Discover Lake Garda & Brescia: Self-Guided Audio Tours

Although the name of the place itself is linked to the famous Veronese poet, this is an attribution linked more to tradition than to actual historical sources. However, we know that Catullus, in his Carme XXXI, celebrated Sirmione as a jewel among all the islands and peninsulas of the seas and lakes and certainly stayed there.

In addition to the castle and fortifications, of great historical importance, Lazise offers its visitors numerous beaches and proximity to two of the most famous amusement parks in Italy, Gardaland and Caneva Aquapark, as well as the Parco Natura Viva wildlife park.

In addition to precious historical and artistic testimonies, in the hamlets of Bardolino you can find interesting museums dedicated to the production of oil and the fish and ornithological species of Lake Garda. For lovers of lakeside walks, a ride on the Ferris wheel at the end of the town, 30 meters high, cannot be missed!

In addition to the traces of the rich Lombard past, Garda is famous for Punta San Vigilio, the small peninsula that closes the gulf to the north-west and is home to the Baia delle Sirene, a natural park with a bathing beach.

This village, famous for its medieval fortifications, is also famous for the Tibetan bridge located in Pai di Sopra. The bridge is 34 meters long and crosses a gorge 45 meters deep... definitely not recommended for those who suffer from vertigo!

While remaining a rather quiet area compared to other more touristy locations on Lake Garda, Brenzone offers numerous free beaches for those who practice water sports and a cycle/pedestrian path that reaches the municipality of Malcesine.

In Malcesine you can find everything: ancient history, breathtaking landscapes, excellent food... and there's no shortage of opportunities to play sports either!

Discover the history and natural beauty of Nago Torbole with this audio guide, while immersing yourself in one of the most fascinating corners of Lake Garda.

During the Austro-Hungarian domination the city was the seat of the military flotilla and the surrounding areas were heavily fortified, to the point of constituting an impregnable bastion for the Italian army during the Great War. Many of these fortified structures are still present and constitute real tourist attractions.

The town of Limone is surrounded by its small port, which still allows you to breathe the atmosphere of the fishermen and their activities. Definitely worth visiting are the local lemon groves and the Garda cycle path, built overlooking the lake.

The Terrazza del Brivido is one of the most incredible panoramic points of Tremosine. From here you can admire an impressive view of Lake Garda, but also of Monte Baldo, which stands majestically in front of you.

The hamlet of Campione is famous for its centuries-old history, water sports and the San Michele stream, which flows here into Lake Garda. The church of Sant'Ercolano is also worth a visit, completely rebuilt in neoclassical style at the end of the 19th century.

If you are passing through Tignale, we recommend a visit to the Limonaia Pra dela Fam, one of the largest on Lake Garda. Also noteworthy is the Sanctuary of Montecastello, which stands on a limestone rock overlooking the lake.

Gargnano is famous for its lemon groves, which for centuries fueled the economy of the small town. Even today you can visit some of the most beautiful and ancient ones, such as the Trevisani and Gandossi lemon groves.

The naturalistic area of the Valle delle Cartiere is one of the main attractions of Toscolano Maderno and can be visited with a nice walk, also suitable for children, to admire the ruins of the ancient paper mills and visit the paper museum.

Famous above all for the Vittoriale degli Italiani and the Heller botanical garden, Gardone is a picturesque town where the history and culture of Central Europe have left an indelible mark.

The Vittoriale is both a national monument and a home, but also a real complex of buildings, as well as a park. Its history begins with the Cargnacco estate, rented and then purchased by Gabriele D'Annunzio in 1921...

This incredible natural ecosystem was born from the work of Austrian botanist Arthur Hruska. The garden's current name is due to its current owner, the Austrian singer André Heller, who acquired it in 1988.

In the center of the gulf of the same name, the beautiful lakeside promenade of Salò, full of historic buildings, allows you to enjoy a unique view of the lake, certainly one of the most evocative in the whole of Garda.

The "lakes" of Sovenigo, as they are affectionately called by the inhabitants of Puegnago, are three bodies of water of morainic origin which are often visited by tourists due to the abundant lotus flowering in the months of July and August. The area, of great natural beauty, is also regularly frequented by horse riding enthusiasts.

Among the many wonders of San Felice, the promontory of San Fermo is certainly a jewel not to be missed. From here you can also see Isola del Garda, the largest in the entire lake and one of the symbols of the place.

The Rocca di Manerba is part of a large natural reserve of 114 hectares, created to preserve and protect the delicate lake ecosystem, with numerous species of birds and flowers typical of the Mediterranean scrub. From here it is possible to admire an incredible panorama of Lake Garda.

The castle of Soiano is in excellent conservation conditions: it is in fact possible to admire the surrounding walls, the keep and the bell tower. The large open space in front is still used for summer shows and events.

Close your eyes, listen to the gentle lapping of the lake and relax on the beaches of Moniga, while listening to the audio guide dedicated to this jewel of Garda.

Padenghe is dominated by the ancient castle, dating back to the 12th century. The current structure is the result of various strengthening works carried out over the centuries, while the internal structure was built later together with the fortified entrance.

Lonato shares several traits in common with many other towns on the lake, such as its origins dating back to the Bronze Age and the fortification works it has undergone over the centuries.

The ancient House of the Podestà of Lonato was built in the mid-fifteenth century to house the representative of the Serenissima in Lonato. After the fall of the Republic of Venice and Austrian rule, the house, now in a state of abandonment, was purchased by the liberal deputy Ugo Da Como, who had it completely rebuilt and restored.

Built for defensive reasons, with a length of almost 180 meters and a width of 45 meters, the Rocca di Lonato del Garda is one of the most impressive structures of its kind in all of Lombardy.

The Mille Miglia museum, located in the setting of the splendid former Benedictine monastery of Sant'Eufemia, is dedicated to the historic car race of the same name and is divided into nine time sections.

The art gallery houses a vast artistic heritage, ranging from medieval art to the nineteenth century, including works by great masters such as Francesco Hayez and Antonio Canova. In particular, the section dedicated to Renaissance painting from Brescia is exceptional, with masterpieces by artists such as Romanino, Il Moretto and Giovanni Gerolamo Savoldo.

Palazzo Tosio is one of the most beautiful and significant historic buildings in Brescia. Of sixteenth-century origin, its current structure derives from the important reconstructions begun in the nineteenth century, which gave it the neoclassical appearance that can be admired today.

The Teatro Grande is not only the main and most important theater of Brescia, but also a national monument since 1912. In addition to this, since the seventies it has been one of the twenty-eight Italian theaters that the State has identified as theaters of tradition, recognizing their educational functions, social and cultural activities that take place there.

For lovers of rationalism and 1930s architecture, this square is an unmissable visit. The entire space, in fact, was conceived between 1927 and 1932 as a single whole, by the architect and urban planner Marcello Piacentini.

You are in a very particular square, the heart of the historic center of Brescia and famous for two cathedrals: the Old Cathedral and the New Cathedral.

The Old Cathedral is a characteristic building, whose circular structure immediately catches the eye. The name comes from the fact that it is next to the Duomo Nuovo.

The most important library in Brescia takes its name from bishop Angelo Maria Querini, who commissioned its construction between 1746 and 1749, within the complex of the Bishop's Palace of Brescia.

The square was built to provide 11th century Brescia with an important public space, an element that was missing in the city. A special area was therefore identified and several buildings owned by the Municipality were demolished to make room for the modern square.

The church of San Francesco d'Assisi was built between 1254 and 1265, together with the adjoining convent, as a vote of the Brescian population to the saint of the same name, given that the conflict between the Guelphs and the Ghibellines had finally ceased in the city. The complex has survived practically intact to the present day.

The Basilica of Santa Maria delle Grazie is a treasure chest of Baroque art in the city. Built at the beginning of the sixteenth century, it was significantly enriched with decorations and works in the following century, which gave it its majestic appearance today.

Arriving in Brescia, you cannot fail to have noticed the large size of a fortification that dominates the main town. This is the imposing castle, which occupies, with its complex, the entire top of the Cidneo hill.

You find yourself in front of the largest Roman archaeological area in all of northern Italy. Together with the San Salvatore-Santa Giulia Monumental Complex, in 2011 this archaeological park became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The complex has undergone many transformations in its over a thousand years of history and its spaces contain finds and works ranging from the Bronze Age to the nineteenth century, mostly coming from Brescia and its province.