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The Italian Lakes are internationally known for their beauty – but it’s Como and Garda that are most celebrated. If you’re planning an Italian escape, making a decision about which lake to visit can be tricky. At first glance, there’s little to separate Italy’s top two lakes. Both have piercing blue waters, charismatic towns, compelling culture, fascinating history, and delicious food and wine.
But while Italy’s best bodies of water do share key similarities, they’re more different than you might think – and the lake that’s right for you will depend on your ideal holiday type. Would you like to enjoy a romantic and relaxing break, or an action-packed adventure?
To help you decide which lake is right for you, we’ve partnered with Travel Department, a leading provider of guided group holidays. With decades of experience under their belt, their experts know all about curating the perfect holiday and making the most of a destination – so if you’re looking for guidance, you’re in the right place!
Here’s the measure of these two idyllic lakeside destinations.
Lake Garda
Scenery in Lake Garda
As the largest lake in Italy, Lake Garda’s scenery is as dazzling as it is diverse. The lake is so large that it actually alters the local climate – which, thankfully, is usually sunny and mild. The north of the lake is encircled by mountains that drop steeply into the water, while the south is more open, with glorious views that sweep over the surrounding towns.
Unlike Lake Como, which is more developed, some areas of Lake Garda have managed to hold onto a sense of wilderness and, in the south, the land is swathed with vineyards, lemon orchards, and olive groves. If you drive around the lake, you’ll be treated to ever-changing views of rugged mountains, rolling hills, and deep blue waters, and there are plenty of hidden coves to explore along the way.
Food and drink in Lake Garda
The food from Lake Garda is known for its mix of influences, and takes inspiration from Austria, France, and Spain as well as Italian regions like Lombardy, Veneto, and Trentino. One of the most popular local dishes is bigoli con le sarde, a spaghetti dish made with agoni, a type of freshwater sardine. Risotto con la tinca – a fish risotto – will be another popular dish with fish fans.
Another traditional dish is carbonèra, which is made with polenta, Monte Baldo cheese, and local extra-virgin olive oil. If you have a sweet tooth, you’ll probably be a fan of cassata gardesana, a typical dessert made from ricotta, honey, and candied fruit. The vineyards here produce some of Italy’s best wines, from Bardolino – a light red – to Custoza, which is an easy-drinking white.
Where to stay in Lake Garda
One of the most popular places to stay on the lake is Sirmione, a pretty peninsula jutting into the southern end of the lake, which is famous for historic castles, thermal baths, and enchanting views. On the northern tip of the lake, Riva del Garda boasts a wide variety of accommodation choices, from chic hotels to more budget-friendly options.
Limone also lies on the mountainous northern end of the lake, and has plenty of lovely hotels to choose from, while Malcesine, located at the foot of the Monte Baldo mountains, boasts cobbled streets, historic castles, and medieval architecture. The largest town on the lake is Desenzano del Garda, which has plenty of upscale hotels, family-run guesthouses, and budget holiday rentals.
Activities and attractions in Lake Garda
If you like to visit attractions and get stuck into different outdoorsy activities on your holidays, Lake Garda might be the destination for you. If you’re hoping to swim, the waterfront here is more welcoming to swimmers than Lake Como’s – and the shingle beach at Lido delle Bionde is especially lovely. There are a wealth of watersport opportunities, and excellent cycling and hiking trails on land.
But if you want to take it easy, you also won’t be disappointed. Aside from boasting a first-century Roman villa and fairy-tale castle, Sirmione is one of northern Italy’s top spa destinations, and there are all kinds of indulgent pamper treatments to enjoy. Film buffs might want to visit Movieland, a Hollywood-themed theme park with rides, stunts, movie-themed restaurants, and entertainment.
Lake Como
Scenery in Lake Como
Even though well over a million visitors flood to the Lake Como area each year, the lake enjoys a wonderfully verdant setting. Flanked with hulking mountains and swaying cypress trees, the views over these sparkling blue waters are sensational. One of the best ways to admire the scenery and get a feel for the area is to take a boat trip along the shore – just don’t forget to bring your camera!
But it isn’t just the natural surroundings that make Lake Como so beautiful. The architecture here is just as impressive, as the Renaissance buildings – as well as castles, forts, and palaces – that dot the fringes of the lake are quite remarkable. While it’s fair to say that both lakes are a tad overdeveloped, you can still enjoy a sense of peace by heading up to the surrounding mountains for a scenic hike.
Food and drink in Lake Como
Most visitors to Lake Como aren’t as familiar with the local cuisine as they are with the specialities of other destinations like Rome, Sicily, or Florence, which means it can be easy to fall for overpriced and underwhelming tourist traps. Generally, restaurants on Lake Como are more expensive than Garda, but there’s plenty of variety to be found, from traditional fish taverns to high-end, glitzy restaurants.
Typical dishes include risotto with pesce persico (risotto with perch), brasato di cinghiale selvatico (braised wild boar), and missoltini, which are salted, dried fish. Polenta is a staple too, and the typical dish is prepared with lots of butter and cheese, and served as a side or main. After, tuck into fragole con gelato (strawberries and gelato), and wash it down with a glass of terre lariane, the local wine.
Where to stay in Lake Como
Lake Como isn’t short of beautiful and historic towns to base yourself in. Boasting elegant villas and stylish hotels, Bellagio’s central location means it’s a good base if you want to explore both the eastern and western shores of the lake. Located at the southwestern tip of the lake, the ancient town of Como is also popular, although its fancy reputation means it’s one of the priciest places to stay.
On the eastern shore, Varenna is another good choice, while on the western side, there’s Tremezzo. Menaggio is also lovely, particularly if you’re looking for more affordable accommodation. However, with their gorgeous architecture and old cobbled streets, Bellagio and Como are perhaps the most popular bases – towns so beautiful you’ll be reaching for your camera each time you turn a corner.
Activities and attractions in Lake Como
What Lake Como may lack in terms of ‘proper’ tourist attractions, it makes up for in both culture and history. Each town and village has something to offer, and one of the best ways to get a feel for the area is simply to stroll around, perhaps stopping for coffee or wine in one of the pretty plazas. Sitting on the waterfront and watching the world go by is also a great way to soak up the unique ambience.
Como itself has a lot going for it. You can window shop in the boutiques, visit Gothic-Renaissance churches, get the funicular to the hilltop resort of Brunate, or just relax in the scenic lakeside park. There are grand villas to visit too, like Cernobbio’s Villa d’Este and Tremezo’s Villa Carlotta – and, if you want to get active, you can kitesurf and waterski on the lake, or hike and cycle in the mountains.
Final thoughts…
If you’re torn between visiting Lake Garda or Lake Como, the important thing to remember is that both lakes boast exceptional scenery, fabulous food and drink, and plenty of cultural, historical, and physical activities to get stuck into.
There isn’t much separating the two lakes, although Lake Como tends to be more expensive – so if you’re on a budget, Lake Garda may be the better option. Similarly, if you prefer action-packed trips to relaxing or romantic breaks, then Lake Garda’s size and variety might make it more suitable. Or, if you’d like to explore more of Italy, why not think about taking a tour?
Travel Department’s seven-night Lake Garda tour doesn’t only allow you to take advantage of Lake Garda’s best attractions, but also takes you to both Venice and Verona – two of the country’s most important and historic cities. With plenty of time to swim, shop, sightsee, or relax around Lake Garda, it’s a wonderful opportunity to see more of this beautiful country.
If you’re drawn to Lake Como, Travel Department’s seven-night Lake Como tour could be just the ticket. Staying in either Menaggio or Tremezzo, you’ll venture into the Swiss Alps, enjoy an unforgettable train journey on the Bernina Express, visit quaint Alpine towns, and go sightseeing in Milan. You’ll also have plenty of free time to enjoy the fabulous sights dotted around the lake.
Good news for Rest Less members is that you can currently take advantage of special discounts on Travel Department holidays. By using the exclusive code RD60, you can enjoy an extra £60pp for your Italian lake escape.
Have you been to Lake Como or Lake Garda – or are you hoping to go? If you’ve visited both lakes, do you have a preference? We’d love to hear about your travel experiences, so please leave us a comment below.