Another small and charming town on the shores of Lake Garda, beloved by thousands of tourists, is Peschiera del Garda. As well as a connection between its southern and eastern coasts, Peschiera is a pleasant place for a leisurely stroll through typical Italian streets. Its Venetian fortress is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its bridges reveal memorable landscapes!
Where is located and how to get there
Peschiera del Garda is on the easternmost part of the southern shore of Lake Garda. The town is located in the picturesque area where the river Mincio flows out of the lake to form the border between the regions of Lombardy and Veneto. Sirmione is 13 km away, Desenzano del Garda 15 km away, and the popular water park Gardaland is less than 5 km away. The proximity to Verona (30 km) makes it easily accessible by train, the distance being traveled in about 30 minutes.
See car rental options in Italy
The best way to explore the area is by car! In Peschiera you can find several spacious paid parking lots around the historic center. In this part of Italy, the tourist flow is huge and cheap parking spaces are increasingly rare, so I recommend you take advantage of the huge free Parcheggio gratuito while it’s still available.
We liked a welcoming house Casa Speri, but our main goal was to be as close to Verona as possible, so we reconsidered and stayed in the quiet town Lugagnano – Casa Dany. But if your plan is a tour around the lake or a visit to Gardaland, then Peschiera del Garda could prove to be a perfect base. Here you will find all kinds of options – from campsites to luxury hotels!
See more places to stay in Peschiera del Garda
Booking.comThe Venetian fortress
Undoubtedly, the main attraction of the city is the Venetian fortress – La Fortezza! Peschiera’s defense system is pentagonal in shape and was built in the mid-16th century on top of ancient Roman fortifications. The entire historic center is located behind its walls, and two imposing gates lead to it – Porta Verona from the northeast and Porta Brescia from the west. The second one is closer and we cross over the water to explore the city! If you want a slightly more extravagant boat ride, you can take the gondola parked next to the gate.
Through the streets of Peschiera del Garda
The city was founded in Roman times, and in the past it was called Arilica. Today, its interior is a charming mix of typical narrow streets, colorful buildings, small squares, souvenir shops, fashion boutiques, old trattorias, canals, bridges, churches and what not! The center is lively, full of people and very pleasant for a leisurely stroll.
Discover the charm of its secret corners, but don’t miss the main streets – via Roma, via Dante and via Fontana. The small central square bears the familiar Venetian name of San Marco (Piazza San Marco) and one of the most important buildings in the city can be found there – Palazzo del Provveditore. You will recognize the former home of the so-called Venetian Patriciate (aristocracy) by the impressive clock on the facade.
In the nearby Piazza Benacense you can find some great bars and take the Peschiera’s kilometer long promenade leading to the beaches – Lungolago Mazzini. The main place for events, concerts and everything happening in the city is the spacious Piazza Ferdinando di Savoia, with several establishments around the small fountain, which in turn has become an attraction for the little ones.
Around the canal
However, the most pleasant place for a walk remains the canal… The metal railings in front of the boats are strewn with flowers, surfers walk at a leisurely pace on the calm waters and there isn‘t a single tourist in a hurry! Tempted by the open lake idyll, we decided to enjoy this moment, called by the Italians with the sonorous “Dolce far niente” (the sweetness of doing nothing) and sit down for an impromptu early dinner. The choice falls on Ristorante Pizzeria La Rocca – great Neapolitan pizza, pasta with seafood and an Aperol spritz for mood!
In search of the best view from Peschiera del Garda, we climb the Ponte dei Voltoni – the picturesque canal in front of us and the beginning of the river Mincio behind us…
For a final
Peschiera del Garda is a wonderful choice for a holiday around the shores of Lake Garda! If you decide to stay in the area for more days, you can take advantage of the cycle routes to Verona or Mantua, the latter passing through one of the most beautiful Italian villages – Borghetto. Or to enjoy the tranquility around the lake waters with a glass of wine from the popular local grape varieties… Or you can spend some time at the Fishing Museum (Museo de la Pesca) to learn a little more about the local fishing traditions.
