How to use this list
Lake Garda is long, and the drive from Peschiera in the south to Riva in the north takes over an hour. Pick one or two shores per day rather than the whole lake. The entries below run from the south shore round to the west, with prices for adults in 2026.
Many sights close or shorten their hours after 1 November, so the dates matter more here than on most lists. The weather and best time page shows which months suit which plans.
South shore
Castles, Roman ruins, a fortress town and a theme park.
1. Scaliger Castle, Sirmione
The moated castle guards the entrance to the old town. Entry is €10 and you can climb the keep. It opens Tuesday to Sunday from 8:30 to 19:15, with last entry at 18:30, and is closed on Mondays.
Sirmione →2. Grottoes of Catullus
Roman ruins on the tip of the peninsula, with a small museum. Entry is €10. Winter hours can be shorter than the summer ones, so check before you walk out. A paid electric train runs from the town in summer.
Sirmione →3. Peschiera del Garda fortress
The old town sits inside Venetian walls that became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2017. Walk the ramparts and the canal where the Mincio leaves the lake. The station is close, so it works as a day trip by train.
Peschiera →4. Gardaland
The 2026 season runs from 28 March to 1 November, with Magic Winter from 5 December to 6 January. Tickets start at €44 online and €59 at the gate. A free shuttle runs from Peschiera station every 30 minutes.
Gardaland →5. Parco Giardino Sigurtà
A large garden park near Valeggio sul Mincio, open from 7 March to 15 November 2026. An autumn festival runs from 10 October to 15 November. Buy a dated ticket online before you go.
Our picks: things to do
Gardaland, sailing from Malcesine and olive oil on the west shore.
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.
Olive oil tasting with local food in San Felice
A walk through the olive grove, a tasting of Garda DOP oil, a glass of wine and local cheese and cured meats.
Check availability →
Gardaland one-day ticket
Entry to the park with its rides and themed areas. Check the park's own promotions too.
Check availability →
Panoramic cruise on a historic sailboat
Two hours with a skipper and crew from Malcesine harbour.
Check availability →Tours and tickets for your Lake Garda trip
Boat trips, wine tastings, day trips to Verona and Gardaland tickets, with live prices and availability.
East shore
Harbour towns, a castle on the water and the way up to the mountains.
6. Lazise old town and harbour
A walled town with a small harbour. The market is on Wednesday from 7:00 to 14:00. The Scaliger castle is best enjoyed from outside, so spend your time on the harbour front and the lanes.
7. Malcesine Castle
A tower 31 metres high with a natural history museum and a room for Goethe. The castle is open daily until 31 October 2026, then at weekends in November and daily from 5 December to 6 January. The adult ticket was €7 in 2025.
Malcesine →8. Monte Baldo cable car
The rotating cabin lifts you from the lakeside to 1,760 metres in about 20 minutes. A return ticket costs €30, or €28 online. It closes for maintenance from 2 November to 25 December 2026.
Monte Baldo →North shore
The narrow end of the lake, under the cliffs.
9. Bastione lift, Riva del Garda
The Venetian bastion of 1507 and 1508 has a panoramic lift that climbs 130 metres in about three minutes. A return ticket is €10 from June to September and €9 otherwise. It runs daily from 10:00 to 19:00 until 8 November.
Riva del Garda →10. Torre Apponale
The clock tower on the main square costs €2 to climb. The Alto Garda museum next to it is €5. Opening times change in the off season, so ask at the tourist office when you arrive.
11. Varone Falls
A waterfall in a gorge just outside Riva, with free parking at the entrance and a bus from the town. In October it opens from 9:00 to 17:00, in November from 10:00 to 17:00. It is closed on 25 December.
West shore
Lemon houses, gardens and an island, mostly between Limone and Salò.
12. Limonaia del Castèl, Limone
A restored lemon house from the early 18th century with around 100 citrus trees. Entry is €2 and children up to ten are free. It is open daily until 8 November 2026 and at weekends from 14 November.
Limone sul Garda →13. Il Vittoriale, Gardone Riviera
The poet D'Annunzio's park and museums. The house itself can only be seen on a guided visit at a fixed time printed on your ticket. Arrive 10 minutes early and book the evening before, as places are limited.
14. Heller Garden, Gardone Riviera
A botanical garden open daily from 9:00 to 19:00 for €12. It closes from 1 November 2026 to 1 March 2027. Steps make it unsuitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
15. Isola del Garda
The largest island, visited on a guided tour with a boat transfer. Prices run from €39 to €49 depending on the departure port. You must reserve, and there are no visits on Saturdays or Mondays. The season ends in late October.
Lake Garda ferries →Plan around these entries
More guides to fit the list into a trip.
Things to do in Lake Garda: frequently asked questions
What is the number one thing to do on Lake Garda?
Most visitors start with Sirmione and its castle, or take the cable car up Monte Baldo from Malcesine. Both are easy to reach and both are covered above.
What can I do on Lake Garda in November?
The castles in Sirmione stay open, the Malcesine castle opens at weekends and the Limonaia is open at weekends from mid-November. The passenger boats stop after 1 November, so plan to travel by car or bus.
How many days do I need?
Three days cover the south and east shores. A week lets you add the north and west shores at an easier pace.
Is there a ticket that covers several sights?
Yes, a €20 combined ticket covers the Sirmione castle, the Grottoes of Catullus and the Roman villa in Desenzano for seven days. The ferries have separate day tickets.
What is free on Lake Garda?
Walking the old towns, harbours and lakefront promenades costs nothing.