Lake Garda holidays

While Lake Garda is not known for its white sandy beaches, the long and narrow pebbled waterfronts with dramatic mountain backdrops are great for relaxing at the water’s edge. There’s over 28 miles of free beaches along the 98-mile shoreline, many of which have pebbles or mown grass, and loungers and parasols are often available to rent.

As Garda is a natural lake, there’s no tide or waves to wear the pebbles into sand - just gentle lapping at the shore. The few sandy beaches are mainly in the south, in Lazise or Desenzano to name a couple. These have been manmade by local communes by laying sand onto the pebbles, which can be much more comfortable to lie on, and gives kids a place to play.

We’d recommend wearing lake shoes for walking into the water, but as the entry into the water can drop off quite quickly, the jetties are great for jumping or stepping down into the clear, fresh waters. As for water temperature, the north, where the water enters the lake from the Sarca River, tends to be a little chillier. The south can be as much as 6°C warmer, and, in the height of summer can reach as warm as 23°C on the surface.

The weekly markets are the perfect place to pick up a few souvenirs at a reasonable price. It’s not as cheap as you may imagine, but the products are top quality. Everything from traditional pottery and gifts to Italian leather goods and clothing are on offer. The same market moves from town to town throughout the week, so what you seen in one resort will be the same as the rest.

All towns around Lake Garda have boutiques where you can pick up something stylish and Italian. Clothing, souvenirs and Murano glass are often on the shelves at a fair price. Riva is home to the Blue Garden Shopping Centre, and just outside Desenzano is the Il Leone Centre. Both have a variety of national and international shops and brands, enough to satisfy any shopping needs.

If you’re really looking to splash the cash, you couldn’t be better situated. Lake Garda sits between Verona and the fashion capital of Europe – Milan. In both cities you’ll be greeted by the sparkling shop entrances and stylish window displays lining the marble walkways. Designers such as Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Prada and Armani are just a few to excite any fashionista.

Cafés and bars line the waterfront in most towns around the lake, and often have outdoor seating where you can enjoy a spot of people-watching. Shops and ice-cream parlours tend to stay open until as late as the bars, so grab yourself a scoop and take a wander round the pretty streets. In towns like Bardolino and Riva, the promenade is great for an evening stroll.

All of the larger towns around the lake have a lively evening atmosphere. Bars with live music can be found in most towns, Malcesine and Limone are known for their regular firework displays on the water, and Bardolino hosts a philharmonic orchestra on the steps of the church. If you’re looking to have a dance, Bardolino and Desenzano have great clubs that are open until the early hours.