Beyond the stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, and breathtaking views, Lake Garda also offers a hidden gem waiting to be discovered: its villages.
Think: five jewels nestled in the hills, each with its own history, traditions, and unique beauty. It’s a real journey back in time, with cobbled streets, stone houses, and picturesque views.
Ready to get lost in the magical atmosphere of these enchanted villages?
1. Crero: a village suspended between heaven and earth
With its panoramic views overlooking the lake, Crero offers breathtaking views and vistas. The village is a small labyrinth of narrow streets that wind their way between well-kept stone houses.
Don’t miss the church of San Siro, with its Romanesque facade and bell tower that reaches up to the sky. And for adventure lovers, there is the Tibetan Bridge, an adrenaline-pumping experience: built in 2019, it is 34.7 meters long and 42 meters high above the stream below.
2. Canale di Tenno: a step back in time to the Middle Ages
Canale di Tenno is one of the most beautiful medieval villages in Italy. A timeless place, where walking through the cobbled streets and stone arches, you expect to meet a merchant or a begging friar.
An ancient village, the first records of which date back to 1211, when “forming a community” was the only way to survive. Today, these streets are home to one of the most evocative Christmas markets in Trentino: local products, handicrafts and wooden toys enchant young and old alike.
3. Soave: a fairytale village between wine and history
Soave, elected Borgo dei Borghi in 2022, is located among the gentle Veronese hills, immersed in the beauty of the Lessini Mountains and the Val d’Adige. The village, surrounded by crenellated walls and dominated by the magnificent Scaliger Castle, boasts a medieval soul that can be felt in every alley and square.
An ancient village, dating back to Roman times, famous for its white DOC wine, Soave. A wine with a straw yellow colour and a delicate perfume, which perfectly complements the typical dishes of Venetian cuisine.
From the top of the Scaliger Castle, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the village, the surrounding hills and Lake Garda. A panorama that leaves you breathless and makes Soave an ideal destination for a day trip from Verona or the lake.
4. Valtenesi: an oasis of peace between olive trees and vineyards
Valtenesi is a corner of paradise located on the south-western shore of Lake Garda, in the province of Brescia. A fascinating area that is divided between lakeside towns overlooking the lake and hilltop towns lying on the glacial moraines. Seven villages dot the landscape: Padenghe sul Garda, Moniga del Garda, Manerba del Garda, San Felice del Benaco, Puegnago del Garda, Polpenazze del Garda and Soiano del Lago.
Ancient villages, medieval castles, splendid villas and historic towers tell of a past rich in charm.
5. Tremosine: a panoramic balcony overlooking the lake
Tremosine is a scattered village consisting of 18 hamlets, located on a plateau overlooking Lake Garda. Not to be missed is the Forra road, a scenic road winding between sheer cliffs, hairpin bends and winding curves that allows you to enter the bowels of the mountain by crossing the gorge of the Brasa torrent to reach the beautiful village of Tremosine (423 m asl) from the lakeside road.
What are you waiting for? Plan your holiday on Lake Garda and discover its unmissable villages!
Consult the Garda Outdoors marketplace to find the perfect solution to organise your holiday on Lake Garda.
Let yourself be captivated by the charm of Lake Garda and its enchanted villages!
