Desenzano Holidays

Italian style meets Roman history on a holiday to Desenzano, served with lake views and homemade ravioli.

Lakeside sophistication

Italy's Desenzano is chock-a-block with culture. Shingle beaches are your go-to for a moment of calm, while the town's a delightful labyrinth of winding streets. Cosmopolitan with a dash of scenic wonder, this Lake Garda hotspot's bursting with Lombardic delights.

Monuments and more

Label-laden boutiques aren't the only opportunity to treat yourself here. Dive right into tradition by sampling some authentic Italian products at the sprawling local market. The town's equally rich in history – Desenzano Castle's an unmissable opportunity to get up close and personal with some intricate 4th-century mosaics.

Explore further afield

Excellent transport links mean you can easily hop over to Verona, Milan or Venice. If you've still got more Garda in you, hit up the ferry service to sail over to Bardolino. Grab a glass of wine and get comfy for an open-air classical concert.

Out and about

Here are some ideas of things to do when staying in Desenzano:

• Lake bathing
• Outdoor pool
• Museum
• Roman villa
• Cathedral
• Market

At a glance

Do like the Italians do at an authentic local market
Scour the narrow streets for the best gelato
Discover intricate mosaic tiling at Desenzano Castle

Destinations in Desenzano

PLACES TO STAY IN Desenzano

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Pebbled waterfronts

Desenzano has a number of pleasant beaches. We recommend walking about 2.5km towards Sirmione to the Rivoltella area. While not sandy, it’s a free pebble beach, which has sun loungers and parasols available to hire, plus toilets, cabins and showers available. Feeling active? There are pedalos, canoes and boats to hire, and a volleyball pitch, too. The nearby bar and restaurant offers drinks and food at a reasonable price.
Sunbathe in style at Coco Beach Club

If you're after something a little more exclusive and trendy, it’s just a 3km walk, cycle or taxi ride to the Coco Beach Club. Known as the ‘total summer club’ for its beach, lounge bar, restaurant and nightclub, Coco is open daily. You can listen to music as you relax on the white sands, under the palm trees and in the clear lake waters. Drinks and food are available all day from the bar and restaurant.
Warm waters

While some beaches have been man-made using sand, it’s often pebbly underfoot when you're in the lake itself – so we recommend taking lake shoes if you plan on going into the water. In the height of summer, the surface temperature of the lake can get as warm as 26°C in the south – that’s approximately 6°C warmer than the north, and perfect for a refreshing dip.

Bargain Buys

Desenzano hosts the largest market on Lake Garda, along the lakefront promenade. This takes place every Tuesday morning and people come from miles around to pick up a few bargains. The quality of the products is generally quite high, but this does mean that the prices are not as cheap as you might imagine a market to be.
Mid-Range Buys

The Il Leone Shopping Centre is located around 5km south of Desenzano. This air-conditioned mall has over 120 shops with international brands, to keep any shopaholic busy for the day. Stores including Aldo, Guess, Apple Store and Zara open their doors from 9am to 10pm daily. There’s also a large hypermarket, too, for picking up treats, sweets and snacks to take home.
Designer Buys

Desenzano has excellent train links to nearby cities that are great for browsing higher end shops. With Brescia less than 20 minutes away, and Milan only 1 hour 30 minutes away, designers such as Gucci, Armarni, Prada and Dolce & Gabbana are on your doorstep, oozing glitz and glamour.

Laid-back evenings

Desenzano is a great resort for laid-back evenings. Wandering along the lakefront promenade, there’s a number of bars, cafés and restaurants where you can sit and watch the world go by. The original harbour is also picture-perfect, with the lights twinkling over the calm waters of the lake. Take a stroll up to the castle and see Desenzano glowing from above.
Lively evenings

From June to September, Desenzano is home to the famous White Night party, which runs every Wednesday from around 8pm. Known locally as Notti Bianche, the town becomes a bustling hub of entertainment when the sun goes down. It’s common tradition that everyone dresses in white for an evening of live music, street performances, shows and markets.

Eating out

If you’re a foodie, Desenzano is the place to be. Here you’ll find everything from gourmet restaurants, to cheap and cheerful pizzerias that sell large pizza slices for as little as €2. Most restaurants are spread along the lakeside promenade, but these can be expensive because of their location, so head towards the backstreets for something slightly cheaper.
Ristorante Corte Pozzi - a locals favourite

With an outdoor courtyard so you can watch the stars, Ristorante Corte Pozzi is extremely popular with the locals. The food is tasty and the service is charming, and there are inside tables if you don’t want to sit outside.
Gastronomy at Gattolardo

Tucked away just around the corner from the Venetian harbour, this hidden gem with al fresco dining is the place to come for fish specialities and other local favourites. Small and intimate, Gattolardo serves traditional cuisine with a contemporary twist.
Romance on the menu at Ristorante Rose & Sapori

With pretty views of Lake Garda from both the outdoor terrace and inside the restaurant itself, Ristorante Rose & Sapori is the ideal spot for a romantic meal. This Italian fine-dining restaurant has a sophisticated menu which includes gluten-free options, and lovely staff who try their utmost to make your experience a special one.

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Where we go in Desenzano

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Hotel Oliveto

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Hotel Nazionale

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Account & Booking

Desenzano Holidays

Lakeside sophistication

Monuments and more

Explore further afield

Out and about

At a glance

Destinations in Desenzano

PLACES TO STAY IN Desenzano

Top things to See and Do in Desenzano

Pebbled waterfronts

Sunbathe in style at Coco Beach Club

Warm waters

Bargain Buys

Mid-Range Buys

Designer Buys

Laid-back evenings

Lively evenings

Eating out

Ristorante Corte Pozzi - a locals favourite

Gastronomy at Gattolardo

Romance on the menu at Ristorante Rose & Sapori

SIMILAR DESTINATIONS

Where we go in Desenzano

Hotel Piroscafo

Hotel Park

Hotel Piccola Vela

Hotel Oliveto

Hotel Nazionale

Popular holidays

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