Bardolino holidays

Bardolino's beaches are a mix of pebble and grass, with the best spots dotted along the shore towards Lazise and Garda. Some come with sun loungers and showers to rent, so you can settle in for the day. And with the sun setting on the opposite side of the lake, you can soak up the rays well into the evening.

This is a great family pick right in the heart of Bardolino. Calm, shallow waters are perfect for little paddlers, while sunbeds, parasols and nearby gelaterias keep everyone smiling on sunny days. Plus, with the town centre just a stroll away along the flat pram-friendly promenade, shops and other essentials are never far from reach.

Bardolino hosts the second largest weekly market on Lake Garda. All the usual suspects are on display - leather goods, Italian pottery and souvenirs. Pick up an ice-cream and stroll along the stalls.

There are plenty of shops and boutiques towards the centre of town, away from the lakefront, including lots of places to buy clothes and leather goods. Bardolino's not bad for food and wine shops too.

Dusk, late-night shopping, ice-cream galore, Bardolino makes for a lovely evening stroll. Fancy a little sit down? The palace courtyard, set back from the lake, is perfect for a drink under the stars.

Bardolino is always a happening place in the summer, but it pulls out all the stops during the wine festivals. The Palio del Chiaretto is dedicated to rosé wine, while Festa dell'Uva e del Vino is all about Italian wine full stop. Sip an ice-cool glass, watch the live shows and look forward to an evening of fireworks on the lake.

Bardolino's food scene is rooted in its lakeside setting and Veronese heritage. Fresh lake fish, homemade pasta and dishes drizzled in local olive oil are menu staples, best paired with a bottle of Bardolino red or a crisp Chiaretto rosé. From rustic trattorias to waterfront wine bars, there's something to fit the bill whatever you’re hungry for.

Tucked into a restored wine cellar on a cobbled street in the old town, La Cantinetta is a firm favourite for relaxed, family-friendly dining. The menu covers all the bases (fresh lake fish, homemade pasta and wood-fired pizza) and the portions are generous. Don't leave without trying the mussels, a house speciality, washed down with a carafe of local Bardolino wine.

For a special night out, La Veranda del Color at the Color Hotel is hard to beat. Chef Fabio Cordella's Michelin-starred kitchen delivers showstopping Mediterranean dishes: think delicate lake fish, creative gnocchi and artful desserts. Each plate looks almost too good to eat. Add in the candlelit veranda and glimpses of the lake, and you’ve got a meal to remember.

By day a laid-back lido, by evening Lido Mirabello transforms into one of Bardolino's liveliest spots. Settle into a lakeside lounger, order a spritz and watch the sky turn pink over the water. Live music, DJ sets and summer theme nights add to the fun, while the panoramic views across Lake Garda do most of the heavy lifting.

The bus station is just off the main road next to the tourist office. You can choose between two types of bus – a local one that runs around Bardolino and the outskirts to Cisano, or a bus that goes a little further, covering the eastern shore of Lake Garda. Head to the tourist office to buy an ATV Verona Bus Pass and get unlimited travel on Verona city or provincial buses, including Lake Garda routes.

The ferry from Bardolino stops at various lakeside towns, including Riva and Garda, and is a relaxing way to admire the beauty of the lake. You'll find the port next to the Piazza Catullo.

Bardolino is on the southern part of the lake, where the paths are relatively flat and easily walkable. And if you feel like a rest, there'll be a café along any moment.

The 3km-long lakeside promenade goes all the way to Garda and you can take it at your own pace, with lots of stops for drinks and ice-cream. Or head in the opposite direction to Cisano and Lazise.

You could spend the day getting lost in Bardolino's maze-like alleyways or climb to La Rocca for views across the lake and the town.

Start from the ferry point and turn right down the promenade towards the town of Lazise. The walk should take about an hour and a half, but the terrain is nice and gentle, with flat paths and pebbled beaches. There are lots of potential pitstops along the way.