Desenzano del Garda

While touring in the North of Italy should take the chance to spend a day on the Lake of Garda. Take a break while moving from Milan to Verona and stop in the beautiful city of Desenzano del Garda. There you can enjoy a lively city with spectacular walks along the lake banks and fine bars and gelato shops.

Desenzano is a living city, not a touristic amusement park

I definitely prefer this city to others: even though it’s a touristic location, in fact, Desenzano has its own life and feels more “real” than other places in the area and provides a more Italian feel.

I suggest you take a walk in the lower part of the town. You could follow the banks heading west, and in 15 minutes you will find a couple of nice coffee shops on the beach where you can rest and have a good espresso.

Ferry arriving in Desenzano

the small inner harbor, romantic pearl of the city

Then I suggest you take one of the small roads that climb the hill and go to the top to the medieval part of the city.

stairs that lead to the old castle in Desenzano

Get lost and look for a restaurant, because the best restaurants in town are in this area. Soon you’ll arrive at the old medieval castle that dominates the city and the lower part of the lake. Enjoy the view and look for happenings that might be organized in the big internal square of the castle.

In three hours you probably can visit most of Desenzano. If you are interested in history, make sure not to miss the local history museum with the most ancient plow in the world! 

Orange plant rising over the harbor

Enjoy the sun under the statue of local born saint Angela Merici

the lighthouse