Want to discover the best outdoor activities on Lake Garda? Here are the best ones, carefully selected by our team.
Located in the most beautiful region of one of Europe’s most beautiful countries,Italy, between the Alps and the sublime Po plain, Lake Garda is Italy’s largest lake, and its shores touch three regions: Lombardy, Trentino-Alto Adige and Veneto. In northern Italy, between Venice and Milan, near Verona, visitors come to admire sumptuous landscapes and picturesque villages, beaches and charming little ports. The lake and its hinterland offer countless opportunities for sports enthusiasts who love unspoilt nature.
If you’ve decided to visit the region and want to discover it to the full, we’ve thought of everything. Here are the best outdoor activities to enjoy on Lake Garda, whether alone, with the family, as a couple or with friends!
1. Sailboat
Photo credit: Shutterstock – aleks.k
A cruise on Lake Garda is an excellent way to explore the lake and admire its splendid shores. Set sail for the Sirmione peninsula, for example! This narrow strip of land stretches four kilometers into the southern part of the lake. Here, you’ll find tourist attractions such as Maria Callas’ former villa, the Grotte di Catullo (Catullo Caves ) and the sulfur spring that flows into Sirmione.
Scaliger Castle is also a must-see from the blue waters of the lake. Sailing, a gentle and natural way to get around, is one of the best outdoor activities on Lake Garda.
2. Windsurfing
Photo credit: Shutterstock – ekyll
Enjoy the scenery of Lake Garda while windsurfing, and contemplate the succession of charming villages that dot its shores. Sirmione, Torbole, Desenzano, Peschiera del Garda… What better way to discover the beauty of this region than by windsurfing? This outdoor activity on Lake Garda is accessible to all who know how to handle the craft.
Don’t worry, courses can be taken there!
3. Canyoning
Photo credit: Facebook – Xadventure Outdoor Lake Garda
Due to the specific topography of the area, canyoning spots are plentiful. This outdoor activity on Lake Garda can be enjoyed in complete safety at Toscolano, San Michele, Sandolino, Ponale or the sublime Tignalga canyon. Easy and refreshing, we recommend you try it in summer!
4. Parachute ascension
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Diarylens
Parasailing is a fantastic outdoor activity on Lake Garda, requiring very little effort. Unlike paragliding, there’s no need to run here: the speed of the boat towing your parachute takes care of lifting it into the air. What a view from the top! You can see the foothills of the Alps, the immensity of the Po plain and the depth of color of the lake.
The little extra? You can share this experience with the person of your choice: the parachute is tandem!
5. Rafting
Photo credit: Facebook – Xadventure Outdoor Lake Garda
Close to Lake Garda, the Adige River, Italy’s second largest, is nestled between Mount Baldo and the Lessini Mountains. Rafting consists of a five-hour trip down the river in a rubber dinghy for up to ten people. Paddles are used to steer the river, under the expert supervision of an instructor.
Twenty kilometers in length, the course traverses enchanting landscapes. Enjoy this outdoor activity during the summer season!
6. Kayak
Photo credit: Facebook – Xadventure Outdoor Lake Garda
Kayaking on Lake Garda is a very accessible outdoor activity. What level do you need? None – novices are welcome! Ideal for a sunny summer afternoon, kayaking can be done alone or with others, and always in complete safety. Whether you choose the lake or the adjacent rivers, maximum fun is guaranteed. Laughter, splashes and a suntan: are you up for it?
7. Scuba diving
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Dario Argenti
Scuba diving is one of the most emblematic outdoor activities to be enjoyed on Lake Garda. Porto San Nicolò, located just opposite the marina of the same name in Riva del Garda, is certainly the best-known spot. The dive site is surrounded by buoys, offering protection from the many boats.
The main attraction of the dive site is a statue of Christ immersed at a depth of 15 meters. Thrills guaranteed!
8. Horseback riding
Photo credit: Facebook – Agriturismo Scuderia Castello
Looking for outdoor activities at Lake Garda that will appeal to young and old, boys and girls alike? Go horseback riding! A large number of equestrian centers line the shores of Lake Garda. Hourly or daily rides can be organized: an original way to discover the sumptuous beauty of the area.
And if it saves your strength for the next activity, it’s always good to take it, isn’t it?
9. Climbing
Photo credit: Facebook – DOLOMITE MOUNTAINS
Yes, because it takes a lot of energy to climb the limestone routes in the village of Arco, 100 km from the Dolomites. Whether you’ve been a rock-climbing enthusiast for many years or a complete beginner, you’ll have a great time on cliffs that are more or less complicated to climb.
Don’t worry, climbing clubs on both sides provide equipment, practical advice and, if necessary, courses to learn how to challenge the void in complete safety. Particularly popular in summer, we recommend you take up this sport in late spring or early autumn. Chalk it up and let’s go!
10. Karting
Photo credit: Facebook – SOUTH GARDA KARTING
Italy? The land of motorsport par excellence. Ferrari, Lamborghini, Fangio and Trulli have made the boot a mythical destination for lovers of deafening roars and track speed.
Why not put yourself in the shoes of F1 drivers on the South Garda Karting circuit, one of the finest in the country? Built in 1988 and 1,200 meters long, it’s one of Europe’s largest go-kart tracks. The circuit has recently been refurbished to ensure that this outdoor activity on Lake Garda is nothing but fun and thrills.
Put on your helmet and challenge your friends and family at full speed!
11. Jet ski
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Danny Iacob
In the southern part of the lake (Basso Lago), you can discover the lake…from the lake! In addition to the thrills, you’ll be amazed as you approach the mainland and catch a glimpse of the most splendid villages in the area, such as Sirmione or Punta San Vigilio. Ideal during the summer months, jet skiing is one of Lake Garda’s not-to-be-missed outdoor activities.
Expect to pay between €30 and €75 for a boat trip.
12. Golf
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Is golf a middle-class sport reserved for the ultra-rich? No, it’s been democratized… So much so that Lake Garda boasts three of Europe’s finest greens. Bogliaco, Paradiso del Garda and Ca ‘Degli Ulivi welcome many visitors eager to perfect their swing on perfectly manicured green lawns.
Spoiler: 99% of them don’t own yachts or castles…
13. Hiking
Photo credit: Shutterstock – SusaZoom
Lake Garda is a natural mosaic of sumptuous landscapes. The low-lying coast in the south becomes steeper the closer you get to the north of the lake, near the Alps. A veritable inland sea lined with picturesque villages, at the crossroads of three distinct regions, Lake Garda can be visited on foot via a variety of hiking trails.
Our advice? Starting from Sirmione, take several days to complete the 75-kilometer circuit to Riva del Garda, in the far north. A marvel, we tell you!
14. ATV
Photo credit: Shutterstock – gorillaimages
Looking for a sporty, fun outdoor activity at Lac de Garde? Opt for mountain biking, especially in the steep northern part of the lake. Nestled beneath the mountains of the Trentino province, it promises unique views of the Dolomites. 44 mountain bike trails for a total of 1,730 kilometers: you certainly won’t do it all, but it’s well worth the adventure!
15. Paragliding
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Petr Bonek
Paragliding isn’t just another outdoor activity to be enjoyed on Lake Garda: no, it’s an institution. Especially above Malcesine, on the Laveno Mombello spot, where you’ll enjoy an incredible view during a tandem flight. And if it’s your first time in the air, you’ll be in for an extraordinary experience, thanks to the winds that are often very favorable in the area.
You’re not afraid of heights, are you?
16. Gardaland
Photo credit: Shutterstock / Marco Rubino
Gardaland is an Italian theme park located in Castelnuovo del Garda in the Veneto region. It’s the perfect place to soak up the sun with the whole family and enjoy a multitude of outdoor activities on Lake Garda. In addition to interactive scenic trails, a theater, a 4-D cinema and a dozen roller coasters await families and groups of friends.
The Flying Island observation tower offers incredible panoramic views of the surrounding area, while a skating rink, dolphinarium, waterfall tower, top spin and river buoys complete the offer. When can you book?