Boat tour around the Sirmione peninsula
See the castle, the Roman villa ruins and the hot springs from the water. Short and easy.
See dates and prices →Lake Garda for wedding guests: key facts
- Best time for a wedding
- May to June, September
- Getting there
- Verona (VRN) is 30 to 45 minutes from the south of the lake. Milan Bergamo (BGY) is about 1 hour, and Milan Malpensa (MXP) about 2 hours.
- Getting around
- Ferries and fast boats link most lake towns from spring to autumn, with a reduced timetable in winter.
- Top group activities
- Boat tour around the Sirmione peninsula; Bardolino wine tasting at a family winery; Valpolicella and Amarone wine day
- Activity prices
- Mid-range, from free walks to private charters
Updated November 2026
☀️ Relaxed things to do
Verona day trip
The Roman arena, Juliet's balcony and the old town squares, 30 minutes from the lake.
See dates and prices →Parco Giardino Sigurtà gardens
Huge landscaped gardens with lawns, ponds and tulips in spring. Rent a golf cart to get around.
See dates and prices →Sunset aperitivo cruise
A private boat at golden hour with prosecco and snacks. A perfect welcome evening.
See dates and prices →🍷 Foodie things to do
Bardolino wine tasting at a family winery
Taste light reds and rosé among the vineyards on the eastern shore.
See dates and prices →Valpolicella and Amarone wine day
Visit two wineries in the hills above Verona, with an Amarone tasting and lunch.
See dates and prices →Pasta-making class with lunch
Make fresh pasta and tiramisù with a local cook, then eat what you made.
See dates and prices →Olive oil mill tour and tasting
Lake Garda grows some of Italy's northernmost olives. Learn how oil is made and taste the difference.
See dates and prices →🧗 Adventure things to do
Monte Baldo cable car and ridge hike
Ride the rotating cable car from Malcesine and walk the ridge high above the lake.
See dates and prices →Tandem paragliding from Monte Baldo
Glide down from the mountain with a pilot for one of the best views in Italy.
See dates and prices →Sailing or windsurf lesson at Riva and Torbole
Steady afternoon winds make the north of the lake a sailing playground.
See dates and prices →E-bike tour along the lake and through the vineyards
Easy guided ride with stops in villages and a tasting along the way.
See dates and prices →Where wedding guests should eat in Lake Garda
La Rucola 2.0
Sirmione
Michelin-starred tasting menus in the heart of Sirmione's old town.
Map ↗Esplanade
Desenzano del Garda
Michelin-starred lakeside restaurant with a garden terrace.
Map ↗Lido 84
Gardone Riviera
Famous lakefront restaurant known for its cacio e pepe cooked in a pig's bladder. Book well ahead.
Map ↗La Speranzina
Sirmione
Terraced garden down to the water. Beautiful for a rehearsal dinner.
Map ↗Villa Feltrinelli
Gargnano
Restaurant of a historic villa hotel on the west shore. A true splurge.
Map ↗Trattoria La Fiasca
Sirmione
Cozy old-town trattoria with lake fish and homemade pasta.
Map ↗Trattoria Agli Angeli
Gardone Sopra
Family-run restaurant in the hills above Gardone, with local dishes.
Map ↗Ristorante Gardesana
Torri del Benaco
Terrace over the little harbor and castle of Torri del Benaco.
Map ↗Aquariva
Padenghe sul Garda
Lakefront restaurant and beach club, good for a relaxed group lunch.
Map ↗Cantina Zeni
Bardolino
Historic winery with a wine museum and tastings with local cheese.
Map ↗Il Girasole
Sirmione
Good pizza and pasta in the old town at fair prices.
Map ↗Gelateria Cento per Cento Natura
Sirmione
Natural gelato for an evening stroll through the old town.
Map ↗Where to stay
Full guide to where to stay in Lake Garda →
- Grand Hotel Fasano $$$
Gardone Riviera. Former royal hunting lodge with gardens and a private beach on the west shore. - Hotel Sirmione $$$
Sirmione. Lakefront hotel inside the old town with its own thermal spa. - Hotel Du Lac et Du Parc $$$
Riva del Garda. Big lakeside resort with a park and pools at the mountainous north end.
Getting around
- Ferries and fast boats link most lake towns from spring to autumn, with a reduced timetable in winter.
- Sirmione's old town is closed to traffic. Park outside and walk, or use the hotel shuttle.
- A car helps for wineries and the north of the lake, but lakeside roads are busy on summer weekends.
- Trains from Verona and Milan stop at Desenzano and Peschiera, the main gateways to the south shore.
Arriving
Verona (VRN) is 30 to 45 minutes from the south of the lake. Milan Bergamo (BGY) is about 1 hour, and Milan Malpensa (MXP) about 2 hours.
Good to know for guests in Lake Garda
- Currency: Euro (EUR)
- Tipping: Not expected. Many restaurants add a small "coperto" cover charge per person. Rounding up or leaving 5 to 10% for great service is appreciated.
- Dinner time: Dinner usually starts between 8 and 9:30 pm. Many kitchens close between lunch and dinner.
- Power plugs: Type F and L plugs, 230 V.
Popular tours in Lake Garda right now
Questions guests ask about Lake Garda
When is the best time for a wedding in Lake Garda?
May to June, September is the most popular season. Italy's largest lake, with castle towns in the south, mountains in the north and vineyards on the shores. Easier to reach and often better value than Lake Como, with plenty for guests to do.
How do guests get to Lake Garda?
Verona (VRN) is 30 to 45 minutes from the south of the lake. Milan Bergamo (BGY) is about 1 hour, and Milan Malpensa (MXP) about 2 hours.
How do guests get around Lake Garda?
Ferries and fast boats link most lake towns from spring to autumn, with a reduced timetable in winter. Sirmione's old town is closed to traffic. Park outside and walk, or use the hotel shuttle. A car helps for wineries and the north of the lake, but lakeside roads are busy on summer weekends. Trains from Verona and Milan stop at Desenzano and Peschiera, the main gateways to the south shore.
What can wedding guests do in Lake Garda as a group?
Good group options include boat tour around the Sirmione peninsula, bardolino wine tasting at a family winery, valpolicella and Amarone wine day, verona day trip. Most have private options for 10 to 20 people.
Is there a ready-made weekend plan for guests in Lake Garda?
Yes. Our Lake Garda wedding weekend itinerary has relaxed, foodie and adventure plans for the day before, the wedding day and the day after.
Getting married in Lake Garda?
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Lake Garda wedding weekend itinerary
Ready-made relaxed, foodie and adventure plans for the day before, the wedding day and the day after.
See the plan →Welcome dinner restaurants in Lake Garda
Group-friendly places for the welcome or rehearsal dinner and the day-after brunch, with local dinner times and tipping.
See the restaurants →Best time to get married in Lake Garda
Month-by-month weather, rain, crowds and seasonal activities, with the best and cheapest months.
See the months →Where to stay in Lake Garda
Hotels from affordable to special, the best areas for guests, a map and room block tips.
See hotels and areas →Wedding welcome bag ideas
40 wedding welcome bag ideas for destination weddings: essentials, local treats, hangover kits and the itinerary card guests actually keep.
Read the guide →Compare Lake Garda with other destinations
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