Every client wants Lake Como. I get it: fame, Instagram, Clooney, beauty. I would never talk anyone out of it.
But I tell my most discerning clients: If Lake Como is the lake you are famous for, Lake Garda is the lake you miss because of the diversity and unique experiences that Como does not have.
Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy, three times the size of Lake Como. It spans three regions, each with a completely different feel. That's what makes it so special. Just ignored.
South Coast: Roman history, hot springs and a slower pace
The southern end is warm and open, almost Mediterranean. Sirmione juts out into the water and is guarded by a 13th-century castle. At the top of the lake, Roman ruins rise from the lake. Hot springs have been attracting tourists for thousands of years and still are.
Your room is just steps away from the promenade. A short walk in one direction leads to the ruins, while the spa is in the other. Most destinations let you make a choice. Not so with Sirmione.
Where to stay in South Bank
Hotel Sirmione, Located on the water near the old town, it offers lake views, terrace dining and access to the thermal spa. It's quieter than Como's big-name hotels, which is a key point for some travelers.
West Coast: Luxury hotels and hillside resorts and old-world charm
Drive north along the west coast: cliffs jut into deep blue waters, and narrow roads connect mountainside villages. It has old-world charm, but with a more relaxed, laid-back feel than Como.
Where to stay on the west coast
Grand Hotel Fasano Situated on the Gardone Riviera since the 1800s, it was built as a resort for Austrian nobility and still carries that feel. The park it's in looks older than the building, the kitchen is serious, and the lake is at the end of the house. The pacing here makes it almost impossible to rush anything, and that's exactly the point. This is Como without the circus, now Como is full of them.
Lefi Resort & Spa Lake Garda Nestled in the hills above Gargnano, the first thing you notice is how far the lake extends below you. This is an eco-focused hotel that takes it seriously rather than just marketing, and its spa takes up more space than most hotels. Olive groves, infinity pools, meditation paths. A client who arrives nervous leaves a different person. I'll send this to those who used the word “burnout” in our first conversation.
North Shore: Alpine edge and active days
At the northern end, Lake Garda has an alpine shape. The lake is much narrower, the mountains are higher, and cooler air dominates. Riva del Garda and Malcesine attract windsurfers, sailors and hikers. The energy source is electricity, unlike Como.
Where to stay in North Shore
Here, the best hotels are the “Fashion Base Camps” – belle époque buildings with spas and access to the lake. Spend the morning hiking or playing in the water, then return to enjoy the heated pool, massage and wine. This is a livelier, more dramatic version of Italian luxury.
Dongshan: Avant-garde wellness facilities and sweeping views
On the eastern shore above Torri del Benaco, Sensory Cape It is an adults-only wellness resort with sweeping lake views. The interior decoration uses warm woods and linens. An infinity pool, spa gardens and yoga terrace create a tranquil, design-led retreat with easy access to the village.
Why put Lake Garda on your itinerary?
Garda is not trying to replace Como; It just offers a more varied and unique experience than Como.
Few places in Italy offer so much diversity so closely: spa towns, historical monuments, luxury hotels, retreats, wellness retreats and mountain adventures. You can spend one day in the thermal waters and the next in lemon groves before sailing or hiking – all just off the coast.
Memories here linger: sunrise over Malcesine, calm waters; lunch at a farmhouse above Salò, where all kinds of crops are grown nearby; setting off on a sailboat to admire the sea-like beauty of the lake’s vast expanse.
Most of my clients have been to Italy before. Many people have tried Como. But few people have experienced the Garda, and therefore, when they do, it feels new and undiscovered—a rare feeling in a country where famous places like Como can feel crowded or familiar.
If your next Italy itinerary includes lakes, look a little east. You'll thank me later.
