Apr 22 2009
Lake Garda’s Towns and Villages: Top Vacation Spots
The towns and villages that surround Lake Garda are the lake’s greatest attraction—some have narrow winding alleyways, some have sandy beaches, some have medieval castles. They all have friendly people, delicious food (with fresh fish from the lake, of course), and serve as charming vacation spots for anyone visiting Northern Italy and Lake Garda.
Here are some of the highlights:
Sirmione—Located on a peninsula, Sirmione is at the southern tip of Lake Garda and is one of the most popular vacation spots along the lake. The town was also a popular spa destination with thermal springs for the Romans and some impressive Roman ruins, including an old villa, are still visible. The Rocca Scaligera, a fortress that dates from the thirteenth century, is the main attraction in this town, but the town center with pedestrian-only walkways is full of shops, restaurants, and cafes.
Malcesine—This delightful village located in the Northeast corner of the lake is also dominated by a medieval castle—the Castello Scaligeri. But the imposing Montebaldo, 1750 meters above the lake, is also a popular tourist attraction; visitors can take a funivia (cable car) to the top. Cobblestone alleys and small piazzas filled with cafes right on the lake make it an enjoyable spot.
Limone—As you may have guessed, this town in the Northwest corner of Lake Garda is known for its lemons. (There will be more on their prize product—limoncino, a version of the more famous limoncello—on this blog in the next few days.) Until the 1940s the town was only accessible from the lake or through the mountains. Visitors can still reach the town by boats that run frequently from Malcesine and other Lake Garda destinations.
Bardolino—Many know of Bardolino as a mild red Italian wine. Of course, the grapes are grown and harvested in this region and this small town is clearly knows its wine. Enotecas (Italian wine shops and restaurants that allow visitors to affordably taste wines) are available throughout the town. A small sandy beach (not available in most of the Lake Garda towns), picturesque pale buildings, and two older churche (one dates back to the 8th century!) are a draw, but the town isn’t quite as popular as some of the other Lake Garda cities–which is very nice during the crowded summer months.
Lake Garda offers many other small quaint villages to explore—some are more touristy than others, but you’re sure to enjoy yourself. Many of the villages are close together, so you may decide to use one as a home-base and visit the other towns on day trips or spend some time in each town—depending on your travel style. Check back over the next few days for more on things to do in the area.
Photos of Malcesine and Limone by Jennifer L Price, map from about.com
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