Visit Lake Garda: A Destination Doused in Magic

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If you asked me what paradise looks like, I wouldn’t think twice – and I’d take you right to Lake Garda. Because, if anything, paradise must boast a tropical vibe on the edge of the Dolomite Alps, the water of the lake as blue as the sky. It needs crystal clear waterfalls, exotic flowers, palm trees and pines all lined up together, and air that smells like freedom. All this and the neat, medieval towns which fuel your imagination as you walk their sunlit, cobbled streets.

The first time I visited Lake Garda, I was only fourteen years old. Everything seemed magical for teenage (and very romantic) me, from the friendly ducks on the lake to the incredible amusement parks around the area; from the evening streets filled with lazily walking tourists to the food. In fact, I could’ve sworn I ate the best tiramisu of my life back then, but it was probably just the effect of enjoying it right on the water’s edge. I could envision myself living somewhere nearby.

Fast forward eleven years, and I’m living in Italy – not exactly by the lake, but near enough for me to visit it every so often. Lake Garda has become my place of reflection, a place I go to when I need to recharge, when I’m feeling stuck and in urgent need of a break. Is it my favourite place on Earth? That’s hard to say, as I easily fall in love with the places I visit – but there aren’t that many places I return to. So not being able to remember how many times I’ve been to Lake Garda is a good sign that it holds a spot at the top of my personal list of favourite places.

Going back there feels like coming home – in a deep, almost spiritual way. I love discovering new things to do around there, but just sitting on the shore, meditating, taking in all that immense beauty has a healing effect on me. From time to time, I can’t help but wonder: how is it possible for such beauty to exist? The powerful mountains are so close that you can literally touch them, and the azure waters instantly transport you to the most exotic destinations in the world. This place evokes some kind of a sacred reverence, and even if you’re not a believer, you might start wondering which cosmic power was responsible for the creation of this piece of heaven on Earth.

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Driving around the lake is a truly transformative experience. Think of old films, and the image of a protagonist driving around some scenic place in a convertible car: the wind is playing with their hair, the sun reflected in their sunglasses. That’s the kind of vibe you get from driving there, even if you don’t own a convertible (Lake Garda is a famous destination for active travellers, so even riding your bike will do). The changing scenery will keep you entertained for long stretches, the views changing drastically based on where you’re looking from.

The variety of little towns is there to welcome you for a break, offering a pleasant walk and some gelato or lunch in one of the local trattorie, each competing with the other for the most breathtaking view. You might want to stop at one of the beaches; it’s too tempting not to have a swim. You might spend the whole day discovering new areas around the lake, and you’ll never tire of finding more and more Instagram-worthy places, and marvelling at exotic plants and birds.

Of course, this beauty couldn’t pass unnoticed, and certain places around Lake Garda do get somewhat crowded during peak seasons. It might sound like the opposite to the place where one would go to recharge and take a break but, after my numerous visit to the lake, last year I finally found my safe haven. My best-kept secret is called Riva del Garda: a fairytale town tucked away on the northern bank of the lake, nestled between the Alps and the lake itself. Each time I visit Lake Garda, I’m greeted by the imposing mountains, vineyards spread across the slopes, and jaw-dropping views. The town itself, on the other hand, makes you think of nineteenth-century novels set in resort towns. Although there are no ladies in Regency-era dresses or gentlemen wearing tall hats, you can still enjoy the laid-back lifestyle typically described in Jane Austen’s novels.

In the evenings, when people head outside for long walks along the infinite promenade, or fill up the bars for early aperitivos, it might seem like time stands still. And it probably does. How else could you explain that time-travel feeling you get when walking down those streets?

There are occasional intruders in that idyllic time capsule of a town. From time to time, you will see people covered in dust, sweat and sometimes dirt, with their mountain bikes, looking exhausted but happy. Other times you might spot an avid hiker, with a heavy backpack, and the same, happy-but-tired-but-still-happy look on their face. As I’ve mentioned before, Lake Garda is a perfect destination for an active holiday. And if this is something you’re looking for, you won’t regret the effort you might put into climbing up into the Alps.

With a variety of hiking itineraries to choose from, you can explore the mountains in all their glory: from steep cliffs to dense alpine forests, from sparkling waterfalls and untamed rivers to mountain villages lost in the middle of nowhere. The endless routes will take you to more lakes with perfectly blue water, craggy peaks with panoramic views, and hidden churches built into the cliffside.

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Every time I visit Lake Garda now as an adult, I keep going back to my memories from that first trip – and every time, I experience the same excitement about this place. I often wonder what was it that made me fall in love with this destination. But I have yet to find an answer. It might be simple to list all the things I love about Lake Garda, but there’s more to that supernatural feeling I get every time I go there. The goosebumps from seeing those wild, rugged mountains; the serenity that fills my heart from a single glance at the immense lake; the sweet air scented with an intricate smell of flowers and pine trees that I inhale with every breath. There’s definitely more to this place than you could put in a simple list. You need to feel it yourself to fall in love with Lake Garda the way I did all those years ago – and, hopefully, just like me, you’ll end up falling for this place over and over again.