Four Days on Lake Garda – Mountains, Medieval Towns & an Italian Anniversary

Hiking Monte Baldo, cycling above the lake and discovering some of Italy's prettiest lakeside towns.

Some places completely exceed your expectations, and for us, Lake Garda was one of them.

We'd heard wonderful things about Italy's largest lake, but nothing quite prepared us for the dramatic mountains, colourful villages, crystal-clear water and endless opportunities for outdoor adventures.

We chose Lake Garda to celebrate our 34th wedding anniversary, spending four days exploring this beautiful corner of northern Italy. From hiking high above the lake on Monte Baldo to cycling along a spectacular suspended pathway and wandering through medieval towns, it turned out to be one of our favourite European short breaks.

And, of course, there was plenty of delicious Italian food and wine along the way!

Getting There & Where We Stayed

We flew into Verona Airport, collected a hire car and were on the shores of Lake Garda around 40 minutes later.

One thing we hadn't appreciated was just how big the lake actually is. At 52 kilometres long, travelling between towns can take longer than you might expect, so we were pleased we'd hired a car.

We based ourselves in Bardolino, a charming town on the eastern shore, staying at Ancora Suites in the heart of the old town.

Our apartment was perfectly located, with a little balcony overlooking one of the narrow streets. We loved being able to wander out in the evenings and enjoy the atmosphere without needing to drive anywhere.

Parking was a short walk away and cost approximately €11 per day.

Day 1 – Discovering Beautiful Bardolino

After checking into our apartment, we headed out to explore Bardolino.

Our first impressions were wonderful. Colourful buildings, bustling cafés, elegant waterfront promenades and vineyards covering the surrounding hills gave the town a distinctly Mediterranean feel.

We wandered through the historic centre, admired the churches of San Nicolò and San Severo, and enjoyed our first proper views across the lake.

There was no particular plan for the afternoon, which is sometimes the best way to discover somewhere new.

That evening, we enjoyed our first Italian meal. Julie chose ravioli with parmesan, while Andy opted for stuffed tortellini with lamb. Both were delicious!

After dinner, Bardolino really came alive. A lively night market stretched along the waterfront, street performers entertained the crowds and there was even karaoke.

We also did something we rarely do — went on a Ferris wheel!

For €7 each, we enjoyed three rotations above the town, with beautiful views across Lake Garda as the sun began to set.

A lovely introduction to our Italian adventure.

Day 2 – Monte Baldo & the Medieval Streets of Malcesine

This was the day we'd been most looking forward to.

We drove approximately 40 minutes north to Malcesine, where we caught the famous Monte Baldo cable car.

The journey itself was spectacular. Climbing from just 90 metres to 1,760 metres above sea level, the second section of the cable car slowly rotates, giving everyone panoramic views across the lake and surrounding mountains.

At €26 each, it wasn't cheap, but definitely worth it.

Once at the top, we treated ourselves to cappuccinos and warm apple strudel overlooking the mountains. Not a bad place for breakfast!

Hiking the Sentiero del Ventrar

Our plan was to walk the Sentiero del Ventrar, a circular hiking route of approximately 5 kilometres, taking around two hours.

And what a walk it was!

The scenery was breathtaking. Rolling alpine meadows, towering limestone cliffs, grazing cattle with traditional cowbells and magnificent views stretching across Lake Garda.

We watched paragliders launching themselves from the mountainside and floating silently above the lake far below. It was one of those hikes where you constantly stop, not because you're tired, but because the views are simply too beautiful to ignore.

One word of warning, though. Some sections have steep drops, so if you're uncomfortable with heights, this probably isn't the route for you.

For us, it was undoubtedly one of the highlights of the trip.

An Afternoon in Malcesine

After descending by cable car, we spent the afternoon exploring Malcesine.

With its narrow cobbled streets, colourful buildings and picturesque harbour, it's easily one of the prettiest towns on Lake Garda.

We found a lovely lakeside restaurant for a well-earned glass of rosé before wandering towards Castello Scaligero,

the impressive medieval castle overlooking the town.

The views were outstanding, and there was even a wedding taking place during our visit.

What a beautiful setting to get married!

Day 3 – Limone sul Garda & Cycling Above the Lake

Another day, another adventure!

We returned to Malcesine, this time to catch the ferry across the lake to Limone sul Garda.

The return crossing cost €13 each and offered wonderful views back towards the mountains we'd explored the previous day.

Limone is every bit as picturesque as the photographs suggest, with colourful buildings tumbling down towards the waterfront, narrow medieval streets and historic lemon groves.

But our main reason for visiting was to experience something rather special.

The Spectacular Ciclopista del Garda

We'd seen photographs of the famous suspended cycle path at Limone and knew we had to try it. After a short walk from the ferry terminal, we hired electric bikes from Limone Bike Hire, who provided an excellent service.

The Ciclopista del Garda is a remarkable pathway built into the cliffs above the lake.

At times, it feels as though you're cycling through the air, with nothing between you and the beautiful turquoise water below.

The suspended section is approximately 2.5 kilometres long, but what it lacks in distance, it certainly makes up for in scenery.

We visited in spring, which meant the route was relatively quiet, giving us plenty of opportunities to stop and admire the views.

It was one of the most spectacular cycling experiences we've had.

Lunch & Exploring Limone

After returning our bikes, we found a restaurant overlooking the lake and enjoyed half-and-half pizzas, fresh salads and a cold beer.

Perfect after a morning of cycling!

Before leaving, we explored more of Limone's charming streets and visited the little Church of San Rocco, built in gratitude after local people survived a devastating plague centuries ago.

We then caught the ferry back to Malcesine and returned to Bardolino.

That evening was particularly special as we celebrated our 34th wedding anniversary with dinner at La Piccola.

A wonderful end to another memorable day.

Day 4 – Sirmione, Castles & Crystal-Clear Water

For our final day, we headed south to Sirmione, one of Lake Garda's most famous towns.

Situated on a narrow peninsula stretching into the lake, Sirmione has a completely different feel from the dramatic mountain scenery further north.

Crossing the drawbridge into the old town feels like stepping back in time.

The narrow streets are filled with cafés, boutiques, gelato shops and beautiful historic buildings.

Our first stop was Castello di Sirmione , the magnificent medieval castle guarding the entrance to the town.

We climbed to the top of the towers for spectacular views over the rooftops, harbour and lake.

From there, we continued exploring the peninsula and discovered Lido delle Bionde, a beautiful little cove with incredibly clear turquoise water.

On a warm summer's day, it would be a wonderful place for a swim.

For lunch, we stopped at Ristorante Lorenzo, where we ordered bruschetta followed by pasta.

The bruschetta was enormous! In hindsight, we could easily have shared one portion.

It was a delicious final Italian lunch before heading home.

What We Loved About Lake Garda

What surprised us most was the sheer variety of experiences Lake Garda offers.

In just four days, we'd hiked through alpine meadows, cycled above the lake, explored medieval castles, travelled by ferry between beautiful towns and enjoyed some fantastic Italian food.

Our favourite area was undoubtedly the northern end of the lake, particularly around Malcesine and Monte Baldo.

The mountain scenery is dramatic, and there are so many opportunities for hiking, cycling and outdoor adventures.

We also loved Bardolino as a base. It had a wonderful atmosphere in the evenings, with plenty of restaurants and a lovely waterfront promenade.

And cycling the suspended path at Limone was something we'll remember for a very long time.

Our Tips for Visiting Lake Garda

• Hire a car if you're visiting for just a few days and want to explore different areas.

• Don't underestimate travelling distances. Lake Garda is much bigger than it looks on a map.

• Take the Monte Baldo cable car. The views from the summit are spectacular.

• Walk the Sentiero del Ventrar if you enjoy hiking and are comfortable with exposed mountain paths.

• Hire an e-bike in Limone to experience the famous suspended cycle path.

• Visit in spring or autumn if possible, when the towns and attractions are generally quieter.

• Pack a lightweight waterproof, particularly if you're planning to explore the mountains.

Our Final Thoughts – Would We Return?

Absolutely!

Lake Garda was one of those destinations that offered far more than we'd expected.

We loved the combination of dramatic mountain scenery, beautiful lakeside towns, outdoor adventures and relaxed Italian atmosphere.

Four days gave us a fantastic introduction, but it certainly wasn't enough to discover everything.

If we returned, we'd spend more time exploring the northern shores, discovering smaller villages and tackling some more of the hiking routes around Monte Baldo.

For us, Lake Garda offered the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation, with plenty of wonderful food and wine thrown in.

And as somewhere to celebrate our 34th wedding anniversary, it couldn't have been more special.

Lake Garda, we'll definitely be back!