Choosing a base for your Lake Garda holiday
The lake is about 51 kilometres long, and a drive from Peschiera in the south to Riva in the north takes over an hour without traffic. Pick your base by what you want to do and how you travel, then make day trips from there.
Three questions settle most choices. Do you arrive by train or by car? Do you want beaches and theme parks or mountains and wind? And will you travel after 1 November, when the passenger ferries stop? The towns below answer each one.
Lake Garda map: towns around the shore
The main towns on all four shores. Towns with their own guide are linked.
Lake Garda hotels by shore
The four shores at a glance. Rooms are available in every town, from hotels to apartments and campsites.
South shore
Sirmione, Desenzano and Peschiera have the best transport. Both stations are on the Milan to Venice line and the A4 motorway passes close by. The shore suits families, first-time visitors and anyone without a car.
Sirmione →East shore
Lazise, Bardolino, Garda and Malcesine form a chain of lakefront towns in the Veneto, with wine country behind them. There are weekly markets, long promenades and bus links, though no railway station beyond Peschiera.
Bardolino →West shore
Salò, Gardone Riviera, Gargnano and Limone sit under steep hills in Lombardy. They are quieter and more scenic, and a car helps. Boats link the towns in season, and a car ferry crosses to Torri del Benaco all year.
Limone sul Garda →North shore
Riva del Garda and Torbole lie at the foot of the mountains in Trentino. This is the base for windsurfing, sailing, climbing and cycling. Guests in participating accommodation receive the Garda Guest Card, which includes a free return trip on the Riva Bastione lift.
Riva del Garda →Tours to book from your base
Boat trips, wine tastings, day trips to Verona and Gardaland tickets, with live prices and availability.
Where to stay, town by town
The main bases compared. Journey times are by car without traffic, from the starting point named in each row.
| Town | Shore | Best for | Getting there | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sirmione | South | Castle, Roman ruins, short stays | 17 min by car from Peschiera | Cars cannot freely enter the old town, so hotel guests use a parking service |
| Desenzano del Garda | South | Trains, harbour, ferries | Railway station on the Milan to Venice line | Start of the ferry line to Riva |
| Peschiera del Garda | South | Gardaland, fortress town | Railway station, 6 min by car to Gardaland | Free shuttle bus runs from the station to the park |
| Lazise | East | Harbour, walled old town | 15 min by car from Peschiera | Market on Wednesday morning |
| Bardolino | East | Wine, lakefront promenade | 23 min by car from Peschiera | Market on Thursday morning |
| Garda | East | Central position on the east shore | 27 min by car from Peschiera, buses from Verona | Bus lines 163, 164 and 185 run from Verona Porta Nuova |
| Malcesine | East | Castle, Monte Baldo cable car | 66 min by car from Peschiera | Cable car closed 2 November to 25 December 2026 |
| Salò and Gardone Riviera | West | Gardens, the Vittoriale, calm | 29 min by car from Desenzano to Salò | Heller Garden closes from 1 November to 1 March |
| Limone sul Garda | West | Lemon houses, clifftop cycle path | 13 min by car from Riva | Paid parking since 20 March 2026 |
| Riva del Garda | North | Hiking, sailing, cycling | 69 min by car from Peschiera | Bus lines 483 and 484 serve the east shore |
| Torbole | North | Windsurfing and kitesurfing | 10 min by car from Riva | Wind blows on most fair days |
Which shore suits your holiday
Families with young children usually choose the south, where Gardaland, Sirmione and the train stations are close. Couples who want views and quiet often prefer the west shore or a smaller town such as Limone.
Active travellers head north. The Pelèr blows from the north in the morning, and from midday the Ora blows from the south, so Torbole and Riva rarely lack wind. Wine lovers should look at Bardolino and Lazise.
See things to do in Lake Garda for what each shore offers once you arrive.
Season, getting around and tourist tax
Three practical points that affect where you book.
Winter stays
The passenger boats run until 1 November 2026 and return on 13 March 2027. In between, only the car ferry from Maderno to Torri del Benaco operates. Without a car, the south and east shores are easier by train and bus. Read the ferry timetable before you plan.
Arriving by plane
From Verona airport the Airlink bus costs €7 to Verona Porta Nuova station, and trains reach Peschiera and Desenzano from there. See Verona to Lake Garda for the full route.
Tourist tax
Many towns charge a local tourist tax per person and night on top of the room rate. Rates vary by town, so ask the property what it adds.
Lake Garda holidays: frequently asked questions
Which is the best area to stay on Lake Garda?
It depends on your trip. Sirmione and Peschiera are best for transport and Gardaland, Bardolino for wine and a promenade, Malcesine for the cable car and Riva or Torbole for sport.
Where should I stay on Lake Garda without a car?
Choose Desenzano or Peschiera, which have railway stations, or a town with a ferry stop and bus link in season. Outside the season the south and east shores are the easiest.
Where is best for families?
The south shore is the usual choice. Peschiera is close to Gardaland, and Sirmione and Desenzano have harbours, castles and beaches.
Is it better to stay on the east or west shore?
The east shore has more towns, markets and bus links. The west shore is quieter and steeper, and suits drivers who want views.
How many nights should I book?
Stay at least three nights in one base. One week lets you visit both ends of the lake without moving hotels.