With all that Lake Garda has to offer, it’s the beaches I’m most excited to tell you about.
This part of Italy has some of the most beautiful beaches in the country and you need to try them out.
We loved exploring around this huge freshwater lake, here’s what we consider to be the best beaches in Lake Garda.
Why I love Lake Garda
Before I tell you about the best beaches we discovered, let me tell you about why I fell in love with this place (besides its beaches):
- It’s scenic – Lake Garda has stunning views of the mountains and the towns and villages are picturesque. You’ve got crystal-clear waters paired with lush greenery.
- There’s lots to do – I’m quite an active person on holiday and so I love Lake Garda for its range of outdoor activities like water sports, hiking, and cycling.
- It’s a great place for day-tripping to major cities – as much as I love the countryside, I also like exploring city sights. Lake Garda is in a great location for accessing places like Verona, Milan, and Venice. You can also go over the border into neighboring countries too.
- Food and drink – This area has excellent cuisine and great wine. The local specialties include fresh fish, olive oil, and wine.
Now, on to the beaches!
1. Sirmione Beach
As soon as I arrived in Sirmione, I recognized it instantly. This is a famously picturesque location and is often featured on websites and brochures about Lake Garda.
Sirmione is at the southern end of the lake and the beach is located on a narrow peninsula extending into the lake.
You can get there on foot or by boat and will be welcomed with a gently sloping sandy beach that’s great for the whole family.
The water is warm and clear, and the swimming area is clearly defined by floating buoys.
If you’re an active beachgoer like me, you’ll appreciate the opportunity to rent a kayak, paddleboard or paddleboat to do some further exploration out into the lake.
There are lots of amenities too. You’ll find plenty of restaurants, cafes and shops to keep you entertained and the town of Sirmione is beautiful too.
We visited the medieval castle and Roman ruins. If we’d had more time here, I’d have loved to have tried the natural hot springs too – maybe next time!
Sirmione Beach is a must-visit destination for people traveling to Lake Garda and it comes top of my list for what it offers tourists.
2. Spiaggia dei Pini Beach
Meaning Pine Beach in English, Spiaggia dei Pini is a beautiful beach in Peschiera del Garda on the southern shore.
We loved the unique, natural atmosphere of this beach and being surrounded by pine trees with sand and pebbles at our feet.
Despite having a natural location, this beach isn’t lacking in facilities. You’ve got access to showers, toilets, and changing rooms.
You can also hire sun loungers and umbrellas. Kids will love the shallow, calm waters and there’s a playground too.
If you’re keen on being active while there, you can try your hand at kayaking, windsurfing, and beach volleyball. Finally, when hunger strikes, you’ll find plenty of restaurants and bars.
3. Baia delle Sirene Beach
On Lake Garda’s eastern shore is Baia delle Sirene, meaning Bay of Mermaids.
If you’re looking for a secluded and tranquil beach destination, this is it. It’s a small cove that you can only get to via steep steps so it’s not the most accessible beach.
It’s a lovely sandy gem of a beach that’s surrounded by lush greenery and trees.
Despite its small size, it’s well-maintained with a range of facilities that include toilets, showers, and changing rooms.
You can also hire umbrellas and sun loungers, and if you get hungry, there is a snack bar offering light meals and refreshments.
Baia delle Sirene offers a range of water sport activities like windsurfing, paddleboarding, and kayaking. There’s also a unique park featuring exotic plants and trees adjacent to the beach.
We loved Baia delle Sirene and all it had to offer the whole family.
4. Lido di Lonato Beach
Though the town of Lonato itself is a mile or two from the shores of Lake Garda, there is a free beach called Lido di Lonato located between Moniga del Garda and Desenzano.
This beach is in a totally unspoiled area and is somewhat of a natural oasis with blue waters and a beautiful landscape.
If you’re coming by car, it’s easily accessible from the A4 but in high season, you might find parking to be more difficult.
Here, you’ll find lots of small pleasure boats anchored along the Lido’s pebble and sandy beaches.
We loved that this beach was also popular with locals and it had a great vibe.
For the more active visitors, you’ve got stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, and pedal boats for rent. What’s unique about this place is its beachfront water park.
This AquaPark has a range of waterslides, pools, and games, which means it’s a popular destination for families with children. There are also bars, restaurants, and shops.
If you fancy visiting Lonato, you’ll find it steeped in history with many churches and a medieval castle.
5. Porto Portese Beach
Porto Portese Beach is a long stony beach in San Felice del Benaco.
This is a free beach with a magnificent panorama and clear waters. It is a sheltered bay that offers stunning lake and mountain views and it has great amenities.
You’ll find sun loungers, umbrellas, and showers as well as several bars and restaurants.
It’s ideal for swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding. If you’re also traveling with your furry friend, this is a beach where dogs are allowed.
There’s a unique feature of Porto Portese Beach that we loved – its market. We just happened to visit here on a Sunday, which is when the local weekly market takes place.
This is a popular event for both locals and tourists and it features a range of stalls that sell everything from souvenirs to crafts, clothing, and produce.
Getting here is easily accessible:
- If you come by car, there’s a large car park close by.
- There are also different public transport options, including the Lake Garda ferry service that runs along the lake and stops at San Felice del Benaco.
Other Beaches Worth Exploring
If you fancy exploring some other of Lake Garda’s beaches, we also loved these destinations:
- Spiaggia dei Sabbioni – located in Riva del Garda, this is popular with windsurfers and kitesurfers due to the strong winds blowing here from across the lake.
- Baia del Vento – this is a cute beach that you can only get to by boat! We loved how secluded this was.
- Spiaggia Porto San Nicolò – located in Torbole, this is another beach that’s popular with windsurfers and kitesurfers due to the winds.
- Spiagga Lido di Desenzano – this is a large and popular beach. It has a range of facilities like sun loungers, umbrellas, and a bar. If you want a busy, bustling beach, this is the one to head to.
Final Thoughts
We loved exploring the best beaches in Lake Garda. If I had to choose a favorite, it would definitely be Baia delle Sirene as we loved how tranquil this one felt.
A close second would be Spiaggia dei Pini for its natural feel. Let us know your favorite after you visit.
