Figuring out the best place to stay in Lake Garda without a car is a common query we often get asked over here at MyLifeLongHoliday. It seems a car-less, drive-free, holiday is a very popular choice!
And, thankfully, with plenty of transport links, getting around Lake Garda without a car is absolutely doable.
But what about the specifics? Is Lake Garda without a car workable for your family? And where do you start with the planning?
Well, you’re in the right place. So grab a pen and paper and let’s figure out how this is going to work for you. The best Lake Garda towns to stay, and how to get around via trains, buses and ferries…
Where To Stay In Lake Garda Without A Car
Whilst we will tackle the travel details later on in this article, we thought we would start by laying out some of the possibilities of where to stay on Lake Garda without a car. It’s easier to figure out your chosen mode of transport once you’ve fully decided on which part of the lake you want to make as your base. Therefore, deciding on the best place to stay in Lake Garda entirely depends on what you want out of your holiday.
So we have 4 suggestions (not a comprehensive list, just our favourites) on where is the best place to base yourself in Lake Garda without a car, and all the pros and cons that come with them…
1.Garda Town
Residenza Olivo, a great family hotel in Garda Town.
The Regina Adelaide Spa Hotel – Garda Town.
I guess you could say this list is in order of favouritism on my part as I could go on about Garda Town and Bardolino for days. The first 2 choices really are the perfect spots for me personally, and I think they both have lots to offer.
Halfway up the eastern shore of the lake, the town of Garda is an absolute gem. Surrounded by lush green scenery and situated in its own little bay, it really is the picture-perfect postcard. Cobbled car-free streets, by the water’s edge, support a friendly community of restaurant and business owners who we found to be extremely welcoming to the visiting tourists. Garda has not lost its old-world charm.
With one of the prettiest promenades in Lake Garda, there are countless opportunities for strolls and sunset drinks after dinner from one of the many family-run trattorias along the front of the lake. And watching the local kids play a game of football in the town square every evening tells you the wholesomely-local kinda place this is.
And, as well as wandering the pretty streets of Garda there are also several nearby tourist attractions and beautiful locations to explore on your doorstep. It’s easy to find things to do locally if you’re visiting Lake Garda without a car, and even without catching a bus or ferry. Visit the church of Santa Maria Assunta in the town and admire its beautiful frescoes. Or climb one of the nearby viewpoints, Monte Luppia or Rocca di Garda, for some breathtaking views of Lake Garda below. Or if you’re up for the walk, head north along the shore to one of my favourite spots, Punta San Vigilio.
PROS:
- Much quieter than other Lake Garda towns with transport hubs.
- A direct bus link from Verona (the nearest airport) to Garda (60-70 minutes).
- A comparatively quieter beach (Lido Garda) with some lovely cafe-bars all the way to Punta San Viglio
- Good ferry links to most of the larger, and some of the smaller, towns on the lake.
- The right side of the lake to catch the sunset – one of the main highlights for us and why we chose Bardolino and Garda as a base on Lake Garda. Plus longer days as the west side of the lake loses the sun earlier.
- If you want to visit lots of towns on the lake, Garda is the most central position and nowhere is too far.
CONS:
- Whilst there are several ferries from here, Garda town is not a main bus hub. So, despite the easy links to the towns of Bardolino, Lasize and Peschiera, if you want to travel north of Garda town or beyond Peschiera and west, you will need to change at one of the main bus hubs in Bardolino or Lazise.
Where To Stay In Garda
If you’ve read any of our other blogs about Lake Garda you will have noted our recommendation for an apart-hotel in Garda where we stayed with the kids – Residenza Olivo. It really is a great Lake Garda family hotel choice and we have heard back from some of our readers who have subsequently stayed there too, and it continues to be favourably endorsed.
Having a kitchen cuts down on the cost of eating out with the family all of the time. Plus the the bedrooms are separate and everybody has their own space. And if you get a pool-facing apartment you can keep your eye on the kids from your balcony or terrace. There are also a couple of nearby gellato stops too, which even keeps the big kids happy!
For the best rates, click here.
Residenza Olivo
But we also have our eye on the Regina Adelaide Hotel because of its luxurious spa facilities and well-reviewed restaurant. We checked it out on our last visit and thought that if you were visiting Lake Garda in Spring or Autumn and had some inclement weather, this is the perfect hotel to spend a day indoors. You may be forgiven for thinking you were in an Agatha Christie novel if you took an aperitif at the beautiful old bar, or drank a cappuccino by their open fire. Now hopefully the weather will hold up for you, but it wouldn’t be a shame if it didn’t here at the Regina Adelaide spa hotel.
Photo’s courtesy of Regina Spa Hotel, Garda
2. Bardolino
The brand new AQUALUX spa hotel – an affordable luxury hotel in Bardolino.
A small family ran hotel on the lake-front – Kriss Internazional.
Another town on the east of Lake Garda, just south of Garda town, is Bardolino. With an old soul and hints at a bygone era at every turn, Bardolino is impressively antique, strikingly beautiful and full of history.
This once unremarkable fishing town eventually became a central naval base for the Venetians. They ramped up their ramparts, fortified their walls and settled down for a few centuries of gruelling battles and consequential conquests. So as you wander Bardolino, and keep your eyes peeled, the melding of old against new, and traits of different dynasties, are hidden in plain sight.
Evening visitors with the hope of a pretty sunset and a glass of local Bardolino DOC wine mean that this town is possibly one of the liveliest places on Lake Garda from late afternoon onwards.
PROS:
- There is accommodation to suit every budget, including some excellent Bardolino camping.
- You’ll never go hungry – the town’s proportions mean there are ample restaurants to choose from.
- A great transport hub for buses and ferries.
- A slightly shorter bus ride from Verona (50-60 minutes) than the bus to Garda town.
- A beautiful promenade to catch the sunset.
- Buses are cheaper than ferries in general so Bardolino, being a bus hub, is a great option if you’re on a budget but still want to explore Lake Garda without a car.
CONS:
- One heck of a pretty town but you can feel like you’re competing for breath with the visiting tourists. This is the main reason to make your decision between Garda and Bardolino – they are very similar towns, but Bardolino is bigger and busier than Garda.
Where To Stay In Bardolino
Bardolino gets busy at night, especially during the summer, so all of our suggestions are up to a 10 minute walk from the centre of town. When we checked out the reviews for some of the central hotels within the city walls, many said there was too much noise from the nearby bars and restaurants. So we feel like all 3 of our choices are placed where you can still unwind with a bit of peace and calm.
BUDGET STAYS;
If you’re looking at camping, Bardolino has two great options on the outskirts of town. And when I say camping, these are lodges not tents. With actual beds and all the facilities you’ll need in-house.
Camping Serenella is the nicer site out of the two, and has loads of activity options to keep the kids happy. There’s access to watersports, a skate park, basketball court and beach bars.
But Bardolino Camping Continental is also a great budget option. It’s on the same stretch as Serenella and shares the facilities. And, whilst the lodges aren’t quite as nice, you are closer to Bardolino centre.
Only a 10 minute walk from the centre of Bardolino, we think this brand-new spa hotel is an absolute bargain for what you get. A buffet breakfast is included and the selection is incredible and will keep you going all day. Then there’s the spa facilities… many people choose to holiday in Garda to visit some local thermal baths, but at the AquaLux hotel you have it all on hand every day. It really is a beautiful hotel and some careful thought has gone into the design. A luxurious, yet affordable, option for staying in Bardolino. For the best deals click here.
Aqualux Spa Hotel, Bardolino (photo courtesy of hotel)
We checked out this family-run smallish hotel at the southern end of Bardolino and definitely would consider a future stay. Right on the beach, with available loungers and pretty views, Kriss Internazional is only a 5 minute walk to the edge of the old city. The staff are lovely and explained to us all of the highlights such as the panoramic hot tub, bike hire, free gym access and local discounts. This is a family who really wants you to fall in love with Garda. For the best deals at the Kriss Internazional, click here.
3. Desenzano
Our top recommended hotel in Desenzano – The Park Hotel.
Capitalising on its accessibility to both train routes and the popular A4 (E70) motorway that runs across the bottom of Lake Garda, Desenzano has been a popular holiday choice for decades. It’s a town full of amenities with a lively atmosphere more similar to a small cosmopolitan Riviera city than some of the other more quaint spots on Lake Garda.
But that doesn’t rob it of its appeal, Desenzano is still a lovely place to stay in Lake Garda. The pretty lake-front promenades, medieval Venetian harbour and lively family beaches are just some of the highlights. Add to the fact that this is Lake Garda’s most populous residential town and you end up with a restaurant scene that is very competitive. If you’re a foodie, Desenzano is the town for you!
Desenzano is definitely the easiest place to stay if you’re planning on visiting other places in Lake Garda without a car. It’s the town with the most transport connections for sure.
PROS:
- More choice of accommodation in this larger town.
- Has the best ferry links of all the towns in Lake Garda.
- Under an hour by train from Verona airport and only 23 minutes to Verona city.
- If a day trip to Venice is on the cards, you can go directly from Desenzano on the train.
- Lots of high-end restaurant choices for food lovers.
CONS:
- Arguably not as pretty as Garda and Bardolino.
- Whilst Desenzano is a good option for travelling by ferry and trains, the buses from this distant point will take longer.
- You won’t see the sunset on this side of the lake and the sun disappears earlier in the day.
Where To Stay In Desenzano
Something to consider before you book a hotel in Desenzano is whether you will be making use of the beaches during your stay. Both of the beaches are at the northern end of the town, so you might like to look close to those.
Similar to Bardolino, we would prefer to stay in a quieter area of town rather than amongst all of the restaurants and bars. Bardolino gets very busy on weekends during the evening as it caters for both tourists and locals.
Whilst we haven’t ever stayed there ourselves, we have friends who live in Desenzano and highly recommend the Park Hotel. They’ve had many family members stay there and the reviews speak for themselves. It’s a 15 minute walk to the train station and a 5 minute walk to bus stops – perfect if you’re visiting Lake Garda without a car.
Photo’s courtesy of Park Hotel, Desenzano
4. Riva Del Garda
Hotel Oasi Wellness and Spa – Riva del Garda.
At the very top of Lake Garda, nestled between two different mountain ranges, is the exquisitely picturesque town of Riva Del Garda. Now this place really IS breathtaking!
Many make Riva del Garda a base if they want to take advantage of all the adventure sports in the area : water sports, mountain hikes, mountain biking, paragliding and rock climbing. But as the gateway to the Trentino mountain range and the Monte Baldo range as well, there are bucketloads of pretty mountain towns inland to explore too.
Whether you are flying to Milan Malpensa or Verona, both airports are about a 2-hour journey via bus. Alternatively, the nearby inland town of Rovereto is on the Verona-Brennero line and only takes 40 minutes by train, then you can catch the Rovereto-Riva bus which take another 40 minutes.
Riva del Garda is well connected by ferry to the northern Lake towns such as Limone, Malcesine and Torbole, but there are fewer ferries to the southern end of the lake.
It takes approximately 1 hour to reach Garda town on the east and Salo on the west by bus, just to give you a point of reference. However, many who make Riva del Garda a base are more interested in venturing further north into the Alps, and these towns are accessible by bus also.
PROS:
- Riva del Garda is going to take your breath away, full stop.
- A fantastic place to stay for sports enthusiasts and those who aren’t too bothered about exploring little towns.
- Great hiking opportunities.
CONS:
- A longer journey from the airports.
- More narrow and winding roads that can get a bit nail-biting on buses.
- Less access to the southern end of Lake Garda.
- Slightly colder and wetter – this is the beginning of the Alps.
Where To Stay In Riva Del Garda
If you’re making Riva del Garda your Lake Garda base then we think it would be insane to not pick a hotel with those incredible views! Those views are mostly the reason you chose this town.
We have a great hotel recommendation right on the lake front… Hotel Oasi Wellness and Spa. So if you are taking part in all those watersports, at least there’s a sauna to ease those aching bones. The owner is super lovely and has a ton of recommendations and lets you store your bikes there too. All of the rooms have a balcony so you can take advantage of the vistas and there is a rooftop area which has an even better perspective.
So that’s our top choices for places to stay in Lake Garda without a car – towns with good links and above all, really nice places to stay. That doesn’t mean any other towns aren’t possible, these are just our favourites.
That said, Malcesine would make a great base if you were planning on trekking the Monte Baldo region and want to take advantage of the cable car. And, if it’s romance you want, the town of Sirmione is where you’ll find the best selection of adult-only Boutique hotels. Plus Sirmione has pretty good transport links.
Malcesine & Sirmione
Getting Around Lake Garda
As you’ve probably gathered by now, there is a strong public transport network across all of Lake Garda and getting around is not too difficult. Also, with a train line running along the bottom of the lake, it is very easy to reach Garda by train from both Verona and Milan airports. Plus Venice is an easy day trip option via the train too.
But what are the best Lake Garda towns with bus links? And is it easy getting around Lake Garda by ferry? We will attempt to break this down for you…
Getting Around Lake Garda By Ferry…
If you are planning on visiting Lake Garda without a car and would like to visit other towns, here is a list of places you can visit by ferry…
- Malcesine
- Riva del Garda
- Torri del Benaco
- Gargnano
- Desenzano
- Sirmione
- Garda town
- Torbole
- Limone
- Salo
- Bardolino
Desenzano definitely has the most ferry links to other towns in Lake Garda and ferries that run the most frequently. However, Malcesine has good ferry links to the mid-lake regions and Riva del Garda. Riva del Garda has good ferry links to most of the northern towns, like Limone, Malcesine and Torbole but getting further south isn’t as easy – ferries do run, but less frequently and take a LONG time.
Lake Garda Bus Hubs…
Whilst you can catch a bus from most of the popular places in Lake Garda, these are the main bus hubs…
- Desenzano
- Riva del Garda
- Malcesine
- Peschiera
- Bardolino
- Sirmione
Buses are cheaper than ferries and often slightly quicker too. And, driving through the towns gives you more opportunities to see places than being on a ferry.
Getting To Lake Garda By Train
Reaching Lake Garda by train is quite simple. The main line that stops at Desenzano and Peschiera at the bottom of Lake Garda is part of the Milan to Venice trainline. Verona is also on that line too. So whether you are flying to one of the Milan airports or Verona, you can catch the train to Lake Garda.
If you are travelling via train from further South in Italy, you will need to bypass Verona to get to Lake Garda.
If you want to get to the north of the lake, there is a station at Rovereto which is on the Verona-Innsbruck line.
Wherever you choose as your base when you’re visiting Lake Garda without a car, we know you are going to have a fabulous trip! Lake Garda really is a beautiful destination.
READ MORE:
Family Holidays To Lake Garda With Teenagers
Planning An Unforgetable Holiday To Lake Maggiore
The Perfect 2 Day Lake Como Itinerary
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