Islands of Lake Garda: The 5 Pearls of the Lake between History, Nature and Practical Tips

Lake Garda holds views capable of enchanting anyone who gazes upon them: fortified villages at the water's edge, mountain profiles mirrored in the crystal-clear waters, historic lemon houses, and Mediterranean vegetation of olive trees and cypresses. Among the most fascinating and mysterious treasures of the Benaco basin, the five islands of Lake Garda undoubtedly stand out—small havens of biodiversity, art, and centuries-old memories scattered between the Brescian and Veronese shores.

From the aristocratic elegance of the famous Isola del Garda to the bucolic tranquility of the Isola di San Biagio, and on to the pristine paradises for divers and protected ornithological oases, each island offers a unique experience. This comprehensive guide will take you on a journey of discovery to the five islands of Lake Garda, showing you how to reach them by foot or boat, what to see, and all the practical tips for an unforgettable excursion.

Comparing the 5 Islands of Lake Garda

Before planning your boat trip to the islands of Lake Garda or your walk along the shore, this overview summarizes the location, access options, and highlights of the lake's five main islands:

Isola del Garda: The Venetian Neo-Gothic Jewel in the Gulf of Salò

Isola del Garda is the most famous and imposing gem of Lake Garda. Situated just south of the Gulf of Salò, directly opposite the promontory of San Felice del Benaco, it holds millennia of history. It was frequented as early as Roman times, and in 1220 it welcomed Saint Francis of Assisi, who founded a small Franciscan hermitage there. Over the centuries, the mystical charm of the place captivated illustrious figures such as Saint Anthony of Padua, Saint Bernardino of Siena, and Dante Alighieri, who indirectly celebrated it in the verses of the twentieth Canto of the Inferno.

The extraordinary appearance we admire today is the result of the vision of Duke Gaetano De Ferrari and architect Luigi Rovelli, who between 1890 and 1903 designed a magnificent noble villa inspired by Venetian Neo-Gothic style, with battlements, loggias, and biforate windows that recall the elegance of the Doge's Palace in Venice. The residence is embraced by enchanting Italian-style hanging gardens, with shaped boxwood hedges, centuries-old cypresses, exotic palms, citrus groves, and rare plants from every continent, forming a true botanical oasis in the middle of the lake.

Guided tours, boarding, and practical information

The island is still the private residence of the noble Cavazza family, which is why unauthorized independent landing is not permitted. However, from April to October, the island opens its gates to the public with impeccably organized guided tours:

Departure ports: Authorized boats depart regularly from Salò, Portese, San Felice del Benaco, Barbarano, and Gardone Riviera, as well as from selected locations on the Veronese coast, such as Torri del Benaco or Bardolino.

The visit experience: The tour lasts approximately two hours and includes the boat transfer, a guided walk through the Italian and English botanical gardens, a visit to some of the villa's historic rooms, and a refined aperitif served on the panoramic terrace overlooking the gulf.

Booking: Places for each tour are limited to preserve the integrity of the park. It is essential to book in advance through the Cavazza family's official channel.

Isola di San Biagio: The Famous Isola dei Conigli at Manerba

Traveling south along the Brescian shore, opposite the peninsula of Punta Belvedere at Manerba del Garda, you will find the enchanting Isola di San Biagio. For residents and travelers alike, it is universally known as Isola dei Conigli, a name given to it because of the colony of rabbits that lives freely among the island's bushes and meadows.

The island offers an informal and relaxing atmosphere, characterized by manicured lawns shaded by cypresses, clear pebbly bottoms, and privileged views of the majestic rocky cliffs of the Rocca di Manerba. In recent years, the island has made headlines nationally and on social media for the striking phenomenon of "walking on water": during periods of low water, the submerged isthmus connecting it to the mainland emerges almost completely, offering the thrill of reaching the island on foot.

By foot or taxi boat: how to get there, lake level, and entry

The most fascinating feature of Isola di San Biagio is its exceptional proximity to the shore: it is separated from the tip of the promontory by just 200 meters. The ways to reach it vary depending on the lake's water levels:

Walking across the lakebed: During late summer and the autumn months (particularly between September and November), the water level of Lake Garda naturally drops. During periods of low water, a natural isthmus of stones and gravel emerges, allowing you to reach the island by walking with the water at your ankles or, in years of particularly low water, even completely on dry land.

Taxi boat service from Porto Torchio: Those who prefer a comfortable crossing without getting wet or who are carrying beach bags can use the convenient taxi boat that runs continuously between the Porto Torchio pier and Manerba (departures every 15–30 minutes, approximately 5-minute journey, cost around 3 euros each way).

Opening period and ticket: The island is open to the public approximately from May 1 to mid-September, every day from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. A day pass of approximately 10 euros is available for visitors, payable at the entrance. A small snack bar is open on site, offering services and sun lounger rentals. To preserve the ecosystem, free camping, fishing, and picnics are prohibited.

Scoglio dell'Altare: diving paradise and legend

At the foot of the Rocca di Manerba wall, not far from the island, a legendary rock formation emerges from the water: Scoglio dell'Altare. Local tradition holds that a solemn mass for the lake's fishermen was once celebrated on its flat summit, with the fishermen attending the service gathered on board their boats.

Below the water's surface, Scoglio dell'Altare conceals one of the most spectacular and dizzying lakebeds in all of Lake Garda. The rock drops steeply into a sheer vertical wall that reaches a depth of 150 meters. The most experienced divers are enthralled by two rocky balconies covered with rare yellow freshwater sponges and natural crevices where pike, eels, tenches, and European perch swim. As it is a deep-water dive, it is recommended exclusively for divers with advanced certifications and appropriate equipment.

The Islands on the Veronese Shore: Sogno, Olivo, and Trimelone

While the Brescian shore captivates with the monumentality of its palaces and protected bays, the eastern Veronese shore, dominated by the imposing ridge of Monte Baldo, offers a steeper, more alpine, and windier landscape. Here you will find three smaller islands of great natural and historic appeal.

Isola del Sogno and Isola dell'Olivo: favorite destinations for sailing and diving

In the sheltered inlet of Val di Sogno, just south of the historic center of Malcesine, lies the poetic Isola del Sogno. Just 20 meters from the shore, when the lake level is low, it connects to the coast through a strip of pebbles that allows you to reach it with a short walk along the water's edge.

Among diving enthusiasts, Isola del Sogno is internationally famous: about thirty meters from the shore, on a lakebed between 30 and 40 meters deep, lies the wreck of the motor ship Roma (also known in the diving community as Delsey), a 16-meter iron vessel sunk to create a unique biological and diving attraction.

A little further north, also in the waters of Malcesine, emerges Isola dell'Olivo. It is an uninhabited rocky islet covered by a dense thicket of wild olive trees whose roots reach deep into the cracks of the limestone. In addition to serving as a historic turning buoy for sailboats during the prestigious Centomiglia sailing regatta, the island boasts a submerged cave along its western wall at a depth of approximately 13 meters, teeming with lively schools of freshwater fish.

Isola di Trimelone: historic memory and protected ornithological oasis

Opposite the hamlet of Assenza, in the municipality of Brenzone sul Garda, stands the elongated silhouette of Isola di Trimelone. Unlike the other lake islands, Trimelone tells a complex history marked by wartime events. Already a fortified refuge in the Middle Ages, at the beginning of the twentieth century it was transformed into a fortress and strategic munitions depot for World War I and World War II, also playing a significant role during the years of the Italian Social Republic.

In 1954, a disastrous explosion tore through the depots, scattering thousands of munitions across the island and into the surrounding waters. Only thanks to prolonged and complex underwater operations by the Military Corps of Engineers was it possible to clear much of the lakebed.

Today, the island is protected as an untouchable natural oasis. Landing, disembarking, and swimming are strictly prohibited by ordinances from the Municipality of Brenzone sul Garda. This forced isolation has allowed nature to reclaim the space: the ruined old barracks have become the undisturbed domain of colonies of gulls, cormorants, and grey herons. Visitors can admire the island during a slow boat ride from a safe distance, appreciating its silence and striking silhouette.

Practical tips for exploring the islands in the best way

Motorboat rentals without a boating license: In Italy, you can drive motorboats with up to 40 horsepower without a boating license. Numerous rental companies in Salò, San Felice del Benaco, Manerba, and Malcesine offer modern inflatables and motorboats. Always remember to respect the distances from the shore and the swimming areas specified by local ordinances.

Ferries and Navigazione Laghi boats: The public line service provides efficient connections between all the lakeside towns. Although they do not dock directly at the smaller islands, the panoramic routes that cross the lake from shore to shore offer spectacular photographic perspectives.

Wind and weather conditions: Lake Garda is governed by a constant wind pattern: the Pelér, a strong morning wind blowing from north to south, and the Ora, an afternoon thermal breeze blowing up from the south. If you intend to travel by small boat, kayak, or SUP board, it is best to take advantage of the morning hours before the afternoon chop intensifies.

Frequently asked questions about the islands of Lake Garda

How many islands are there in Lake Garda?

There are officially five main islands in Lake Garda: Isola del Garda and Isola di San Biagio on the western Brescian shore, and Isola del Sogno, Isola dell'Olivo, and Isola di Trimelone on the eastern Veronese shore. In addition, there are several smaller rocks, such as the famous Scoglio dell'Altare.

Can you reach an island of Lake Garda on foot?

Yes, at certain times of the year, two islands can be reached on foot. Isola di San Biagio at Manerba and Isola del Sogno at Malcesine are connected to the mainland by shallow gravel beds that emerge during the autumn low-water periods, allowing you to cross on foot with the water at your ankles or completely on dry land.

Can you visit Isola del Garda freely?

No, Isola del Garda is private property belonging to the Cavazza family. Access is permitted only by participating in the guided tours organized between April and October, with reserved boarding and a ticket purchased in advance.

Can you land on Isola di Trimelone?

No, Isola di Trimelone in Brenzone sul Garda is closed to access and mooring for safety reasons and to protect the local birdlife. You are only permitted to circumnavigate it from a distance in your own boat.

Bring home the breath of the lake: the memory in the fragrances

Those who have sailed the waters of Lake Garda at sunset, caressed by the breeze carrying the scents of flowering gardens, ceder trees, pine needles, and sun-warmed stone, hold an indelible image in their hearts. The islands of Lake Garda are not merely geographical destinations: they are concentrations of light, memory, and natural essences.

It is from this profound harmony between land, water, and wind that the artisanal perfumery Terre del Garda was born. From the botanical magnificence of the most noble island's parks comes Isola del Garda Eau de Parfum, a fragrance composition that sublimates the freshness of citrus, the sweetness of flower buds, and the aquatic breath of the lake. The entire Isola del Garda Collection, available as home fragrances and body treatments, allows you to extend the emotion experienced during the journey into your daily life at home.

Walking along the Salò lakeside promenade at the end of your excursion, the historic Boutique in Salò at Via Napoleone 8 welcomes you to explore the characteristic winds of Lake Garda, where fragrances such as Pelér and Ora celebrate the breezes that move the waters around the islands. An invitation to transform the memory of a day on Lake Garda into a precious olfactory signature to enjoy every day.

Official sources and references:

Visit Manerba (Isola di San Biagio / Isola dei Conigli): visitmanerba.it - Isola di San Biagio Beach

Visit Manerba (Riserva Naturale della Rocca e del Sasso): visitmanerba.it - Riserva della Rocca

Municipality of Manerba del Garda (Official Website): comune.manerbadelgarda.bs.it

Isola del Garda (Official Booking and Visit Portal): isoladelgarda.com

Scoglio dell'Altare Scuba Trekking (Atis Diving Club): atisdiving.it - Scoglio dell'Altare Diving

Municipality of Brenzone sul Garda (Trimelone Island Ordinances): comune.brenzone.vr.it

Navigazione Laghi (Government-Managed Scheduled Public Transport): navigazionelaghi.it