Desenzano del Garda

Travel Guide

Desenzano del Garda which includes boating, general coastal views and street scenes
Desenzano del Garda featuring a house
Desenzano del Garda featuring street scenes as well as a small group of people
Desenzano del Garda which includes boating, general coastal views and a small town or village
Desenzano del Garda showing street scenes as well as a small group of people

Nestled between the largest lake in Italy and the foot of a mountain range, this town features historical attractions, pleasant beaches and a lively nightlife.

Desenzano del Garda is a picturesque town between a mountain range and Italy’s largest lake. Elite holiday makers from Verona frequented the area during the Roman Empire. Today, visitors come to enjoy Desenzano’s serene location on Lake Garda’s southern shore and scenic views of the Alps.

In the city’s centre, stroll through the piazzas, many of them interconnected. Stop at a café and enjoy the calm atmosphere over a meal at one of the tables that spill into the square. Bars in Piazza Malvezzi and Piazza Matteotti are quite active in the evening.

About a minute’s walk northwest from Piazza Malvezzi is the 16th-century Cathedral of St. Mary Magdalene. Admire its baroque façade and the renaissance decorations inside. One series of paintings is dedicated to the biblical character of Mary Magdalene. Take note of Tiepolo’s painting of The Last Supper.

Stroll south from Piazza Malvezzi and in less than 5 minutes you’ll reach Piazza Matteotti. Stop here on your way to the Archeological Museum, which features relics from many millennia ago. Investigate the collection of ruins found in the pile dwellings at the foot of the Alps. The museum’s most famous item is an oak plough from 2000 B.C.

Catch a bus or drive a rental car to the southern outskirts of town to visit the Tower of St. Martin. The 19th-century cylindrical structure stands out as a stark contrast against the flat, rural landscape surrounding it. Learn about the 1859 battle to which the landmark pays tribute.

Take some time out from visiting museums and monuments and relax in the sun on one of the beaches on the southern shore of Lake Garda. The largest are Spiaggia d’Oro, Porto Rivoltella Beach and Desanzanino Beach. Take a refreshing dip in the freshwater lake.

Desenzano del Garda lies between Milan and Venice. It is a short taxi journey east from Lonato del Garda. Visit other nearby holiday spots including Sirmione and Stiviere.

Where to stay in Desenzano del Garda

Desenzano del Garda showing rocky coastline and general coastal views

Desenzano del Garda City Centre

5/5(17 area reviews)

Desenzano del Garda City Centre is noteworthy for its lake views, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Desenzano Castle and Roman Villa of Desenzano del Garda.

Desenzano del Garda City Centre
Hotel Palazzo Del Garda & Spa
Hotel Palazzo Del Garda & Spa
4 out of 5
Via Desenzanino 7, Desenzano del Garda, BS
The price is S$347 per night from 8 Jun to 9 Jun
S$347
8 Jun - 9 Jun
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star golf hotel in Desenzano del Garda. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (345 reviews)
Lovely hotel
"Beautiful view of the lake. Excellent service and breakfast was lovely each morning. Really enjoyed our stay and would stay again!"

Reviewed on 5 Jun, 2025

Hotel Palazzo Del Garda & Spa
Hotel Riviera
Hotel Riviera
3 out of 5
Lungolago Cesare Battisti, 35, Desenzano del Garda, BS
Stay at this 3-star beach hotel in Desenzano del Garda. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (165 reviews)
"Excellent location. Very good breakfast."

Reviewed on 5 Jun, 2025

Hotel Riviera
Hotel Oliveto
Hotel Oliveto
4 out of 5
Via Tito Malagutti, 2, Desenzano del Garda, BS
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Desenzano del Garda. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8/10 Very Good! (548 reviews)
Enjoyable stay
"Great hotel generally, and this was our second stay. Service was generally good and the staff work hard. The only exception was when we ate at the hotel in the evening. Limited options for families/children and waiting staff stuck us in the opposite corner of the restaurant and made clear their displeasure ..."

Reviewed on 30 Aug, 2024

Hotel Oliveto
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Residenza Miralago
Residenza Miralago
2 out of 5
Tommaso dal Molin, 27, Desenzano del Garda, BS
Book a stay at this beach residence in Desenzano del Garda. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Scaliger Castle and Desenzano ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (47 reviews)
"Great lake view, convenient location, polite staff."

Reviewed on 22 May, 2025

Residenza Miralago
Il Sogno Apartments
Il Sogno Apartments
4 out of 5
Via Bonvicino 2 A, Desenzano del Garda, BS
Stay at this 4-star residence in Desenzano del Garda. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (183 reviews)
"Great property in a great location in-between train station and the lake. Had everything you need for a comfortable stay but a little old fashioned and pool is un heated.already planning a Secand stay"

Reviewed on 24 May, 2025

Il Sogno Apartments
Casa Bonotto Desenzano
Casa Bonotto Desenzano
Via Masotti, 3, Desenzano del Garda, BS
Book a stay at this golf apartment in Desenzano del Garda. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Scaliger Castle and Roman ...
"Our family of five had a fantastic stay at Casa Bonotto. The apartment was very clean, well equipped and comfortable. The rooftop area gave us stunning views over Desenzano where we could relax. The walk into the heart of Desenzano old town was easy - less than 10 minutes - and there were plenty ..."

Reviewed on 12 Apr, 2025

Casa Bonotto Desenzano
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Desenzano del Garda

4.6
Top destination
5 - Excellent
38
5 - Excellent 56%
4 - Good
30
4 - Good 44%
3 - Okay
0
3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Lake Garda is beautiful is a must see. Would go back when possible.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Absolutely beautiful area, would visit again in a heartbeat. easy train connection from Bologna airport and to the ferry dock for accessing the rest of Lake Garda. Stunning.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

The food and walking area

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Lovely place. Was out of season so not as much to do but it was a beautiful area and still lots of shops and places to eat. Perfect little get away and lots of places to go on the boat or taxi

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

All round great place to stay, bicycle hire is only 0.5 miles away which is an absolute must in this beautiful location.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Great base for Lake Garda. Chose here as close to railway station for visit to Venice. Only 1.5 hours on train. Only 2 hours max drive to other end of lake ( taking lakeside roads ) so all easy reach and great for ferry too. Lovely eateries too