Desenzano

Lake Garda, Italy

Desenzano is located on the south western end of Lake Garda and has a variety of historic features along with being a lovely lakeside tourist resort.

About Desenzano

Desenzano del Garda is known for its beautiful scenery, historical sites, and outdoor activities.

Visitors can explore the city’s Roman villa, medieval castle, and archaeological museum, or enjoy boating, swimming, and hiking in the surrounding area.

LOCATION

Desenzano location on Lake Garda

Desenzano is in the south western corner of Lake Garda, near Sirmione.

The town is has excellent transport links and is near the E70 motorway (austostrada).

FERRY INFORMATION

There are ferry boat services across the lake from Desenzano, the most frequent ones being to Sirmione, Lazise, Bardolino and Garda.� Others routes will be more infrequent. There are, however, tour boats available to various Lake Garda destinations.

Tickets can be bought directly from the ferry service website, except for fast boat tickets which must be bought at the ground station.

*All times approximate

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Desenzano History & Other Information

The area was settled in the Bronze Age and, sometime around the 1st century, Desenzano del Garda became a favourite vacation spot for the elites from Verona.

Desenzano has one of the� most important Roman villas in the north of Italy from the late 1st century BC , covering an area of 11,000 square metres (118,403 square feet).

The Old Port was built by the Venetians in 1454 to make Desenzano a commercial hub.

The baroque cathedral, dedicated to St Mary Magdalene, was designed by Giulio Todeschini and built on the remains of the parish church between 1586 and 1611.

Things to see in Desenzano

THINGS TO SEE

The Cathedral of St Mary Magdalene
Dating back to the 15th century with a decorated interior and frescoes. There are many beautiful paintings along with Tiepolo’s Last Supper.

The Museum of Archaeology
Items from the Bronze Age found near Desenzano including a 2000 year old plough/plow.

Old Port (Porto Vecchio)
Built by the Venetians to turn Desenzano into a major port in the area.

Roman Villa
One of the largest Roman villas that has been found (website with entry details/cost).

The Castle (Castello di Densenzano)
Fortified remains, now hosts conferences and weddings but can be visited.

Hotels in Desenzano

A selection of the most well-reviewed hotels in Desenzano include the following

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HOTEL PICCOLA VELA

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Hotel Piccola Vela

Hotel Piccola Vela is a short walk from the historic center of Desenzano del Garda. It offers friendly staff, clean rooms and free breakfast, as well as free WiFi throughout. Lake Garda golf courses are nearby.

With an outdoor pool and a heated pool, Hotel Piccola Vela features a sun terrace with a hot tub and free private parking. Guests also enjoy bike rental service, and an equipped bike storage area.

A shared garden is also available at the Hotel Piccola Vela. Local specialties are served in the on-site restaurant.

information from Booking.com

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VILLA ROSA HOTEL

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Hotel Villa Rosa

Hotel Villa Rosa is right on Desenzano del Garda’s lakefront, near a small beach area and a 10-minute walk from the town center. It offers a restaurant, an outdoor pool and hot tub.

Villa Rosa Hotel mixes classic architecture with modern interior design. All rooms have their own balcony and feature free Wi-Fi access and a 55″ Smart TV.

The Villa Rosa Desenzano provides pool towels as well as sun loungers by the pool. You will also find a 24-hour gym and a free outdoor car park and parking garage, which is available at an additional cost.

The new Rose & Sapori Restaurant serves local and Mediterranean cuisine, as well as gluten-free dishes. In summer, guests enjoy light afternoon meals at the snack area. Both the breakfast buffet and dinner can be enjoyed on the lake-view terrace.

information from Booking.com

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PARK HOTEL

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Park Hotel

In the center of Desenzano and a 5-minute walk from the harbor, Park Hotel features a rooftop pool with hot tub and a sun terrace. Set on the Garda Lake promenade, it features free WiFi.

Air-conditioned rooms at Hotel Park come with elegant wooden furniture and satellite channels. Some include balconies with beautiful views of the lake, just a few yards away.

Breakfast is provided daily, served on the veranda or in the garden with lake views. Guests will enjoy a local and Mediterranean cuisine at the on-site restaurant. The Park Hotel also features meeting rooms with high-speed internet connection.

information from Booking.com

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