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Language

The official language in Italy is Italian, which is spoken in the Lake Garda area. Most locals also have a good working knowledge of English and are generally fluent in German as a result of the large German tourist population which frequents the region annually.

Currency

The national currency is the euro, with €1 split into 100 cents. Lake Garda is a tourist hub, which means that ATMs can be easily located. Banks generally offer the best exchange rates, while post offices also feature competitive rates. Official exchange offices, or cambio, are a convenient option as they stay open longer than banks and post offices.

Visas

As a signatory of the Schengen Agreement, Italy is open to citizens of all Schengen states. Citizens of EU countries which have not signed the agreement, including the UK, are also granted access to the country without a visa and for an unlimited period of time. Non-EU citizens generally need a visa in order to enter as a tourist for up to 90 days.

Climate

Lake Garda’s large size tends to give this region its own local climate. The presence of the lake makes for cooling breezes, while the area is generally sunny. January usually sees cold winters with lots of rain and snow, and temperature dips to 10°C. July sees the arrival of summer when temperatures can reach up to a scorching 42°C. April to June is a good time to visit as the peak season has passed and temperatures are lower.

Main Airports

Most flights into Italy go through the capital, Rome, which houses the main air gateway into the nation, Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport. However, there are several airports close to Lake Garda which make entering the region far simpler. Lake Garda is halfway between Venice and Milan, making Malpensa Airport near Milan and Venice Marco Polo Airport viable options.

Flight Options

There is great competition between airlines, which means that value for money on international flights to Italy is generally guaranteed. Alitalia is the national airline but there are other, smaller carriers such as Air One and Meridiana which offer cheaper prices. British Airways has direct flights from London Gatwick and Manchester to Milan, while Ryanair flies between East Midlands and Milan-Bergamo. Other options include easyJet, which flies from London airports to Venice Marco Polo.

Travel Advice

Lake Garda is an extremely popular tourist destination so booking well in advance during the peak season (July to September) is a good idea. Even though the competition between airlines generally ensures reasonable air fares, prices inevitably rise with the temperatures during summer. Travel in winter (November to April) to catch the best deals on accommodation.

Other Transport Options

For visitors from the UK, car, train and bus are reliable options for reaching Italy. Eurostar links London with Paris, from where trains run to Milan. Travellers already in Italy can reach the Lake District by taking a regional bus from Verona. The APTV bus company runs daily, comfortable buses between the two locations.

Overview

The ferry system is the preferred mode of travel for visitors to Lake Garda, but renting a bicycle during peak season is also a good idea. While local buses in the district are not as fast as the ferries, they are nevertheless clean, efficient and comfortable. For more in-depth sightseeing, hiring a car is a good option as the roads are in perfect condition.

Bus

The bus system is not as fast as the ferry network but is a comfortable and convenient way of reaching the towns dotted along Lake Garda. Each town has a bus stop which is within range of most hotels. There are three major companies operating Lake Garda routes, Azienda Trasporti Verona, Trentino Trasporti and Brescia Trasporti.

Car

Lake Garda’s road network is well-developed and connects all of the towns which hug the lake’s shores. If entering from an airport near Lake Garda, cars can be rented from one of the many international car rental companies like Budget, Europcar and Avis. Many companies have pick-up and drop-off offices in Lake Garda as well, if collecting a car from an airport is not an option.

Lake Garda is surrounded by quaint and interesting towns. Regardless of which ones travellers end up reaching, they’re bound to have a good time while seeing the sights. The lake’s best-known destination, Riva del Garda, has become a major tourist hub while still managing to retain its old-town charm.

Boasting the area’s highest and most vertical mountains, Riva del Garda produces some of the region’s most spectacular views. The pedestrianized old quarter of the town is a character-filled area which is great for walking.

Salò, on the western coast of the lake, is one of the region’s most picturesque little towns. Secluded in its own bay, Salò has, more than other Lake Garda towns, retained its old-fashioned allure, which is evident in the regal 17th century architecture and slow pace of life. Home to some valuable Renaissance artwork, Salò has a rich cultural heritage and offers visitors more than simply a few lazy days at the lake shore.

Gargnano is the region’s most underrated town and possibly also the most beautiful. The town is less of a resort and more of a residential and working area, but therein lies its charm. Not many travellers make it to this side of the shore, which makes walking through the quiet streets and visiting the charming waterfront cafés even more of a treat.

Located at the very south of Lake Garda and famous for its plethora of delicious ice-cream flavours, Sirmione is worth a trip to the ’bottom’ of the lake’s shore. Once a strategic military location, Sirmione is steeped in history, which is well-preserved in the castle at the end of the peninsula. Sirmione is more expensive than other Lake Garda towns but is nevertheless an interesting place to visit.

Drena Castle is a mysterious and enchanting fortress which dominates the Drena coastline and dates back to the Middle Ages. Once destroyed by French troops in the 18th century, the castle has been restored and provides a window into the Lake Garda that once was. The castle is only 15kms from Riva del Garda and inside there is a museum which houses interesting archaeological finds and intriguing historical information.

Tourists need only travel three kilometres north of Riva del Garda to find the hidden gem that is Parco Grotta Cascata Varone. A hauntingly beautiful gorge system housing billowing waterfalls, this site is a great break from the hustle of the lake’s traditional tourist centres. Not only are there 100m high waterfalls, but walking trails, intricate cave systems and gorgeous botanical gardens. 

Il Vittoriale degli Italiani (Shrine of Italian Victories) is a must-visit for lovers of Italian history and politics. This lavish hillside estate located in Gardone Riviera, near Salò, was once home to the notorious Italian writer Gabriele d’Annunzio, whose ideologies are said to have influenced Mussolini’s fascist government. The writer lived here until his death in 1922. History aside, the opulence of the building, which has an amphitheatre, a mausoleum and two separate waiting rooms, is something to behold.

The Piazza III Novembre in Riva del Garda is one of Lake Garda’s most recognised landmarks. The square houses the town’s symbol, the Anzolin de la Tor, or Revolving Angel, which sits atop the Apponale Tower. The Piazza III Novembre is a prime spot for that quintessential holiday snap, and visitors who are fit enough to climb the 165 stairs to the top will be rewarded with the best views of the town and lake.

The activity around Lake Garda doesn’t quiet down after sunset, with several bars, pubs and discos staying open until 02:00. There are opportunities for a good night out in most of the towns, with the sounds of live music and laughter reverberating around the lake.

If it’s live music you’re after, Lake Garda will not disappoint. La Cantina del Gato Borracho is a quaint wine bar in Limone sul Garda which has some of the best live music in town. Bardolino also has a great selection of watering holes but one in particular is known to leave patrons very happy. Catch dinner and a show at the Art Club Musical Theatre which serves mean cocktails puts on everything from fabulous drag shows to raunchy strip tease.  

For a chance to dance, visit one of the many discos around the lake. Bardolino seems to be the place to go for tourists looking to get their feet moving, with Central Bardolino housing the Primo Life Club, which has three separate dance floors, and The Hollywood Club, which has been in operation since 1986 and provides some of the best entertainment in the town.

For visitors who are not interested in the nightlife that Lake Garda has to offer, there are several other activities which provide  a great deal of entertainment. In the summer especially, there are a wide range of festivals which caters for many different tastes. From the Garda Jazz Festival in Riva del Garda, which takes place in June, to the August Art Festival in Toscolano, there is something for everyone.

As in the rest of the country, delicious, authentic Italian cuisine can be enjoyed almost anywhere around Lake Garda. As a result of the large Western tourist population, however, there is also a large variety of American, British and German fare on offer.

While many restaurants feature upscale Italian cuisine and gourmet menus, average priced eateries with lake views are also available in the likes of Nago-Torbole and Gargnano. Pizzerias are prevalent and popular.

There are a few Italian dishes that should not be passed by. Breakfasts are light and sweet, while lunches are generally much larger and considered more important than dinners, which are equally delicious. Tourists should expect most establishments to be closed for at least two hours during the middle of the day.

Try a hot cup of coffee with a cornetto (a pastry filled with chocolate or jam) in the morning, risotto (creamy rice cooked with vegetables, seafood or meat) or a hearty ribollita (vegetable soup using ingredients left over from an earlier meal) for lunch and end off with a delicious pici (hand-rolled pasta served with a vegetable and meat sauce). Italian gelato (home-made ice-cream) is the best after-dinner sweet treat, with some gelato shops holding up to 50 unique flavours.

Coffee is popular country-wide, with Italians consuming it as often during the day as possible. Local bars and cafés specialise a range of varieties, making this country, and the Lake Garda region, a coffee-lover’s paradise. There also several native alcoholic beverages which are well worth a try including Italian beers like Peroni and Moretti, and local brews like Limoncello, made from lemon peels and Grappa, a spirit produced from distilled grape skins.

    Beach

    Because the beaches are on the shore of a lake, travellers should not expect pure white sands and crystal clear waters. That said, Lazise Beach comes quite close to this description and is probably the best beach in the Lake Garda region. The lake makes for a refreshing swim but for a real beach experience, tourists should try one of Italy’s southern coasts.  

    Romance

    Italy is one of the world’s most romantic destinations, and Lake Garda is no exception. Slow sunset cruises against the backdrop of the breathtaking Dolomite Mountains can be easily arranged. Better yet, why not cruise to nearby Verona, the setting of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and arguably the most romantic place in the country?

    Family

    For those travelling with children, Gardaland, just to the north of Lake Garda, will save the day. The country’s largest theme park, Gardaland has a variety of fun activities and games which are suitable for the entire family. Most exciting are the many exhilarating rollercoaster rides like the super-fast Blue Tornado. Kids are guaranteed to be entertained for the entire day.

    Adventure

    Adventure-seekers should take advantage of the lake, which is perfect for water sports like sailing and windsurfing. There are a few clubs which operate in the area that can assist is kick-starting a water adventure. The plethora of cliff faces also provides a perfect opportunity for rock climbing. The faces of Veneto and Trentino have proven to be most popular.

    *Terms & Conditions sample rates displaying above are for the travel period from 17 August 2013 till 24 August 2013. (Sample air/hotel packages above include accommodation plus roundtrip air for travel during the noted time period. Sample air/hotel package prices are per person, based upon double occupancy. Sample air/hotel package prices include taxes and fees. Airfares are based on lowest available fare for sample travel dates and are subject to change. Air/Hotel package prices vary by date, departure city, and availability. Offers are subject to availability and may be discontinued without notice. Additional restrictions and minimum stay may apply.