Lake Garda
Lake Garda is one of the largest lakes in Italy, and one of the most visited in the Northern part of the country. Its most famous town is Sirmione.
Unlike the quieter lakes nearby, Lake Garda is a lively hotspot buzzing with both Italian and international tourists, looking to take a dip in its famously crystal-clear waters.
Surrounding the lake are charming small towns that double as popular summer resorts, with the village of Sirmione standing out as a favorite.
Sirmione
At the southern tip of Lake Garda, Sirmione is crowned by the Rocca Scaligera, a striking medieval fortress overlooking the harbor. Nearby, the Grotte di Catullo archaeological site offers a fascinating glimpse into the remains of an ancient Roman villa.
These days, Sirmione isn’t quite the peaceful retreat it once was. With mass tourism, it can feel more like a theme park for visitors passing through.
That said, the town is well set up to welcome tourists—though one of the biggest challenges here is finding parking, even in the paid garages and lots.
Lake Garda has other trendy villages like Riva del Garda, Desenzano, Peschiera del Garda, and Salò, all worth a visit and easily reachable by ferry from Sirmione.
Gardaland Resort
One of the top things to do in Lake Garda is visit Gardaland, the most-visited amusement park in Italy, and enjoy a ride on the funicular that runs from Malcesine to Monte Baldo.
It's an excellent option if you're visiting Lake Garda with kids. There's a wide range of attractions suitable to all age ranges, and crowds are very manageable thanks to the amount of rides available.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Lake Garda is during the summer months (June to August), when the weather is warm and perfect for swimming—but it’s also when the crowds are at their peak. For a more relaxed experience, consider visiting in the shoulder season (May or September). You’ll still enjoy plenty of sunshine and beach-worthy days, but with far fewer tourists.
How to Get to Lake Garda
There are several ways of getting to Lake Garda from Milan, although the easiest and most comfortable way of traveling is by car. If you don’t want to hire a car, you can get a train from Milan to Lake Garda or book a day trip.
Day Trip from Milan
Arrive in Sirmione by bus and enjoy a guided tour of the area, when you book a day trip from Milan. All you need to do is relax and enjoy the trip. Book your day trip at the link below!
By Car
The easiest way to travel to Sirmione from Milan is by car. The route is nearly entirely by motorway (direction Verona) and well-marked, allowing you to cover the 87 miles (140 km) distance in just 2 hours.
To hire a car, click on the following link:
By Train
Another way of getting to Sirmione is by train from Milano Centrale railway station to “Desenzano Del Garda-Sirmione” railway station.
The journey takes between 50 minutes and 1.5 hours and costs anywhere from € 11 (US$ 12.93) to € 31 (US$ 36.46) one way, depending on the time of day you're traveling. It's also a very comfortable, and convenient way to arrive in Lake Garda.
Getting Around Lake Garda
If you have a car and are planning on spending a few days in the north of Italy, we recommend discovering the many charming villages around Lake Garda. If you don’t have a lot of time, you can take the ferries that cross the lake from several villages and towns.
Lake Garda also has car ferries, so you can get from one side of the lake to the other with your car.
On the following page, you can check out the timetables and rates of the different ferries.
Nearby places
Lake Iseo (48.6 km)
