Lake Garda or Lake Como: Which Italian Lake to Choose in 2026?

Lake Garda and Lake Como are two of the most famous lakes in northern Italy.

Both are located at the southern edge of the Alps, surrounded by mountains, charming towns, and beautiful landscapes.

Because of their similar natural setting and Italian atmosphere, many travelers find it hard to decide which one to visit.

The two lakes are also very close to each other. The nearest shores of Lake Garda and Lake Como are only about 110 km apart, which is roughly a 1.5-hour drive.

Both lakes offer similar mountain views, clear water, colorful towns, and that relaxed Italian lakeside feeling many people dream about.

Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy, and it’s a top choice for an active holiday. Around the lake you’ll find beaches, campsites, cycling routes, hiking trails, and many water sports. It’s especially popular with visitors from Austria, Germany, the Czech Republic, and Poland, partly because it’s easy to reach from Central Europe.

Lake Como, on the other hand, is often seen as the more elegant and romantic lake. It was already a favorite holiday spot of the ancient Romans, and today it’s one of the most fashionable lakes in Italy. The area is known for its charming towns, refined atmosphere, and celebrity homes, including George Clooney’s famous villa. Lake Como is especially popular with Swiss and German travelers.

Both lakes are stunning, and they offer similar travel experiences.

So you might be wondering: Which lake should you visit? How much time do you need at each lake? Which one is cheaper? And where is it better to stay?

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the main differences between Lake Garda and Lake Como, from size and atmosphere to prices, activities, beaches, transport, and overall vibe.

My goal is not to choose a winner, but to help you understand the similarities and differences between the two lakes and choose the one that fits your travel style best. Plus, I’ll also share personal insights from multiple visits to both.

First, you’ll find a short overview with the most important things to know. After that, we’ll go into a detailed comparison and look at the two lakes from many different angles. At the end, you’ll also find some general travel tips if you’re already planning your trip to northern Italy.

Overview: Lake Garda vs Lake Como – Which is the better choice?

I’ll show you a quick summary in a table and also add a short explanation, so you can easily see what each lake is better for.

Quick comparison table: Lake Garda vs Lake Como

Advantages of Lake Garda

• Italy’s largest lake, with a wide variety of landscapes and towns
• Great for outdoor activities like hiking, cycling, swimming, and sailing
• More affordable accommodation, including many lakeside hotels
• Less crowded overall, especially outside Sirmione
• Very family-friendly, with attractions like Gardaland Resort

Disadvantages of Lake Garda

• Distances around the lake are longer because of its size
• A car is almost necessary to explore the area properly
• Some popular spots, especially Sirmione, can be very crowded
• Less “exclusive” or elegant compared to Lake Como

Advantages of Lake Como

• Very scenic and picturesque, with colorful views
• Elegant and romantic atmosphere, ideal for couples and honeymoons
• Beautiful towns like Bellagio and Varenna, easy to visit by ferry
• Great boat experiences with stunning views from the water
• Strong Italian lifestyle feeling with historic villas and lakeside promenades

Disadvantages of Lake Como

• Generally more expensive, especially accommodation near the lake
• Heavy crowds during peak season
• Traffic and parking can be stressful
• Ferries can be overcrowded in summer
• Often less suitable for families or relaxed stays

Lake Garda or Lake Como: Detailed Comparison

Now let’s take a closer look at the two Italian lakes. You’ll find many similarities and a few important differences. I’ll highlight these points to help you decide which lake is the better choice for your trip.

Best places to visit at Lake Garda

These are the best towns to visit around Lake Garda:

Riva del Garda

Riva del Garda is located at the northern end of Lake Garda and is surrounded by mountains. It’s a great base for hiking, cycling, and water sports. Highlights include the lakeside promenade, the old town, Torre Apponale, and the views from Bastione di Riva.

Limone sul Garda

Limone sul Garda is one of the most picturesque towns on the lake, famous for its colorful houses and lemon gardens. Don’t miss the lakeside promenade, the historic center, and the Limonaia del Castel. It’s also a popular stop for cycling and boat trips.

Malcesine

Malcesine is a charming medieval town with narrow streets and beautiful lake views. Its main attraction is Castello Scaligero, offering panoramic views over the lake. From here, you can also take the cable car to Monte Baldo for hiking and spectacular scenery.

Peschiera del Garda

Peschiera del Garda is located at the southern end of the lake and is known for its historic fortress and canals. The old town is compact and easy to explore. It’s also one of the best-connected towns by train, making it a practical base for day trips.

Sirmione

Sirmione sits on a narrow peninsula and is one of the most famous towns on Lake Garda. Highlights include Scaligero Castle, the Roman ruins of Grotte di Catullo, and the thermal baths. The views and atmosphere here are especially memorable, though it can get very busy.

Best places to visit at Lake Como

These are the most popular and scenic towns around Lake Como:

Varenna

Varenna is one of the most charming towns on Lake Como, known for its colorful houses and romantic atmosphere. Highlights include the lakeside walkway, Villa Monastero with its beautiful gardens, and the old town streets. It’s also well connected by train and ferry.

Bellagio

Bellagio is often called the “Pearl of Lake Como” and sits at the meeting point of the lake’s three branches. The town is famous for its steep stone streets, elegant villas, and lake views. Don’t miss Villa Melzi, the old town steps, and a ferry ride to nearby villages.

Como

Como is the largest town on the lake and a good starting point for exploring the area. It has a lively historic center, a beautiful waterfront, and many shops and cafés. Take the funicular to Brunate for panoramic views over the lake and surrounding mountains.

Which Italian lake is easier to reach?

This depends mainly on where you’re traveling from. Lake Como is easier to reach from Milan or Switzerland, while Lake Garda is more convenient if you’re coming from Verona, Bologna, Venice, or Austria.

When it comes to the towns around the lakes, both areas have places that are easy to access and others that are more remote. Towns like Sirmione and Como are well connected by highways, while smaller lakeside villages can take more time to reach.

Which lake area is less crowded?

This is my personal experience, but I’ve always found Lake Garda to be less crowded overall, except for the Sirmione area. Traffic feels lighter, parking is usually easier, and the streets are generally less busy. Of course, both lakes can get crowded, but in my opinion, Lake Garda feels less crowded, especially along the eastern and western shores.

When visiting Lake Como, I often experienced heavier traffic, parking difficulties, and overcrowded ferries during peak season. There were even times when we couldn’t get a table at a restaurant because everything was fully booked. This level of crowding is something I rarely experience elsewhere in Italy.

Which is cheaper: Lake Garda or Lake Como?

On average, Lake Garda is cheaper than Lake Como, especially when it comes to accommodation. Hotels around Lake Garda are generally more affordable, which makes it a more budget-friendly destination overall.

Prices for transport and parking are quite similar at both lakes, and restaurant costs don’t differ much either. However, because accommodation is usually cheaper at Lake Garda, the total cost of a trip is often lower compared to Lake Como.

How many days do you need at Lake Garda and Lake Como?

For both lakes, I recommend planning 2–3 days. One day is usually not enough to explore either Lake Como or Lake Garda properly, as you can realistically visit only 2–3 towns in a single day.

With 2–3 days, you can comfortably see the most famous places around the lake, enjoy the scenery, and still have time to relax, walk around, and enjoy Italian food and the lakeside atmosphere.

Which lake has better views?

Both lakes offer beautiful views all around, and here I can only share my personal opinion. In my experience, Lake Como has slightly better views, especially from the water. During boat trips, the scenery is often breathtaking, with colorful towns, elegant villas, and steep mountains rising directly from the lake.

Is it better to stay at Lake Garda or Lake Como?

This mainly depends on which lake you plan to visit. However, it’s important to know that accommodation around Lake Garda is generally much cheaper. Because of this, we often stay directly by the lake there, even in lakeside hotels.

At Lake Como, hotels close to the water are usually very expensive. For this reason, we often choose accommodation a bit farther from the lake, especially around the Milan area.

If you want a simple answer: Lake Garda is easier and more affordable to stay at, while Lake Como often requires compromises.

Which lake has better beaches: Lake Garda or Lake Como?

To be honest, I usually travel in the shoulder season, so I haven’t gone swimming in either lake yet. Based on my visits, however, I’d say Lake Garda has better beaches and is more popular for swimming during summer.

That said, it’s worth noting that neither lake really compares to the nearby sea. I wouldn’t plan a beach-focused holiday at either lake. They are better suited for sightseeing, nature, and relaxed travel.

Food and restaurants at Lake Garda and Lake Como

At both lakes, you’ll mostly find classic Italian dishes. The main difference is that restaurants around Lake Como, especially in popular towns, tend to be much more crowded.

Which lake is better for couples or honeymoon?

In my opinion, Lake Como has a more romantic atmosphere, so it’s the better choice for couples and honeymoon trips.

Which lake is better for families?

Lake Garda is better suited for families. It offers more leisure activities, a calmer overall atmosphere, and attractions like Gardaland Resort, located on the southeastern side of the lake. The only exception is Sirmione, which is almost always crowded.

Can you visit both in one trip?

In one day, probably not. But as part of a northern Italy itinerary, absolutely yes. The two lakes are close to each other, and traveling between them by car is easy. Visiting both in one trip gives you a much more complete experience of the region.

This was a detailed comparison of Lake Garda and Lake Como, covering many different aspects and common travel questions.

If you still have more questions or need extra information, keep reading.

Below, you’ll find more useful tips and details to help you plan your trip to either lake.

What else you should know before visiting Lake Garda or Lake Como

Best time to visit Lake Garda and Lake Como

Because Lake Garda and Lake Como are located in a similar area, at the foothills of the Alps, they have very similar weather. Summers are usually warm, while spring and autumn are pleasant but can be quite rainy.

Personally, I enjoy visiting both lakes in late spring and early autumn.

The best months are May, June, and September. During this time, the weather is comfortable for outdoor activities, and the crowds are usually smaller compared to the peak summer months.

I don’t really recommend visiting in winter, as the cold and grey weather takes away much of the lakes’ charm.

Getting around Lake Garda and Lake Como

Both lakes are easiest to explore by car + boat. A car gives you freedom, while ferries are perfect for town-hopping without parking stress.

At Lake Como, traffic and parking can be challenging in peak season, so it’s smart to arrive early and use public parking lots outside the busiest towns.

At Lake Garda, driving is generally easier, but popular places like Sirmione can still get crowded.

If you travel in summer, book ferries and popular attractions early in the day when possible.

Lake Garda vs Lake Como: FAQ

Is Lake Como worth visiting if you’re on a budget?

Lake Como can be visited on a budget, but it’s more challenging.

Accommodation close to the lake is expensive, especially in popular towns like Bellagio and Varenna.

To save money, it’s best to stay farther from the lake or visit as a day trip from Milan.

Overall, Lake Garda is the better choice for budget travelers.

Can you visit Lake Como without a car?

Yes, Lake Como is one of the easiest Italian lakes to visit without a car.

The towns are well connected by trains and ferries. Ferries are a great way to move between them and enjoy the views without dealing with traffic or parking.

What is the best month to avoid crowds at Lake Garda and Lake Como?

The best months are May, June, and September.

During these months, the weather is pleasant, most attractions are open, and the crowds are smaller than in July and August. These months offer the best balance between good weather and a great travel experience.

Which lake is better for a first-time visit to northern Italy?

Both lakes are great for first-time visitors, but they offer different experiences.

Lake Como is ideal if you want romantic scenery, boat trips, and elegant towns.

Lake Garda is better if you want a more relaxed trip with outdoor activities, beaches, and easier logistics.

Other places to visit in northern Italy

Northern Italy, and nearby Switzerland, is full of beautiful destinations.

Here are a few great places you can easily add to your itinerary when visiting Lake Garda or Lake Como:

Ticino, Switzerland

Ticino is the Italian-speaking region of Switzerland and makes a great day trip from Lake Como.

Visit Lugano by Lake Lugano, stroll along the waterfront in Locarno on Lake Maggiore, and don’t miss the stunning Verzasca Valley or the nearby Bavona Valley. These areas are famous for turquoise rivers, stone bridges, and traditional stone houses.

Milan

Milan is a world-famous city and well worth a visit when traveling in northern Italy. It offers excellent shopping, culture, and food, and it’s also a great travel hub.

Don’t miss the Duomo di Milano, the beautiful Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Castello Sforzesco, and the Arco della Pace.

I return to Milan often because of its great infrastructure and endless options.

Verona

Verona is located close to Lake Garda and is perfect for a one-day trip.

Walk through the historic old town, visit Juliet’s House, see the Verona Arena, and explore Piazza delle Erbe.

For the best views, go up to Castel San Pietro, where you’ll get a beautiful panorama over the city and the Adige River.

Venice

Venice is another world-famous destination you shouldn’t skip when visiting northern Italy.

Explore the historic center by foot or vaporetto, and see landmarks like St. Mark’s Square, Doge’s Palace, St. Mark’s Basilica, the Rialto Bridge, and the Accademia Bridge. Climb the bell tower for great views over the city.

If you have more time, take a day trip to Murano and Burano. Murano is famous for glassmaking, while Burano is known for its colorful houses and lace, both are excellent places for souvenirs.

These are the destinations I recommend visiting around Lake Como and Lake Garda in northern Italy and nearby Switzerland.

Conclusion: Lake Como or Lake Garda?

No matter which lake you choose, I hope this guide helps you make the right decision and inspires you to plan a wonderful Italian trip. Choosing between the two isn’t easy, as they share many similarities but also have important differences.

I’ve visited both lakes many times and enjoy them for different reasons.

Lake Como attracts me with its romantic scenery and colorful towns, while Lake Garda feels more appealing because of its calmer atmosphere, better prices, and wider range of leisure activities.

Whichever lake you choose, you’ll almost certainly have a great time and enjoy a beautiful Italian experience.

My goal with this article, and my other guides, is to help you prepare well and make your trip as smooth and memorable as possible.

Once you’ve decided between Como or Garda, don’t wait too long. Book your trip, choose your hotels and activities, and get ready to explore the best of Italy!