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.
