Are you looking for the best activities to experience in the first municipality in Italy, Lazise? In this informative post, “Top 10 Lake Garda things to do in Lazise Italy”, we explore the best attractions and activities that this Italian paradise offers! From discovering the top 10 must-see experiences in Lazise to exploring the lakefront. It’s not for nothing that the name Lazise is derived from the Latin “lacus,” which means lake village. Lazise, besides having great historical importance as it was the first municipality in Italy, is also a pleasant town on Lake Garda where you can go shopping or take a nice walk along the Marconi lakefront.
We will discuss the historical sites, serene outdoor activities, and more that you don’t want to miss out on. The center of Lazise is lovely, historic, characteristic, and worth exploring. Lazise is full of leather shops where you can buy beautiful belts and bags.
Whether you are taking a romantic escape or a family vacation, this post provides a comprehensive guide to all the best things to do in Lazise. Get ready to plan the trip of a lifetime!
Take a minute to watch the videos in the post and learn about all the amazing experiences in Lazise. Enjoy, explore, and relax in this stunning Italian town. You’ll be inspired and excited to plan your trip!
Whether you are taking a romantic escape or a family vacation, this post provides a comprehensive guide to all the best things to do in Lazise. Get ready to plan the trip of a lifetime!
Table of Contents
Lake Garda things to do in Lazise Italy
Here are the main things to do in Lazise and to see:
- The lakefront Marconi
- The Castle
- Porta Lion
- The tourist port
- The square and the historical center with interesting shops, especially the bag shops
- Porta Cansignorio
- The beach
- Boat ride from Lazise
- The walk that leads from Lazise to Bardolino
- Church of San Nicolò
The Marconi lakefront of Lazise and the square
The lakefront of Lazise is a delightful walk along the shores of Lake Garda. With its splendid panoramic view, it offers a relaxing and peaceful atmosphere. You can admire the fascinating historic buildings and enjoy many restaurants and cafes along the way. It is therefore enjoyable to walk there and perhaps stop in a bar on the lakeside for a good aperitif. It is a perfect place to spend pleasant moments in the open air with family or friends.
In the following video, you can see Lazise’s main square and the lakefront.
- 00:00 Intro
- 00:10 Piazza Lazise Lake Garda
- 01:05 am Lungolago Lazise Lake Garda
- 02:25 Ducks Lazise Lake Garda
- 02:50 am Lungolago Lazise Lake Garda
- 04:01 Other videos that might interest you
Walking along the lakeside of Lazise, you can also appreciate the nature that populates this place, especially in spring when you can see the latest-born swans and ducklings. For example, look at the following video: https://youtu.be/f1FeCcw4GD4.
Admiring the sunset from the lakeside of Lazise is truly special: a unique emotion every time. For example, look at this short video: https://youtube.com/shorts/uJJTaVaWV70?feature=share.
The Castle
The magnificent Scaliger Castle of Lazise was built between 1375 and 1381 and belongs to the complex of defensive works in the Verona area. Over time with the arrival of new technologies and war tactics, the castle lost its importance and was purchased first by the community of Lazise and later by private families.
The Castle of Lazise is still privately owned and, therefore it cannot be visited, but you can still see it partly from the outside of the Rosenheim pedestrian street.
Porta Lion
Going along via Rosenheim towards the center of Lazise, you will find Porta Lion in front of you. Porta Lion is one of the three entrance gates to the fortified village of Lazise. Its name derives from the fact that inside, there is the lion of San Marco, the symbol of the Serenissima Republic of Venice.
The tourist port
The tourist port of Lazise is a fascinating destination for lovers of the lake and picturesque landscapes. Located on the shores of Lake Garda, it offers an enchanting atmosphere. Around the marina, we have historic buildings, bars, restaurants and shops to try and explore.
The marina is the ideal place to start a pleasant day of relaxing walking in Lazise.
The historical center of Lazise
In addition to being a beautiful location on Lake Garda, Lazise is also very important from a historical point of view. Did you know that Lazise was the first municipality in Italy?
In fact, in 983, Lazise obtained from the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire and king of Italy Otto II of Saxony, the right to reunite, to fortify itself and broad autonomy both in the commercial and military fields. This allowed Lazise to become the first free municipality in Italy.
Walking through Lazise, you can learn more about its history thanks to the signs that give you some historical information about this place.
Here are some moments of the historical re-enactment of Lazise.
Porta Cansignorio
As shown by the dates 1375-1376 carved on one of the stupid ones, Porta Cansignorio is part of the Medieval Fortifications of Lazise and was built with the last stretch of the wall immediately after Cansignorio’s death. It had a military purpose: to serve in evacuation in case of need. Observing it from the outside is interesting as the artillery hits it suffered during the war between Venice and the Visconti are still visible.
In 1701 the city council decided to close it with a wall to protect the inhabitants against the rapacity of passing soldiers, and it was only reopened in 1955.
Inside the Porta Consignoria, in a niche facing west, there is a bas-relief in kaolin representing the Madonna rising from the waters of the stormy lake. The work is by the sculptor Zago and dates back to the early 1950s. Also, inside the front door, another niche depicts San Martino di tours. The work is by the artist Peretti from Bardolino and has been commissioned since 1972.
In 2004 the municipal administration promoted the restoration of the Porta Cansignorio and the stretch of adjacent walls.
Lazise Beach
The Lazise Beach is a stunning lakeside beach. Its shores and crystal-clear waters offer a picturesque setting for relaxation and leisure activities. Visitors can indulge in sunbathing, swimming, and various water sports while taking in the breathtaking scenery of Lake Garda. This idyllic beach destination is a must-visit for those seeking tranquility and natural beauty in the heart of Italy.
Boat ride from Lazise
Did you know that from Lazise it is only possible to take panoramic tours by boat? In fact, you can take the boat that normally takes you to the various towns of Lake Garda, get on, go around without getting off and then return to the starting point. In this way, you relax and then see the villages of Lake Garda, or at least those chosen in your itinerary, directly from the lake.
Just a little note for this type of business. This is an activity to do between spring and October, as generally in winter the scheduled boat service is suspended with the exception of some specific trips.
Useful information and ticket price
The cost for one person, for an adult, for a one-hour panoramic tour is 10 euros. For children aged 4 to 11 the cost is 6.60 euros.
The 2-hour panoramic tour costs €19.60 per person per adult. For children aged 4 to 11 6.6 euros each. Prices were verified in August 2023. However, there are discounted rates for those with a document certifying their disability and for the companion.
The tour duration depends on the time you take the boat; each tour set at a specific time has its own duration. They are however almost all for an hour.
You can buy the ticket directly at the boat ticket office located near the pier even just before boarding. So usually it is not necessary to buy the ticket in advance.
Here is where to go:
For example, we opted to take the boat to Lazise at 17:08 to take the following boat tour: Lazise – Bardolino – Garda – Bardolino and then return to Lazise.
The panoramic boat ride seems to me a good solution even in summer when it’s very hot and therefore when we don’t want to walk in the sun. This way we can stand directly on the lake and enjoy some fresh air.
Description of the boat tour
As soon as we leave Lazise by boat, we can see Lazise from the lake. Moreover, from the boat, we can better see the castle of Lazise and the part that directly overlooks the lake.
As you continue to navigate, you can admire the various beauties of the coast of Lake Garda.
Especially in summer, while you are on the boat, as well as admiring the beauty of the coast of Lake Garda, you can see people enjoying these places by doing water sports of various kinds. It’s nice to see what happens directly on the lake; for example, we happened to see someone parasailing.
You can also discover hidden corners from the lake, such as beautiful beaches and places to relax with a drink directly on the lake.
So it’s good for those who like to plan their trip and discover hidden corners and for those who like to relax because this boat ride is very relaxing.
If there is someone who needs to get off or on at Cisano, the boat stops here, too. Cisano is a small town or tourist port located between Bardolino and Lazise.
The walk that leads from Lazise to Bardolino
Did you know that from Lazise you can get to Bardolino on foot along the lake? From Lazise you can take a beautiful walk that reaches Bardolino.
Here is the point on Google Maps from which the lakeside walk begins which from just outside Lazise reaches Bardolino: https://maps.app.goo.gl/gYnXiEfWLQ3bYSv76. You can see this point in the fall in the following video: https://youtube.com/shorts/I20yd-tqgzI?si=4CPI2GKUhQqr8uau.
To get to Bardolino, follow the lakefront of Lazise and get to the end of the town in the direction of Bardolino (to go towards Bardolino, the lake must be on your left). In fact, the walk along the lake does not end at the end of Lazise but continues beyond this location.
Walking along the lakefront of Lazise you arrive at the beach, continue straight and at a certain point you find a sign that indicates the pedestrian path that takes you to Bardolino.
However, you must know that Cisano is between Lazise and Bardolino. Cisano is another town on Lake Garda, albeit much smaller than Lazise and Bardolino, as well as a small lake village and tourist port.
Therefore, starting from Lazise and walking along the lakefront in the direction of Bardolino, you find yourself on the Cisano lakefront at a certain point. Continue along the entire Cisano lakefront and continue. After Cisano and still following the lakefront at a certain point you find yourself directly on the lakefront of Bardolino.
The walk is beautiful, relaxing and a good way to escape the chaos and discover the most hidden corners of Lake Garda.
You may not get as far as Bardolino because it is quite far on foot but you can get to the point you prefer and you will still be happy and satisfied with the walk and the panorama.
Church of San Nicolò
The church of San Nicolò overlooks the tourist port of Lazise. Here is the location on Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/bLhijQrYJmqvF67S9. The church of San Nicolò is recognized and stands out for its light-coloured and small-sized bell tower which integrates well with the scenery of the tourist port of Lazise. Everything seems to have been built in proportion and each element integrates harmoniously.
The church of San Nicolò is a 12th-century Romanesque church. This church has always belonged to the civil community of Lazise. In 1595 it underwent a restoration, i.e. the restoration of the apse and it was precisely on that occasion that the municipality imposed the coat of arms and the initials C. L. MDXCV to be placed in the keystone. The renovation of the bell tower dates back to a later period, namely 1777.
Originally between the church and the port, there was a marina-shaped atrium under which notarial deeds were drawn up. This place was closely connected to the commercial activities of the nearby customs house.
Today the portico no longer exists because it was demolished in 1792 and in 1879 Cardinal Luigi of Canossa decided and decreed to no longer use the church for worship due to the degradation encountered. The church was thus used for more profane uses.
This type of use was only for a limited period as in 1953 the Municipality of Lazise decided to restore the church and return it to worship. During the restoration work, parts of frescoes dating back to various Renaissance periods came to light. For example, the oil painting on canvas placed behind the altar dates back to 1500 and was donated by the Tasini family to the confraternity of San Nicolò. The Madonna of the external tabernacle is judged to be from the 13th century and was brought to light in 1926.
Lazise: when to visit?
Lazise is beautiful in every season for different characteristics and reasons. Let’s see some examples.
Lazise in Winter
Lazise is a splendid tourist destination to visit in any season, including winter. First of all, a pleasant walk along the Lazise lakefront will make the experience even more pleasant. Furthermore, the historic center of Lazise is a true testimony of ancient architecture, making the location fascinating even during the winter months, when swimming in the lake is impossible.
Lazise is also located in a privileged position on Lake Garda, which offers excellent advantages even in winter. Located on the east coast of Lake Garda, Lazise benefits from several hours of sunshine even in winter. The winter sunsets in the South-West in front of Lazise, and in November-December, the lakeside remains illuminated until around 4.30 pm, allowing those walking along the lakefront to be warmed by the sun.
Other locations located to the south or west are reached by the shade much earlier, partly also due to the mountains surrounding Lake Garda. During sunset, the sun’s rays that set behind these locations cannot reach them, illuminate them, or warm them.
Lazise in December
Enjoy the atmosphere of Lazise in December and admire the beauty of the nature surrounding it in the following video: https://youtu.be/fFz7NB3VRNE.
Text of the video:
It’s December and we enjoy a beautiful walk in Lazise on Lake Garda among the traditional markets that preceed the winter holidays. The market is open during weekends and holidays. Shopping, delicious food, and beautiful views make the hours spent in Lazise very special.
Enjoy the video until the end when you can see an incredible sunset and the beauty of Lazise small port and square by night.
Happy and satisfied, we go back home ready for the next adventure. If you too want to be with us also the next time, please like and subscribe! Thanks, and see you in the next adventure. Bye
Useful information
Here is some useful information for your visit to Lazise.
Where to park in Lazise?
- Parking near the walls: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ygtsr7L8NxgjXRPYA.
- Parking near the police or carabinieri: https://maps.app.goo.gl/U15EXMxeuERPkeDNA.
- San Martino parking: https://maps.app.goo.gl/PTb3vjnNotoBWHwo8.
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