How To Spend A Weekend In Salò At Lake Garda
Where to stay, eat, and play in Salò, Italy. A guide to one of Lake Garda's most charming lakeside towns.
There’s a certain magic to Salò — a quiet, unhurried charm that settles around you like the golden light dancing on its blue waters. It’s a place where history lingers in crumbling villas and sun-warmed stone streets, yet life moves with a gentle, ease. Located on the western side of Italy's largest lake, Lake Garda.
My love for Salò lives in its contrasts: refined but never showy, vibrant yet deeply peaceful, timeless and always a little unexpected. Mornings start with flaky pastries and cappuccinos on breezy terraces, afternoons are made for sailing, swimming, or simply watching the light shift across the lake, and evenings linger with laughter, spritzes, and views that feel like paintings.
If you’ve ever dreamed of slipping into the rhythm of a place where beauty feels effortless and time slows just enough, Salò is waiting.
Where to Stay
Grand Hotel a Villa Feltrinelli, About a 20 minute drive from Salò in Gargnano, Villa Feltrinelli is one of Northern Italy’s most storied Grand Hotels. Built in 1892 as the summer residence of the influential Feltrinelli family. Today, it stands as a masterpiece of Italian grandeur, with its neo-Gothic architecture framed by manicured gardens. Inside, expect vintage silver, pressed linens, and timeless Italian cuisine served in what might be the most cinematic lunch settings on the lake.
Grand Hotel Fasano, Gardone Riviera Grand Hotel Fasano, once an Austrian imperial hunting lodge dating back to 1888, sits quietly on Lake Garda’s western shore in Gardone Riviera. A very popular choice and one of the most luxurious hotels on the lake. Stunning setting right at the shores.
What to Do
Rent a Boat: Garda Boat Rental Boats Rent a boat and drift along the shorelines of lemon groves, faded villas, and hidden swimming coves. No agenda, just a bottle of Franciacorta and the sound of the water. We first went to Mercato Di Salo and picked up our picnic before heading out for the day.
Mercato Di Salò: An authentic, bustling market brimming with fresh produce, vintage linens, and local cheeses. Held every Saturday, be weary you can spend hours here.
Spiaggia di Barbarano or Spiaggia Mulino: Two of Salò's prettiest swimming spots. Clear, cool waters, and that irresistible mix of laid back locals and sun dappled views. Pack your own beach chairs, umbrella, towels, and picnic.
Parcheggio Sentieri: Hiking trails that overlook the lake. Grab a sunhat, and head into the hills for views of the lake from above. Quiet, scenic, and wonderfully free of crowds.
Archaeological site of Grotte di Catullo: Take the drive to Sirmione and explore the ancient Roman ruins, where ancient stone walls, olive groves, and sweeping lake views create a setting that feels lifted from a timeless romance — straight out of Call Me By Your Name.
Where to Eat
Breakfast
El Pastiser: A cherished, family-run pastry shop located in the heart of Salò, on the western shore of Lake Garda. Established in 1986 by Marco Zuanelli and his sister Nadia, the pasticceria began as a small venture and has since become a local institution. In 1999, it moved to its current location in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, affectionately known by locals as "la fossa". Order a flaky sfogliatella or a custard-filled cannoncino, and watch the morning unfold.
Lunch
Papillon: For a relaxed, lakeside lunch in Salò. Think homemade pastas, rustic pizzas, and bottles of cold Lugana. The menu changes with whatever the kitchen finds at the market.
Aperitivo
Pasticceria Vassalli Salò: One of the oldest pastry shops, a family-run institution known for its refined confections, traditional Lombard cakes, and hand-crafted chocolates. Housed in a classic early 20th-century storefront just steps from the lakefront promenade, it has long been a favorite of locals seeking a morning espresso or an afternoon indulgence.
Dinner
Osteria Felter alle Rose: Beautifully restored 18th-century trattoria, now helmed by chef Matteo Felter and his siblings. The restaurant offers a refined, seasonal menu that reimagines regional Italian cuisine with contemporary flair, complemented by an extensive selection of natural wines.
Where to Shop
Leonardo Guizzetti: A must for buttery soft leather accessories and perfectly cut classics. They are known for their belts and leather duffle bags.
Profumeria Ornella ETHOS: An old school perfumery with shelves lined with niche fragrances, luxe skincare, and pretty handmade hair clips.
Clan Donna Di Bellini Ambra: Curated, feminine, and impeccably stylish. Find airy linen dresses, Italian made sandals, and beautifully cut blouses for those long lakeside afternoons.
Belli F.lli: A historic, family-run shop filled with kitchen tools. For any chef or baker browsing the isles gives you endless ideas and inspiration even if you “don’t need anything”. which seems to alway be me.
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