Salò Holidays

Lakeside strolls, knockout views and oodles of tasty Italian food – holidays to Salò serve up everything you’d want from a Lake Garda getaway.

Lakeside living

Wrapped around a wide bay, Salò’s 3km waterfront is peppered with restaurants, bars and cafés. Treat your tastebuds to ice cream and hunks of focaccia as you munch you're way from one end to the other. And when it comes to aperitivo o’clock, find a spot to sip a spritz while you watch the boats out on the lake.

Outdoor action

Getting out into nature’s easy as pie here. Gentle walking trails criss-cross the tree-covered slopes of the San Bartolomeo mountain above town, so lace up those boots and spend a day sauntering among sweet-smelling pines.

Fun in the sun

If you’re after a lazy day by the lake, the sun-drenched shores on the southside of the bay are your go-to. Pack up your swim things and take your pick from a posse of pebble beaches. Lots of them have bars and loungers, and you can even rent pedalos if you fancy spending a couple hours bobbing around on the lake itself.

Out and about

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

• Lakeside promenade
• Lakeside path
• Lake bathing
• Boat trips
• Local ferries
• Rowing boats
• Bike hire
• Lakeside cycle paths
• Sailing
• Wine Tasting
• Local museum
• Art gallery

At a glance

Potter along Lake Garda’s longest prom
Eat al fresco at a lakeside pizzeria
Get snap happy exploring the Old Town

Take your pick

Salò scores straight As when it comes to lakeside spots, with no less than five pebble beaches on the southside of the bay to pick from. And what’s more, things like bars, loungers and showers come as standard at most.
Mokai beach

This is the trendy one of the bunch. A row of cocktail bars keep the sangrias flowing, and there’s a resident DJ on hand to lay down some chilled out beats. Like a little live music? Head back in the evening when local bands take to the stage.
Rive beach

Your one if you like a little peace and quiet. There’s not much in the way of extra facilities – just a couple of picnic benches – but the beautiful views over the lake to Monte Baldo beyond more than make up for it.

Bargain Buys

If you love a market, don’t miss the open-air one that’s held every Saturday in Piazza dei Martiri della Libertà. There are heaps of stalls to browse selling everything from crafts and clothing to fresh local produce – if you’re here in August or September, look out for fresh truffles foraged from the surrounding countryside.
Mid-Range Buys

There is a good selection of shops in Salò, and Via San Carlo is the main shopping street. Lined with clothes shops and little boutiques, it's your go-to if you fancy a new holiday outfit or a little keepsake from your trip.

Eating out

With pizzerias, gelaterias and family-run trattorias around every corner, Salò’s a dream for foodies. And you’ll even get a tasty nibble with your afternoon aperitif as most bars serve up a selection of antipasti on the house. As for what’s on the menu, we’re talking fresh Mediterranean flavours from salads to seafood, as well as Italian classics like risotto.
Perfect platters at Banco Salumi

On the edge of bustling Piazza Vittoria is Banco Salumi. Find a table out on the square and dine al fresco on huge platters of salami, sliced cheese and crispy bruschetta. Add in great-value spritz, and it’s a lunch post that’s tough to beat.
Pizzas and more at Pepe Bianco Pizzeria

Pepe Bianco Pizzeria is in a quieter part of town, but with one of the most varied menus around, you might find yourself coming back more than once. There’s lots of fresh fish and seafood on the menu, as well as dishes inspired by Asian and Middle Eastern cooking, and of course plenty of top-notch pizzas too.
Gallo Rosso

You’ll need to book ahead to get a table at Gallo Rosso, but it’s well worth it. One of Salò’s oldest restaurants, it ticks off everything great about eating out in Italy – from the stylish ambience to the fresh plates of pasta, gnocchi and creamy panna cotta desserts.

On foot

Salò’s promenade is the perfect place for a stroll, especially come early evening when the restaurants and bars are buzzing and buskers dot the way. Head into town, and you can follow winding alleyways lined with brightly painted houses to discover piazzas and ancient churches.
Ferries

Taking to the water on a ferry is the perfect way to explore Lake Garda and enjoy the scenery at the same time. Saunter down to Salò’s promenade and set sail to visit towns like Limone and Sirmione in around an hour.
Trains

Take a 50-minute bus ride to get to the nearest train station in Desenzano. From there, you can be in Venice in 1 hour 30 minutes or Verona in just 20 minutes.
Buses

Salò’s main bus station is on Largo Dante Alighieri street, but you’ll also find stops near Piazza Vittorio and Piazza San Bernardino. Catch a ride on line 27 to travel along the whole west coast of the lake, from Desenzano in the north to Riva in the south.

Walking

Salò’s a great pick if you’re eager to explore on foot. One of the highlights is the lakeside promenade, which hugs the wide bay for 3km and takes around an hour to walk from one end to the other. Take a stroll in the morning and you can watch the sunrise above Monte Baldo over on the opposite shore, then pop into a café for a coffee and pastry. Or, for something more energetic, you could head up onto the slopes of the San Bartolomeo mountain above the town to explore a network of walking trails.
Renzano to San Michelle and Santurio del Rio

This circular walk starts in the hamlet of Renzano on the outskirts of town. It takes around 4 hours, and on the way, the route passes through olive groves, pine forests and up onto the slopes of San Bartolomeo. San Michelle village makes for a handy lunch stop, and as you go, look out for the pretty Church of Santuario del Rio and the nearby waterfall that cascades from a cave in the cliff face.