The best things to do in Peschiera del Garda

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Peschiera del Garda is a small town on the south banks of Lake Garda in Italy’s Veneto region. Being one of only two towns on the lake which is easily accessible by train to the larger northern Italian cities of Milan, Venice and Verona, Peschiera is a popular destination to stay as a base for exploring Italy’s biggest and many would say most beautiful lake.

The best things to do in Peschiera del Garda:

 

Hire a boat and head out onto Lake Garda

One of the best things to do in Peschiera del Garda is hiring a boat and heading out to explore the lake and its many charming towns.

The boats are self-drive (you don’t need a license) and you can take them pretty much anywhere on the lake, including anchoring somewhere to pop in the water for a swim or to sunbathe for a while. As long as the driver stays sober, you can also usually take food and drinks on the boat to enjoy too.

Where to hire a boat in Peschiera del Garda?

There are a few different companies that offer boat hire in Peschiera del Garda, but my personal favourite has to be Peschiera Boat Rental.

Prices for their 6 people 520 – 40 HP boat (the smallest size available) are 2 hours rental for €50, half-day (4 hours) for €100 and full-day (8 hours) for €160. The prices exclude petrol which you pay for yourself when you fill up at the end so is based entirely on consumption.

During the peak summer season, you might want to call ahead to book your boat hire to make sure something is available on the day you want it, especially for longer rentals.

 

Enjoy the sun at Bracco Baldo Beach

While Lake Garda isn’t known for its lush white sand beaches, there are still quite a few pebble beaches and other lovely spots around the lake where you can relax by the water on a sunny afternoon.

Bracco Baldo Beach is one such beautiful pebble beach in Peschiera del Garda which not only has sunbeds and umbrellas you can rent but is also one of the only dog friendly beaches on Lake Garda, making it the perfect spot if you’re traveling with your furry friend or you’re just a dog-lover like me (I will pet literally any dog I see!). 

 

Or sunbathe on the docks instead

If you’d rather find somewhere a little quieter than Bracco Baldo Beach, head the opposite way around the lake from Peschiera del Garda, past Porto Bruno Manfredi and along Via Campanello.

Here you’ll find a long stretch of waterfront with a few cafes and restaurants and several small wooden docks jetting out into the lake which you can use as a quiet spot to sunbathe or take a swim in the water without too many other tourists around.

The docks along Via Campanello are also my favouirte spot in Peschiera del Garda to watch the sunset over the lake of an evening.

 

Visit the weekly market on Mondays

One of the best things to do in Lake Garda is to visit one of its travelling markets; a collection of local traders who move around each day of the week to different towns on the lake.

Monday is Peschiera del Garda’s turn to host the largest of Lake Garda markets, with a huge section of the historic center being taken over by stalls selling everything from fresh food produce and handmade crafts, to clothes, shoes, kitchenware, souvenirs and almost anything else you can think of.

 

Walk around the historic city walls

Did you know that Peschiera del Garda is actually an island fortress encircled by huge Venetian defensive walls which date back to the 16th century? The old city walls around the historic center are still almost entirely intact, and, in fact, the town’s fortress and external fortifications have even been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2017.

While it’s all too easy to get lost wandering down the narrow alleyways of the charming lakeside town or spend your days by the water, don’t forget to stop for a minute and take a look around you at the impressive walls which form an important part of Peschiera del Garda’s history.

 

Lake Garda is certainly more of a summer destination, however, there’s still a slim chance of a rainy day every now and again, so here are a few things to do in Peschiera del Garda indoors too…

 

Museo Della Palazzina Storica

The ‘Museum of the Historical Building’ (in English) is a small museum located in the building where the allied conference between Vittorio Emanuele III and high French and English officers took place on 8 November 1917 during World War I, an important turning point in Italian history as it is where the decision was made to conduct the resistance on the Piave River.

Today the museum preserves a number of objects and documents related to the war, including period weapons, military signaling tools and various original photos.

 

Church of San Martino

The Church of San Martino is located in the heart of Peschiera’s historic center and is actually one of the oldest churches in the diocese (parish) of Verona, with evidence of a church on the site dating back to the 1st century. If you’re passing by, step inside the impressive church to admire its many frescoes and intricate stain-glassed window depicting the last supper.

Once you’re finished visiting the church, don’t forget to pop next door to Piazza Ferdinando di Savoia where you’ll find ‘Abitato Romano Di Arilica’, a small archaeological site with some ancient Roman ruins believed to originate from the 1st-century.

 

Visiting Lake Garda on a road trip? Check out my northern Italy road trip itinerary here.

 

Theme Parks near Peschiera del Garda

Peschiera del Garda is the perfect place to base yourself on Lake Garda if you’re planning to visit the region’s numerous theme parks, with a few of the best ones being just a short free shuttle bus ride away from Peschiera del Garda train station…

Gardaland theme park

The most famous of the parks close to Peschiera del Garda is Gardaland, the biggest theme park not only in Lake Garda but in the whole of Italy. The huge amusement park has plenty of rollercoasters, water rides and family-friendly attractions, as well as themed areas and live shows and parades.

Just across from Gardaland’s main park you’ll also find Gardaland Sea-Life with a variety of interesting exhibitions and exciting sea creatures.

Movieland & Caneva Aquapark

CanevaWorld Resort is another theme park resort near to Peschiera del Garda that is home to both the Movieland theme park and Caneva Aquapark.

Movieland is a Hollywood themed park with fun rides and epic shows including live stunts, 80s throwbacks, rock operas, tribute bands and plenty of kid friendly entertainment too.

Right next door to Movieland you’ll also find the Caneva Aquapark, Lake Garda’s best water park with numerous rides, slides, pools, beaches, a lazy river and more. One of the most fun ways to spend a sunny day in Lake Garda.

You can choose to either buy an individual ticket for each park or book a combo ticket for both parks in one day or one day in each.

 

Day trips from Peschiera del Garda

A few of the other best day trips from Peschiera del Garda you shouldn’t miss…

Take a day trip from Peschiera to some of the other nearby towns

There plenty of other lovely towns around Lake Garda which are easily accessible from Peschiera del Garda by car or bus, depending on how you’re travelling.

Visit Peschiera’s neighbouring town of Sirmione, famous for its thermal baths and Rocca Scaligera, a medieval castle overlooking the lake. Or head just up the coast to Lazise and Bardolino.

Take a day trip from Peschiera del Garda to Verona

Peschiera del Garda is also one of the closest towns on Lake Garda to the romantic city of Verona, with the train journey between the two taking just 15 minutes.

Known for the huge Roman Arena and its association with Shakespeare’s romantic tragedy Romeo and Juliet, the main sites of Verona are certainly doable in a day trip from Lake Garda.

Check out this ultimate one day Verona itinerary.

 

Peschiera del Garda restaurants

Dinner | Ristorante La Plume – La Plume really takes the crown as one of Peschiera’s best restaurants for so many reasons; the elegant al fresco setting, the breathtaking lake views, the creative ‘modern’ pizzas, the succulent steak and, of course, the top-notch wine selection.

Lunch | Gustosa Street Food – the best place in Peschiera to pick up a slice of pizza, piadina, arancini or other delicious local street food dish to go and enjoy by the water.

Gelato | La Romana – no matter where I travel in Italy, this one remains the same – La Romana’s chain of gelaterias is where you’ll find the most delicious gelato in the entire country!

 

Peschiera del Garda hotels

My top recommendations for where to stay in Peschiera del Garda:

Budget | Campaggio del Garda – a large campsite right on the water’s edge and only a 10-minute walk from the historic center. The campsite has space for tents and campervans, affordable mobile homes and bungalows you can stay in, two swimming pools, as well as its own on-site restaurant and shop.

Mid-range | Garden Hotel – a lovely family-run hotel located right next to Peschiera train/bus station, making it a convenient spot for those looking to travel around to other towns and attractions.

Luxury | Palazzo ai Capitani – a charming 4* hotel right in the heart of Peschiera del Garda’s historic center, with classic decor, walls painted with frescoes and private terraces overlooking the lake.

 

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