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Lake Garda is Italy's largest and most visited lake. The lake is 51km long but only 17km wide at its widest point in the south. The distance around the lake is 158km. Picturesque villages, medieval castles, and lakeside promenades dot the shoreline. The lake has a diverse landscape with beaches along the southern shores and rocky cliffs above the northern shoreline. Lake Garda is known for its clear water, great for swimming in summer. Windsurfing, sailing, and hiking in the lake's many parks are popular activities.

Close to the lake, its borders are surrounded by a road that offers beautiful views and romantic sunsets. The Verona side, is dominated by the often snowy profile of Mt. Baldo, and gives further elements of delight for your eyes. Even the hinterland is rich of roads to connect any town or village, each one of them offer its own features of beauty, traditions and gastronomy.

The beautiful lakeside towns around Lake Garda (Lago di Garda) have charmed foreign visitors for centuries. Even for the ancient Romans, the area was a luxury summer destination; in Sirmione and Desenzano you can visit ruins and mosaics that record their presence.
Lake Garda is located in the north-east of Italy, dividing the regions of Lombardy, the Veneto and Trentino Alto-Adige. The large lake is long and slim, stretching from north to south. The southern lakeshore is low, rolling land and fairly built-up. In contrast, the dramatic fjord-like northern end is surrounded by towering mountains and cliffs. Most of the lakeside towns are popular as holiday resorts; they differ in character but all are well-connected by boat services.

Trasportations Garda Lake
When it comes to public transport, the most appealing option is to take the many ferries that sail around the lake. There are various types of boat - enough to keep children entertained - running the different routes. Times and ports of call aren't always the most convenient - it's best to visit one of the information/ticket kiosks (by the lakeside jetties) on arrival and pick up a timetable, so that you can plan your activities and outings around the ferry schedules (and ensure you never end up stranded). There are a few fast services, which cost more money. If you have a 'regular' ferry ticket or an all-day ticket, you can pay a supplement to travel on one of these speedy services.
Buses link the towns along the lakeshore with one another and with nearby destinations. Buses in the Verona area are run by Azienda Provinciale Trasporti Verona (APTV). In the summer they run special tourist services, such as a handy link from Riva to Venice - find out details from the Tourist Office.

Lake Garda destination information
Here are brief descriptions of the principal lakeside towns:

Sirmione
Sirmione is on the southern shore of Lake Garda, a pretty town near the end of a long promontory. Sirmione's most striking feature is its moated castle, the Rocca Scaligera. Sirmione's narrow medieval streets bustle with colour and life; the tiny town is a very popular holiday destination, and the summer months bring crowds. The setting of the small town is beautiful; and was praised in earlier days by the Roman poet Catullus. At the very tip of the peninsula green lizards scuttle over the extensive remains of a grand Roman villa (once believed to be Catullus's villa).
> More about Sirmione

Desenzano del Garda
Desenzano is primarily a practical destination. Transport is easy from Brescia Airport and by train from other parts of Italy. It's easy to take a bus to Verona for day trips, and boat connections with other areas of Lake Garda are good, although it's a long journey to Riva del Garda at the distant northern end of the lake. Desenzano is not as picture-book pretty as the lake's smaller towns, and it has areas of modern development, but there is a lot in its favour. Around the harbour the streets are attractive, and from the castle up the hill (outdoor concerts in the summer) there's a lovely view over the lake. Desenzano is more of a normal Italian town than a tourist toytown; in the evening you can join in the popular activity of promenading, the passeggiata. There are plenty of good restaurants, shops and busy bars. Recommended for those relying on public transport, those who want to see more of the area, and those who enjoy a realistic taste of Italian culture. 
 
Riva del Garda
Riva is at the northern end of Lake Garda, and is a pleasant tourist destination. The pretty public gardens by the waterfront have a quaint, middle-aged 'resort' air to them. The town is large enough to support a market and shops; although the lakeside area is packed mostly with gelaterie, cafes and restaurants aimed squarely at tourists. The waterfront is dominated by one of Garda's fortresses, the Rocca, which contains the town's museum. Steep wooded slopes tower above, with ruined towers emerging from the trees to tempt the energetic explorer. North of Riva, walking or driving excursions give access to some of the region's most dramatic scenery. This includes a 287-ft waterfall at Varone, the remains of a Bronze Age settlement at Lake Ledro and the crags and fortifications of Castello d'Arco.

Bardolino
has thermal baths and a wellness and beauty center at the Hotel Caesius Thermæ & Spa Resort.

Peschiera del Garda
Is one of the most picturesque towns on the southern shore of the lake. Its small historic center is inside 16th century walls. Peschiera is served by train, bus, and ferry so makes a good base. It's also near a golf course and Gardaland. Photos

Gardaland
Iis the largest amusement park in Italy. It's in Castelnuovo del Garda near Pescheria. There's a free shuttle bus from the Pescheria train station. The Gardaland bus runs from many of the towns around Lake Garda.

Gardone Riviera
On the western shore, Gardone Riviera is a pretty tourist resort with a peaceful waterfront promenade dotted with benches. Two of the area's most interesting tourist attractions are situated here: Gabriele d'Annunzio's eccentric home and the tropical Andre Heller Botanic Garden.

Malcesine
Malcesine is pretty, atmospheric, and packed with tourists. The town, on the eastern shore of Lake Garda, is charming, a maze of historic alleys, and the setting is excellent. A castle (open to the public, with great towers to climb) guards the waters, while mountain slopes rear up behind the clustered buildings. A cable-car (expect queues) takes you right up to the high grassy summit of the Monte Baldo ridge, where the air is fresh and cool, the views are stupendous, and you can refresh yourself at several cafe-restaurants. Walkers can begin high-level hikes here, while the lazier can return to Malcesine to browse in the gift shops or enjoy an ice cream.

Garda lake beaches
There are many great beaches around the lake to relax on! Did you know that Lake Garda has in excess of 45 km of free beaches!

Holiday Lake Garda hotel residence reservation in Garda Lake
online reservation booking center for hotels in Garda Lake Garda Lake bed and breakfast deals Book special accommodation save with our discounted rates maps territory descriptions hotels with direct booking apartments B&B farm farmhouse The lake Garda is naturally located in one of Italy's more beautiful areas, and it's close to the main access roads that make easier to reach your vacancy place. Its really mild climate gives perfect conditions to the development of the so called Mediterranean green. Spring and autumn will surprise you with their colours and flavours, offering a really different holiday based on relax and delicious food.

Best websites about Garda lake Italy

Lake Garda (Italian: Lago di Garda or Benaco) is the largest lake in Italy. It is located in Northern Italy, about half-way between Brescia and Verona, and between Venice and Milan. Glaciers formed this alpine region at the end of the last ice age. The lake and its shoreline are divided between the provinces of Verona (to the southeast), Brescia (southwest), and Trento (north). Being easily accessible from the north via the Brenner Pass, the lake is a major tourist destination, including a number of exclusive hotels and resorts along its shore
More on Wikipedia Garda Lake - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Garda

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