THE MOST BEAUTIFUL VILLAGES ON LAKE GARDA TO VISIT IN ONE DAY

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL VILLAGES ON LAKE GARDA TO VISIT IN ONE DAY

Discovering Lake Garda's most beloved villages

Lazise, Salò, Bardolino, Garda and Malcesine are the five most popular villages on Lake Garda. Between medieval walls, museums overlooking the lakefront, wine tastings among the vineyards, panoramic headlands and cable cars climbing above the clouds, each village is unique, and in this guide we'll take you through all five.

Lazise, between medieval walls and lake views

Lazise is one of the most beautiful historic villages in lower Garda, with its medieval walls still intact and a small harbour that looks like it's straight out of a painting. It's also the closest village to the area's major theme parks, such as Gardaland and Caneva Aquapark, which we cover in detail in our dedicated article.

Porta San Zeno and Porta Cansignorio are the two historic gates into the old walls; from there, just follow the streets of the centre to reach Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, the main square, in a few minutes, along with the harbour and the Dogana Veneta, a much photographed spot. Along the promenade you'll also spot the Castello Scaligero di Lazise, which is privately owned and not open to visitors inside. A short walk from the main square is the Church of Santi Zenone e Martino, the village's main church.
Next to the castle there's a playground with a green area, perfect for letting the kids play while you relax with a view of the harbour, maybe enjoying an ice cream from one of the parlours in the centre.

Salò and its elegant lakefront promenade

The heart of Salò is the Lungolago Zanardelli: a long paved promenade running along the Salò gulf, lined with benches and scenic views.
Along the promenade stands the Duomo di Santa Maria Annunziata, the town's main church, which makes for a quick stop during your walk. From there, venturing a little into the inner streets like Via San Carlo, you'll find the historic centre with its shops, cafés and pastry shops.

Another interesting stop is the MuSa, the Museum of Salò, located right on the lakefront, which tells the city's story through several themed sections.

Bardolino, between walks, wine and its historic centre

Bardolino is famous above all for its wine, and it's also one of the easiest villages to enjoy thanks to its completely flat lakefront promenade. Walking along the water, you'll often come across swans and ducks.
In the centre of the village you'll find the Church of Santi Nicolò e Severo, which takes just a few minutes to visit, and behind it a playground shaded by trees, perfect for a break, especially in the warmer months.
You can also explore Bardolino aboard the electric tourist train, which departs from Piazza del Porto and loops around the village.

Those wanting to discover the hinterland can follow the Bardolino Wine Road through vineyards and cellars, with the chance to stop for a tasting.

Garda and its most charming walks

Garda is a cosy village gathered around a small harbour, with alleys and little squares where you can stop for a relaxed lunch or dinner. Among the streets of the centre you'll also find the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, the village's main church, a quick but charming addition to your stroll.
If you love nature and outdoor walks, this is the village for you. You can choose from:

• Rivalunga: a flat cycling and walking path that runs along the lake all the way to Bardolino, to be enjoyed on foot or by bike;
• Punta San Vigilio: a small headland with a little church, a historic inn and a particularly charming small harbour, ideal for a sunset drink with a view;
• Rocca di Garda or Valle dei Mulini: the first rewards you with a panoramic view over the lake, requiring a bit of physical effort; the second is a shaded nature trail among the remains of old mills, a pleasant option on hotter days.

Malcesine, between the castle, the cable car and Monte Baldo

Malcesine is probably the village with the most to offer if you have a whole day to spend, combining the charm of a medieval town with a trip into the mountains.

The historic centre can be explored on foot through alleys and stairways leading down to the harbour, lined with cafés and ice cream parlours along the way. At the heart of the village stands the Castello Scaligero di Malcesine, which can be visited inside and also houses the Monte Baldo Natural History Museum. Not far from the castle is the Palazzo dei Capitani, a historic building overlooking the lake that houses a library.
The experience not to be missed, though, is the Malcesine Monte Baldo cable car: its rotating cabins carry you in just a few minutes from Malcesine up to nearly 1,800 metres, with views over the lake and mountains. Once at the top, you can take easy walks such as the Colma Trail and spot cows and sheep grazing. Always check the seasonal opening times on the official website before setting off, as the cable car isn't running all year round.

Conclusion

Five villages, five different ways to enjoy a day on Lake Garda, all within easy reach from San Felice del Benaco. Whether you choose to go by car or prefer to arrive by boat, our campsite is in a strategic location for exploring them without any hassle. If the idea of sailing the lake intrigues you, you'll find all the details in our article on taking a boat trip on Lake Garda.

See you soon on Lake Garda! From your #campingwithlove