The 17 best beaches Lake Garda has to offer have crystal-clear waters and enchanting natural landscapes that have made Lake Garda a deservedly hot international holiday destination. This complete guide to the best beaches in each region of Lake Garda and the best places to sleep and eat near your favorite Lake Garda beach.
Swimming in Lake Garda, where water temperatures are always mild and pleasant is a highlight of any Italian itinerary. There are choices to be made between soft sandy beaches and wilder beaches that reflect the mountainous backdrop of Lake Di Garda. These choices often come down to practicalities like which beaches are accessible by car and what else there is to do around that part of Lake Garda.
Let’s explore the 17 best beaches on Lake Garda.
- Where is Lake Garda?
- Lake Garda Map
- Riva del Garda – Spiaggia dei Pini and Spiaggia dei Sabbioni
- Sirmione – Giamaica Beach, Lido delle Bionde and Santa Maria Beach
- Limone sul Garda – Limone (Grostol) Beach and Cola Beach
- San Felice del Benaco – Baia del Vento Beach
- Peschiera del Garda – Braccobaldo Bau beach and Cappuccini Beach
- Garda – Baia delle Sirene, Punta San Vigilio and Spiaggia la Cavalla
- Desenzano del Garda – Golden Beach (Spaggia d’Oro)
- Manerba del Garda – Pisenze Beach and Sasso Beach
- Gardone Riviera – Casinò Beach
- Final Thoughts
Where is Lake Garda?
Lake Garda is only 32 kilometers northwest of Verona. It is 143 square miles (370 sq. km) and Verona in northern Italy is the closest city to Lake Garda which lies at the foot of the Dolomites.
Lake Garda Map
Riva del Garda – Spiaggia dei Pini and Spiaggia dei Sabbioni
Riva del Garda is located in the Trentino part of Lake Garda. The backdrop to the local beaches is in fact that of the Dolomites mountain range.
It’s a place where you can go from climbing and hiking to water sports and cycling.
The main beaches in Riva del Garda are Spiaggia dei Sabbioni and Spiaggia dei Pini. Spiaggia dei Sabbioni is a free pebble beach where grassy areas alternate with the pebbly parts.
It’s ideal for children who can play in the small playground, but also for the rest of us who can rent loungers and relax by the lake and stare across the water at the mountains.
This beach is a favorite among young people, who come for the well-stocked kiosk where they can have a happy hour at sunset or where they can challenge each other to a game of table tennis.
Where to eat and sleep close to these Lake Garda beaches
Osteria degli Artisti
Osteria Degli Artisti serves cuisine typical of the lake Garda region but it is distinguished by the freshness of its local products.
Hotel Rudy
The ideal place for lovers of cuisine and sports activities. Sleeping at Hotel Rudy also allows you to have all of your activities organized throughout the hotel.
Sirmione – Giamaica Beach, Lido delle Bionde and Santa Maria Beach
Sirmione is magical, you can tell from the first glance. The water here is the perfect temperature for swimming, and the beaches are so wild that they can only be reached on foot.
Sirmione is one of the towns on Lake Garda that is best served by public transportation. The train station is close to the beaches of Lake Garda.
Parking at the entrance to the town is recommended to avoid queues and wasted time.
Jamaica Beach is one of those beaches. The path to Jamaica beach is not complicated and takes only a few minutes. It’s exciting to walk along this path among olive trees and with incredible views.
Just before this beach, you will find Lido Delle Bionde. It can be reached directly from the Rocca Scaligera. Lido Delle Bionde is indicated on signs as ‘Lido di Sirmione.’ It can be reached on foot, with a convenient shuttle bus, or by boat or speedboat, unlike the other beaches.
Santa Maria is a popular beach on lake Garda located behind the church of the same name. In contrast to beautiful Jamaica beach, it is a green space that directly overlooks the lake and has no facilities for equipment rental.
Not far from Sirmione is Castelnuovo del Garda, one of the most visited places on Lake Garda because of its famous amusement park, Gardaland.
Where to eat and sleep close to these Lake Garda beaches
Trattoria La Fiasca
A restaurant that favors seasonal cuisine and serves customers only the best local produce.
Hotel Serenella
One feels at home in this hotel equipped with every comfort. Elegant rooms and a swimming pool make for a perfect stay.
Limone sul Garda – Limone (Grostol) Beach and Cola Beach
Limone sul Garda is located on the western shore of the lake. The landscape is that of the Mediterranean thanks to the cultivation of citrus fruits that is part of the tradition here.
It is ideal for those visiting Italy in search of places to enjoy outdoor activities, especially for bicycle lovers. Limone sul Garda is the ideal place to spend a family vacation.
Enchanting beaches with shallow water make it a popular location on Lake Garda Italy during the summer season.
Grostol beach is easy to reach and is located just minutes from the center of Limone sul Garda. It is a pebble beach with free access. In the vicinity, there are restaurants and restrooms.
Cola beach offers the possibility of pedal boat rental which makes it popular with families. Thanks to the lush vegetation in the area, it’s also possible to find shaded areas which are rare on the beaches around Lake Garda.
Where to eat and sleep close to these Lake Garda beaches
Ristorante l’Agrumeto
Lake cuisine, typical of Italy, is served here fish caught that day in Lake Garda.
Hotel Limone
Directly overlooking Lake Garda, a well-reviewed three-star property. Within the grounds of the hotel are a natural waterfall and a spa.
San Felice del Benaco – Baia del Vento Beach
Visiting Italy also means immersing yourself in its history.
San Felice del Benaco is the ideal place to do so. You can see ancient Roman and Renaissance evidence, with its medieval castle and historic buildings.
San Felice is very popular in summer, where you can ride its many bike paths. You can also take a boat and visit Garda Island.
Spiaggia Baia del Vento on the western shore of Lake Garda is considered one of the most beautiful in Italy. The water temperature is always mild and the view is unique.
Indeed, from the lovely beach, you can admire the Vittoriale and the Monte Baldo area or one of the many parks nearby.
Where to eat and sleep close to Baia del Vento Beach
La Dispensa
An upscale gourmet restaurant where you can taste lake Garda cuisine in a new, more modern key, without neglecting the flavor of the materials.
Park Hotel Casimiro
Part of the Blu Hotels chain, this resort has a spectacular site right on Lake Garda with two outdoor swimming pools and modern rooms facing the Lake.
Peschiera del Garda – Braccobaldo Bau beach and Cappuccini Beach
Peschiera del Garda is one of Italy’s most popular destinations, and not just for its beaches. The UNESCO-listed Venetian castle is a major drawcard. Train stations make travel easy, and the highway allows it to be reached in a few hours from the main centers of northern Italy.
Its origins are Roman and it was built in a strategic location for the trade that once took place via the lake.
Cappuccini Beach is ideal for pedal boat rides and for children to enjoy the specially equipped areas.
Among the best Lake Garda beaches is Braccobaldo Bau Beach. It’s an ideal beach for dog lovers and was one of the first dog-friendly beaches in Italy. During the summer the beach is open every day and thanks to the fencing systems, it guarantees safety and freedom for your furry friends.
Where to eat and sleep close to these Lake Garda beaches
Osteria Rivelin
A classic grandmother’s kitchen. This osteria respects the Veronese tradition and the setting recalls its origins. It is handily very close to the Lake Garda beaches.
Le Ali Del Frassino
The food, the views, the pool, the rooms, and the view again – just a brilliant 4-star property in the perfect location for swimming and seeing the town, and you can reach out and touch the Lake.
Garda – Baia delle Sirene, Punta San Vigilio and Spiaggia la Cavalla
Among the southern shores, Garda represents a favorite holiday base for its sandy beach that is almost reminiscent of tropical landscapes.
It is to this town that Lake Garda owes its name. Literally translated it means”guard,” because of the towers of the medieval castles built here in the past.
Popular, as in the entire nation, is the weekly market. Here stalls dedicated to food alternate with handicraft stalls. It is an explosion of colors, flavors, and smells that captivates travelers and locals alike.
Parco Baia delle Sirene offers nature walks in the environs around a pretty beach with soft sand- Punta San Vigilio. This is a private beach, whose ticket includes parking and equipment rental such as sun loungers.
La Cavalla beach is a family beach where you can get out on pedal boats and admire the views back over the Garda area.
Where to eat and sleep close to these Lake Garda beaches
Al Graspo
It is the fish from Lake Garda that takes center stage on the tables of this family-run trattoria.
Sky Pool Hotel Sole Garda
This hotel is in a very good location and although the rooftop terrace, pool, and bar are great, it’s the modern but calming decor of the rooms I like most.
Desenzano del Garda – Golden Beach (Spaggia d’Oro)
Visiting Lake Garda without having passed through Desenzano del Garda would mean missing out on one of the most magical places in all of Italy.
Originating in the prehistoric era, this settlement also became an important trading center in Roman times, where it became a summer country residence.
The harbor, still active today, represents something different from the classic beaches Lake Garda generally offers. It has been a real center of trade and warehousing in the past and so it brings an old and established presence to the scene.
Unlike other Lake Garda beaches, every establishment here is fully equipped and there is also a surf school. Spiaggia d’Oro is therefore one of Lake Garda’s most popular beaches because of all this infrastructure, especially all the beach clubs and nightclubs.
Desenzano’s Golden Beach is not a sandy beach, but alternates between grass and pebbles.
Where to eat and sleep close to Golden Beach
Ristorante La Bissa
Ristorante La Bissa is an upscale venue where you can enjoy lake gastronomy with a gourmet twist. Don’t miss the pizzas with local ingredients.
Hotel Oliveto
Ideal for business and vacation stays, Hotel Oliveto boasts a prestigious spa where you can be pampered while overlooking Lake Garda beaches.
Manerba del Garda – Pisenze Beach and Sasso Beach
Manerba del Garda is the ideal place to explore the gastronomy of Lake Garda. Inland you can visit the olive groves where the very tasty Garda olive oil is produced. Not only that, you can taste the fine DOC wines.
All this can be tasted on the shore of one of Lake Garda’s beaches in the Manerba del Garda region. With views of the Rocca and the islands of the lake. If you’re an Italian wine lover like me, this is a pretty tempting spot to linger.
Pisenze is a popular beach partly because there is a car park right nearby. It is located between the Rocca and Isola Dei Conigli, and sailing is not possible in this area; in fact, even pedal boat rental is prohibited.
There is an entrance fee for customers from outside the campsite, which is located adjacent to the beach.
Sasso is a small beach within the Rocca Nature Park. It is located in the middle of the rich vegetation of Lake Garda and guarantees crystal clear waters in summer. It’s a stony beach and water shoes can come in handy.
Where to eat and sleep close to these Lake Garda beaches
Locanda da Vittorio
Locanda da Vittorio is not far from the beaches. It serves (unsurprisingly) Italian cuisine, focusing on typical lake dishes. The ambiance is sophisticated.
Agriturismo La Filanda
Located in the middle of nature, the farmhouse consists of a 19th-century villa in the middle of a large park.
Gardone Riviera – Casinò Beach
Gardone Riviera features some of the most beautiful Lake Garda beaches. What makes it an all-weather resort is not only the beaches but also the 1884 Grand Hotel. It’s a true architectural masterpiece that contributes a wonderful ambiance to the surrounding landscape and beaches.
It is the starting point for the Riviera of Lemons and the series of enchanting beaches along the coast.
Gardone is well served in terms of both transportation and services. Indeed, the town beach is reminiscent of the well-equipped establishments of the Adriatic Sea. Boats also depart from the beach on the waterfront to the other side of the lake.
Casinò beach has very clean waters and areas reserved for children. The beach offers the opportunity to rent everything you need to enjoy a relaxing day at the beach.
Where to eat and sleep close to Casinò Beach
Ristorante Antico Brolo
Not far from the beaches, is an eatery opened by two friends who have always shared a passion for food and now convey it in unique dishes.
Eden Reserve Hotel
Right on Lake Garda with ultramodern and elegantly furished suites and family rooms as well as two pools, a spa and wellness center, fitness center, free local shuttle bus, and an expansive outdoor terrace fronting Lake Garda. If you’d like more space, there’s also Eden Reserve Villas.
Final Thoughts
Of the best 17 best beaches Lake Garda has to offer, my favorites are around Sirmione because of the historical surroundings which mean there’s loads of sightseeing to do as well as swimming. And swimming is lovely here because these are among the most beautiful Lake Garda beaches with the most beautiful water colorings and views.