WHAT TO DO ON LAKE GARDA IN AUTUMN: IDEAS AND ITINERARIES

WHAT TO DO ON LAKE GARDA IN AUTUMN: IDEAS AND ITINERARIES

Why visit Lake Garda in autumn

When people think of Lake Garda, it's natural to picture Gardaland, crowded beaches, traffic along the lakefront… But in autumn it's a different story: the art cities can be visited without the crowds, village festivals fill up the weekends, and the trails through the morainic hills stay almost empty. It's the season when mass tourism gives way to something slower and more authentic.

Here's what awaits you, plus a few practical tips to help you plan.

Visiting the art cities near Lake Garda

One of the advantages of autumn is being able to visit historic cities in mild, sunny weather, without the extreme heat and humidity of summer. Here are the most important towns near San Felice.

• Sirmione: stretching out like a tongue of land into the lake, famous since Roman times for its thermal waters. The Scaliger Castle greets visitors arriving over the drawbridge, while the Grotte di Catullo, at the tip of the peninsula, offer one of the most beautiful views on all of Lake Garda;
• Brescia: its Roman and Lombard roots can be seen in the San Salvatore and Santa Giulia complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, while the castle on Colle Cidneo overlooks the whole city;
• Verona: the city of Romeo and Juliet, home to one of the best preserved Roman arenas in the world. You can stroll through the historic centre, cross the Adige on the Ponte Pietra and climb up to Castel San Pietro. Find the full itinerary in our dedicated guide to a day in Verona;
• Mantua: a city surrounded on three sides by the lakes formed by the Mincio river. The Gonzaga family's palaces, from Palazzo Ducale to Palazzo Te, tell centuries of Renaissance splendour, and the historic centre can be explored without the traffic of more touristy destinations;
• Trento: combines an alpine soul with a Renaissance one. The Buonconsiglio Castle, once the residence of the prince-bishops, overlooks the city, while Piazza Duomo and its frescoed façades reveal the Habsburg influence still visible today.

If you'd rather stay closer to the lake, our guide to the most beautiful villages on Lake Garda to visit in a day has short itineraries for exploring Lazise, Salò, Bardolino, Garda and Malcesine.
If you don't have a car, you can rent one at reception, or get around by bus. In that case, during your stay we recommend checking the Arriva Italia website, dedicated to the bus lines of Brescia and its province, since timetables change between low and high season.

Autumn food and wine festivals

Autumn is when the Garda area shows off its local produce, with a festival celebrating it almost every weekend. Here are the ones to mark on your calendar between late September and early October:

• Profumi di Mosto (4 October), between Desenzano and San Felice del Benaco: local wineries open their doors for the end of the grape harvest;
• Salò Golosa (27 September), Salò: food stalls and tastings along the lakefront;
• Sagra del Tartufo (26 and 27 September, then 4 October), Tignale: two weekends dedicated to local truffles in the village of Gardola;
• Ciottolando con Gusto (26 and 27 September), Malcesine: a roaming tasting event through the streets of the historic centre;
• Festa dell'Uva e del Vino (1 to 5 October), Bardolino: the lake's biggest autumn event, five days along the Cipriani lakefront among the wineries of Bardolino and Chiaretto;
• I Giorni del Miele (2 to 4 October), Lazise: a national honey fair at the Dogana Veneta, with beekeepers' stalls from all over Italy;
• Festival del Pesce d'Acqua Dolce (25, 26 and 27 September, then 3 October), in Riva del Garda, Arco and Torbole: lake fish, whitefish, lavarello and dried sardines, cooked by restaurants from the upper Garda area.

Trekking and cycling routes on Lake Garda

If you love being active, autumn is the perfect time: pleasant temperatures and quieter trails. Check out our bike and trekking routes starting from San Felice: ride through the villages, try mountain biking across the morainic hills, or tackle more challenging trails for a breathtaking view. If you'd rather travel light, this article has all the information on equipment rental at the campsite, including bikes.
If you prefer a more relaxing walk, the castles of Valtenesi are well worth a visit: for example Padenghe Castle, the oldest in the area; Soiano Castle, which can be visited from the outside; and Moniga Castle with its still intact battlements. These are short stops, perfect to combine with a break in the villages to browse the local shops.

Why choose the campsite in autumn

The mild climate means you can enjoy the communal areas all day long, with just enough breeze to make everything more pleasant: kids can play at the playground or Mini Club, adults can enjoy tennis or beach volleyball, and in the evening our entertainment programme, running throughout the season, continues with games and themed nights.
Low season is also the perfect time to try our new heated pool, ideal for enjoying the view as temperatures slowly start to drop.

Conclusion

Autumn on Lake Garda is a whole different kind of holiday, made of art cities without the crowds, village festivals and cooler days to dedicate to new experiences. If we've convinced you, book your stay and come discover it for yourself.

See you soon on Lake Garda! From your #campingwithlove