Weekend at Lake Garda: the tour among pretty villages and unforgettable views

The first thing to do as soon as you arrive at Lake Garda is to savor its unique atmosphere and simply let yourself be enchanted by its beauty. The thousand colors of the small villages bring joy even on gray days, and even a simple walk becomes an opportunity to discover jewels of art and architecture.

Those who want an active vacation have everything they could wish for, including biking and trekking routes and the many water sports to practice in spring and summer, not to mention the majestic mountains that create a scenario of authentic beauty and also offer the opportunity for slightly more challenging activities.
To discover all this, let's begin our special weekend at Lake Garda, choosing as a starting point a quiet and charming village on the south-east side, San Felice del Benaco. Easily reachable from Brescia, it is in a strategic position to visit some of the most famous places and is also ideal for spending the night in one of the jewels in the crown of Lake Garda hospitality: Lamasu W&R.

Right on the lake shore, with wonderful views and a thousand comforts, including an infinity pool, sauna and restaurant, a stay in this modern and welcoming residence is the finishing touch to make your holiday perfect. There are many experiences to be had thanks to the organization and experience of the staff, such as boat trips or horseback riding, guided tours and tastings, to then end the day surrounded by the endless comforts of the lofts, between the beauty of a refined and functional design, and the well-being guaranteed by organic materials.

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The south-eastern side of Lake Garda is well connected to Brescia but also to Milan, so you can arrive on Friday morning and spend the first hours of the weekend getting to know this little corner of paradise between the gulfs of Salò and Manerba. In the historic center of San Felice del Benaco you can see the fascinating ruins of the medieval castle tower, while the small port offers characteristic views of great beauty. The visit continues a short distance from the center, where the Santuario del Carmine is located, with wonderful 15th century frescoes.

Let's now enjoy a lunch break in one of the typical restaurants, perhaps with a view of the lake. We can also treat ourselves to a relaxing walk along the beach, with the olive groves that reach almost to the water to create a truly enchanting setting. The beach of Baia del Vento is among the most beautiful in this area and also offers a beautiful view of Isola del Garda.

After a well-deserved break, let's move to nearby Salò. Just five kilometers away from San Felice del Benaco, which can also be traveled by bike or on foot, is this location that is among the most beautiful and elegant on this side of the lake. Just browse through the streets of the center, among typical shops and suggestive views to fall in love with it. Salò also has a beautiful Gothic-Renaissance cathedral full of works of art from the Venetian school, and for those who want to continue with a full immersion in culture there is the MuSa, the museum of Salò that hosts art, history and science exhibitions.

Alternatively, about ten minutes away from the center is the wonderful Botanical Garden of the André Heller Foundation, with three thousand different species of plants and works by famous artists, including Keith Haring, Roy Lichtenstein, Auguste Rodin and so on.

The lakeside of Salò is a true wonder in its own right, with its romantic sunsets and restaurants or cafes that light up the night, it is ideal for ending the day in perfect relaxation.

We can dedicate the second day of our weekend at Lake Garda to an easy trip to the Garda Island. Reachable in just fifteen minutes by ferry from San Felice del Benaco, this small island is home to a wonderful noble residence in Venetian neo-Gothic style. It is a private residence but accessible via guided tours lasting two and a half hours. However, remember that the island can only be visited from April to October.

An alternative way to spend the morning is a visit to the cellars and oil mills in the area. Lake Garda is also famous for the quality of its oil and its native wines, such as Chiaretto del Garda, Lugana and Gropello. You can therefore book picnics among the vineyards, tastings, workshops and so on, to get to know this beautiful and prestigious food and wine tradition up close.

After lunch, let's move to nearby Desenzano del Garda, about twenty or thirty minutes away by car, depending on traffic. A coffee sitting at the tables of the picturesque old port is a must, as is a stroll through the shops of the lively Piazza Malvezzi.
Desenzano del Garda is a lively and fashionable town, with beautiful beaches, but it is also home to an important archaeological site where the remains of a Roman villa from the 4th century are located, with well-preserved mosaics.
As a last stop, before saying goodbye to this lovely village, there is a walk to the promontory of the castle, where you can stop and rest to enjoy a truly spectacular view of the lake.

For dinner, then, we can decide whether to stay or return to the base, but in any case we will taste one of the many specialties to enjoy. The cuisine of this area is the Lombard one, with risotto and polenta, but there are also typical dishes of Garda, such as stuffed duck or fish-based dishes, often pike or sardines.

Let's begin the last day of our weekend at Lake Garda in total relaxation, perhaps with a rich breakfast overlooking the lake. Our day, then, will be dedicated to one of the most popular locations in this region: Sirmione.

In high season this small town can become quite crowded, but it is definitely worth a visit. We therefore begin by heading straight to the main attraction of the area, the Scaligero Castle, located right at the entrance to the historic center. It is one of the best preserved medieval fortresses in Italy, entirely visitable and with unforgettable views of the lake and the village from the top of its towers. Its dock surrounded by crenellated walls is very famous and always photographed.
We can then dedicate some time to visit the pretty historic center, reaching the main square, Piazza Carducci, where there are also many restaurants, bars and cafes where you can stop and eat something good.

The afternoon is spent at the Grotte di Catullo, another top attraction in Sirmione. This important Roman archaeological site is located in a truly spectacular position, on the most extreme tip of the Sirmione peninsula and houses the remains of a rich villa from the 1st century AD. A suggestion? For this visit it is better to wear comfortable shoes, also because in the immediate vicinity of this site is the wonderful Giamaica Beach, made of smooth white rocks and surrounded by vegetation. It can only be reached on foot along a path that crosses the olive groves.

Our weekend at Lake Garda is unfortunately over, but there are still many treasures to discover, as soon as possible, with a new trip.