Nearly one in ten of all visitors to Italy head to Lake Garda, making it one the country’s most popular tourist destinations. Over the years movie stars, poets and politicians have all been drawn to the lake’s magic, and with beautiful resorts all around its edge, you can see why.

When to book flights to Lake Garda

With so many visitors heading to its shores, there’s not really an off season in Lake Garda. However, things do get distinctly busier in the summer, when flights can be harder to book and accommodation more expensive.

The spring is a great time of year, with smaller crowds and more choice of hotels.

However, it’s also true that the lake is at its most stunning during the summer, when the celebrities descend upon it for their time in the sun.

How to find the best flight deals to Lake Garda

If you do want to mix with the celebrities, poets and artists in the summer, then booking well in advance will help you to get cheap deals on flights to Lake Garda. Despite its immense popularity, it is still possible to find deals at any time of year – especially if you know a few tricks to use when searching on Expedia.

These include:

Main airports in Lake Garda

Verona Villafranca Airport is the nearest airport to Lake Garda, located about six miles to the southwest of the city and about 50 miles from the lake itself. The airport serves the regions of Verona, Brescia, Mantua and Trentino-Alto Adige, as well as being the closest air hub to the lake area. It’s located adjacent to the A4 Milan-Venice and the A22 Modena-Brenner motorways.

There is a shuttle bus service to the city, Aerobus 199, which will take you to Verona Porta Nuova station. In the high season, buses 164, 183 and 184 also run hourly connections between the airport and Lake Garda.

Which airlines fly to Lake Garda

Direct flights to Lake Garda airport are available from a number of different carriers.

These include:

• easyJet
• Ryanair
• Jet2

How to get to and around Lake Garda

Lake Garda is roughly half way between Venice and Milan and there are excursions and transport options available from both. If you’re landing in Verona, one of the hourly bus services (summer only) are your best bet. There are private shuttles available too.

With the closest airport to Lake Garda 50 miles away, maybe the most convenient way of getting around is a rental car. With a good choice of agencies at Verona Airport, this will give you the freedom to explore more of the lake’s lengthy shores. Ferries also operate in the high season, with limited services in the spring and autumn.

At the lake a leisurely way to explore is on foot or by pedal power. You can walk the lakeside path, or take to two wheels from one of the many bike rental agencies.

What are the must-sees in Lake Garda?

Apart from just drinking in the beautiful surroundings and enjoying the historical buildings around the lake, there are several towns that are well worth a visit. Limone (from where we get the word ‘lemon’) is very beautiful, as are Sirmione and Malcesine, filled with classical style buildings and grand houses.

If you are looking for something more adrenaline-filled, there is a number of theme and aqua parks at the southern end of the lake. You can take the Mount Baldo cable car to enjoy panoramic views from the top and there are also several markets on the lake shores, taking place on various days of the week.