Is Lake Garda good for a family holiday?

When it comes to family holidays in Europe, most of us think of sandy beach resorts. But if you’re after something a bit different – adventure, soulful scenery and exciting places to explore – Lake Garda should be on your radar. It might not be the first destination that comes to mind, often seen as a golden years getaway, but it’s got so much to offer families too. Heather from our marketing team headed to Lake Garda to see if it could win over her thrill-seeking tweens.

Why did you choose Lake Garda for your family holiday?

When my boys were younger, family holidays were all about simplicity – somewhere easy to get to, a sandy beach, entertainment and plenty of easy-to-grab food and drinks. But as they’ve grown, the bar has been raised to keep them entertained. I’ve visited Italy before for romantic getaways, so I knew the kids would love the rich history – and, of course, the endless pizza, pasta and ice cream. With two weeks to spare and the summer heat to factor in, we needed the right balance of relaxation and adventure. Lake Garda quickly caught my eye: iconic cities within easy reach, mountains on the doorstep and a massive (salt-free) lake for swimming and water sports galore. And with the bonus of theme parks and waterparks, it seemed like the perfect base to introduce the kids to La Dolce Vita.

Where did you stay?

We stayed in Bardolino, a gorgeous little town on the southeast shore of Lake Garda, and it turned out to be the perfect choice. It’s incredibly family-friendly and just what you’d expect from an Italian lake town – quirky shops, lakefront restaurants and charming laneways lined with flower-filled balconies.

How did you get around?

Getting around was easier than I expected. The bus service circles the lake and runs frequently. We downloaded the Ticket Bus Verona app; you can buy tickets on the app or just pay as you hop on. There are also ferries that take you to other towns, making for a fun adventure on the water. If you’re planning a day trip to Verona, Venice or further afield, Peschiera del Garda’s train station is just a two-minute walk from the bus stop and it’s small enough that finding the right platform is easy. As a heads-up: if you're used to calling an Uber, this isn’t the place for it – taxis are independently run and can be pricey. We also hired a car for a few days which I’d recommend, as it gave us the freedom to explore on our own schedule.

Are there any ‘beaches’, and what were they like?

Lake Garda doesn’t have traditional sandy beaches, but there are plenty of picturesque spots along the lake where you can relax or take a refreshing dip. Some areas are private while others are public. For example, between Cisano and Bardolino, there’s a lovely lawn with a canopy of olive trees where you can lay out your towels and enjoy the view for free. But I’d recommend spending a few days at one of the private beach clubs for more comfort– there’s a fee to enter but you’ll get sunbeds and access to facilities like restaurants, bars and changing rooms. My favourite was Lido Mirabello Beach. At just €10 per person, it was great value, and the kids spent the whole day floating on lilos and jumping off the pier while we read books in the shade.

Was it expensive?

Surprisingly, not at all. As with most places, dining right on the water’s edge or in the town centre comes at a premium but there are plenty of ways to save too. You can pick up a good quality bottle of wine from the supermarket to enjoy on your balcony for around €5-10 and a margherita pizza at a restaurant typically costs about €10.

Favourite food and drink?

We’d often start with a few plates of antipasto – small portions, so we could ease the kids into trying new things. Bruschetta, local cheeses like Formaggella di Tremosine and Monte Veronese and cold cuts like prosciutto and carpaccio were our go-to starters, followed by hearty plates of carbonara and calzone. Gelato was the clear winner for dessert, usually enjoyed during a passeggiata (stroll) along the lakefront. We loved sampling creative flavours like lavender, thyme and ginger.

For drinks, the kids stuck with their beloved Limon Fanta while we sipped on ruby-red Bardolino wine with our meals. One of the charming customs in Italy is ‘spritz o’clock’ – locals gather to unwind with an Aperol or Limoncello spritz as the sun softens, along with complimentary snacks like olives, spiced nuts and popcorn.

What hotel do you recommend for families?

For a family-friendly stay, you can’t go wrong with Hotel Gardea Soul Family Resort. The rooms are thoughtfully designed to give everyone their space and the range of activities is impressive – think gardening workshops, nature walks, cheesemaking classes and family spa days to recharge after all the exploring around the lake.

What not to miss

The magic of Lake Garda is the blend of classic Italian charm and fun-filled attractions. For a day of thrills, you’ve got theme parks and waterparks to tick off the list. But don’t overlook the lakeside towns – they're a wonder all on their own. Spend a day exploring the enchanting castle and ride the Mount Baldo cable car in Malcesine. Pop by Limone to visit a quirky lemon museum or head to Sirmione to wander the ancient ruins and dip your toes in the thermal waters of Terme Di Sirmione. Plus, Venice and Verona are just a day trip away.

What was Venice like with kids?

Venice is one of those cities every kid seems to know about, so it was a real treat to take them and let them experience it firsthand. In the height of summer, it’s packed, so come prepared – pre-book tours and plan your itinerary ahead of time. As it turns out, grand sights like the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica couldn’t compete with the thrill of chasing pigeons and exploring Pinocchio-style Venetian mask shops, but that just added to the fun of discovering Venice in their own way. Don’t miss a gondola ride through the canals and visit the colourful town of Murano where they can try their hand at glass blowing.

Tell us about the theme parks

The theme parks were much better than we expected. We visited Gardaland after dark when it was cooler and the atmosphere, combined with the beautifully themed, illuminated rides, was fantastic. The smaller park, Movieland Studios, felt like a mini Universal Studios with detailed attractions and shows; the mission into space actually felt like we were landing on Mars. There were no queues and the refreshing mist sprays were welcome during the midday heat.

Did you visit anywhere else?

We took a side trip into the Dolomites and it was absolutely breathtaking. Getting up close to those jagged peaks and experiencing Tyrolean life was such a memorable part of our trip. In this region, many locals speak German so it was fun switching from ‘Grazie’ to ‘Danke’. We loved the change in cuisine too; dishes like speck dumpling soup and polenta bread were a hit with the whole family. The kids had a blast riding sky-high cable cars, hunting for crickets and rolling down the hills of Alpe di Siusi, the highest alpine meadow in the world.

Top tips?

Bring water shoes and inflatables. If you’re staying near Bardalino, hire a pedalo with a slide (€25 for 2 hours) – it was one of the highlights for the kids. They loved being out on the lake and we made it better with a pedalo picnic of salami sandwiches and snacks.

This feature was created on 12th September 2024. The information within this feature is correct to the best of our knowledge.