Desenzano del Garda

Travel Guide
Desenzano del Garda showing a house
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 vacationers 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 center, 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 plow 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 vacation spots including Sirmione and Stiviere.

Where to stay in Desenzano del Garda

Desenzano del Garda which includes general coastal views and rocky coastline

Desenzano del Garda City Centre

4.5/5(10 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 Roman Villa of Desenzano del Garda.

Desenzano del Garda City Centre
Hotel Oliveto
Hotel Oliveto
4 out of 5
Via Tito Malagutti, 2, Desenzano del Garda, BS
The price is ¥12,288 per night from Apr 7 to Apr 8
¥12,288
per night
Apr 7 - Apr 8
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Desenzano del Garda. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Scaliger Castle and Desenzanino ...
8/10 Very Good! (511 reviews)
"Hotel is slightly outdated but clean and charming. The location is very nice, walkable distance to the downtown, free parking. Paying extra for using the pool was kind of a surprise but it’s worth it. Breakfast is exceptionally good. Overall we had a pleasant stay."

Reviewed on Nov 30, 2023

Hotel Oliveto
Hotel Palazzo Del Garda & Spa
Hotel Palazzo Del Garda & Spa
4 out of 5
Via Desenzanino 7, Desenzano del Garda, BS
The price is ¥16,424 per night from Apr 7 to Apr 8
¥16,424
per night
Apr 7 - Apr 8
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Desenzano del Garda. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9/10 Wonderful! (269 reviews)
Recommended
"Nice pool and bar, the room had a beautiful view of the lake. Excellent staff, very kind and accommodating."

Reviewed on Sep 24, 2023

Hotel Palazzo Del Garda & Spa
Villa Rosa Hotel
Villa Rosa Hotel
4 out of 5
Lungolago Cesare Battisti 89, Desenzano del Garda, BS
The price is ¥23,740 per night from Apr 3 to Apr 4
¥23,740
per night
Apr 3 - Apr 4
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Desenzano del Garda. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (355 reviews)
"Nice hotel at the lake. Walking distance to shops and restaurants. Nice and clean rooms, and friendly staff."

Reviewed on Mar 24, 2024

Villa Rosa Hotel
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! (167 reviews)
"It is a residence style hotel with kitchenettes etc We err expecting a traditional room and services. However the room was clean and well appointed."

Reviewed on Nov 23, 2023

Il Sogno Apartments
Residenza Miralago
Residenza Miralago
2 out of 5
Tommaso dal Molin, 27, Desenzano del Garda
Stay at this beach residence in Desenzano del Garda. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Scaliger Castle and Port of Maratona ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (19 reviews)
Pro's and Con's
"Pros Close to the centre Ten minute walk to train station Five minute walk to the boats Beautiful view Could store suitcase in locked room on the last day (night flight) Cons DO not wash and leave your clothes outside to dry without you being sat watching them dry. We had clothes stolen at a valuable ..."

Reviewed on Jul 28, 2023

Residenza Miralago
Flowers Apartments
Flowers Apartments
Piazza Giuseppe Malvezzi 20, Desenzano del Garda, Provincia di Brescia
Stay at this golf residence in Desenzano del Garda. Enjoy free WiFi, in-room childcare, and concierge services. Popular attractions Scaliger Castle and Cathedral ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (22 reviews)
"Lovely property so clean and quiet. Found it so relaxing there."

Reviewed on Mar 22, 2024

Flowers Apartments
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

4.5
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
17
" "5 - Excellent 62.96296296296296%
4 - Good
9
" "4 - Good 33.333333333333336%
3 - Okay
0
" "3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
1
" "1 - Terrible 3.7037037037037037%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Sep 29, 2019

Perfect location and nice rooms with spectacular views, get on facing the lake, it is worth it! Fabulous staff, helpful and cheerful. Perfect place to stay in Desenzano. Central and very nice.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Sep 27, 2019

The boat service does need some better help in communication with their staff.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Aug 27, 2019

a beautiful lake side town worth visiting, peaceful and relaxing

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Aug 23, 2019

Sirmione is a must see!! Get there early because it gets crowded very quickly

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Aug 14, 2019

Peaceful and extremely clean. Nice to take good rest from big city rush

5/5 - Excellent

Larrypatti
Aug 8, 2019

Very nice, calm safe place. Resturant choices were wide from McDonald's (YUK) yo linen table cloth places. Difficult (painful) to get to and walk in the shallow, rocky water. Downtown Area was clean and open, but lots of tourists during the day.

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