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Lake Garda: where to stay and how to get there from Ireland

Lake Garda for Irish families and couples: year-round flights from Dublin to Verona, Bergamo as a backup, the best months and which lakeside town to pick.

Updated Saturday 17 October 2026

Why go

Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy, more than 50 km from end to end. The south is wide and gentle, with beaches and old towns. The north is narrow and framed by mountains.

It is a good choice for families who want something different from a beach resort. Gardaland, one of Europe’s most visited theme parks, is at Castelnuovo del Garda on the eastern shore. Couples get ferries between pretty towns, good food and wine from Bardolino and the hills around it.

Getting there from Ireland

Aer Lingus and Ryanair fly direct from Dublin to Verona all year. Jet2.com flies from Belfast International in winter, mainly for ski trips. Cork, Shannon, Knock and Kerry have no direct flights to Verona.

The flight from Dublin takes about 2 hours 25 minutes.

Verona Airport is about 10 km southwest of Verona and close to the lake’s southeast corner. From June to September, ATV buses run hourly from the airport to towns along the lake.

Milan Bergamo is another option. Ryanair flies there from Dublin all year. In summer, Aer Lingus flies from Cork, and Ryanair flies from Knock and Belfast. Bergamo is west of the lake, so expect a longer transfer.

When to go

Average daily highs at Salò, on the western shore:

  • April and May: 17°C to 23°C. Good for walking, cycling and sightseeing.
  • June to August: 27°C to 29°C. The main swimming season, and the busiest time of year.
  • September and October: 24°C falling to 18°C. Quieter, and still fine for days out on the lake.
  • November to March: 7°C to 13°C. Cold and quiet. Better for a Verona city break than a lake holiday.

June and September are the sweet spot for most visitors. They are warm enough for the lake, with fewer crowds than July and August.

Air temperatures come from the Lake Garda climate table on Wikipedia, using 1981 to 2010 data for Salò.

Where to stay

  • Sirmione and Desenzano: southern towns with a moated medieval castle at Sirmione, Roman ruins and good ferry links.
  • Peschiera, Lazise and Bardolino: the southeast shore, closest to Verona Airport and Gardaland.
  • Garda and Malcesine: the eastern shore, with a cable car up Monte Baldo from Malcesine.
  • Riva del Garda and Limone: the mountain end in the north, good for walkers and cyclists.

Good for

  • Families who want a lake, a theme park and day trips in one holiday.
  • Couples who want ferries, wine and old towns.
  • Active trips, with walking, cycling and the Monte Baldo cable car.
  • A combined break with Verona, which is a short trip from the lake.

Late deal tip

Price Verona and Bergamo for the same dates. Dublin has year-round flights to both. A cheaper fare into Bergamo can still win, but only if you are staying on the western or southern shore.

Sources

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