Need a place to go swimming but want something a little prettier than the Venice beaches? Here’s a guide to some of my favorite places to swim at Lago di Garda. These are all based on being easy day trips from Vicenza, so they’re focused on the eastern half of the lake. If you just want to get away from Vicenza for some sunshine and swimming, these are great options but of course if you want to drive a little further you could also drive to the other side of the lake.
Here Are My Favorite Places To Swim At Lago Di Garda
Sirmione
Sirmione is a great place to visit if you want to feel like you’re on vacation.
There’s a castle, lots of stores to look through, and big servings of Gelato in waffle cones.
It’s popular though, so be ready for some crowds. It’s best to go early to make parking and finding a spot easier.
For parking, you can use ‘Castello di Sirmione‘ in Google Maps to get you heading in the right direction, then park in one of the many lots near there like ‘Monte Baldo‘ or ‘Via 25 Aprile.’
There is a very small beach area by the castle, or you can also walk further down to Il Pontile di Sirmione which has a jetty to tan on, a beach area with umbrellas, bar, and thermal swimming area nearby.
If you want to rent peddle boats or kayaks, you can do so here as well and the water has a long, shallow section so it’s great for kids.
You can also walk further down to get to Jamaica Beach.
Sitting on the jetty in Sirmione
Sexy Island
This one is a cool spot we found accidentally that takes a little more work to get to, but it’s away from all the crowds.
To get to it, park in the small spot on the side of the road shown on the map. There are some stairs by the parking area and a path that goes under the road and comes out by the water.
Here are the coordinates in case any names of locations on Google Maps get changed:
45°50’42.0″N 10°51’48.8″E
You can swim right there, or walk along the ledge to the right and you’ll find the ‘sexy island’ spot – that’s not an official name by the way, just one I made up.
There’s not really a shallow area and the only sitting areas are on rocks or in the tree, so might not be the best for kids, but it’s great if you want to swim away from the crowds.
Private swimming spot
Malcesine
When I go here, the actual spot that I hang out is dictated by where I can find a park.
My go-to is ‘Parcheggio Lungolago‘ which is by a small snack bar, but there are other parking areas and spots on the side of the road. It’s just a matter of whatever you can find on the day.
After you find a parking spot, walk to the water to find a spot to chill out by the crystal clear water.
Most of it is rocky, and open to the sun so bring shade or sunscreen. It’s a little quieter than places like Sirmione, so I like this area for a chill vibe.
It’s also really nice to walk through the town here and look at the shops.
Playa de Kies
This spot is super similar to the Malcesine area in that it’s rocky, open, and the water is super clear.
They’re both my favorites when it comes to places to swim at Lago di Garda because you can have a little space to yourself without the commercialized rows of beach umbrellas everywhere.
For parking I use ‘Parcheggio Playa de Kies‘ then walk across the road to the water.
Basically, you can walk along until you find a spot to put down your towel and just chill out in the sunshine.
If you want to get more adventurous though, you can also rent boats, kayaks, or paddle boards from any of the outlets along this stretch of road.
Spiaggia Pisenze
For parking, use ‘Parcheggio Pisenze‘ or ‘Ristorante Pisenze‘ and then walk towards the water.
This rocky beach is a popular spot so it’s easy to find the path and make your way.
That’s the only downside to this spot actually – it can get quite crowded on weekends. For that reason, it’s good to get there early.
Other than that, it’s a really nice spot for an easy day out to soak up sunshine and go for a swim and great for families.
It’s also a nice place to rent Paddle Boards because the water is pretty calm.
Combine any of these with:
- An olive oil factory tour
- A visit to Varone Falls
- Hike up Monte Baldo
Other places to swim near Vicenza you might enjoy:
- Cascate Del Silan Hike – A Complete Guide For Silan Falls In Vicenza
- Tramonti Di Sopra Nature Pool – The Off The Beaten Path Swimming Oasis
- Everything You Need To Know About Visiting The EPIC Torrente Canali
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