Lake Garda in July – Where to Go and What to Do

Italy’s largest lake and one of its top tourist destinations, Lake Garda is a destination that is much loved for its charming lakeside towns, serene atmosphere and pristine landscapes. The height of summer is a beautiful time to explore the plethora of lakeside attractions and bask in the Mediterranean sunshine, presenting you with plenty of opportunities to discover this intriguing region during its prime.

Feel like you’ve walked straight into a storybook whilst venturing through this enchanting region, home to picturesque lakeside towns, historic ruins, and surrounded by towering fjord-like mountains that add depth and drama to the beauty of its location. 

If you’re seeking a picture-perfect stay in Italy, taking a trip to Lake Garda in July offers ample opportunity to enjoy the region at its finest. Here’s everything you need to know before you go…

Weather

Lake Garda’s location in the northern region of Italy means towns along its shoreline enjoy their own microclimate. In the summer season, the average temperature of Lake Garda in July is around 24ºC, a comfortable temperature that means July takes the cake as the warmest month to visit the region.

And with average highs of 30ºC during the month, the area’s Mediterranean climate gifts it with warm and humid summer months. With average low temperatures only reaching 19ºC, you’re almost guaranteed a comfortable heat when arriving in the area.

You won’t find rain to be much of a problem during a summer visit, as the weather in Lake Como in July only shows an average of 5 days of rain annually. Having said that, the region is prone to thunderstorms, given the contrasting climates of the surrounding mountains and the humid atmosphere surrounding the lake. Therefore, don’t be surprised if thunderstorms are in the forecast during your trip. 

If like many keen tourists, you find yourself to be tempted by the promise of a dip in Lake Garda’s waters, July offers more promising water temperatures, ranging between 17ºC and 26ºC, so you can have a pleasant swim during your stay.

How to Get There

Depending on where you are staying, you may find that your best transport option to reach Lake Garda varies. Nevertheless, the region offers more than adequate transport options to reach the lake and its surrounding settlements. 

By Plane

If you’re travelling to Lake Garda from abroad, the nearest airports are Orio al Serio and Valerio Catullo, located in Bergamo and Villafranca di Verona respectively. Bergamo’s airport is around 90km from the lake, and Villafranca di Verona is only a mere 15km, so you’ll need to supplement your journey either way by using public transportation, hiring a car or taking a taxi to reach your destination. 

Other airports that are often used to reach Lake Garda, but are slightly further afield, include: Milan Linate and Malpensa, both located near Milan and Marco Polo Airport serving Venice.

By Train

Depending on where you’re trying to reach around the lake, there are a number of conveniently located railway stations close to Lake Garda’s waters. 

Rovereto station is commonly used to reach the northern part of the lake, and has links to Verona station and then onwards to Milan, taking roughly only 45 minutes to travel from Rovereto to Verona Porta Nuova station. 

Reaching the city of Venice is also accessible by train, taking roughly 2 hours from Rovereto to Venice Santa Lucia station, with changes at Verona Porta Nuova and Padova stations often having to be made en route. 

To get to the southern part of the lake by train is served by two main train stations closest to Lake Garda’s waters: Peschiera del Garda and Desenzano. 

Peschiera Del Garda is conveniently well connected to Milan Centrale railway station, taking just over an hour on a direct train. Likewise, from Desenzano del Garda, reaching Milan is more than convenient, taking roughly an hour on a direct route. 

More conveniently located to Verona, the two southern stations can reach Verona on direct routes in less than half an hour.

By Bus

Accessing Lake Garda by bus can often prove to be a difficult and less than convenient option for visitors, however it is possible. Reaching the lake from the city of Verona can be done on bus lines 185, 163 and 164, and stops en route include favourite lakeside locations including Bardolini and Peschiera del Garda.

If you are adamant that you want to travel by bus to the lake and are travelling from an alternative location, such as Milan, many visitors either choose to travel by train or travel by train as close to Lake Garda as possible before continuing their journey on a local bus. Local buses can be caught from popular lakeside towns, including Brescia, Peschiera del Garda and Desenzano del Garda.

By Car

If you are travelling to Lake Garda either by hire car or taxi, reaching the lake is simple by following the A4 from Milan to Venice or vice versa, and exiting at any of Sirmione, Desanzano del Garda or Peschiera del Garda. 

If travelling from north or south, you should instead travel along the A22 from Brennero to Modena. Depending on whether you want to visit the north or south parts of the lake, you should exit accordingly: 

South: Exit in Affi in the direction or Bardolino and Garda

North: Exit in Rovereto Sud in the direction of Mori or Malcesine

Festivals and Events

• Sardellata al Pal del Vò

The Sardellata al Pal del Vò festival, located in San Vigilio and Manerba near Lake Garda, is a beautiful old-age tradition, and if you’re looking to experience a memorable evening when visiting Lake Garda in July, this is the event for you.

The event celebrates and captures the history and old custom of fishing in the lake which, for hundreds of years, has employed local fishermen and been the biggest source of support for families living locally. On the night of the July full moon, visitors and residents consume traditional fish dishes in celebration, typically sardines, and boats gather in the centre of the lake surrounding the Promontory of Bo to practise the Lake Garda ancient rites of its fisherman. The evening is then topped off with celebratory fireworks to end this memorable evening. 

• Summer Festival at the Vittoriale Theatre, Gardone Riviera

The Summer Festival at the Vittoriale Theatre starts in the Gardone Riviera at Lake Garda in late June till early July. The festival is perfect for those who love to indulge in both national and international artists of varying genres, whether you love classical music, jazz, pop or modern ballads. 

Several music concerts are hosted throughout the event, as well as theatre pieces in its open-air theatre located in Gardone Riviera. Listen to these live music performances beneath the Italian sky during this summer festival during your next visit to Lake Garda in July. 

Things to See and Do

There are plenty of things to see and do whilst in Lake Garda in July, with something that is guaranteed to suit every taste and preference. Some of our recommendations include: 

• Hop Aboard A Lake Garda Cruise

One of the best ways to soak in the surrounding scenery of Lake Garda is from the water itself. Ferry services are a brilliant and relaxing way to explore the lake, departing from various towns bordering its waters. 

Popular ferry boarding points include Peschiera, Riva and Desenzano, and other stops include the picturesque settlements of Limone, Malcesine, Sirmione and Galdone. The option to board with a car is also available on a lot of Lake Garda ferries for those looking to reach their destination with a car in tow. 

Some of the boat trips can even accommodate those who want to board by bike, so if you’re looking to explore the lake on two wheels, you can do so by being transported by ferry to your destination. Specific timetables and line details can be found with a specific boat tour and ferry providers either online or when visiting the Lake itself. 

• Hike or Cycle Along The Old Ponale Road Path

The Old Ponale road offers some of the best views overlooking Lake Garda. It is reserved only for the use of hikers and cyclists, so you can enjoy your walk or cycle undisturbed or concerned about other vehicles and instead concentrate on fully immersing yourself in the surrounding scenery.

The path connects Valle di Ledro and Riva del Garda and was originally constructed in the second half of the 19th century, and is considered to be one of the most stunning historical panoramic roads in Europe. 

The entire route takes around four hours to walk, with resting points en route and being well signposted along its stretch, the route would be perfect to walk during summer to experience the region in its prime. However, we would recommend ensuring that you take sufficient water and food supplies, as well as an option to cover up and protect yourself with sun protection if you are going to be doing this in July. 

• See The Grotte di Catullo

Arguably one of the best places to visit in Lake Garda is the Grottoes of Catullus also known as the Grotte di Catullo. This historic site consists of a Roman villa ruin that was built sometime in the Augustan Period of Roman rule, between the end of 1BC and 1AD, and is located in Sirmione on the Southern end of Lake Garda. 

The ruins are located in a prime panoramic position, with excellent views of Lake Garda. The site is an archaeological park with its own museum where visitors can view historic objects discovered during the excavation of the villa, and other old artefacts discovered in the Sirmione Peninsula are kept.

Stop by the terrace-belvedere and peer out of the three-arched window, also known as the ‘three-light window of paradise’ because of the exceptional views outwards onto Lake Garda that it captures.

Other Tips

• What To Wear Whilst Visiting Lake Garda in July

As already mentioned, visiting the region during July means you must be prepared for this hot climate, so packing clothes that provide coverage from the strong UV rays is highly advised. You should also prepare yourself for the fact that you may encounter a thunderstorm during your visit in the summer months, meaning a rain jacket is probably worth adding to your packing list.

• What To Eat

Italy is known for its delectable cuisine, and the region surrounding Lake Garda has plenty of delicious local food and drink on offer, with regional dishes of note including Zuppa di Valpelline, a cabbage soup, and Yota, a stew made from potatoes, beans, ham and sauerkraut. The cuisine in Lake Garda is diverse, and offers a host of traditional specialities that visitors can enjoy during their stay, which we would most definitely recommend trying when you next visit!

• Hire A Bike To Explore

During your trip to Lake Garda in July, rather than opting for a car or ferry, perhaps try cycling as your method of transportation to explore the local area. Conveniently, Lake Garda has multiple cycling routes around its waters that visitors can enjoy to experience exceptional views of the lake and its surrounding settlements from the waterfront. 

The Garda by Bike cycle route, for example, stretches 140km encircling Lake Garda, which is perfect for visitors who are wanting to gain a new perspective of the lake, and make their travels a more active experience!

Summary

Lake Garda is the perfect relaxed setting for those wanting a holiday where they can simply soak up their surroundings and dive head first into the culture and history of this beautiful region. Should you be tempted to visit, Lake Garda in July is a fantastic time for a holiday, with incredible weather and fantastic activities and events to get involved with.

For further information on holidays in this beautiful part of the country, explore the rest of the Italian Breaks website or get in touch with our team to find out more. 

When To Visit Lake Garda By Month:

Lake Garda in April

Lake Garda In June

Lakes Garda in August

Lake Garda In September

Lake Garda In October