How to Spend One Day in Lake Garda

If you’re looking for a Northern Italian getaway without the crowds or high cost of Lake Como, consider checking out Lake Garda. This more affordable, relaxed destination is perfect for a day trip or a couple of chilled-out days enjoying La Dolce Vita.

I recently visited during a road trip of Central Europe, so here’s all the information you need to spend one day in Lake Garda. Let’s dive in and find out more. 

Where is Lake Garda?

First things first, where is Lake Garda? So, it’s in the north of Italy, in the central region. It’s pretty much halfway between Milan and Venice, and just a short hop from Romeo and Juliet’s home city of Verona.

Verona is usually where people base themselves for a day trip to Lake Garda, or where they fly into, as a lot of European low-cost airlines have routes here. If you’re doing a larger European adventure, you can also cross the border from Switzerland or Austria by public transport or by car.

Lake Garda spans three main regions: Verona, Brescia, and Trentino. Essentially, the eastern part of the lake is Verona, the northern part is Trentino, and the western part is Brescia. To drive around the whole of Lake Garda without stopping takes between 3-4 hours and spans 155 miles (250 km).

So, if you only have one day in Lake Garda, I’d recommend picking a couple of key destinations in one main area. 

[tqb_quiz id='19878']

How Can You Get to Lake Garda?

Getting to Lake Garda is easiest if you have a car, as you can hop between the different lakeside resort towns and not be reliant on the timetables. 

From Verona, you can be at the closest part of the lake in as little as 30-40 minutes by car. If you’re coming in from Trento in the north, you can reach Riva del Garda, the closest point of the lake up there, in around 50 minutes by car.

Driving from Brescia takes about 30 minutes to Desenzano del Garda, which is the closest point on the lake to the city. 

Public Transport

To be honest, public transport to and from Lake Garda is pretty good. You can get direct trains from Verona to Desenzano del Garda and Peschiera del Garda within 20-30 minutes. From here, you can hop on ferries or local buses to experience some of the most beloved towns.

It’s worth making a note of the last train and last ferry back, and aiming for the one before it, as there are often a lot of day trippers trying to get on that final boat or train! 

If you’re in Milan, you can get a direct train to Desenzano del Garda in just 50 minutes. If you want to stay closer to the lake on the western side, the city of Brescia is just a 15-minute train ride from Desenzano del Garda.

From the north, it’s a little trickier. There is a direct bus from Trento to Riva del Garda, but it’s not super frequent and it takes an hour and 20 minutes. If you’re in the north, near the Dolomites, you’re better off hiring a car. 

Ferries

Getting around Lake Garda by public transport usually means taking the ferry. There are buses around the lake, linking different towns, but they’re not super frequent. The ferry schedule is seasonal, so make sure you have the right timetable for your dates before you start planning!

The ferry website for Lake Garda is Navigazione Laghi, so you can find all the up-to-date timetables, routes, and buy your tickets in advance here. If you’re in peak season, I’d recommend buying in advance. The first ferries tend to leave at 8:00 am, and the last ones arrive in port around 7:30 pm in the off-season and 8:00 pm in the summertime. 

You can get a ferry all the way from Desenzano del Garda in the south to Riva del Garda in the north, but it takes around three hours each way, so it’s not ideal if you only have one day to spend here. Instead, focus on either the north or the south to make the most of the trip. 

Some of the average timings include:

• Riva del Garda to Limone: 45 minutes
• Riva del Garda to Malcesine: 1 hour and 5 minutes
• Limone to Malcesine: 20 minutes
• Desenzano del Garda to Sirmione: 20 minutes
• Peschiera del Garda to Sirmione 40 minutes
• Peschiera del Garda to Bardolino: 45 minutes

Make sure to note down the last ferry times and be there with plenty of time to spare – you don’t want to get stranded. Taxis around the lake can be rare and really expensive, especially after the last ferry, as people know you have no other option. 

Plan your ferry route out in advance to make sure you have enough time in each destination, and that your timings actually line up. It might be great to hop around half the lake, but you might spend more time on the ferry than at your destination.

How to Spend One Day in Lake Garda with a Car

So, if you have access to a car, here’s how you can spend one day in Lake Garda. In fact, this is the exact itinerary that I followed when I was here on my road trip. 

Desenzano del Garda

Start off your day at one of the largest resort towns on Lake Garda. This is on the southwestern side of the lake, and it’s where the main train station is, so there is a lot to see and do here. 

If you have an eye for history, carve out time to visit the Roman Villa and the Antiquarium with the artifacts that were discovered here. Of course, there are plenty of sweeping views of the lake, beautiful al fresco cafes and restaurants, and a few boutique stores to check out.

Take in the colorful buildings before heading out of the town, along the lake. 

Santuario Madonna della Corona

Our second stop of the day actually took us away from the lake on the eastern side. This is a bit of a side quest, but 100% worth it. Santuario Madonna della Corona is a beautiful church from 1625 that’s built directly into the mountainside.

It’s a little bit of a hike uphill to reach the church, but there are buses up and down if you need them. The views here are amazing, the church is gorgeous, and there are a few cafes around to grab a coffee or something refreshing after your visit.

Remember to bring something to cover your shoulders to actually go inside the church. If you’re wearing a strappy top or anything like that, you won’t be allowed in. Be respectful!

Salo

Located on the eastern side of the lake is the city of Salo, which is actually the biggest city on this side of Lake Garda. Despite this, it’s kind of underrated, as most people just stay in the south near the public transport options and ferry hubs. 

One of the cool things here is the giant clock tower that dates all the way back to the 1200s. In fact, it’s one of the oldest towns on the lake and has some great museums to check out.

You can also relax on the beach, explore the piazzas and winding alleyways, or stroll along the longest promenade on Lake Garda. It’s perfect for those sunset photos and post-pasta walks.

How to Spend One Day in Lake Garda Without a Car

So, if you don’t have a car, it’s still super easy to visit Lake Garda; you just might be a bit limited in where you can go. 

Southern Lake Garda

To start off, if you’re in the south, such as Verona, Brescia, Milan, or Bergamo, make your way to Desenzano del Garda or Peschiera del Garda. These are the main train hubs, and you can get ferries from both of these destinations. 

Spend some time in either Desenzano del Garda or Peschiera del Garda, exploring the history and vibe of the town, before boarding a ferry to Sirmione. This is hands-down one of the prettiest places on the lake, and it’s popular with tourists.

Here, you can visit the historic Scaligero Castle or visit the ancient Grottoes of Catullus, which give you stunning views of the bright blue lake. 

From Sirmione, you can head to either Desenzano del Garda or Peschiera del Garda, or smaller towns like Bardolino, which is famous for wine, or the town of Garda itself, which has a great food scene.

There are plenty of towns to hop along the coast between, depending on the vibe you’re looking for, but with only one day, I’d stick to Desenzano del Garda, Peschiera del Garda, and Sirmione. 

I‘ve lived abroad for many years and love helping others find work abroad and figure out their “Move Abroad Plan.” Check out my class below to get you started ASAP!

Northern Lake Garda

If you’re on the northern end of Lake Garda, make your way to Riva del Garda to start. The landscape here is so stunning, as there are plenty of huge mountainous rock faces along the side of the lake, which gives it a distinct Como vibe.

It’s also popular for windsurfing, if you’re feeling adventurous, or you can wander the streets, enjoy the view, or check out the Museo Alto Garda for some historic exhibitions and artwork. 

From here, you can get a ferry to Limone Sul Garda. As the name suggests, this town is home to a ton of lemon groves, so make sure you get a lemony treat or gelato while you’re there. There are a lot of hiking trails in this area, which give spectacular lake views, and you can explore the Old Town.

After you’ve had your fill of lemons, cross Lake Garda on a ferry to Malcesine. This is a small but beautiful town with brightly colored buildings and plenty of outdoor adventure.

One of the best things to do here is to go up on the Monte Baldo cable car to get world-class views of the lakes and mountains beyond.

It’s worth noting that to get back to Riva Del Garda from Malcesine, you can either get a 30-minute bus along the lake that leaves every two hours, or double back on the ferry via Limone.