Villas in Lake Garda

Table of contents

• At a glance: what should you know about renting a villa in Lake Garda?
• Villas in Lake Garda: find your perfect retreat
• Exploring Lake Garda: our top recommendations
• Activities: what are the top things to do and see in Lake Garda?

• Space and privacy: There are villas around Lake Garda for couples, families and groups, with private gardens, sun terraces and pools. Find them scattered across the lakeside towns and surrounding provinces.
• Where to base yourself: The southern shore around Sirmione and Bardolino is easiest for first-timers, whilst Malcesine and Riva del Garda suit active holidays.
• Glowing guest reviews: Our top villas and holiday homes score close to perfect, with guests praising the lake views, calm settings and warm Italian welcome.
• Food and wine: From Michelin-level tasting menus to lakeside fish restaurants and Bardolino wine bars, the dining around Lake Garda is a real highlight.
• Things to do: Hike the Dolomite foothills, ride the Monte Baldo cable car, tour medieval castles or unwind with a lakeside spa day.

Lake Garda's villas range from elegant lakeside retreats around Toscolano-Maderno to spacious family houses in Garda and romantic boltholes near Arco, with more scattered across the provinces of Verona, Brescia and Trento — ideal for couples and families wanting space and privacy. If your plans change, you'll also find apartments in Lake Garda and camping by Lake Garda to suit your group. Most are well equipped for a relaxed self-catering holiday.

• Private garden
• Sun terrace with lake views
• Villas with a private pool
• Air conditioning and wifi
• Off-street parking

Whether you're travelling as a couple or a large family, there's a villa to match your group and budget.

What are the best areas to stay in Lake Garda?

For first-time visitors, the southern shore around Sirmione and Bardolino offers the easiest mix of beaches, dining and day trips. The table below details regions for specific interests:

What do our guests say?

Our villas and holiday homes around Lake Garda are consistently well reviewed, with guests singling out the lake views, the calm settings and the warm Italian welcome. Many return at the weekend or for longer summer stays, and families particularly value the space and the easy access to beaches, mountains and the lakeside towns.

Here are our top-rated villas from the past year:

1. Holiday home 'Casa Di Tino' with lake view, wifi and air conditioning - 10.0: A spacious lake-view home in Brenzone, praised for its peaceful setting, generous terrace and easy reach of the shoreline.
2. Apartment 'Giglio' with private terrace, shared garden and air conditioning - 10.0: A bright retreat in Bardolino with a private terrace and shared garden, ideal for couples exploring the wine country.
3. Charming lakefront apartment with private garden and stunning lake views - 10.0: A lakefront base in Torri del Benaco with a private garden and stunning views across the water.

Lake Garda is northern Italy's largest lake, set where Lombardy, Veneto and Trentino meet and framed by the foothills of the Dolomites, roughly halfway between Milan and Venice. With picturesque towns and villages scattered across its shores, family-friendly attractions like amusement parks, and gorgeous natural surroundings, Lake Garda is a popular holiday destination for both Italians and international visitors.

🥗 Where to eat in Lake Garda?

The cuisine of the Lake Garda region is famous for its excellent freshwater fish, top-quality olive oil, and Alpine influences. You'll find everything from sophisticated fine dining establishments to rustic terraces, so there's something for everyone. Here are our travel experts' picks:

⭐ Our guests' recommendation: Our guest travellers Charlotte and Henry recommend Trattoria Vecchia Malcesine in Lake Garda: a refined, intimate dining room with creative tasting menus and attentive service — the perfect treat after a relaxed day at the villa.

1. Hike the mountains for sweeping lake views
2. Ride the cable car up Monte Baldo
3. Explore the lake's medieval castles
4. Savour authentic Italian lakeside cuisine
5. Spend a day with your dog at Braccobaldo Beach
6. Unwind with a lakeside spa day
7. Cross the lake by boat and ferry

1. Hike the mountains for sweeping lake views

   Surrounded by the Dolomite foothills, Lake Garda is a walker's dream. Trails vary in difficulty, but a local favourite is Monte Altissimo di Nago, rewarded with views over the lake and the Brenta and Adamello ranges. Quieter routes wind around Monte Brione and Rocchetta, perfect for an early start before the day warms up. Pair your walks with longer hiking trips in the Dolomites for a proper mountain holiday, then return to your villa to relax.

2. Ride the cable car up Monte Baldo

   If you'd rather skip the climb, the Monte Baldo cable car from Malcesine whisks you up to roughly 1,800 metres in minutes. At the top you'll find sweeping views over the villages, valleys and the shimmering lake below, along with gentle ridge walks and a welcome spot for a drink.

3. Explore the lake's medieval castles

   History lovers are in luck. Begin at the moated Scaligero Castle in Sirmione, then head to the Castello above Desenzano del Garda for views over town and water. Finish at Arco Castle, a romantic clifftop ruin tucked into the hillside.

4. Savour authentic Italian lakeside cuisine

   In Italy, you always eat well. Try freshwater fish at Il Re della Busa in Riva del Garda, or the daily-changing catch at Osteria al Pescatore in Brenzone. Round off the evening at Ritmo DVino in Bardolino with a glass of local wine or a Spritz and some live music.

5. Spend a day with your dog at Braccobaldo Beach

   At Braccobaldo Beach in Peschiera del Garda, four-legged guests are the guests of honour. Kitted out with water bowls, dog showers and sun loungers, it's made for a relaxed day by the water with your pet. Take a swim together, enjoy the lake views, then settle in at one of the many dog-friendly restaurants nearby.

6. Unwind with a lakeside spa day

   To shake off the everyday, book a spa day at one of the lake's thermal baths. Soak in the hydro-massage pools, treat tired muscles to a hot-stone massage, or try a refreshing facial. Sirmione's thermal springs are especially well known, fed by warm mineral waters that have drawn visitors for centuries.

7. Cross the lake by boat and ferry

   Half the fun of Lake Garda is getting about on the water. Regular ferries and boat services link the main towns, from Sirmione and Desenzano in the south to Malcesine and Riva del Garda in the north. Choose a slow boat to drink in the views of the mountains and villages, or a faster hydrofoil if you're short on time. Coaches and trains connect the larger towns too, making car-free days easy.