Fun things to do in Desenzano del Garda: 10 fun attractions and activities

Nice little castle overlooking the town of Desenzano. We were visiting on the first Sunday of the month when the entry is free, so we didn’t have to pay for the tickets. Dogs can enter only if they are carried by their owners in their arms throughout the visit. You have a really nice view of the city and the lake Garda from the tower.

It's a very amazing place as you will able to see the lake from the highest level

Underwhelmed - walked up the hill went inside (half covered for renovation and courtyard preparing for an event) tickets need to climb a tower for a view so gave that a miss. Walked back down to lakeside for lunch - that is all

It was good for views and very clean and tidy. Unfortunately for an English speaking person there was not much info on the walls telling me about the history. Cheap to get in and no queue.

From outside you face a stunning view, not only of the castle itself but also the surroundings. Beautiful place to take photos, enjoy the view and feel the special sensation of staying around this architetture from centuries ago. It's a place set for a variety of events as well.

The fort is just ok but the quantity village is worth the drive for lunch. Exit the fort go right and the last restaurant on you left just past the bar makes the best piani along with draft beer. But by patient only one woman serving and she will tell you the same but in true italiano. Worth the trip, best restaurant in the village.

Nice to see the history of this castle which is a focal point of Sirmione. You need head for heights to get to the top of the tower and to climb lots of steps, but worth it for the view.

An excellent site - very well presented with some beautiful examples of mosaic flooring. Considering the age of this property the condition of the footings and flooring was impressive!

Molto bella e ben mantenuta. Assolutamente da scaricare l'audiguida e seguire passo passo la descrizione di tutti gli ambienti. Consiglio il biglietto cumulativo per 3 siti archeologici: castello scaligero, Grotte di Catullo e villa romana al prezzo di 18 euro. The Villa Romana di Desenzano del Garda is one of the most important archaeological sites in northern Italy from the late Roman period. Located in the town of Desenzano del Garda on the southern shore of Lake Garda, it was a luxurious lakeside villa built between the 4th and 5th centuries AD. It is thought to have belonged to a wealthy landowner, possibly involved in agriculture or trade in the region. The villa is especially famous for its well-preserved floor mosaics, which depict hunting scenes, wild animals, cupids fishing, and elegant geometric patterns — giving insight into the refined taste and lifestyle of the Roman elite. Excavations, started in the late 1920s, revealed the residential quarters, reception rooms, baths, and service areas. Today, the site includes a small museum displaying artifacts found there, such as ceramics, coins, and tools, along with interpretative panels that help visitors visualize the villa in its prime. Because of its location and decorative richness, the Villa Romana di Desenzano is often compared to the mosaics of Aquileia and Ravenna, and it offers a unique glimpse into the transition from the Roman Empire to the early Middle Ages in northern Italy.

A gem of a site. We nearly missed out - only found out about it when we bought a ticket for the castle in Sermione which included entry to this excavation. Not a huge place - but impressive mosaics and ruins. We viewed it in about 30 mins. Worth it.

Layout of the villa was quite extensive. The under floor heating system is ingenious. Clearly a family of substantial means built the villa. PS It was fun watching archeologists at work as they exposed and cleaned the mosaic tiled floor.

Impressive mosaics and great explanations of how the villa is laid out. Surprisingly large and amazing to think what has survived underground for thousands of years!

Really lovely place, beautiful in its setting and interesting in its subject.

Well worth a visit. Not too expensive at 5 Euro’s and very interesting. Doesn’t take to long so won’t take all day either (1/2hr - 1hr)

nice lake with clean water but rocky beach can be problematic

Extremely unprofessional staff and management. We asked a simple question about the prices, and the staff member was rude and mocking us instead of giving a clear answer. When we reported this behavior to his manager, she was just as unprofessional, refusing to believe us and dismissing our concern. If both the staff and the manager cannot respect customers or communicate properly, it shows how little they value people. This kind of behavior is unacceptable and reflects very poorly on the business.

Nice, clean beach, 5-8 minutes to go from the centre. The price for the sunbeds and umbrella is affordable, they have half-day price also. Food and drink also can be purchased here. Nice, helpful staff. Standing toilette would be the only negative thing here.

Visited on July,not overcrowded.Pebbles beach,biger stones in water,shoes si must.

Nice beach and not overcrowded even in August. Parking places nearby 1 eur per hour. You can choose between free of charge beach or buy seat and umbrella. Toilets on site. A lot of stones, take water boots.

Very clean beach, quite rocky. Great views of the lake and mountains. You can see Sirmione in the distance. Good sized beach. Umbrellas and accessories are available.

Beautiful beach, €8 for sunbed & umbrella day rental. Cafe with good selection of drinks & snacks. Perfect for lounging

A steep walk down the path to the lake but Great sunsets and lovely for a walk down the beach. There are warning signs stating that you can catch a type of dermatitis so if you swim here make sure you shower immediately after leaving the water.

Just ridiculous! One of the best beaches on the lake.

Omg the stones hurt! The water is nice, the beach is nice, the bar is nice, but the STONES. I cut myself like 5 times on my feet and arms and legs.

Nice place to spend some hours/a a full day. Public beach, clean, nice bar, free toilets, free parking and just 2 mins to walk

Great beach. Nice little cafe nearby.

Great place...beautiful lake Garda

Beauty

My favourite little beach, hidden between Desenzano and Lido di Lonato. I like to sunbath and to swim in a respectful naturist way.. :)

Nice beach, have to search for it

Nothing special. Not good for swimming

Beautiful place

Its not possible to get there.

Not publicly accessible.

(Translated by Google) I don't recommend going to that beach for single women. I don't speak Italian, and men approached me at various times, with questionable intentions. An old man stared at me, hidden behind a tree after saying something I didn't understand. Another old man sat near me and stared at me. Minutes after I left (because I didn't feel safe), I ran into him on the street and he stopped his car to invite me in. And before that, there was another man in the water who was "adjusting" his swimsuit too much. It's a shame because the water is beautiful, a natural beach with trees and shade. I hate not being able to be a woman and enjoy such a beautiful place in peace. (Original) Mujeres solas no recomiendo ir a esa playa, no hablo italiano y se acercaron hombres en diferentes momentos, con intenciones cuestionables. Un viejo se quedó mirándome escondido atrás de un árbol después que me dijo algo que no entendí, otro viejo se sentó cerca de mi y me miraba y minutos despues después que me fui (porque no me sentía segura) me lo crucé en la calle paró su auto para invitarme a subir. Y antes había otro en el agua que se "acomodaba" mucho su traje de baño. Una pena porque el agua es hermosa, una playa natural con arboles y sombra. Un odio no poder ser mujer y disfrutar en paz de un lugar tan lindo.

Nice passage by the lake, up yo a certain point

Amazing spot!! 🍋

Been there several times in the last 20 years or so (I live near there...). Perfect place for a walk, a run or for relaxing while having a breathtaking view of the lake and the mountains.

We spent the day here. It was very nice place to rest in the shade of the trees, kids play in the park and chillax on the lake side.

Lots of people having fun, kid friendly!

Nice small Village with some nice beaches and lovely clean water to swim

Beautiful and relaxing town. Gorgeous Lake Garda. A fabulous combination.

Great little beach on Lake Garda. It about 1km walk from Desenzano. You can either just chill or you can hire a pedelo or go for a swim.

Small beach. We rented a pedal boat with a slide for 1hr for 16€ we waited for about 10 minutes to get the boat, the gentleman came looking for me to tell me that it’s my turn, that’s sweet. You will have to leave a document before going into the boat.

Great for renting padddle boat or slide with boat, only 9-11 euro. Cool water and good swimming

Beautiful beach, cheap to hire a pedal boat, staff are friendly and helpful

Amazing view on Garda lake, stunning clean water, beautiful place to relax, bit busy as the beach is not big but worth a stay. Next to the beach there are lots of places to eat and drink, and the carpark is close by.

Beautiful small beach. The view is amazing.

Becareful while swimming. There is a cement block with 2 rebar sticking out. Almost skewered myself while swimming.

Nice little church in town and walking area by the lake.

Beautiful church, you get the best and full view of it when you go visit the castle

I wasn't looking for a glorious venue to stare at beauty as a tourist; when I go to Mass I want a place to be with the Lord and the Eucharist. This may not be as prestigious as other Italian churches, but I was thankful for its presence here locally while vacationing -- and the beauty of the bells ringing out to the community in the piazze in vicino 😊

A large church in the centre of Desenzano. It's not the prettiest of churches inside or out but visit the place if you are in the town

Beautiful ancient church in downtown Desenzano.

So we have here a beautiful church. Rich in history: contact with other human beings, and enthusiasm, the sacred sense of Service .

A place to pray or reflect . Don't go inside when they have a service ..or maybe stay at the entrance and be quite and no photos . :D

The tour around the lake was incredible. Damiano was the one who took us on this adventure. super friendly and attentive, he spoke 3 different languages ​​so we could all understand. I highly recommend

Bertoldi Boats are a must when visiting Desenzano/ Sirmione! If you are able to request Damiano he is very knowledgeable and also good fun!

We done the sunset tour around 30 mins, chilled and relaxed the Pilot let anyone who wanted to steer have a go so the kids all seemed to enjoy themselves. Glass of Prosecco at start of the trip. €35 for two adults and a child.

Did the 2 hour west coast tour. I wouldn't call it a tour, driven around on a boat for 2 hours while an uninterested driver points at and names maybe 6 things. Very boring. Driver needs a mic and amplifier and some personality then it would count as a good tour. The cost and format at is I would suggest skipping it.

Fantastic sunset tour. We did this on the last day of our honeymoon. Strongly recommend. Great value for money

Great company, it was a blast!!!

I really enjoyed the trip around Sirmione. The guide was very friendly, spoke multiple languages, and really cared about his customers. I am very glad that I went and I highly recommend.

(Translated by Google) Fantastic experience! The puzzles were exciting and the atmosphere engaging and with attention to the smallest details. Perfect for those who want to spend a fun evening with friends. The owner is nice and super helpful, recommended! (Original) Esperienza fantastica! Gli enigmi erano entusiasmanti e l’atmosfera coinvolgente e curata nei minimi dettagli. Perfetto per chi vuole passare una serata divertente tra amici. Il proprietario è simpatico e super disponibile, consigliato!

(Translated by Google) We did the Prison, BEAUTIFUL, many passages, beautiful setting, non-trivial puzzles, welcoming and kind manager! Vote 10, to come back to try the others :) (Original) Abbiamo fatto la Prigione, BELLISSIMA, molti passaggi, bella ambientazione, enigmi non banali, gestore accogliente e gentile! Voto 10, da tornare per provare le altre :)

(Translated by Google) Super fun! The guy who looked after us was very kind and super helpful. We were a group of seven kids. We loved it so much that we did the prison one Saturday and the museum escape the following Saturday. We'll be back! Luana (Original) Super divertente! Il ragazzo che ci ha seguito è stato molto gentile e super disponibile. Eravamo un gruppo di 7 bambini . Ci è piaciuto così tanto che abbiamo fatto un sabato la prigione e il sabato dopo , fuga dal museo. Ci torneremo! Luana

(Translated by Google) Absolutely worth trying and doing again, very kind staff and beautiful escape room. A different Saturday than usual that turned our week around! (Original) Assolutamente da provare e da rifare, personale genitilissimo e escape room bellissimo. Un sabato diverso da solito che ha svoltato la nostra settimana!

(Translated by Google) If you love psychological thrillers and adrenaline-pumping challenges, the Saw-themed Escape Room is the experience for you! Get ready to experience a breathtaking adventure, immersed in a disturbing and suspenseful atmosphere. The setting is taken care of down to the smallest details, faithfully recreating the gloomy and claustrophobic atmospheres typical of the Saw films. The puzzles are well thought out and require a good deal of ingenuity, collaboration and teamwork to solve. Adrenaline skyrockets as time passes inexorably and tension increases. The feeling of being trapped and the need to solve puzzles to free yourself create a truly immersive and unforgettable experience. The staff are fantastic, helpful and ready to help you if you have any difficulties. The introduction to the experience is engaging and helps create the right atmosphere to fully immerse yourself in the game. If you love challenges and strong emotions, this Escape Room is a must try! A unique experience. (Original) Se siete amanti dei thriller psicologici e delle sfide adrenaliniche, la Escape Room a tema Saw è l'esperienza che fa per voi! Preparatevi a vivere un'avventura mozzafiato, immersi in un'atmosfera inquietante e ricca di suspense. L'ambientazione è curata nei minimi dettagli, ricreando fedelmente le atmosfere tetre e claustrofobiche tipiche dei film di Saw. Gli enigmi sono ben congegnati e richiedono una buona dose di ingegno, collaborazione e lavoro di squadra per essere risolti. L'adrenalina sale alle stelle mentre il tempo scorre inesorabile e la tensione aumenta. La sensazione di essere intrappolati e il bisogno di risolvere i puzzle per liberarsi creano un'esperienza davvero coinvolgente e indimenticabile. Il personale è fantastico, disponibile e pronto ad aiutarvi in caso di difficoltà. L'introduzione all'esperienza è coinvolgente e contribuisce a creare l'atmosfera giusta per immergersi completamente nel gioco. Se amate le sfide e le emozioni forti, questa Escape Room è assolutamente da provare! Un'esperienza unica.

(Translated by Google) An experience you absolutely must try to spend a fun, intriguing and engaging hour! Staff really kind and clear in their explanations, the clues (if necessary) are always shrouded in mystery and never intrusive. We tried the Prison themed room, definitely recommended for those who want a challenge to the last puzzle! Activity suitable for a group that wants to get involved A round of applause to all the staff and the attention to detail in this room! I await new escapes to definitely return (Original) Esperienza da provare assolutamente per passare un'ora divertente, intrigante e coinvolgente! Personale davvero gentile e chiaro nelle spiegazioni, gli indizi (se necessari) sono sempre avvolti dal mistero e mai invadenti. Abbiamo provato la stanza a tema Prigione, decisamente consigliata a chi ha voglia di una sfida all'ultimo enigma! Attività adatta a un gruppo che vuole mettersi in gioco Un plauso a tutto lo staff e ai dettagli curati in questa room! Attendo nuove escape per tornarci sicuramente

(Translated by Google) Truly kind; a wonderful experience, even in a group. I RECOMMEND (Original) Veramente gentili;esperienza bellissima anche in gruppo CONSIGLIOOOO