One of the most popular tourist destinations in Italy (particularly among Italians themselves), Lake Garda is the largest lake in the country and an area of immense natural beauty just to the south of the Alps. With the glassy waters of the lake itself, the blue backdrop of the mighty peaks, the pretty lakeside towns and villages (each with their own distinct characters), and endless curiosities, the Lake Garda area stuns with its good looks. However, there are also countless things to see and do and lots of other factors that have made a vacation rental in Lake Garda and a stay in the area so beloved.
The Climate
Boasting a mild Mediterranean climate, Lake Garda is a dream destination for those who don’t do well with intense temperatures in the summer or more extreme weather conditions, in general. If you’ve been dreaming of a summer getaway in Italy but want to avoid soaring temperatures then it is an ideal pick and a place that has traditionally drawn Italian visitors who leave their cities for a good chunk of August to escape the heat.
The cooler temperature of the lake water, which is lower than the air temperature during the hottest months of the year, mitigates the heat in the summer and the warmer lake water temperatures compared to the air temperatures in the colder months of the year does the same. Pretty much year-round, therefore, a holiday rental in Lake Garda is an excellent idea and offers ideal conditions for a perfect vacation.
The Activities
For those who enjoy the outdoors and staying active, there is an endless list of incredible pursuits that can be enjoyed while staying in one of our villas in Lake Garda. The surrounding mountains have all sorts of hiking trails for a variety of levels of experience and tastes. Cable-cars can also take visitors up Mount Baldo to supplement hikes or to allow you to admire the views without having to hike at all, if that’s not possible for you. Steeper stretches are ideal for mountaineering and there are also great rock-climbing opportunities as well and the town of Arco, to the north of the lake, even hosts the annual and famous Rock Master sport climbing competition. Other trails and paths that pass through the area around Lake Garda have been designed with biking in mind or mountain-biking for more adventurous types. It is also possible to take e-bike tours of the area. For a different kind of thrill there is also the Gardaland theme-park, one of the most popular in Europe, with its roller-coasters and rides.
If you prefer the water to the land, there are also a whole host of different activities that you can enjoy including hanging out at the various beaches that ring the lake, kayaking, SUP outings, wind-surfing, sailing, and more. Boat tours and trips across the lake and to various towns around Lake Garda can be enjoyed by those who want to get out and explore in a more leisurely manner.
Of course, there are also pursuits for those who want to relax and unwind during a vacation on Lake Garda. Spa resorts are located around Sirmione and all sorts of treatments are on offer from hanging out by the pool and sitting in hot-tubs while taking in the views, sitting in saunas and steam rooms with full lake scenes in front of you, soaking in the natural thermal waters, enjoying massages and facials, and much more besides. Similarly, delicious meals and making the most of sampling incredible local wines is made all the more wonderful when done while sitting out in restaurants and bars with views over Lake Garda.
The Scenery
Because one of the biggest selling points of Lake Garda is, of course, those remarkable views that we mentioned at the outset – they just make everything about a stay in a holiday rental in Lake Garda instantaneously more magical. This is an area of immense natural and manmade beauty, a place that looks like something from a postcard – almost too lovely to be real. The sturdy Alpine peaks tower overhead, the impossible blue of the lake changes throughout the day, lush green forests cover hillsides, stately villas and impressive castles perch over the water, pretty towns rise up from the lakeside, blooming gardens add vibrant pops of pinks and purples and reds to the rich colours of the area, perfect beaches stretch along the edges, and more. No matter where you turn, Lake Garda constantly impresses with its beauty.
The Culture And History
The aforementioned manmade beauty of Lake Garda is also very important. It is an area stepped in history and, as a result, there are many incredible architectural gems, historical wonders, and fascinating attractions. Sirmione boasts impressive ancient Roman ruins and the picturesque Scaliger Fortress, a 14th century castle with its fortified bay. Bardolino is surrounded by vineyards and olive groves and has a rich wine and foodie culture as well as an annual wine festival in the late summer. Malcesine has its own impressive medieval castle and is where you can get the cable car to Monte Baldo. Limone sul Garda carries the fragrance of its famous lemon groves through the winding alleys of the pretty old resort town. The sprawling Il Vittoriale degli Italiani, an impressive estate with astounding gardens and a villa dating back to the early 20th century is also well worth exploring, especially for garden-lovers.
In addition, endless churches, villas, works of art, and charming little towns are just waiting to be explore all over Lake Garda so what are you waiting for? Come and enjoy the boundless appeal and long list of things to see and do in this lovely part of Italy by booking one of our vacation rentals in Lake Garda today!