TRAVELRAGS

Lake Garda

6 stories · 3 publicationsRSS
Digest

See. Mincio River Cycle the scenic 28-mile path from Peschiera del Garda to Mantua, passing villages and fortifications. Ponale mountain road↗ Cycle or walk this old mountain road for spectacular lake views, best on an ebike. Sirmione Take a boat trip to this old town on a narrow peninsula, known for its thermal springs. Monte Baldo Ride the cable car from Malcesine for amazing views and to watch paragliders.

Eat. meat tortellini Try this local specialty, typically served in a clear broth, in Valeggio sul Mincio. Ponale Alto↗ Enjoy a hearty pasta dish with local beer or wine after cycling the mountain road. Gelateria la Romana Visit this spot in Peschiera del Garda for wonderful ice-cream.

Stay. Padenghe sul Garda Consider a hilltop villa on the outskirts for vintage flair and lake views.

National GeographicAug 22, 2026

6 Hidden Waterways That Rival Italy's Famous Lakes

While Italy’s lake region has long held glamorous appeal, the country’s lesser-known waterways can offer a more intimate experience — and a glimpse into authentic local life.

16 things in this story
  • TorcelloNeighborhoodVenice, ItalyStroll along quiet walkway to visit Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta.
  • Mincio RiverPlaceMantua, ItalyCycle path known as the longest 'green motorway' in country.
  • Valeggio sul MincioNeighborhoodMantua, ItalyRefuel with a plate of the local speciality: meat tortellini.
  • Venetian LagoonPlaceVenice, ItalyFisherfolk catch soft-shell crabs and goby from the mudbanks.
  • Basilica of Santa Maria AssuntaMuseumVenice, ItalyOldest church in the Venetian Lagoon, dating back to 639 CE.
  • Lakes of PorcilePlaceComo, ItalyMountain lakes found at over 2,000 metres above sea level.
  • TartanoNeighborhoodComo, ItalyAlpine village known for its pastoral setting and Tibetan bridge.
  • Ponte nel CieloSightComo, Italy234-metre-long Tibetan bridge hanging 140 metres above valley floor.
  • Torrente FerPlaceDonnas, ItalyForms natural pools and waterfalls between smooth boulders and rocks.
  • Lake BolsenaPlaceRome, ItalyLargest volcanic lake in Europe, fringed by black sands.
  • CapodimonteNeighborhoodRome, ItalyQuiet beach on Lake Bolsena, take ferry to Bisentina Island.
  • Bisentina IslandSightRome, ItalyUninhabited island mentioned in Dante's Divine Comedy.
  • Lake IdroPlaceBrescia, ItalyCalm glacial lake ideal for water-based activities.
  • Vesta BeachSightBrescia, ItalyNatural beach on Lake Idro with turquoise waters.
  • Rocca D'AnfoSightBrescia, ItalyMilitary fortress built by Venetians in the 15th century.
  • BaitoniNeighborhoodBrescia, ItalyWander boardwalks in provincial nature reserve, spot migratory birds.
Read the full piece at National Geographic →

The GuardianAug 14

‘It’s one huge adventure playground’: readers’ best summer trips in the lakes and mountains of Europe

From the Alpine meadows of Bavaria to a pristine lake in Italy and the pilgrim routes of the Pyrenees, here are some of your favourite discoveries. • Tell us about a lesser known European island – the best tip wins a £200 holiday voucher Haldensee is a clear, sparkling cold lake located at the bottom of the Tannheimer Tal valley in the Austrian Alps (about 90 miles south-west of Munich). We vis…

18 things in this story
  • Northern Lake GardaSightmountains tower above, huge adventure playground
  • Ponale mountain roadTrailwinds through tunnels with spectacular lake views
  • Ponale AltoRestaurantenjoy a hearty pasta dish with local beer or wine
  • Elsewhere
  • BMW MuseumMuseumMunich, Germanyexcellent museum, part of which is free
  • HaldenseeSightTannheimer Tal, Austriaclear, sparkling cold lake at the bottom of Tannheimer Tal valley
  • Allgäu AlpsSightTannheimer Tal, Austriawalk through dense forest, ski lift takes you up
  • Bad Kissinger HütteRestaurantTannheimer Tal, Austriaserves apfelschorle, warming soups and seasonal bakes
  • Tour du Mont Blanc walkTrailLa Fouly, SwitzerlandLa Fouly is a hub for this famous walk
  • Lacs de FenêtreSightLa Fouly, Switzerlandwalk to these lakes, hear rock ptarmigans and marmots
  • Camping des GlaciersHotelLa Fouly, Switzerlandcamp by cool, fast-flowing rivers
  • Kamnik-Savinja AlpsSightLogar Valley, Sloveniafoot of the mountains, explore on foot or by bike
  • Rinka waterfallSightLogar Valley, Sloveniaeasy trail to this 90-metre waterfall
  • Lago di MonateSightMonate, Italyspring-fed lake with freshest swimming water
  • Il CoppaleRestaurantMonate, Italygrassy beach with sunbeds, reasonable evening meal
  • WeitseeSightRuhpolding, GermanyThe lake itself is separated into a shallow western and a deeper eastern part by a mountain peninsula.
  • almRestaurantRuhpolding, Germanymountain refuge serving local milk, beer, meat and cheese
  • VelosudTrailPyrenees, Francesignposted route in the foothills of the Pyrenees
  • LödenseeSightRuhpolding, Germany
Read the full piece at The Guardian →

The GuardianJun 26

Incredible panoramas, wildflower meadows and the odd wild horse: readers’ favourite walks in Europe

From cliffside views of Lake Garda to post-hike saunas in Sweden, you share your most memorable walking trips • Tell us about a cooler European coast – the best tip wins a £200 holiday voucher If you have a head for heights, then you can “walk with the gods” on the Sentiero degli Dei . It’s cut into the vertiginous hillside high above the Amalfi coast, offering heavenly views all the way to Cap…

22 things in this story
  • TravelmarPlaceAmalfi Coast, ItalyOffers combined bus and ferry ticket to walk start.
  • Sentiero degli DeiTrailAgerola, ItalyCut into hillside high above Amalfi coast, offers heavenly views.
  • BomeranoNeighborhoodAgerola, ItalyLovely hamlet where the walk starts.
  • Five Lakes hikeTrailZakopane, PolandMost beautiful hike in Poland, passes five glittering lakes.
  • Palenica BiałczańskaSightZakopane, PolandParking lot where the Five Lakes hike begins.
  • Dolinie Pięciu Stawów hutRestaurantZakopane, PolandStop here to enjoy a hearty żurek soup.
  • Morskie OkoSightZakopane, PolandMost storied lake in Poland, glittering far below.
  • ŻywiecRestaurantZakopane, PolandA lager to enjoy at the lakeside hut.
  • Ushguli to Mestia routeTrailMestia, GeorgiaPasses dramatic mountain landscapes, ancient towers, glacial pools.
  • Transcaucasian TrailTrailMestia, GeorgiaRoute passes through dramatic and beautiful mountain landscapes.
  • Kungsleden TrailTrailAbisko, SwedenWalked a section in Swedish Lapland, Arctic Circle.
  • Wildschönau valleyNeighborhoodWildschönau, AustriaOffers amazing hiking options accessible for the whole family.
  • NiederauSightWildschönau, AustriaTel.
  • JoelspitzeSightWildschönau, AustriaClimb offers 360-degree panoramas and gentian flowers.
  • Ruta del CaresTrailPoncebos, SpainIncredible hike through a canyon with tunnels.
  • Picos de EuropaSightPoncebos, SpainThe range is situated in the Autonomous Communities of Asturias, Cantabria and Castile and León.
  • CaínNeighborhoodPoncebos, SpainIdyllic hamlet reached after canyon tunnels.
  • EllbachseeblickViewpointBaiersbronn, GermanyStunning viewpoint on the hike.
  • Sankenbach waterfallSightBaiersbronn, GermanyWaterfall on the hike.
  • Konus cardPlaceFreudenstadt, GermanyIncludes public transport if staying in participating locations.
  • MännlichenSightWengen, SwitzerlandCable car up to the Panoramaweg trail.
  • AuffacSightWildschönau, Austria
Read the full piece at The Guardian →

National GeographicJun 21

Europe's secret lakes—6 destinations without the crowds

The appeal of a lakeside holiday is timeless: morning mist rising from the water, long swims, slow boat rides and mountain silhouettes mirrored on glassy surfaces. Yet many of Europe’s lakes don’t ...

21 things in this story
  • VogarViewpointBohinj, SloveniaPeak offers spectacular viewpoint for paragliders.
  • Lake OhridHostelOhrid, North MacedoniaAstonishingly clear lake with settlements dating back thousands of years.
  • Church of St. John at KaneoSightOhrid, North Macedonia13th-century church perched dramatically above the waterline.
  • Lake BohinjSightBohinj, SloveniaPlacid, crystalline waters fed from encircling mountains.
  • Savici WaterfallSightBohinj, SloveniaExuberant torrent on the way to Komna Plateau.
  • Komna PlateauSightBohinj, SloveniaMountain hut offers sunrise views mirrored in the lake.
  • Ennerdale WaterSightEnnerdale Bridge, United KingdomQuiet, isolated glacial lake surrounded by peaks.
  • YHA Black SailHotelEnnerdale Bridge, United KingdomHostel set in glorious isolation at the valley's prow.
  • Coast-to-CoastTrailEnnerdale Bridge, United KingdomUK's newest national trail threads through the valley.
  • Lake SaimaaSightLappeenranta, FinlandMosaic of basins, bays, channels, and islands.
  • Saimaa ringed sealPlaceLappeenranta, FinlandCharismatic yet endangered wildlife; best seen on safari.
  • Ohrid cityNeighborhoodOhrid, North MacedoniaMaze of cobbled lanes, Ottoman houses, and church-topped viewpoints.
  • monastery of St NaumSightOhrid, North MacedoniaPeacocks wander grounds; pilgrims queue to visit saint's tomb.
  • Bay of Bones MuseumMuseumOhrid, North MacedoniaReconstructed prehistoric stilt village over turquoise shallows.
  • Lake ThunSightThun, SwitzerlandCalm, deep-blue finger of water fed by meltwater.
  • Eiger, Mönch and JungfrauSightThun, SwitzerlandImposing, snow-capped trident of iconic peaks.
  • NiesenSightThun, SwitzerlandReached by funicular, summit offers lake views.
  • Spiez CastleSightThun, Switzerland12th-century castle set on a vineyard-draped peninsula.
  • Vassivière LakeSightPeyrat-le-Château, FranceMan-made lake with densely wooded shores and islands.
  • Vassivière IslandSightPeyrat-le-Château, FranceIsland in the lake home to art center, chateau, and lighthouse.
  • International Center of Art and LandscapeMuseumPeyrat-le-Château, France
Read the full piece at National Geographic →

The GuardianJun 5

Watersports, biking and island escapes: readers’ favourite family holidays

From boat trips on Lake Garda to zip-wiring in Wales, you share your favourite family-friendly breaks in Europe • Tell us about a glamorous seaside hotel that didn’t break the bank? The best tip wins a £200 holiday voucher Lake Garda gave us one of the most memorable and unexpected family holidays yet. We hired a car and headed from Milan to Unesco-listed Peschiera del Garda and the family-focu…

10 things in this storyRead the full piece at The Guardian →

Condé Nast TravelerOct 6, 2025

10 of the Best Lake Garda Villas for a Dreamy Italian Escape

These are the loveliest villas on the shores of Lake Garda, as chosen by our editors.

21 things in this storyRead the full piece at Condé Nast Traveler →
Ask AI · Lake Garda

AI answers grounded in the 6 recent stories about Lake Garda shown on this page. It can be wrong — the linked articles are the source of truth.

↑↓ to navigate · Enter to open · Esc to close