Albergo Gardesana

Lake Garda


The guest list at this gorgeous, 15th-century hotel has featured actors, writers, statespeople and kings. Painted wood and antiques fill the bedrooms, while the vine-fringed breakfast terrace has delightful harbour views. Ask for room 123 with its wraparound balcony – Winston Churchill and King Juan Carlos of Spain no doubt enjoyed their stay in it too.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Lake Garda attractions

1. Castello Scaligero

0.06 MILES

This atmospheric museum packs a wealth of history into the rough stone walls of a 14th-century castle. The fortification was built in 1338 as part of the…

2. Chiesa dei Santi Pietro e Paolo

0.14 MILES

Looking out across Lake Garda, this large church is worth a look for its exquisitely painted ceilings, altars by Tomezzoli and Benedetti and an angel…

3. Parco Baia delle Sirene

2.42 MILES

The privately owned Parco Baia delle Sirene rents sun loungers beneath the trees on Punta San Vigilio's beach. Entry is free at sunset.

4. Punta San Vigilio

2.49 MILES

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…

5. Market

2.49 MILES

It's worth timing a visit to Garda to coincide with its exuberant Friday market, one of the biggest on the lake's eastern bank. Look out for Lake Garda…

6. Pieve di San Zeno

4.6 MILES

There's old and there's...old. Hemmed in by houses and guarded by an agreeably shabby courtyard north of the main road, this tiny church, dating from the…

7. Museo della Carta

4.8 MILES

The Toscolano torrent upstream fed numerous paper mills in the Middle Ages and you can follow the riverside road up the wooded Valle delle Cartiere and…

8. Isola del Garda

4.87 MILES

It's not often you get to explore such a stunning private island, villa and grounds. Anchored just off Salò, this speck of land is crowned with impressive…