September on Lake Garda isn’t just the end of summer; it’s the perfect time to discover the wonders of Italy’s largest lake. With mild weather, it’s ideal for outdoor activities like sailing, windsurfing, e-foiling, hiking, and mountain biking. Plus, fewer crowds mean a more authentic and relaxing experience. Join us on a 4-night, 3-day tour of Lake Garda in September, exploring charming villages and diverse landscapes as we circumnavigate the lake.
Day 1 morning: visit to Bardolino and Garda
Bardolino
Let’s start our tour in the picturesque village of Bardolino, one of the gems of Lake Garda. Famous for its beaches, vineyards, and lively atmosphere, Bardolino also boasts a rich history. As you wander through the charming streets of the old town, don’t miss the ancient Church of San Severo and the Palazzo dei Capitani, which tell tales of a fascinating past. Fun fact: Did you know that Bardolino is famous for its red wine? Visit one of the many local wineries for a tasting and discover the secrets of Chiaretto.
Top tip: Leave your car in Garda, our second destination, and rent an e-bike. Cycle along the peaceful bike path that runs alongside the lake to reach Bardolino. It’s a lovely and relaxing way to immerse yourself in nature and enjoy breathtaking views.
Garda
After experiencing the history and tranquility of Bardolino, cycle back to the lively town of Garda, the heart of the lake that bears its name. Here, the atmosphere is more dynamic, with a wide range of tourist attractions. Once you’ve returned your e-bikes, take a stroll along the lakeside promenade. Admire the colourful buildings, moored boats, and enjoy the lake breeze.
Grab a quick lunch at one of the lakeside restaurants before continuing your afternoon adventures.
Day 1 afternoon: A journey through history and nature in Torri del Benaco
TTorri del Benaco is a gem nestled on the Veronese shore of Lake Garda. A varied territory that stretches from the lakeshore to the peaks of Monte Baldo, offering breathtaking views and picturesque villages.
Crero: the Provence of Lake Garda
Let’s start our afternoon itinerary in Crero, a hidden gem that resembles the charming cobbled villages of Provence with its stunning views of Lake Garda. Crero is small, but it’s worth exploring its narrow streets to discover beautifully restored stone houses, abandoned rustic buildings embraced by ivy, flowered terraces, hidden gardens, ancient stairs, haylofts, and views that look like paintings.
Il ponte tibetano
From the small square in Crero, a trail leads you to the Val Vanzana Tibetan Bridge, connecting the village with the nearby Pai di Sopra, our next stop. A short 20-25 minute hike (with a few ups and downs) will take you to the 34.7-meter-long Tibetan bridge, suspended 42 meters above the stream below. Another 20-25 minute walk will bring you to Pai di Sopra.
Pai di Sopra: a peaceful village with stunning views of Lake Garda
Pai is a small village perched on the slopes of Monte Baldo at an altitude of 130 meters, offering breathtaking views of Lake Garda. To fully immerse yourself in the beauty of Pai di Sopra, you need to be curious and wander through its many narrow streets. You’ll discover stunning lake views, romantic corners, flower-filled courtyards, and beautifully painted capitals.
Albisano: a panoramic terrace overlooking Lake Garda
Returning to Crero, take your car to Albisano, the most important hamlet of Torri del Benaco. Located at an altitude of 309 meters, it offers spectacular views of the southern part of Lake Garda, the town of Torri, and the surrounding villages.
Torri del Benaco: an ancient town enclosed by medieval walls
From Albisano, a short drive will take you to Torri del Benaco. Its beauty lies not only in its panoramic views and historic center but also in the hidden treasures that every town on Lake Garda holds for the curious traveler. The small harbor of Torri del Benaco is one of the most beautiful on the entire lake. It’s a colorful and lively place, full of tables under umbrellas where you can relax, have a drink, or a meal. All this is framed by stunning lake views and the imposing Scaliger Castle. We recommend stopping in Torri del Benaco for a romantic dinner on the lakeside promenade before returning to your hotel.
Day 2 morning: Visit to Limone sul Garda
Nestled in a lush Mediterranean landscape, Limone sul Garda is a gem on the northern shore of Lake Garda. Its history, linked to lemon cultivation and fishing, has shaped the town and made it unique. Let’s start our exploration by wandering through the narrow streets of the historic center. The colorful houses, built close together, create a charming atmosphere. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the ancient lemon houses, unique greenhouses that protected the lemon trees from the harsh winter.
The suspended cycle and pedestrian path on Lake Garda
After admiring the village, its churches, and museums, it’s time to enjoy the beauty of Lake Garda. From the center of Limone sul Garda, a cycle path begins; follow it all the way and you’ll find yourself walking or cycling on a 2.5 km stretch suspended between rock and water. This section of the cycle path, perched above Lake Garda, is considered one of the most beautiful and scenic in the world. Enjoy lunch or an aperitivo with a lake view at one of the many local bars in the center of Limone.
Day 2 afternoon: Riva del Garda, a gem nestled between mountains and lake
Nestled between mountains and lake, Riva del Garda is a jewel on the northern shore of Lake Garda, capable of enchanting every visitor. Strolling through the historic center, you can admire noble palaces, churches, and squares that tell its thousand-year-old story. Don’t miss the opportunity to climb the Apponale Tower for a panoramic view of the city and the lake. Visit the Rocca, with its museum, which will transport you back in time, revealing the secrets of the territory. Take the panoramic lift to the Bastion, one of the symbols of Riva del Garda, with a unique panoramic view of the city and the lake. Be sure to visit the Varone Waterfall and dine on Carne Salada, a typical dish of the Upper Garda tradition.
Where to Stay in Riva del Garda
Day 3 morning: visit to the Gardesano Plateau, a balcony over the lake
Tremosine sul Garda: where the pre-alpine landscape meets the charm of the lake
Let’s leave the lake and head for the mountains: the Gardesano Plateau awaits us with its breathtaking views and characteristic villages. Tremosine, with its 18 hamlets, is a jewel nestled among the mountains, a place where time seems to have stood still.Climb up to an altitude of 400 meters to discover a tourist destination that combines spectacular views, outdoor activities, good food, and a relaxing atmosphere: Tremosine sul Garda.
Located on the eastern side of Lake Garda, a 20-minute drive from Limone sul Garda, it consists of 18 hamlets, each with its own identity and characteristics. We will visit Pieve, the main town of Tremosine sul Garda, which, with its maze of alleys and streets, has become part of the club “The Most Beautiful Villages in Italy”. Perched on the top of a cliff carved by the glacier, it overlooks Lake Garda, offering unique and exciting views.Here we can visit the Church of San Giovanni Battista (17th century), the much-photographed Round Staircase (dating back to the 19th century), and the Thrilling Terrace (a platform suspended over 350 meters above the ground, surrounded by an iron railing, which extends beyond the promontory on which it was built, allowing you to admire the Garda and the Strada della Forra almost suspended in the air).
Curiosity: the plateau is also famous for its typical products, such as the Tremosine cheese, a cheese with an intense and aromatic flavor. Don’t miss the opportunity to go to Alpe del Garda to taste it, accompanied by a good glass of local wine.
Tip: have some sandwiches made with local cured meats and Tremosine cheese as a packed lunch, to enjoy at the next stop.
Santuario di Montecastello a picco sul Lago di Garda
We move to Tignale to visit the impressive Montecastello Sanctuary (691 m above sea level), which stands on a rocky spur of Monte Cas. Inside, in addition to wonderful frescoes of the Giotto school, you can also find the largest ex-voto in Europe, dating back to the 1600s. To rival this incomparable Sanctuary is the breathtaking view of Lake Garda: in front of you, you can see the Monte Baldo mountain range and your gaze can reach as far as the peninsula of Sirmione.
Tip: at the entrance to the sanctuary, a big bench has been placed, take the opportunity to have lunch while admiring Lake Garda.
Day 3 afternoon: Visit to Gardone Riviera, also known as the “garden city”o
Gardone Riviera is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful towns on Lake Garda; also included in the club “The Most Beautiful Villages in Italy”, it houses wonderful architectural and natural treasures, such as the Vittoriale degli Italiani and the Heller Garden. Many people leave a piece of their heart here and are dazzled by its beauty. For the elegance of its historic palaces and villas, for the panorama, and for the atmosphere you can breathe.
Vittoriale degli Italiani
The Vittoriale degli Italiani is a complex of buildings, streets, squares, gardens, and waterways, which houses the home and tomb of Gabriele d’Annunzio. In addition to works of art and memorabilia, there is also an open-air theater, a museum, and a rich library. Every year, the Vittoriale is visited by over 200,000 tourists.
The Heller Garden
Gardone Riviera is also called the “garden city” because of the splendid gardens that connect Gardone di Sotto and Gardone di Sopra. We are talking about the Heller Garden, also known as the Dr. Hruska Gardens. A paradisiacal place full of magic and sensuality, where you can admire a collection of continental flora, in which Africa, South America, Canada, Asia, Europe, and Australia are interwoven. In its 10,000 square meters, in fact, there are botanical species from all over the world.
We have proposed a 3-day tour of Lake Garda in September, a journey through landscapes, villages, and authentic flavors of the largest lake in Italy. An experience that will give you unforgettable emotions and make you want to come back soon to discover new corners of this territory.
See you soon dear Outdoors!
