Things to see in Lake Garda! #jkttravels #italy #lakegarda #travel #italianfood #italian #lake

Lago di Garda, as it is known in #Italian, is one of northern Italy’s most popular tourist destinations. Tyroleans and Bavarians regard it as a home away from home only a few hours’ drive to the south, while the advent of cheaper flights to the many nearby airports has increased the attraction of Italy’s largest lake for those hailing from the north of Europe.

The villages and towns around the lakeshore have a different character, depending on where visitors decide to stay for their Lake Garda holiday.

In the south with the towns of #Peschiera del Garda, Sirmione and #Desenzano del Garda, Lago di Garda is at its widest, with a mainly flat landscape behind the shoreline with some interesting history and lovely wine-producing areas. The motorway which runs from Milan past #Verona and on to #Venice is very accessible and Peschiera del Garda and Desenzano del Garda are the only resorts which can be reached by Italian rail services.

The southern resorts are also great locations for those who want to take a day trip to nearby cities, such as #Brescia, #Milan or Verona. Sirmione and Desenzano, as well as much of the western shoreline up to Limone sul Garda, are part of the #Lombardy region of Italy.

Sirmione, the jewel of the southern shore, is without doubt the most popular Lake Garda town, with visitors thronging to see the picturesque town centre on the #Sirmione peninsula and to take the short walk to the ruins of a #Roman villa past the more modern thermal baths. The Roman ruins also offer a fabulous lake view.

On the eastern shore, #Bardolino and #Garda are two of the most beautiful places to stay on the lake, whether visitors are looking for a campsite next to one of the #olive groves or a luxury villa. Bardolino is famous for its wine festival in late summer and the area behind the two towns is full of farms with vineyards and groves producing the famous olive oil from the area.

This eastern side of the lake is part of the Veneto region of northern Italy, while the northern end of the #lake belongs to the #Trentino Alto Adige region.

Further north Garda starts to narrow and the settlements become more hilly as the mountains approach the lakeshore. The historic towns of Torri del Benaco and Malcesine, each with a medieval castle, are two of the popular destinations on the eastern shoreline. Malcesine has the added attraction of a day trip on the cable car up Monte Baldo.

The north is the playground of the fit and active, with windsurfers and kitesurfers thronging Torbole to take advantage of the daily breezes, while just to the north rock climbers scale the famous routes of Arco.

Riva del Garda, a little bit further around the northern end, is a larger town which is a little more sedate and offers a historic centre and museum.

Limone sul Garda is a favourite destination for day trips from the northern end of the lake, with its lemon groves and winding alleyways