The Veronese have the sea right behind their homes. This sea is actually a lake: Lake Garda, Italy’s largest body of water. It has always seemed to me a great privilege to live that close to a place where so many millions of people choose to spend their holidays.
It is a special place that boasts of a blinding beauty, that always knows how to surprise you. But you have to know Garda to enjoy it to the fullest, starting from its beaches. That’s why in this article we recommend the beaches that, in our opinion, are the best on Lake Garda.
The best beaches on the Veronese shore of Lake Garda
baia delle Sirene (mermaid’s bay)
The most famous and beautiful beach on the lake is probably Mermaid’s Bay, a few kilometres north of the village of Garda. For years, visiting this magical place nestled in an olive grove with a crystal-clear bay has been an adventure. You had to park illegally on the side of the road, climb over a gate or slip into a hole in the net, descending steep paths before finding yourself in a kind of Paradise.
The situation has been legalised now for a few years. There is paid parking, as well as payment to access the beach, equipped with sunbeds and services. The wild charm of the past has been somewhat lost, but the place has gained in cleanliness and accessibility. The beach remains the same: magnificent. And if it is particularly crowded, you can always opt for a more collected and refined context such as Punta San Vigilio, a few hundred metres before.
la Cavalla
A modest entrance fee allows you to visit Mermaid Beach, but most of those frequented by the people of Verona are free. One of the best known is the so-called “Cavalla”, at the beginning of the village of Garda. It can be quite crowded, especially on the weekends, but a place to lay out a towel is almost always found before diving for a rejuvenating bath.
la Motta and Lido Garda
Also in Garda, there are at least two other places worth noting for those also seeking music and fun on the beach. The first is La Motta where many people gather for an aperitif around a kiosk serving drinks and snacks. The public here is very young, crowding the parties that, especially on Friday nights, are one of the specialities of the house. The second is Lido, where a slightly more mature audience gathers to dance and listen to live music.
punta Cornicello
A little further south, on the lakefront belonging to the village of Bardolino, there is the ideal pebble beach to spend a day on the lake. There is ample free parking nearby, and you’ll find a bar, restaurant, and paddle boat rental on site. Perfect for watching the sunset and taking a walk in the nearby historic centre of Bardolino, it is also ideal for children due to the playground and Ferris wheel a short distance from the lake.
Baia Stanca
One of the unwritten rules of Lake Garda is that the further north you go, the cooler and more transparent the water. Try to imagine, Baia Stanca, just after Torri del Benaco: the lake has an almost emerald colour and – on the clearest days – almost seems to touch the other shore with a finger. From here, up to Malcesine, there is a succession of small rocky beaches with a magnificent view: you are spoilt for choice.
The Best Sandy Beaches on Lake Garda Near Verona
Who said that the beaches at the lake are all pebbles? If your feet are delicate and you prefer the comfort of fine sand, and don’t want to deal with the dangerous balance needed to enter the water on stones, don’t worry, even the lake has such beaches. Here are a few.
Sandy Beaches of Lake Garda: the Cisanino
In addition to being beautiful and relaxing, Cisanino Beach, in the homonymous hamlet of Bardolino, has a lively surf bar that serves excellent cocktails and in summer organises fun Sunday aperitifs with DJ sets, to extend the evening after a refreshing swim. The beach is sandy with a few grassy pitches, and sunbeds and umbrellas can be rented.
Sandy Beaches of Lake Garda: Sunset Beach
Near the pier of Torri del Benaco, from where the ferries depart to reach Toscolano Maderno, on the other side of the lake you can find this beautiful sandy beach with a Caribbean atmosphere. Loved by young people and “locals”, you can rent sunbeds and umbrellas and enjoy excellent musical aperitifs. In summer they also offer themed parties and events. Don’t miss a visit to the Castello Scaligero di Torri, located right in front of the beach.
A dip in the water, a towel and a cocktail at sunset: taking all this into account, we Veronese are really lucky. We can go on holiday every summer without ever leaving home!
