Can you get a boat across Lake Garda?

The ferry service is a public service of the Ministry of Transport that has been active since 1827. The fastest way to get around is by hydrofoil or catamaran. Those who prefer to fully enjoy the peace of the lake, can take the slower pleasure boats.



People Also Ask

There is at least one ferry per day from Desenzano del Garda-Sirmione Station to Riva del Garda. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays; use the search form on this page to search for a specific travel date.

MORE DETAILS

Discover the lake and its towns with Navigarda Hop on Hop off ticket, visit the towns and enjoy the view from the ferry. With unlimited rides for one day, you can reach different towns following Navigarda ferry lines and timetable, hop on and hop off wherever and whenever you like.

MORE DETAILS

Taking the bus is a great way to travel around Lake Garda. Numerous bus lines connect the many lakefront towns and can also take you all the way to several nearby large Italian cities like Verona, Brescia, and Rovereto.

MORE DETAILS

Cruise on Lake Garda There are numerous half day cruises that take you to a few of the more popular towns on the lake. Or you can hire a private boat to take you around or ride the Lake Garda ferry. Many of these cruises and ferries start in Desenzano del Garda, Peschiera, Salo, Riva del Garda, or Sirmione.

MORE DETAILS

The best month to visit Lake Garda weather-wise depends on personal preferences and the activities you plan to engage in. However, generally, the months of May, June, and September are considered the most favorable in terms of weather conditions.

MORE DETAILS

How much time do you need in Lake Garda? You can drive around Lake Garda and get a quick impression in just a day or you can spend a week in the area and you'll find plenty to see and do… Ideally, I suggest at least 2-3 days at Lake Garda.

MORE DETAILS

The northern side of Lake Garda is surrounded by high mountains and is probably the most impressive part of the lake. Seeing it from the water is really the best way to appreciate the stunning landscapes! So, if you are visiting Lake Garda and want to see the best of the lake itself, take a boat trip to Riva.

MORE DETAILS

Desenzano is the 'end stop' for ferries at the southern end of the lake so visitors travelling from Sirmione to Desenzano can only do a return trip. Travelling from Sirmione in the direction of Lazise also accesses other southern lake destinations, such as Bardolino and Garda.

MORE DETAILS

Riva makes a nice day trip on Garda Lake, but it's also a good base to stay if you want to explore the surrounding mountains of Trentino region. If you have a day extra in this area in summer, I recommend Val di Fumo hike. It will take your breath away!

MORE DETAILS

The main difference in the scenery is really north to south. The scenery in the north is more spectacular because of the mountains, the central area is hilly and the south is flat. The lake is very narrow at the northern end and wider at the south.

MORE DETAILS

Lake Garda's beaches clearly get busy in summer, so if you want to avoid the crowds, stick to the western shore or go as far north as you can. Makio beach near Salo is usually a less crowded option.

MORE DETAILS

Train. Train travel is very economical and efficient in Italy (as long as there isn't a strike!). Italo and Trenitalia are the two major train companies that operate a route from Verona to Lake Garda with around 44 trains running daily between the destinations and taking between 35 – 45 mins.

MORE DETAILS

The ships sail several times a day from Peschiera del Garda to Garda, from Salò to Gargnano, from Riva to Malcesine and from Desenzano to Manerba del Garda and back again. Information is available directly at the harbour. As an alternative, here our tip for boat rentals on Lake Garda: Garda Charter in Lazise.

MORE DETAILS

It's really worth seeing all pentagon-shaped fortifications surrounding Peschiera del Garda Old Town that have been registered by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Porta Verona is the main sight to behold and one of the two entrances to the very heart of the Old Town.

MORE DETAILS