Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy. Its name derives from the from the Germanic word warda, meaning place of guard” or place of observation; it is also known as Benaco, which appears to derive from the Celtic language.
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The lake was called Lacus Benacus by the classical writers Virgil, Horace, and Catullus; its name was changed when the city of Garda, elevated to a county in the early 9th century by the emperor Charlemagne, acquired dominion over the lake.
It's a simple matter of Geography. Bavaria is close and has as many inhabitants as the whole of Austria and they simply outnumber the Tyroleans that also go to Lake Garda. It is just a few hours to drive from Munich, Augsburg and other cities to Lake Garda and any two, three free days make it worthwhile.
Lake Garda is Italy's largest lake nestled between Venice and Milan. The lake is known for its stunning scenery, beautiful towns, incredible food, and excellent wine.
One of the most beautiful, most famous, and most visited towns of Lake Garda is certainly Limone del Garda, on the Brescian coast, 35km from the town of Salò and 9.5km from Riva del Garda, built along the 45 bis Western Gardesana Highway.
Perhaps more importantly, Lake Garda is also an exceptional beach destination. There may be no ocean, but the lake itself offers some wonderful beaches for swimming and sunbathing in the Italian summer sunshine.
And in fact the lake is literally full of ghost stories: the best known is that of the Roman soldier of Riva del Garda, but there are also Roman vestals on the Rocca di Manerba and masnadieri who sold their souls to the devil!
Towns and villages on the lakeAround Lake Garda there are 26 comuni, the most populated being Desenzano del Garda (29,179 inhabitants), followed by Arco (17,857) and Riva del Garda (17,518).
If you love exploring small towns and villages and are willing to spend a bit more for that high-end, luxury experience, Lake Como is the best destination for you. However, if you're looking to enjoy a magical holiday with your children and grandchildren, Lake Garda is the right choice for your family.
Water : tap water is drinkable although the high mineral content means it has a taste we're not used to. Bottled water is readily available and cheaper than back home.
Italy's worst drought in decades has reduced Lake Garda, the country's largest lake, to near its lowest level ever recorded. It has exposed swaths of previously underwater rocks and warmed the water to temperatures that approach the average in the Caribbean Sea.
Among the first, we can mention the chub, carp, tench, eel, perch and pike. Instead, in the deep waters of the lake, we'll find the whitefish, trout, agon and bleak. If you are lucky you can meet (or taste) the carpione, a salmonid fish - Salmo Trutta Carpio - that lives only in Lake Garda.
Lake Garda was formed by glaciers during the last Ice Age, and is Italy's largest lake. Lago di Garda lies in the provinces of Verona, Brescia, and Trento, and is 51 kilometers (32 miles) long and from 3 to 18 kilometers (2 to 11 miles) wide.
As Lake Garda is at the crossroads of many communication routes, it has over time become the site of numerous fortresses, many of which are still standing: among these are the medieval castles of Garda.
Scaliger Castle is located in Sirmione, Italy, one of the best towns on Lake Garda. Sirmione is one of the most popular destinations on Lake Garda because it is located on the tip of the long Sirmio peninsula protruding from the southern shore of Lake Garda.
Hi, very generally speaking, they are usually more of a problem in the southern part of the lake than the north where it's breezier, but they can still be an issue wherever you are. It's better to take repellent with you.
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.
Maderno, Salo and Gargnano on the other side of the lake can be quieter and less touristy. Maderno, in particular, can be incredibly quiet because the tourists are either sunbathing by the pool or visiting more interesting places like Garda Town or Torri on the ferry.