Lake Garda is one of the most beautiful spots in Europe, a long, narrow body of glittering water, framed by the Dolomites, and neat vine rows. It’s sun drenched and littered with elegant resort towns, created for centuries of well-to-do visitors. Poets, writers and artists have been drawn here, amongst the powerful and monied, and have extolled the region’s beauty to the rest of us. Today Lake Garda is on the itinerary of many an Italy-bound traveller. Which means the accommodation options along Lake Garda’s shore have evolved from just traditional properties and very grand five star hotels, to include converted villas, charming guesthouses and B&Bs, state-of-the-art spa hotels, farmhouses, restaurants with rooms, and apartment hotels. Our pick of the best places to stay on Lake Garda includes many a room with a view, properties with exceptional lake access, pools that float on Lake Garda, and gorgeous terrace bars.

Some of our Lake Garda Collections:

• The Best Family Hotels on Lake Garda
• The Best Luxury Hotels on Lake Garda
• The Best Hotels on Lake Garda for Walking Holidays
• The Best Hotels on Lake Garda for Foodies
• The Best Value Hotels on Lake Garda
• The Most Romantic Hotels on Lake Garda
• The Best Boutique Hotels on Lake Garda

Some experts recommend the whole Lake Garda region. Others are a bit more specific with their advice, promoting Lake Garda's southern regions, especially the two bays sheltered by the spectacular Sirmione peninsula, to honeymooners, romantics, foodies, history buffs and photographers — this area is where you’ll find some of the hotels with the most spectacular views. Lake Garda’s northern shores, radiating outwards from Riva del Garda, Torbole and Limone, they recommend for sailing and other wind and water sports. There are beaches littered all along the lakeshore, and plenty of good value accommodation to be found at both ends of the lake too, but if pushed, our Gurus recommend Bardolino for families.

But don't forget that this region gets extremely busy during the peak summer months. So if you want to guarantee a room in one of the best places to stay in Lake Garda, you'll need to get organised and plan well ahead.

The Best Places to Stay on Lake Garda

For the Album

• The Villa Cortine Palace typifies Lake Garda perfectly. Sitting right on the tip of the Sirmione peninsula, this grand old villa hotel is rich with frescoes, antiques and lovely 30s style rooms. It's also surrounded by its own gardens dotted with fountains and neoclassical statues, so it's very romantic.
• The Lido Palace offers five stars worth of wonder right on the shores of the lake and at the foot of the mountains — this is really one of the planet's most idyllic settings. Behind the Liberty style facade are sleek, contemporary rooms, an award winning spa and a Michelin recommended restaurant.

For the Views

• The Bellevue San Lorenzo sits high on the flanks of Monte Baldo. It's a popular, Belle Epoque villa in beautiful grounds, converted into a simply furnished modern hotel. From this height, you get a panoramic view of the lake.
• Hotel du Lac enjoys a wonderful lake-side location, just outside Gargnano. This period Venetian style villa offers just twelve classically styled rooms — six have lake views and private balconies — plus a lovely breakfasting terrace which almost hovers above the water.
• The Gardenia al Lago, sister property to the Hotel Du Lac, is in a similarly impressive lakeside location, and here you'll find an elegant small hotel — only seven bedrooms — filled with period furnishings. There’s also a charming sun terrace and restaurant overlooking the water.
• The Lefay Resort & Spa is perched on a hilltop, so the views of Lake Garda are panoramic, rather than close up. Some of the rooms have private hot tubs and sun decks and these tend to have special views as well. As do the gardens and pool areas.

For a Special Occasion

• Locanda San Vigilio, just above Garda and bustling Bardolino, is an elegant and intimate hotel right on the lake. Originally owned by an Italian Count, this grand dwelling has been a hotel for the last 500 years. So it's an extra special, and traditionally luxurious place to relax.
• Villa Arcadio, in charming Salò, is a fabulous stone villa built on a hilltop which offers spectacular views of the lake. The decor is bare but beautiful and the restaurant is gourmet. This is luxury at its most refined, rather than opulent, but it's also affordable.
• Lake Garda has always attracted those for whom money is not a problem, and, if you can afford it, the Villa Feltrinelli is a wonderful place to stay. Converted from a historic house, with superbly restored art and antiques, this house now offers Michelin starred dining as well as its serene location.

For Waterside Access

• Right on the water's edge, the Villa Giulia is a handsome, Victorian affair with large, light, airy rooms and a collection of lovely antiques and water-view terraces.
• Bella Riva has direct access to the lake and the views are spectacular from the pool, the restaurant and a number of private terraces. As well as views, the Bella Riva also specialises in watersports.

For Families

• The Hotel Laurin, near Salò is Lake Garda perfection: elegant on the outside, and frescoes and Art Deco furniture on the inside — yet it's big enough, and modern enough, and has enough of a garden and pool, to be ideal for families.
• Also in Salò, Hotel Bellerive has large, stylish rooms and apartments overlooking the lake, many of which are large enough to accommodate a whole family. They'll also help organise sailing, cycling, golf and picnics.
• While Tenuta Le Sorgive isn't on the lake, this agriturismo is only a short distance from the lake's southern bank, yet surrounded by countryside. This is a great place for a healthy, outdoorsy break, with lots of activities on offer and a restaurant which serves food grown right here!

For a Lake Break

• Gardesana is simple and charming, with excellent views of the bustling little harbour and an excellent restaurant is found in Torri del Benaco, one of Lake Garda's prettiest Verona side fishing villages.

For Great Value

• The Garni Gianmartin in Limone is a seven room B&B on the main square, just minutes from the beach. The rooms are simple and comfortable, and all have lake views. The suites have their own private terraces as well. Breakfasts are hearty and included in the price.
• The Vivere Suites are a sleek collection of six contemporary ground floor suites, all with private gardens and kitchenettes. There’s a spa and pool onsite and there are plenty of facilities for outdoor adventures close by.

Prefer a Self-catering Apartment or villa?

• Sometimes a villa or apartment is the best option if you're travelling in a larger group, so if you decide that you'd prefer a self catering option, check out our online booking partner, booking.com for some inspiration.

Travel Information

• Lake Garda is between international airports: Verona-Villafranca, which is about 15kms away and Brescia-Montichiari, which is about 30kms away. But it’s also about 100kms from Venice Marco Polo airport and from Milan’s Linate and Malpensa. Alternatively there are good rail links to the lake.
• If you want to hire a car — which we strongly advise if you’re staying on Lake Garda — we recommend you visit our online partner, Rentalcars.
• Lake Garda has always been an extremely desirable holiday destination, so if you're planning to visit in the summer high season you should expect full hotels and reservations required for the most popular restaurants — but this is a place to see and be seen, and the bustle is part of the shining appeal. Even if you're not hoping to visit in peak season it's still advisable to book the best places to stay on Lake Garda several months in advance.

Still not sure where to stay?

• You could consider our Guru’s recommendations for the Best Hotels with a View on Lake Garda. the Best Family Hotels on Lake Garda or the Best Budget hotels on Lake Garda
• Or you could refine your search by location, and seek out the best places to stay in Riva del Garda, or the best places to stay in Limone for example.
• You could expand your search to include Lake Como, Lake Iseo, Lake Orta, Lake Lugano or Lake Maggiore
• Alternatively, you could contact one of our friendly gurus for personalised advice.