Enjoy the great outdoors on family holidays in Lake Garda

Enjoy the great outdoors on family holidays in Lake Garda

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Inspire young adventure lovers with family holidays in Lake Garda

Lake Garda is one of Italy's most beautiful destinations, and it's a fantastic place to bring the kids. If you want your little ones to grow up loving the great outdoors, then Lake Garda is an excellent choice. This mammoth lake, which stretches for 370 square kilometres in the north of the country, offers a wealth of lively activities, including hiking, mountain biking and water sports. Leave the tablets at home - family holidays in Lake Garda are great opportunities to get the whole family together!

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What are the best things to do for families in Lake Garda?

Planning your family holiday in Lake Garda

The main attraction is, of course, the lake itself. During family holidays in Lake Garda, your kids can enjoy a number of water sports. The still waters of the lake are perfect for swimming; you can also go kayaking, try stand-up paddleboards, and more. Older children may be interested in learning to scuba dive in the lake; the fresh water is often seen as a gentler way to start the sport than the sea, and there are a few interesting underwater statues and shipwrecks to explore, such as the Silent Christ statue and the shipwreck of the Venetian Galea. If you're bringing very young kids on a Lake Garda family trip, they can still enjoy the water. Boat trips are one of the most popular things to do for families on the lake, and even tiny tots will have fun taking a ferry across the water.

Where should I stay for a family trip to Lake Garda?

One of the most popular options for family-friendly holiday lettings in Lake Garda is the town of Bardolino. This lively town is close to the Gardaland amusement park, which many holiday makers consider an absolute must during a family adventure in Lake Garda. The town itself has plenty of fun activities to keep kids busy, including rental equipment for sports, live entertainment, crafts workshops, and more. Other family-friendly towns around Lake Garda include Garda Town, Peschiera del Garda, and Sirmione. Lazise, a charming resort town, has a mini-golf course and one of the lake's best family beaches. Don't worry, though - there's still plenty to keep Mum and Dad happy. Lazise also boasts medieval walls around its historic centre and delightful narrow cobbled streets, so you can combine a family-friendly adventure holiday with the chance to explore some authentic Italian culture.

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FAQs: Family holidays in Lake Garda

What's the best time of year to visit Lake Garda?

Lake Garda is very popular in the summer holidays, when it attracts both Italians and visitors from other countries. However, the weather is still pleasant throughout the spring and autumn. Some say that the waters of the lake are swimmable from May until October; however, if you have fussy kids, you might find that June to September is a better bet.

Where are the best family beaches in Lake Garda?

Lake Garda has plenty of inland beaches to enjoy. As a family, look for beaches that are manned with lifeguards and have clearly signposted swimming areas; this will help keep the kids safe, as the lake is also popular with boating enthusiasts. Lazise has a soft, sandy beach that will make you feel like you're on the sea, while Spiaggia Tifu in Limone sul Garda is known for its shallow waters and safe swimming. Families with very young children often flock to Lido Azzurro for its soft sands and easy accessibility.

What are the most popular family attractions in Lake Garda?

Gardaland Theme Park is one of the most exciting things to do for families in the area. This theme park is suitable for everyone: there are gentle rides for the little ones, while teens and adults will love the wild thrill rides. Caneva Aquapark, a water park with slides, wave pools and more, is another popular choice, and there are several thrilling adventure parks around the area. Of course, the lake itself is also a major attraction for families.

How easy is it to find family-friendly restaurants in Lake Garda?

It's very easy, especially in family-friendly resort towns like Bardolino, Limone sul Garda and Lazise. Italian food is often popular even with fussy eaters, and most restaurants and cafés will happily whip up simple pasta dishes to keep the little ones happy. There are also lots of gelaterias where you can indulge in some of the local gelato - a treat for all ages!

What can I do with my kids in Lake Garda if the weather's bad?

Gloomy days are a good time to investigate some of the cultural attractions in the area. Castello Scaligero di Sirmione, Castello Scaligero di Malcesine, and Castello Scaligero di Torri del Benaco are all beautifully preserved castles near the lake with plenty of things to see indoors. The latter is particularly popular for its child-friendly museum. Apart from these attractions, it's worth looking for interesting craft or cookery workshops. In most of the towns around Lake Garda, you can find family-friendly pasta or pizza making classes, fresco-painting workshops, and more.