From Riva to Desenzano, Limone to Garda – let's head out in search of the best beaches where you can relax like never before.

Clear, peaceful water, with the Alps in the background: Tremosine is certainly a wonderful base from which to discover the earthly paradise that is Lake Garda, as you head off in search of the most stunning beaches. It is no easy task to put together a selection of the truly unmissable lidos, since this large lake offers a wealth of exceptional beaches. The shores of the lake, which encompass the three regions of Lombardy, Veneto and Trentino, offer myriad different characteristics. 

Here are those that, in our opinion, are the most beautiful beaches that Lake Garda has to offer.

The Beach at the Mouth of the River San Giovanni at Limone

We start with a beach that can be reached relatively easily from our residence in Tremosine – we're talking about one that is located in nearby Limone, at the mouth of the River San Giovanni. Here you will find an enchanting gravel beach, to which access is free, lapped by clear, fresh water. The beach plays host to bars and public toilets, and there are car parks nearby. On the lakefront you can hire pedal boats, play beach volleyball and even sign up for surf lessons.

Sabbioni Beach at Riva del Garda

As we head north, on the Trentino side of Lake Garda, we come to the large Sabbioni beach, at Riva del Garda, characterised by the alternation of sections of gravel and grass. Perfect for those who want to take the sun and for those in search of some shade (thanks to the adjacent parkland), it really does offer all the facilities you could want in a beach: kiosks, restaurants, toilets, showers and a basketball/volleyball pitch. A dip in these clear waters is a must, but do bear in mind that it gets quite deep not far out from the shoreline.

Baia Azzurra at Torbole

Remaining on the Trentino side of Lake Garda, we can visit Torbole. The name of the Baia Azzurra gives the game away, since it means “Light Blue Bay” ­– a reference to the colour of the water. From here, you can savour a wonderful panorama of the southward extension of Lake Garda, which opens up before your very eyes and seems to continue forever. This beach is not accessible by car, so to get here you will need a ride or you will have to cycle; this slight complication, though, actually helps to reduce overcrowding.

Desenzanino Beach at Desenzano

Let’s move now from the northern to the southern beaches. We’re in Desenzano, and specifically on Desenzanino beach, which is rightly renowned around these parts. This free-to-access beach is located just a few hundred yards from the town centre, next to a fully equipped seaside resort, and is skirted by the enchanting lakeside promenade of the Lungolago Cesare Battisti. Along with the nearby Spiaggia d’Oro (“Golden Beach”), it lays claim to being the most breathtaking beach in Desenzano.

Jamaica Beach at Sirmione

Here, too, the name says it all: the inhabitants of Sirmione have given the beach this moniker because of its Caribbean feel, with white stones creating a pleasing contrast against the light-blue water of the lake. The beach, at the base of the Sirmione peninsula, can be reached on foot after parking your vehicle before the drawbridge.

Baia delle Sirene at Garda

We are now in Punta San Vigilio, at Garda, on the eastern shore of the lake. Reachable on foot via a short walk through the parkland, the Baia delle Sirene (“Bay of Sirens”) is a pay-to-enter beach, with all of the facilities you would expect in return. The entry fee is certainly worth it, since the landscape to which you are given access sees Lake Garda enclosed within the bay to form a captivating natural swimming pool.

Lido Campanello at Castelnuovo del Garda

The last leg of our whistle-stop tour of the best beaches on Lake Garda is Lido Campanello, a free-to-access beach that offers grass and gravel sections along the eastern shore of the lake. A bonus of this beach is that it is located just yards from the municipal swimming pool, and there is also an attractive playpark for youngsters.

Your tour of the lake is now at an end. But stay in touch, as we will soon give you the low-down on new tours, with plenty of recommendations on how to make the most of your holiday in and around Lake Garda.