Lake Garda weather at a glance
The lake has a mild climate for northern Italy. Summers are warm and fairly dry, winters are cool rather than freezing, and the wettest month is October, not the middle of winter. The wide south is flatter and sunnier. The narrow north is framed by mountains and catches the lake winds.
For most visitors the practical question is not only how warm it is, but what is open. Passenger boats, the Monte Baldo cable car and Gardaland all pause after 1 November, so the season matters as much as the temperature.
Lake Garda weather month by month
Average temperatures and rainfall on the west shore.
| Month | Highest °C | Average °C | Lowest °C | Rain (mm) | Rain days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7.3 | 4.5 | 1.6 | 77 | 7 |
| February | 8.8 | 5.5 | 2.2 | 67 | 6 |
| March | 13.4 | 9.5 | 5.6 | 86 | 8 |
| April | 17.4 | 13.2 | 9.0 | 86 | 9 |
| May | 22.8 | 18.2 | 13.5 | 106 | 11 |
| June | 26.7 | 21.9 | 17.1 | 95 | 10 |
| July | 29.4 | 24.5 | 19.5 | 90 | 7 |
| August | 28.7 | 24.0 | 19.2 | 115 | 8 |
| September | 23.8 | 19.7 | 15.7 | 89 | 6 |
| October | 17.8 | 14.7 | 11.6 | 120 | 8 |
| November | 11.9 | 9.0 | 6.2 | 106 | 9 |
| December | 8.1 | 5.4 | 2.7 | 68 | 6 |
| Year | 18.0 | 14.2 | 10.3 | 1,105 | 95 |
The figures are long-term averages for Salò on the west shore from 1981 to 2010, based on Italian national climate data, and a rain day means 1 mm or more. Verona airport, about 22 kilometres by road from Peschiera, is drier at 832 mm a year and gets around 2,177 hours of sunshine, from roughly 308 hours in July to about 87 in December (1991 to 2020 for temperature and rain).
Lake Garda tours and day trips
Boat trips, wine tastings, day trips to Verona and Gardaland tickets, with live prices and availability.
Best time to visit Lake Garda
What each season is like, and what is open.
Spring: March to May
Highs climb from 13 to 23°C and May brings 11 rain days. It suits walking, cycling and quiet towns. In March only a limited ferry service runs, and the cable car on Monte Baldo opens for 2026 on 4 April.
Summer: June to August
Highs of 27 to 29°C, with the lake at its warmest. Everything is open, and this is the busiest season, so book ahead and start popular visits early in the day.
Autumn: September to November
September is warm, with highs near 24°C and the lowest rainfall of the season. October is the wettest month, and by 1 November the passenger boats, the cable car and Gardaland close for the season.
Winter: December to February
Highs of 7 to 9°C and lows just above freezing on the shore. Quiet, but many attractions are closed. The Scaliger Castle in Sirmione stays open Tuesday to Sunday.
If you want every ferry, lift and park running, May to mid October is the safest window. June and September balance warm days with fewer visitors than July and August.
Water temperature
The regional tourist board gives surface water at 6 to 10°C from December to February and 9 to 18°C from March to May. It climbs to 17 to 27°C between June and August, then falls to 17 to 22°C in September and 10 to 15°C in October and November.
Readings vary with the wind and the shore, so treat the figures as a guide. Most swimmers wait for June, and September can still be comfortable.
Wind on the north shore
The north end of the lake is a well-known windsurfing area around Torbole and Riva del Garda, because two regular winds follow each other on most fine days. The Pelèr blows from the north in the first half of the day, usually starting between 2am and 3am and fading around midday, with gusts up to 13 metres per second.
The Ora then blows from the south from about midday until sunset. It is strongest in high summer and very weak in winter. Cold fronts can bring the stronger Balinot, with winds above 20 metres per second. If you plan to sail, windsurf or take a boat out, check the forecast and go in the morning or the afternoon accordingly.
What is open in winter 2026/27
Closing dates that matter more than the temperature.
Ferries
The winter 2026/27 ferry timetable runs passenger boats only until 1 November 2026 and again from 13 March 2027. From 2 November to 12 March only the car ferry between Maderno and Torri del Benaco sails.
Lake Garda ferries →Monte Baldo cable car
Closed for maintenance from 2 November to 25 December 2026. The winter season runs from 26 December to 21 February 2027.
Monte Baldo →Gardaland
The 2026 season ends on 1 November. Magic Winter runs from 5 December to 6 January.
Gardaland →Gardens and islands
Heller Garden in Gardone Riviera is closed from 1 November 2026 to 1 March 2027, and the Isola del Garda season ends in October. The Bastione lift in Riva runs until 8 November.
Lake Garda weather: frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Lake Garda?
From May to mid October the ferries, cable car and big attractions are all open. June and September balance warm weather with smaller crowds, while July and August are hottest and busiest.
What is the weather like on Lake Garda in October?
Highs average about 18°C and lows about 12°C on the west shore. October is the wettest month, with around 120 mm of rain on 8 days. Passenger boats and the cable car run only until 1 November.
Is the lake warm enough to swim in September?
Surface water is about 17 to 22°C in September, and air highs are near 24°C. Many people still swim, but it feels cooler after a windy or wet spell.
Do the Lake Garda ferries run in winter?
The passenger boats run until 1 November 2026 and again from 13 March 2027. In between, only the car ferry between Maderno and Torri del Benaco operates, except on Christmas Day.
Why is Torbole so windy?
The narrow north funnels two regular winds, the Pelèr in the morning and the Ora in the afternoon. This is why the area is popular with windsurfers and sailors.