Lake Garda — 6 reasons not to travel there
By: Flemming Handberg
Tags: Veneto, Lombardia, Italy, Holidayinitaly, Lake Garda

Lake Garda is undoubtedly one of the most popular destinations in Italy for North Europeanss. We know the headline is provocative, even though Lake Garda is beautiful, it can not meet all expectations. We put the spotlight on that here.

Lake Garda is Italy’s largest lake and is beautifully situated in dramatic surroundings in the north of Italy, approximately midway between Milan and Venice. The lake is a very popular holiday area, and it is not just non-italians who drive here — many Italians choose to spend a weekend or a holiday here.

Lake Garda is thus a well-known and loved holiday destination by many.

And there ARE a lot of good things to say about Lake Garda . It is certainly not without reason it is popular. Here is beautiful, here is water and mountains and the small towns are cozy and if you come behind the facade, you will find true Italian authenticity.

But there are also disadvantages when a destination like Lake Garda becomes (too) popular.

That is why we have made a guide for you with six reasons why you should NOT go on holiday by Lake Garda. The destination is not for everyone, and what you dream of during the holidays you may have to find a completely different place in Italy .

Reason number 1: Beach holiday?

The lake does not have the best beaches, so this is not the place to go if you dream of a beach holiday with white powder sand. Italy has many and very different beaches, but the best are out along the coasts and not along the lakes. You can instead consider going to the Marche region .

Reason number 2: The tourists?

Lake Garda has many tourists in the summer. As in REALLY MANY . Lake Garda is especially known for being a good family holiday destination and here are both amusement parks, water park and a zoo. So if you are dreaming of peace and quiet, we would probably recommend you find another vacation destination. Umbria will suit you better.

Reason number 3: Romance or children?

Lake Garda is a paradise for children and campers. Put another way: If it is a romantic couple holiday you are going on, then you should probably settle for a day trip to Lake Garda, and then stay somewhere else… you can always visit for a day or two. We could suggest a romantic trip to Umbria or Sorrento .

Reason number 4: The traffic?

The traffic around Lake Garda can be really dense and slow. The road around the lake is beautiful and the views are fabulous, with the two dramatic mountains in the background and the deep lake. But you will most likely end up sitting in line or snailing off on the roads during the busy summer months. Especially when there is a change of holiday home on Saturday.

If you drive all the way here from Denmark, try to arrive before the other tourists get up, or when they have sat down at the dinner table and the calm subsides.

Reason number 5: The food?

And now we’re talking about the dinner table… The restaurants’ menus on Lake Garda are adapted to the tourists. Put another way: If you dream of finding the little well-kept restaurant that the locals hang out at… yes, then you have come to the wrong part of Italy! In return, you can definitely find many eateries that your kids will love. Some even claim that the food in some places is so touristy and “anti-Italian” that you get better pizza at home in Denmark than here! If you want the authentic and original pizza, then you should go to Naples in the region of Campania .

Reason number 6: The delicious bathing water?

The water in the lake can be ice cold to swim in! Lake Garda is an alpine lake, located at the foot of the Dolomites. The mountains are part of the southern limestone Alps and when the snow melts in late spring, the meltwater runs down the slopes to the streams and they end up in… yes, guess it yourself. Let’s just say the water can be quite fresh to dip your toes in in the spring and the first half of the summer! If you need warm bathing water in the first part of the season, then you should go further south, e.g. to Sicily .

We do also love Lake Garda, but….

Opinions are divided — some love Lake Garda and come here many times, others love to hate it! We belong to the group that loves Lake Garda, but not for every occasion. Italy is a big country and there are beautiful places in many places in the boot country.

But no matter what position you have, it never hurts to think through what type of vacation you would like to go on before you start planning your trip. If you are a parent and would like to give your children a nice trip, then Lake Garda can be the perfect place to spend summer holidays because here is really child-friendly.

If, on the other hand, you would rather holiday in a large house that has room for several generations and where there is peace and quiet, then it may be better to consider another region for your holiday in Italy. Eg. both Marche and Tuscany have excellent villas, many at a price that can compete with a holiday home on Lake Garda.

You can read more about the different regions in Italy here on our website .

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