ROMANTIC WEEKEND AT LAKE GARDA: activities that will make you fall in love (again)
Experiences
Published 04 Feb 2026
Romantic Weekend on Lake Garda: The Best Activities for Couples
We've seen hundreds of couples leave Camping Village Europa Silvella and return with sparkling eyes. Hands finding each other at sunset, knowing smiles over a glass of Chiaretto, silences full of words on a sailboat. Lake Garda knows how to create the right space to find each other again, slow down, reconnect.
We live here 365 days a year and we know which experiences truly work for a romantic weekend. Not the usual "Instagrammable spots", but authentic moments. In this article: lake sunrises, hidden wineries, panoramic trails and dinners with a view. Everything we've learned exploring this territory.
Why choose Lake Garda for a couples' weekend
Lake Garda has the ability to make you feel good together without complicated plans. The lake changes colour every hour, the hills smell of olive and lemon, the light is magical.
Perfect for:
- Couples seeking tranquillity, not nightlife
- Those who love nature and comfort
- Athletes and contemplatives
- Those wanting authenticity: real wine, local food, zero mass tourism
Dawn boat trip: starting the day on the water
Sunrise on the lake is one of those moments when you understand why you drove 500 km to get here. You leave when the sky is dark, the air fresh, the lake a mirror. For 20-30 minutes you're alone on the water. Then the sun rises behind Monte Baldo: pink, orange, gold. Total silence.
How to organise:
- Boat tour: 2-3 hours, departure 5:30-6:00 am
- Cost: Medium-high budget (guided tour or private rental)
- Booking: Essential in high season
- What to bring: Sweatshirt, blanket, coffee thermos
Our tip: Bring a blanket. Sit down, wrap yourselves up, watch the sunrise. No words needed.
Contact details available at reception or through our local partners.
Romantic stroll through the villages
The Lake Garda villages are perfect for walking hand in hand. Narrow alleys, constant views, scent of wisteria.
Sirmione: the classic
- When: 8:00-8:30 am (before the tourists)
- Route: Scaligero Castle → old town alleys → Grottoes of Catullus → via Antiche Mura
- Time: 3-4 hours
- Coffee: Bar Scaligero (castle view)
Less touristy alternatives:
- Lazise: Medieval village, picturesque harbour, Wednesday market
- San Felice del Benaco: Tiny, zero tourism, view of Isola del Garda
- Salò: Elegant lakefront, authentic atmosphere
Insider tip: Avoid Sirmione between 11 am and 5 pm from June to September. Choose sunrise, sunset, or May/October.
Vineyard aperitivo: the sunset ritual
Vineyard aperitivo = ritual. You're among the vines, the sun is setting, the air smells of grapes. Platter of local cured meats, cheeses, homemade bread. Glass of fresh Chiaretto. No rush.
Our favourite wineries:
Azienda Agricola Spia d'Italia (Lonato/Manerba)
- Chiaretto Valtenesi DOC, lake view
- Medium budget for full tasting
- Friday/Saturday at sunset (March-October)
Cantina Costaripa (Moniga)
- Biodynamic production
- Tour + vineyard tasting (May-September)
Tenuta La Presa (Puegnago)
- Lugana and Groppello, sustainability
- Authentic experience
How to organise: Book 3-7 days ahead. Ideal time: 1.5-2 hours before sunset.
Our tip: Ask questions. The producers love telling how Chiaretto is born. You'll take home a story.
Romantic dinner with lake view
"Romantic" doesn't mean expensive. It means: authentic place, good food, a view that lets you breathe.
Our top 3:
La Casa degli Spiriti (Costermano)
- 360° view, contemporary cuisine
- Risotto Amarone, trout tartare
- Medium-high budget
- Booking essential for lake-view tables
Trattoria Agli Angeli (Gardone Riviera)
- Traditional, honest prices
- Sarde in saor, bigoli with sardines
- Medium budget
- Kitchen closes early (9:30-10:00 pm)
Locanda al Porticciolo (Brenzone)
- Very fresh lake fish, on the harbour
- Grilled carpione, perch risotto
- Medium budget
Alternatives:
- Limited budget: Osteria al Bacio (Salò)
- Special occasion: Lido 84 (1 Michelin star)
- Unique experience: Dinner on private boat at sunset
Tips: Always book. Specify "lake-view table". Ask for local wines by the glass.
Couples' trekking: Rocca di Manerba
Our favourite route. Easy but special.
Why:
- Incredible view (lake + hills + Alps)
- 2-3 hours total, limited elevation gain
- Doable all year round
- 5 minutes from the campsite
The route: Rocca di Manerba car park → woods (15') → first lake viewpoint → climb on the rock → summit (360° view, stone benches)
Ascent time: 30-40 minutes
At the top: Silence, picnic, endless panoramas
What to bring: Hiking shoes, water, snacks, hat, small blanket, camera
Alternatives:
- Sentiero del Ponale: View over Riva del Garda, half day, medium difficulty
- Limone-Tremosine: Panoramic, flat, 2 hours
Insider tip: Leave at dawn or sunset. Magical light, zero people, just you and nature.
Relaxation and wellness: SPA
After trekking or villages, the body needs rest.
Our SPAs:
Aquaria Thermal SPA (Sirmione)
- Natural thermal water, pools with lake view
- Outdoor pool overlooking Scaligero Castle
- Medium-high budget for full day
Lefay Resort SPA (Gargnano)
- Luxury: 21 pools, 11 saunas
- High budget
- For truly special occasions
Villa Margherita (Desenzano)
- Informal, excellent value for money
- Medium budget
- Couples' massage available
Couples' massages:
- Centro Benessere Silvella (inside campsite, also open to external guests)
- Personalised massages
Our tip: Limited budget? A good couples' massage is worth more than three hours in crowded pools.
Perfect 2-day itinerary
DAY 1: Water and Villages
- 6:00 am - Dawn boat trip (2h)
- 8:30 am - Breakfast at campsite
- 10:30 am-1:30 pm - Sirmione (Castle + Grottoes)
- 2:00 pm - Light lunch
- 3:30-5:30 pm - Relaxation (pool/walk)
- 6:00 pm - Vineyard aperitivo (2h)
- 8:30 pm - Romantic dinner with lake view
- 11:00 pm - Night stroll along the lakefront
DAY 2: Nature and Relaxation
- 8:00 am - Breakfast
- 9:00 am - Rocca di Manerba trekking (3h)
- 12:00 pm - Picnic/aperitivo in Manerba
- 2:30-6:00 pm - SPA/Wellness Centre
- 6:30 pm - Sunset aperitivo at campsite
- 8:00 pm - Dinner at typical trattoria
- 10:00 pm - Final stroll
Practical tips
When to come:
✅ May: Calm lake, mild temperatures (20-25°C), everything in bloom
✅ September: Lake still warm, fewer tourists, grape harvest
✅ October: Autumn colours, better prices
❌ Avoid: July-August (hot and crowded), mid-August, spring bank holidays
Realistic budget (2 days/1 night):
- Basic: Standard accommodation, trattorias, essential experiences
- Premium: Glamping, lake-view restaurants, more experiences
What to bring: ✓ Comfortable shoes ✓ Swimsuit ✓ Layered clothing ✓ Camera ✓ Sun cream ✓ Hiking shoes
Mistakes to avoid:
❌ Over-planning
❌ Tourist restaurants in the centre
❌ Sirmione 11 am-5 pm in summer
❌ Trekking in hot hours
❌ Not booking vineyard/restaurants
Essential bookings:
- Accommodation
- Dawn boat trip (3-4 days ahead)
- Vineyard aperitivo (1 week in high season)
- Dinner with lake view
Conclusion
We've accompanied hundreds of couples on these routes. Anniversaries at the Rocca, proposals in vineyards, knowing silences after dawn on the boat. Lake Garda slows you down, reconnects you, makes you remember why you chose to be together.
You don't need a special occasion. Sometimes routine wears you down, distracts, distances. Two days by the lake are enough to find each other again. Lake Garda won't change your life, but it will give you the space to remember who you are when it's just the two of you.
From Camping Village Europa Silvella Leave for all these experiences from our facility. Nature, comfort, pool, sunsets. 5 minutes from the beaches, a stone's throw from the trails.
See you at the lake! From your #campingwithlove ❤️
