails? Head north. Want a bit of everything? The central towns are your best bet.

But wherever you end up, my best tip is to take at least one sunset ferry ride across the water. Watching the lakeside towns light up against the darkening mountains—glass of local wine in hand—is something that stays with you long after your tan fades.