What to do in bad weather on Lake Garda?

Crowds of Dutch people. Germans, Belgians, French, British and other Europeans choose to stay on Lake Garda every year. Not surprising, given the many attractions and sights in the area, the beautifully landscaped and well-equipped campsites and, last but not least, the Mediterranean climate. But of course the weather is not always good in Italy either. What can you do if you are bad weer during your holiday on Lake Garda?

You will just see. Have you finally smashed that piggy bank to pay for 2 weeks of summer vacation in the high season on that expensive campsite, it rains during your stay! Or maybe you bet on nice weather during that spring or autumn holiday, but the sun fell into the water anyway.

Never fun, but luckily there is a lot to do in this area in bad weather.

We are happy to take you through our personal tips.

1. Trip to Verona

If you are on Lake Garda, you are close to Verona, the capital of the Veneto region. Verona is a surprisingly cozy city. Not as massive as Florence, but with a lot of charm and the largest Roman stadium after the Colosseum.

Of course, Verona is also a great day trip when the weather is nice. But there is so much to do here that you can also have a great time when it is cold, wet and inclement. Consider, for example, a visit to the Arena of Verona, the Roman theater and the archaeological museum.

Tips for the best sights in Verona can be found here.

2. Or go to Brescia

Have you seen Verona yet? Then go the other way, to Brescia. Brescia is a city that is little known, but also offers a large number of opportunities. The city even has something magical, like in the rain.

3. Gardaland

In Castelnuovo del Garda you will find one of the largest and most famous amusement parks in all of Italy. Gardaland is like the Efteling of Italy. A beautifully landscaped theme park full of attractions for children of all ages. Especially if you are camping on Lake Garda with the whole family, a trip is recommended and doable with drizzly weather.

In the summer months, the park is open until 23 p.m. Tip: Search online in advance for cheap entrance tickets to save on costs.

If you want to do something fun when you are with kids, you can also take a trip to Reptiland in Riva del Garda, or immerse yourself in the underwater world of Gardaland SeaLife.

4. Visit to Peschiera, Bardolino, Salò, Riva del Garda

In the southeastern corner of Lake Garde is Peschiera del Garda, one of the most famous tourist places right on the lake. But did you know that Peschiera is also a beautiful historic fortified town with many sights? 

During a rainy holiday on Lake Garda you will discover the medieval city center, the 19th century fortress, churches, museums and the countless cozy restaurants and shops.

Here we have the hotspots of Peschiera lined up for you.

Also worth visiting are Bardolino, Salò, Sirmione, Riva del Garda or one of those other nice places around the lake. Maybe you don't stroll with a gelato on the boulevard, but you will still have a good time with an extensive lunch or a visit to the shops there.

5. Visiting museums

A rainy day is also a great opportunity to visit a museum. You will find several interesting places around Lake Garda.

Do you like castles† Then be sure to visit the Rocca Scaligera in Sirmione, a beautiful historic village on the shores of the lake. The photos may become less beautiful, but you also have fewer tourists on them, just think.

Or how about the Olive Oil Museum in Cisano? The stilt houses at Lake Ledro? Or the collections of wonderful buildings, objects and vehicles in the Vittoriale degli Italiani? Perhaps you would rather go to the Bicycle Museum in Peschiera? Or if you like fast cars go to the Ferrari Museum in Maranello? Or the museum of limes and lemons La Lemonaia del Castel?

You see: on Lake Garda there is something for everyone to see and do.

6. Find fun at the campsite

Are you on one of those well-known campsites on Lake Garda† Then it is not a problem at all that the weather is bad. on campings as Bella Italia, Internazionale, Butterfly, Weekend and others there is always something to do.

From video games in the arcade to activities with the animation team and from good food in the camping restaurant to a board game in the relaxation room. Some campsites even have an indoor pool! And what does it really matter if it rains if you do get wet when you slide down the waterslide?

7. Mountain biking, climbing, karting, hiking or other sports activities

Can't you sit still? So just go out in the rain. There are plenty of activities that you can do in the drizzle or in the rain. Or inside.

If you don't mind getting dirty, mountain biking around Lake Garda is a fun activity. You can rent bicycles and equipment everywhere. And hiking in the hills around Lake Garda is also great when the weather is bad.

You can climb at the climbing wall of Climbing Stadium di Arco or at the King Rock gym in Verona. You can go karting at Affi's indoor track.

Ordinary cycling is also possible, if you are not afraid of a splash of water. You can rent bicycles everywhere for not too much money. A beautiful cycle path around the whole of Lake Garda is currently being worked on: Garda by Bike.

8. Shop in a designer outlet

If you are already going full on the shop organ, then you might want to visit such a large designer outlet. In the vicinity of Lake Garda you can, for example, visit Franciacorta Outlet Village or Mantova Outlet. Yes, you are in the car for a while. But if the weather is bad, that's no problem, right?

9. Wine or beer tasting

When the rain is pouring down from the sky, you should also hydrate yourself. And where better than in a wine or beer tasting? Around Lake Garda you will find several wineries where you can take tours and taste the best wines of the region (Bardolino!).

Here are some esteemed wineries:

• advance
• Ca dei frati
• Fratelli Vogadori
• Recchia vini
• Stefano Accordini
• San Leonardo estate
• Tommasi 
• Zenato
• Zeni Cantina

Not in the mood for beer or wine? You can also taste olive oil!

10. Eating out

Do we really need to add this item to the list? You are in Italy! Of course you can eat well here. And a little less weather is an excellent opportunity to unpack extra with a long, languid lunch of several courses. If you're lucky, the sun will shine again by the time you're exhausted.

11. Take a ride around the lake

Do the prospects look bad and you don't feel like going out in the rain at all? Then you could also just get in the car and take a tour along Lake Garda.

If you sit in the popular southeast corner of the lake, you will see that the north looks very different again. And vice versa of course. During your ride you will pass all those popular places on the lake: Limone sul Garda, Riva de Garda, Bardolino, Malcesino, Salò and so on.

In several places you drive directly along the lake and that looks nice even with heavy clouds and rain. You can stop anywhere for lunch along the way.

12. Visit a spa

Do you definitely want to swim, but the weather on Lake Garda is bad? Why don't you go to the spa? The most famous spas of Lake Garda are the Terme Aquaria di Sirmione. Some alternatives that can be found on the Veronese lake shore are the Villa dei Cedri Park in Colà di Lazise, ​​​​​​Aquardens and Villa Quaranta in Valpolicella or the thermal center and Spa of Hotel Caesius. This is how you turn a rainy day into a wonderful pampering day!

What do you do with bad weather at Lake Garda?

Do you have any tips for activities that you can do in Italy with bad weather, especially on Lake Garda? Leave a comment below this article and you will help other Italy lovers.