If you're wondering what to do in Peschiera del Garda and what attractions to visit during your next holiday at Lake Garda, you'll find plenty of ideas in this guide to make your day unique. This pretty Unesco World Heritage fortified town, located in the southern part of Lake Garda, is surrounded by numerous canals and overlooks the lake at the point where the waters of the Benaco River flow into the Mincio River.
Its historical centre is a little gem on a human scale, alternating between bridges, churches, historical palaces, fortified walls, piers and canals. Every attraction can be easily reached on foot, perhaps stopping at one of the many historic cafés, or admiring the shops and boutiques; but, not only by walking! Peschiera del Garda is the ideal destination in which to spend your time outdoors, trying your hand at water sports, e-biking or taking relaxing boat or Vespa tours. So what about when it rains? In this case, there are some interesting and original ideas that will make your stay in this magical town unique.
Curious? In this guide we present 10 creative ideas for what to do in Peschiera del Garda, even when it rains. Save it to organise unforgettable itineraries!
What to do in Peschiera del Garda? 5 original ideas
Peschiera del Garda is easy to reach, either by car or by train, and a perfect destination to spend a weekend, a week or even just a leisurely day admiring the wonders of the Benaco, whose historic centre is spread over two small islands connected by bridges.
There are some historical sites worth including in the itinerary, including:
- The Fortress and its gates, which surround and provide access to the city centre;
- Piazza Ferdinando di Savoia, surrounded by bars, cafés, shops and restaurants;
- St. Mark's Square, with its two obelisks from the 1500s, and Palazzo del Provveditore, where the Venetian patricians once lived;
- Voltoni bridge, with a wonderful panoramic view over the Mincio river;
- Port and War Memorial (at the entrance to Porta Verona), from which to take a boat tour and admire the fortress from the water;
- The cannonball in the wall (at Via Don Lenotti, approximately No. 18), a cannonball from 1848 that remained in the fortress wall during the First War of Independence;
- Porta Verona, with the effigy of the Lion of St. Mark;
- Sanctuary of the Madonna di Frassino (Via Frassino 4), one of the best-known places of worship on Lake Garda, about 2 kilometres away from the town centre;
- The Lago del Frassino, a small moraine lake of glacial origin located about 2 kilometres away from the port. A protected oasis with a UNESCO World Heritage pile-dwelling site (ideal for birdwatching);
- The beaches: perfect for relaxing and engaging in water sports. We recommend Cappuccini Beach, Pioppi Beach and Braccobaldo Beach (dedicated to your four-legged friends, ideal for unforgettable dog holidays);
- Gardaland: located about 2 kilometres from the central station of Peschiera del Garda (at Via Derna 4, Castelnuovo del Garda). The historic amusement park offers a range of attractions for young and old.
These are all places worth visiting during your stay in Peschiera del Garda. To make your day even more special, it is ideal to combine a unique and memorable experience. Let us look at some of them:
1. SUP tours and SUP yoga in the canals
The canals of Peschiera del Garda are perfect for boarding a board and slowly exploring the city's fortress. A magical, exciting tour and an original activity to admire the city. In addition, the SUP tour with a final SUP yoga lesson will also allow you to try your hand at a meditative and relaxing activity such as yoga, admiring the ancient city walls reflected in the waters of the lake and the river Mincio.
2. Vespa tour (with selfie) in the hinterland of Lake Garda
Peschiera is an excellent starting point for exploring the beauty of the Benaco. An original idea could be to spend a day full of emotions and beautiful discoveries on a Vespa selfie tour. What does it consist of? In a journey of about 60 kilometres on board an iconic Italian vehicle to cross the first morainic hills, the valleys of the Custoza, Garganega and Bardolino wines, skirting the banks of the River Mincio. A chance to visit some picturesque villages of Lake Garda, including Borghetto, the famous 'village of mills'. Unique, postcard-perfect landscapes, perfect as a backdrop for your selfie!
3. An e-bike ride in the hills
Do you love green-friendly holidays? If so, you could try your hand at an e-bike tour experience starting from Peschiera in the direction of the moraine hills of Lower Garda, characterised by gentle hollows and lush vineyards and orchards. A journey of discovery and amazement: pedal after pedal, you will pass through historic villages and food and wine products that have made these lands famous, such as Lugana wine. A relaxing activity, to spend a magical moment in contact with nature.
4. Vespa tour in Valpolicella with tasting
The Vespa is the ideal travelling companion to reach Valpolicella, admire the beauty of the area and taste its products. With a Vespa tour and wine-tasting, you can immerse yourself in the Lessinia Natural Park, through an itinerary of around 100 kilometres, and then indulge in the flavours of the local tradition and taste typical dishes. The best part? Participate in a three-glass tasting dedicated to the great reds of Verona. A softer activity could be a single wine tasting in Valpolicella in a winery that has been active for over 100 years, strolling through the estate's vineyards, discovering the history of the area as well as the cultivation and sustainable winemaking techniques used.
5. A ride on the cycle path from Peschiera to Mantua
The Peschiera-Mantova cycle path connects the two cities by means of a spectacular 44-kilometre-long foot and cycle path that runs along the banks of the Mincio River. An easy, flat, but above all scenic route, suitable for both expert and amateur cyclists. It is ideal and you want to explore the beauty of the area by bicycle. An activity recommended for all ages, groups of friends and families wishing to tour Lake Garda by bicycle with children.
What to do in Peschiera del Garda when it rains? 5 activities not to be missed
What do you do if the sky is threatening bad weather and you don’t want to spend your entire holiday in a hotel? Actually, there are plenty of indoor activities to do in Peschiera del Garda when it is raining outside or if the weather conditions are bad. We have selected 5 creative experiences that will make your stay unique and get you out of your room! Let's not waste time: let's see what to do when it rains in Peschiera del Garda.
1. A cooking lesson to learn traditional recipes
Do you have a passion for cooking, but have never had time to attend a workshop? Make up for it on holiday by taking advantage of a rainy day. A cooking class in a historic residence in Ponti sul Mincio, just a few kilometres from Peschiera, is ideal for discovering and experimenting with authentic recipes together with an expert cook who promotes the gastronomic heritage of Lombardy and the Veneto region. At the end of the lesson you will taste your dishes and spend a pleasant moment all together, discovering interesting facts about the area.
2. A visit to the Fishing Museum
When it rains in Peschiera del Garda, you can visit the Fishing Museum (Piazza Ferdinando di Savoia 5), which tells the story of the town and a tradition common to the whole of Lake Garda. Inside you can admire the nets, the tools used by fishermen, the boats, as well as a series of photos and curious materials.
3. Watercolour course
Would you like to try out your artistic skills? In Ponti sul Mincio, a few kilometres away from Peschiera, you can take a watercolour course with professional artists. An activity suitable for both experts and beginners, as well as children and teenagers, to learn the basics of this wonderful technique or try your hand at creating more complex works of art. At the end of the workshop you can take home your creation!
4. Individual (or group) yoga course
A rainy day can be the right opportunity to test yourself with the Jyotim method (very close to Hatha yoga) and Asana, two useful techniques for controlling breathing and becoming more aware of your body. The ideal is to book an individual yoga lesson in a studio or group class at a renowned studio in Lazise, not far from Peschiera del Garda.
5. Relaxation at the spa
Spending a day of wellness at the spa is an interesting activity to do when it rains in Peschiera del Garda. Several lakeside spas can be evaluated, including Aquardens, which is located in the province of Verona. Reachable in about twenty minutes by car, this thermal centre offers services suitable for all people and all ages, with activities dedicated to families with children.
What to do near Peschiera del Garda?
From Peschiera del Garda it is easy to reach Sirmione, Bardolino, Garda and Lazise and other towns on the lake shore. In each destination you can enjoy unique moments and entertainment.
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