Desenzano del Garda

Travel Guide

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

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 Cathedral of St. Mary Magdalene.

Desenzano del Garda City Centre
Hotel Acquaviva del Garda

Hotel Acquaviva del Garda

4 out of 5
Viale Francesco Agello, 84, 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. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (525 reviews)
Lakeside
"Nice hotel great location"

Reviewed on 7 Aug 2025

Hotel Acquaviva del Garda
Hotel Palazzo Del Garda & Spa

Hotel Palazzo Del Garda & Spa

4 out of 5
Via Desenzanino 7, Desenzano del Garda, BS
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. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (395 reviews)
"Great breakfast , nice & healthy with a great choice"

Reviewed on 2 Oct 2025

Hotel Palazzo Del Garda & Spa
Hotel Piroscafo

Hotel Piroscafo

3 out of 5
Via Porto Vecchio 11, Desenzano del Garda, BS
The price is RM428 per night from 27 Oct to 28 Oct
RM428
RM495 total
27 Oct - 28 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Desenzano del Garda. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (482 reviews)
"Proximity to waterfront. Clean and comfortable. Excellent service. Exceptional breakfast. Great communication."

Reviewed on 10 Oct 2025

Hotel Piroscafo
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.
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! (191 reviews)
"The staff at this hotel were all so friendly. They were extremely helpful and welcoming and could not do enough for you. Breakfast was great, location was great and the pool area was good too after a hot day exploring. Would definitely recommend"

Reviewed on 24 Jul 2025

Il Sogno Apartments
Castello Belvedere Apartments

Castello Belvedere Apartments

Via Belvedere, 2, Desenzano del Garda, BS
Book a stay at this golf residence in Desenzano del Garda. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an area shuttle (surcharge). Popular attractions Scaliger Castle ...
"It was nice, quaint and off the beaten path. Our room had ants and wished the amenities were a bit nicer. The outside is beautiful and wish the inside reflected it as well."

Reviewed on 30 Sept 2019

Castello Belvedere Apartments
HOTIDAY Apartment Collection - Desenzano

HOTIDAY Apartment Collection - Desenzano

4 out of 5
Via Vo' 4/9, Desenzano del Garda, BS
Stay at this 4-star residence in Desenzano del Garda. Enjoy free parking, an outdoor pool, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Scaliger Castle and ...
8/10 Very Good! (4 reviews)
"Nice, clean, well equipped"

Reviewed on 8 Oct 2025

HOTIDAY Apartment Collection - 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