Lago di Garda

Garda was the calm stretch of my 2026 Italy trip. I stayed in Limone sul Garda and Riva del Garda, with yellow villas stacked over the water and Monte Baldo above. Don't skip Malcesine across the lake. The harbor and its castle are a must visit.

Colorful harborfront of Malcesine with its castle tower and mountains across the lake, Lake Garda, Italy, by Zyan Sachs
Terracotta roof and balcony with a white umbrella high above sparkling blue water, Lake Garda, Italy, by Zyan Sachs
View of Limone sul Garda through a ferry window above blue seats and choppy water, Lake Garda, Italy, by Zyan Sachs
Limone sul Garda waterfront and cliffs reflected in calm water at dusk, Lake Garda, Italy, by Zyan Sachs
Wooden boats moored in the old harbor of Limone sul Garda below pastel buildings and the Hotel Monte Baldo, Lake Garda, Italy, by Zyan Sachs
Small harbor of Limone sul Garda with white boats, a café and Monte Baldo across the lake, Lake Garda, Italy, by Zyan Sachs
Busy lakefront promenade of Limone sul Garda beside a frescoed building and windswept blue water, Lake Garda, Italy, by Zyan Sachs
Red-orange lakeside building with green shutters above moored rowboats in Limone sul Garda, Lake Garda, Italy, by Zyan Sachs
Yellow tour boat crossing toward Limone sul Garda beneath limestone cliffs and mountains, Lake Garda, Italy, by Zyan Sachs
White boats moored by the pier in front of red and yellow buildings in Malcesine, Lake Garda, Italy, by Zyan Sachs
Pink and white oleanders on the cliff below Malcesine castle overlooking blue water and mountains, Lake Garda, Italy, by Zyan Sachs
Alpacas grazing behind a fence under an umbrella with mountain views on Monte Baldo, Lake Garda, Italy, by Zyan Sachs
Paraglider with an orange and blue wing soaring above the forested slopes of Monte Baldo over Lake Garda, Italy, by Zyan Sachs
Orange Piaggio Ape parked by palms and a stone balustrade on the lakeshore near Riva del Garda, Lake Garda, Italy, by Zyan Sachs
Yellow lakeside villa with red shutters among cypress trees and oleanders, reflected in green water, Lake Garda, Italy, by Zyan Sachs