Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Situated in the shade of the Rocca del Garda is the 10th-century fishing village that gave
the lake its name. Sadly, the picturesque town is now cut through by the main perimeter
road around the lake, making summer traffic overwhelming. Out of season, Garda's per-
fectly curved bay and fine shingle beaches make it a great lunch spot. Boat trips to Isola
del Garda (
Click here
)
leave from Garda (in front of Hotel Miralago) on Wednesday
morning.
Sights
Punta di San Vigilio
The leafy headland of Punta San Vigilio curls out into the lake 3km north of Garda. An
avenue of cypress trees leads from the car park towards a gorgeous crescent of bay backed
by olive groves. The privately owned
Parco Baia delle Sirene
(
BEACH
045 725 58 84;
www.parcobaiadellesirene.it
; Punta San Vigilio; adult/child €9/6, reduced admission after 4.30pm; 10am-7pm Apr-
May, 9.30am-8pm Jun-Aug; )
has a beach with sun loungers beneath the trees; there's also a
children's play area. Prices range from €5 to €9 per adult (€4 to €6 per child) per day
between April and September, with reduced admission after 4.30pm. Outside of these
months you can enjoy the beautiful location free of charge.
Alternatively, from the parking place walk north a short distance and head off down the
paths to a couple of smaller, quieter public coves. The tiny headland is home to the plush
Locanda San Vigilio, housed in the Villa Guarienti, designed by star Venetian achitect
Sammicheli, and set within a formal Renaissance garden. Its excellent restaurant is at the
foot of a cobbled lane, which winds to the lake from the end of the cypress avenue.
Market
(Piazza Catullo)
It's worth timing a visit to Garda to coincide with its exuberant Friday mar-
ket, one of the biggest on the lake's eastern bank. Look out for Lake Garda lemons and
jars of golden local honey.
MARKET
Eating
Bar-Taverna San Vigilio
( 045 725 51 90; Punta San Vigilio; mains €14-25; 10am-5.30pm; )
With tables strung out along
Punta di San Vigilio's tiny crab-claw harbour, this is one of the most atmospheric bars on
GARDESANA
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