Lake Garda Veneto: Eastern Shore with Enchanting Towns

The eastern shore of Lake Garda in the Veneto region is an authentic jewel that enchants every visitor with its perfect harmony between nature, history and food and wine traditions. This portion of Italy's largest lake stretches from the gentle morainic hills to the slopes of Monte Baldo, offering landscapes of rare beauty and an extraordinary cultural heritage.

Here, among ancient fishing villages transformed into elegant tourist resorts, vineyards that produce world-renowned wines and medieval castles that watch over the crystal-clear waters, you breathe a magical atmosphere where time seems to have stood still. The Verona shore of Garda offers a unique experience, where the sweetness of the Mediterranean climate combines with Venetian hospitality and the richness of thousand-year-old traditions.

Bardolino: the wine heart of Garda Veneto

Bardolino undoubtedly represents one of the most precious pearls of the eastern shore of Lake Garda. This enchanting medieval village is famous worldwide for its DOC wine, but offers much more to its visitors. The historic center, with its characteristic paved alleys and pastel-colored houses, overlooks the lake directly, creating a romantic and evocative atmosphere.

Bardolino's winemaking tradition has its roots in Roman times and today can be admired in all its splendor by visiting the numerous cellars and wineries in the area. The Wine Museum, housed in the historic Zeni cellar, tells the story of local viticulture through ancient tools and period documents.

• Lakefront promenade with panoramic views
• Tastings in historic cellars
• Thursday weekly market
• Church of San Severo with 12th-century frescoes
• Bardolino wine festival in October

Garda: the elegance of a village that gave its name to the lake

The town of Garda, which gave its name to the entire lake, is a jewel of elegance and refinement. Located in a privileged position at the foot of the Rocca promontory, this historic village preserves its medieval charm intact while offering all the comforts of a modern tourist resort.

The lakefront promenade of Garda is considered one of the most beautiful of the entire Garda basin, with its flowering gardens, centuries-old palm trees and breathtaking views of the Alps reflected in the lake waters. The Rocca di Garda, an ancient fortress of which evocative ruins remain, offers an unforgettable panorama of the entire lower lake.

Must-see attractions in Garda

• Villa degli Albertini with its centuries-old park
• Palazzo dei Capitani, seat of the town hall
• Parish church of Santa Maria Assunta
• Panoramic trail of the Rocca
• Tourist harbor with vintage boats

Malcesine: the pearl at the foot of Monte Baldo

Malcesine is undoubtedly one of the most photographed and beloved villages of the entire Lake Garda. Dominated by the imposing 13th-century Scaliger Castle, this resort stands out for its spectacular position at the foot of Monte Baldo, the "mountain of gardens" so called for the extraordinary richness of its flora.

The castle of Malcesine, perfectly preserved, houses an interesting natural history museum and offers from its towers a panoramic view that spans from the entire lake to the Brenta Dolomites. The ancient village, with its stone houses and characteristic alleys, maintains its medieval charm intact and invites long walks to discover ever-new glimpses.

"Malcesine with its castle: what an enchanting and imposing spectacle!" - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe during his journey to Italy in 1786

The Malcesine cable car, inaugurated in 1963, represents one of the most popular attractions in the area. In just a few minutes it takes visitors from the lakeshore to the 1,760 meters of Monte Baldo, offering a unique experience among breathtaking panoramas and unspoiled nature.

Torri del Benaco: history and Garda traditions

Torri del Benaco is an authentic open-air museum that tells the thousand-year history of Lake Garda. This fascinating medieval village owes its name to the towers of the Scaliger castle that rises majestically over the harbor, a silent witness to centuries of history and traditions.

The Castle Museum houses an extraordinary collection that illustrates the daily life of Garda fishermen, with traditional fishing boats, nets and ancient tools of the trade. Particularly interesting is the section dedicated to prehistoric rock engravings found in the area.

Traditions and local culture

Torri del Benaco keeps ancient Garda traditions alive through events and festivals that follow one another throughout the year:

• Lake Fish Festival in September
• Boat Palio in July
• Antique market every first Sunday of the month
• Extra virgin olive oil exhibition
• Summer concerts in the evocative Lemon Grove

Punta San Vigilio: a corner of paradise

Punta San Vigilio represents one of the most romantic and evocative glimpses of the entire Lake Garda. This small peninsula, which extends into the lake waters between Garda and Torri del Benaco, is a true jewel where nature and art blend in perfect harmony.

Villa Guarienti, an elegant Renaissance residence surrounded by a centuries-old park, represents one of the most refined examples of Garda architecture. The small church of San Vigilio, with its characteristic bell tower, completes this picture of rare beauty. The Bay of Sirens, reachable through an avenue of centuries-old cypresses, offers one of the most beautiful and reserved beaches of the entire lake.

Food and wine and typical products

The eastern shore of Lake Garda in Veneto boasts a food and wine tradition of the highest level, where the flavors of the lake combine with those of the Venetian tradition. Bardolino DOC and Bardolino Superiore DOCG represent the crown jewels of local wine production, flanked by the delicate Bardolino Chiaretto, a rosé of great elegance.

The extra virgin olive oil DOP Garda, produced on the terraces that characterize the Garda hills, is considered among the best in Italy for its unique organoleptic characteristics. Local cuisine celebrates lake products with specialties such as pike in sauce, lake sardines, bigoli with sardines and Valeggio tortellini.

• DOC wines: Bardolino, Bianco di Custoza, Lugana
• Extra virgin olive oil DOP Garda
• Fresh lake fish
• Honey from the morainic hills
• Local cheeses from Monte Baldo alpine pastures

Activities and leisure

The Veneto shore of Lake Garda offers endless possibilities for those who love outdoor life and sports activities. The lake waters, thanks to constant winds like the morning Pelèr and the afternoon Ora, are ideal for sailing, windsurfing and kitesurfing. There are numerous nautical schools and equipment rental centers that allow beginners to approach these sports.

Trekking and mountain bike enthusiasts find in Monte Baldo and the morainic hills a paradise of trails and panoramic routes. The Bardolino Wine Road winds through vineyards and cellars offering a unique experience that combines sports, nature and tastings.

Lake Garda is also synonymous with wellness and relaxation, with numerous thermal centers and spas that exploit the beneficial properties of local thermal waters. Theme parks, such as Gardaland, complete the tourist offer making this destination ideal for families with children.

The eastern shore of Lake Garda in Veneto represents a destination that knows how to conquer every type of traveler: from lovers of culture and history, to gourmands in search of authentic flavors, from families seeking relaxation to the most demanding athletes. Each season of the year offers its particular charm, from spring with its blooms to the magical Christmas atmosphere of the markets, making this corner of Veneto a destination to live and discover at any time of year.