Peschiera del Garda at a glance
Peschiera del Garda stands on the south shore of Lake Garda, in the Veneto. This is where the River Mincio leaves the lake on its way to the Po. The Republic of Venice built a fortress around the old town at this strategic outflow, and in 2017 the fortress was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The town is a practical base. It has a railway station on the Milan to Venice line, a motorway exit on the A4, a pier on the main passenger boat line and, 3 kilometres away, the Gardaland theme park.
The fortress town
What the World Heritage listing means for a visit.
A UNESCO fortress
Peschiera is one of six parts of a serial site called Venetian Works of Defence between the 16th and 17th Centuries. The other parts are Bergamo, Palmanova, Zadar, Šibenik and Kotor. The listing was agreed in 2017.
Walking in
The fortress and the old town are one and the same, so a visit means walking through the gates and along the water. From the station, the way in leads through Porta Verona. Individual parts of the fortress have their own rules, so ask on site about access.
The harbour and pier
Peschiera is a stop on the passenger line between Desenzano and Riva. In autumn 2026 the earliest boat north leaves at 8:25.
Lake Garda ferries →Our picks: from Peschiera
A speedboat tour and Gardaland down the road.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Gardaland one-day ticket
Entry to the park with its rides and themed areas. Check the park's own promotions too.
Check availability →
Two-hour speedboat tour of the southern lake
Views of Lazise, Bardolino, Garda, Isola del Garda and Sirmione with a skipper. There are no landing stops and no toilet on board.
Check availability →Tours and tickets around Peschiera del Garda
Gardaland tickets, boat trips, wine tastings and day trips to Verona, with live prices and availability.
Gardaland from Peschiera
Gardaland lies 2 kilometres from Peschiera del Garda station. A free shuttle bus runs both ways every 30 minutes. The first bus leaves 30 minutes before the park opens, and the last one leaves 30 minutes after it closes. Trenord also sells a combined train and Gardaland ticket.
The 2026 season runs from 28 March to 1 November. Magic Winter follows from 5 December to 6 January. Online tickets for adults start at €44 for the one day plus one free day offer, bookable until 29 October, and the gate price starts at €59. An undated one day ticket is €59 online. Children under 90 cm enter free. The park runs three hotels of its own.
Why Peschiera works as a base
Transport, theme park and the rest of the south shore within reach.
Peschiera and Desenzano del Garda are the two railway stations on the lake. That makes it a good choice if you travel without a car. The station is on the Milan to Venice line, the pier is in the town and the Gardaland shuttle starts at the station.
Gardaland runs three hotels of its own: Gardaland Hotel, Adventure Hotel and Magic Hotel. If you drive to the park, parking starts at €7, and the car park opens one hour before the park. Coming from Milan, leave the A4 at Peschiera. Coming from Venice, use Sommacampagna or Peschiera.
Distances from Peschiera
Drive times by car without traffic. In summer the lakeside roads are often slower.
| Destination | Distance | Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Gardaland | 3 km | 6 min |
| Lazise | 10 km | 15 min |
| Sirmione | 14 km | 17 min |
| Bardolino | 15 km | 23 min |
| Desenzano del Garda | 16 km | 19 min |
| Garda | 18 km | 27 min |
| Verona Porta Nuova | 30 km | 28 min |
| Verona airport | 22 km | 31 min |
| Malcesine | 46 to 52 km | 66 min |
| Riva del Garda | 78 km | 69 min |
Getting to Peschiera del Garda
By train, Peschiera lies on the Milan to Venice line and Verona is about 15 minutes away. From Verona airport, the Verona Airlink bus runs to Verona Porta Nuova station for €7, and from there you take the train. Driving, leave the A4 at Peschiera del Garda. Coming from the Brenner motorway, Gardaland recommends leaving the A22 at Affi.
By boat, the passenger line from Desenzano to Riva stops in Peschiera. A fast service leaves Peschiera at 9:00 and reaches Riva at 12:10, in the autumn timetable that runs until 1 November 2026. Passenger boats return on 13 March 2027.
More places on the south shore
Close to Peschiera by train, boat or car.
Peschiera del Garda: frequently asked questions
Is Peschiera del Garda a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
Yes. The fortress was listed in 2017 as one of six parts of a serial site about Venetian defensive works of the 16th and 17th centuries.
How do I get from Peschiera station to Gardaland?
Take the free shuttle bus. It runs every 30 minutes in both directions, since the park is 2 kilometres from the station.
How far is Peschiera from Verona?
It is 30 kilometres by road from Verona Porta Nuova, about 28 minutes by car, and about 15 minutes by train.
Do boats run from Peschiera in winter?
No. Passenger boats stop after 1 November 2026 and resume on 13 March 2027. Only the car ferry between Maderno and Torri del Benaco runs in between.
How much is Gardaland in 2026?
Adult tickets start at €44 online for the one day plus one free day offer and at €59 on the day. Children under 90 cm are free.
Which station is closest to Gardaland?
Peschiera del Garda station, 2 kilometres from the park. The shuttle bus is free, and Trenord sells a combined train and park ticket.