When most travelers dream of an Italian lake escape, Lake Como is usually the first to come to mind. But after visiting Lake Garda for the second time this July (guide to come!), I can confidently say that this underrated and massive lake has its own magic. This quieter spot has it’s own plethora of charming towns and beautiful coastline waiting to be discovered. If you’re wondering how to get to Lake Garda from surrounding areas in Italy, you’re in the right place!
My favorite thing about visiting this summer was the very noticeable lack of crowds. It felt like a very local crowd with some tourists from other European countries. After seeing how crowded Lake Como was this summer, we were so thrilled to be spending time at Lake Garda.
And the best part? Itโs just as easy to reach from Milan, Florence, or Venice, making it the perfect weekend escape or day trip! You can also combine Lake Garda and Verona in the same itinerary.
How to Get to Lake Garda
Whether you want a quick train ride, a scenic drive, or a stress-free tour, hereโs exactly how to get from to Lake Garda:
From Florence to Lake Garda
On the way!
We traveled to Lake Garda for a wedding in July of 2025. Of course, we made a trip out of it, so we spent a few days in Florence before heading up to the lake. (~2 hour train ride)
By Train
Catch a Trenitalia or Italo train from Milano Centrale (Milan), Firenze Santa Maria Novella (Florence), or Venezia Santa Lucia (Venice) to the Desenzano del Garda station. This station puts you right on the southern edge of the lake, and the ride is just about an hour. I book all of my trains through Omio when in Europe, and you can easily do that below.
By Car
If youโre craving freedom to explore the tiny lakeside villages (highly recommend!), rent a car and head east on the A4 motorway. Itโs an easy 1.5 hour drive, and nothing beats rolling down the windows for those first lake views. Just note that summer parking can be a challenge. Also yes, driving in Italy is chaotic, but the Lake region and the mountains are much more laid back than driving in Rome for example.
Another thing to note is that during our last visit to Gardone Riviera in July, it was nearly impossible to get a taxi during our entire stay. It was so bad that it became a running joke that getting a ride would be “not possible” which is what all of the drivers would say when we asked. We were in Gardone Riviera for a wedding, and needed to get to different spots on that coastline for some events and to visit other friends in their hotels and Airbnbs. I called and messaged every taxi driver in the area and no one was able to pick us up the entire time. The only way we were able to get from the train station to Gardone Riviera and back was through a friend of our Airbnb host and it was… not cheap. ๐
Long story short, we would definitely rent a car for our next visit. If you’re staying in the main town of Desenzano del Garda, you probably don’t need a car as everything is reachable by ferry and the town is walkable. The car also gives you flexibility to drive into Verona or over to the Dolomites.
By Bus or Tour
Regional buses and guided day tours are slower but a solid option if youโd rather relax and let someone else handle the navigation.
Vogelle Tip: Arrive early in the morning or linger into the evening for a quieter, more romantic experience of the lake. Especially in peak summer months like July.
The Desenzano station has a luggage drop out front to the left, but it’s expensive. I believe we paid 10 Euro per bag for just a few hours while we waited for our car service to Gardone Riviera. We also told the baggage person that we would be back at 2pm to pick up our bags and in typical Italian fashion, he was extremely late to meet us to get our bags back. When in Italy, patience is a virtue. ๐
VOGELLE
Black Chain Shoulder Bag
The most popular shoulder bag from our namesake collection. Made in Italy with genuine Italian leather.
From the Desenzano station, you can walk to the heart of Desenzano del Garda in about 15 minutes. The walk is easy and entirely downhill, but that means that it’s entirely up hill on the way back, so don’t go too crazy on the Aperol spritz! Desenzano del Garda is the main hub of the lake and it’s typically pretty lively. The views from this spot (and all over the lake, really) are breathtaking. You can catch the ferry from the port and get anywhere on the lake. If you are looking for a quick ferry spot from Desenzano del Garda, I highly recommend popping over to Sirmione.
Don’t Miss Sirmione!
If youโre visiting Lake Garda, carve out time for Sirmione. This is a dreamy little town that feels like stepping straight into a medieval time warp. The narrow peninsula is crowned with the striking Scaligero Castle, its drawbridge leading you into a maze of colorful streets lined with gelaterias, boutiques, and lakeside cafรฉs. Sirmioneโs charm is historic and cinematic. They actually filmed a scene from one of my favorite movies, Call Me By Your Name in this spot. On the Sirmione peninsula, you’ll have sun-drenched afternoons, winding alleys, and the kind of slow, romantic energy you come to Italy for. Spend a few hours wandering between historic sites and the waterโs edge and take in every angle of the sweeping views of the lake.
