10 of the best Lake Garda villas for a dreamy Italian escape
As Italy’s largest lake, it’s no surprise that Lake Garda is teeming with beautiful villas, too. Hop on a train from Milan or Verona and within an hour reach the spectacularly clear waters, enclosed by a mixture of craggy mountains and charming lakeside villages. Lake Como, Garda’s glitzier sister, usually steals the spotlight for being a celebrity magnet, and while Lake Garda is by no means a secret Italian lake, it offers equal beauty with much less of the crowds.
Explore this olive grove hotspot, underrated foodie wonderland, and treasure trove of glorious villa rentals for your next Italian escape. Ranging from regal estates suspended in the past to swish pool houses with secret saunas, there’s a villa in Lake Garda to suit all tastes. To help you in your search, we’ve scoured the idyllic perimeter and selected some of the loveliest villas in Lake Garda, chosen for their handy amenities, prime location, and of course, postcard-perfect lake views.
For more recommendations for villas in Italy, visit:
Classic hilltop home, Padenghe sul Garda
Amid a pretty cluster of hilltop villas on the outskirts of Padenghe sul Garda, this villa oozes with vintage flair without ever feeling too dated. Clay tiling in each en suite bedroom, washed wooden furniture, and a sage green kitchen with gold furnishings are just some of the timeless details to uncover here. Grand arched doors lead to the terrace, where smoky scents from the built-in stone barbecue waft over the long dining bench. Look beyond, and the grassy lawn unfurls towards a magnificent, Roman-style pool, surrounded by neatly trimmed shrubbery for your privacy. Guests are also able to reserve tennis courts in the village free of charge, as well as make use of the free on-site parking.
Sleeps: Six
Price: From around £474 per night, with a three-night minimum stay
Spacious double-suite villa, Bardolino
Comprising two independent apartments connected by a gorgeous infinity pool, this villa rental is ideal for couples or small families who value a little extra space and privacy. Each stylish suite has its own personal kitchen, snug TV lounge, and dining table, not to mention the mosaic-tiled rainshower in both en suite bathrooms. Double the facilities means double the fun, but there’s plenty of shared outdoor space to reconvene in, too. Endless hours of refreshing laps and sun-soaked lounging are followed by al fresco suppers, powered by the barbecue grill. Bookend the balmy evening by moving up to the rooftop terrace, where you’ll find garden sofas blanketed in soft quilts and the best vantage point for fiery lake sunsets.
Sleeps: Four
Price: From around £378 per night, with a four-night minimum stay
Andreas TauberContemporary spa-style retreat, Maderno
Embedded in a quiet nook on sloping hills, this villa is perfect for those looking to truly disconnect. Flourishing woodland looms above the sandstone facades, while a lake-facing sauna and above-ground plunge pool lie on the patio beside. Move inside for three elegant bedrooms, each with its own sleek bathroom and ground-floor terrace, plus a sophisticated open-plan lounge upstairs, with wide glass doors which sweep across the front and open onto the dining balcony. But it’s the thoughtful hosts who really make this stay magical. Organic breakfasts delivered to your doorstep every morning, spa care packages left beside the sauna, and a dog-friendly policy, which means furry friends need not be left behind.
Sleeps: Six
Price: From around £672 per night, with a three-night minimum stay
Private beach villa, Barbarano
It’s not every day that you wake up with a private beach, but group trippers of this wonderful villa can take over its sweet little pebbly cove as their own. Wade beyond the lounger-lined shores to feel the cool waters against your skin, all while in the sole company of loved ones, before returning to the land for hammock dozes or lakeside lunches. It’s equally dreamy inside, too. A regal red colour scheme seeps across the mixture of king-size and twin bedrooms, complemented by lavish details like a freestanding bathtub or leather chaise longue. There’s also a dainty kitchen and polished oak dining table, with plenty of room for all guests, plus the option for housekeeping services during longer stays.
Sleeps: Ten
Price: From around £639 per night, with a five-night minimum stay
Charming 1920s estate, Toscolano Maderno
The villa has a lovely, lengthy history, designed during the 1920s by Italian architect Giancarlo Maroni and surrounded by a thriving farm of ancient olive trees. Renovations in the early twenty-first century gave this estate a new lease of life, although its charming past lingers through the human-sized lounge fireplace, opulent billiards room, and velvety bedrooms with lofty, panelled walls. Even the sunken jacuzzi outside is encircled by classic arched pillars, elegantly framing the glorious turquoise waters, but for the best Lake Garda views, head down to the private infinity pool at the foot of your manicured garden. Upon arrival, expect a generous welcome hamper filled with local produce, including the olive oil grown by your very own neighbours, followed by a daily morning delivery of fresh bread and flaky pastries.
Sleeps: Eight
Price: From around £913 per night, with a three-night minimum stay
Lisa LedererSecluded super-villa, Santa Lucia
While this villa is located on the outskirts of the Lake Garda region, its idyllic surroundings make it a worthy contender all the same. Discover a sweeping, green sanctuary on your doorstep, fringed by dense woodland and littered with canopied daybeds. The crown jewel, however, is the splendid natural pool, where crystal-clear waters are lined by lilypad-studded ponds. These outdoor areas are shared with two other homes next door, but the villa is all yours. Earthy yet elegant, rooms here are enclosed between tall beamed ceilings and exposed cobblestone walls, while large full-moon lampshades arrest attention across several rooms. Each bedroom has a glamorous en suite too, ensuring plenty of privacy before guests reunite on the dining terrace. Here, expect memorable family meals at the carved oak table, sheltered beneath fanciful arches wrapped in crawling vines.
Sleeps: Ten
Price: From around £1,448 per night, with a two-night minimum stay
Graceful villa with spa room, Toscolano Maderno
Poised above a quaint lakefront town, this villa envelopes guests in its own romantic bubble, while remaining palpably close to all the wonderful Lake Garda scenery. Enjoy the panoramic views from the comfort of your delightful solarium, where an ethereal, white chandelier hangs above the oak dining table and vintage-style armchairs. Families need not fight for the master room either, as all three bedrooms are king-size, en suite, and embellished with chic, dusky furnishings. Outside offerings are impressive too, as both the sparkling infinity pool and sunken jacuzzi are some of the largest on our list. Worth singling out for praise is the spa room hidden downstairs, with another jacuzzi, sauna, reclined relaxation chairs, and the option to hire a private masseuse.
Sleeps: Six
Price: From around £948 per night, with a three-night minimum stay
Family-friendly former monastery, Calvagese
Cobblestone walls rising above a stunning 25-metre swimming pool. Romantic candlelit suppers within a grand vaulted cellar. A private mini golf course on the edge of a lush garden. This stay is far from your everyday villa, but for milestone celebrations or long-awaited reunions, it’s the perfect treat. Bygone centuries are beautifully preserved in its monastery-turned-villa architecture, a highlight being the gym cellar, where you’ll find cardio and weights machines in an atmospheric medieval setting. Cooking enthusiasts are spoilt for choice by the three fully-equipped kitchens, stocking everything from a wine fridge to an ice cream maker, and each bedroom has a glossy walk-in rainshower. Lake Garda’s picturesque shores are a short drive away, but with a ping pong table, mini golf course, and home cinema within your home, there’s plenty to keep all entertained on the property.
Sleeps: Eight
Price: From around £1,845 per night, with a seven-night minimum stay
Claire WilliamsCotton Candy Castle
Aptly nicknamed the ‘Cotton Candy Castle’, this villa is a whimsical jumble of pastel hues. Everything from the floaty bed canopies to the dainty chandeliers feels lifted straight out of a fairytale, while intricate hand-painted murals crop up not only on walls, but on chairs, drawers, and doorways too. It’s more than just a pretty sight too, with all the practical facilities for a magical stay. There’s a shared rooftop pool, private balcony, and fully-equipped kitchen with a dishwasher, and the prime location between rolling vineyards and Lake Garda’s waterfront slots you right at the heart of the region’s loveliest landscapes.
Sleeps: Six
Price: From around £378 per night, with a four-night minimum stay
Marco Leonardo PieropanExtravagant pool villa, Padenghe sul Garde
Set among olive groves and lemon orchards, this five-bedroom villa is a feast for the senses. Each room bursts with its own vibrant personality, from the teal-toned drawing room to the floral bedrooms, while patterned rugs fill every empty inch of the floor. A spectacle of quirky decor choices is scattered across the spaces too, like the dozens of hand-painted plates above the lounge fireplace, while one lucky bedroom even has its own sauna. Less a garden, more a sprawling natural paradise, the villa is surrounded by an emerald lawn filled with plush daybeds, shady patios, and swaying palms, but the main event is the huge swimming pool, rivalling those you find in a five-star resort.
Sleeps: Ten
Price: From around £907 per night, with a seven-night minimum stay
