Lake Garda: Isola del Garda Boat Tour & Prosecco

Ninety Minutes on Lake Garda, Past Villas and Castle Walls

You board a boat at Lake Garda and spend 90 minutes cruising past Roman ruins, a medieval castle, and the private gardens of Isola del Garda, with a local guide naming each landmark as it passes. A glass of Prosecco is included. The boat doesn't stop at attractions, you view them from the water, which is what keeps the whole experience contained in a single afternoon without logistics.

Step-by-step itinerary

Boat tour around Lake Garda

• Board the boat for tour
• See Aquaria Thermal spa
• Pass next to Castello Scaligero
• View Grotte of Catullo from lake
• Pass Rocca di Manerba del Garda
• Admire Isola del Garda
• Enjoy bottle of Prosecco

The experience

"The water is calm today. We'll see everything," the guide said as we stepped onto the boat, and he meant it. The 1.5-hour tour of Lake Garda moves slowly enough that you actually notice things: the pale stone of Scaliger Castle rising from Sirmione's peninsula, the way the light hits the terraced gardens on Isola del Garda, the Roman Grottoes of Catullus carved into the cliff face across the water. A local guide narrates the stops, pointing out which villa belonged to Maria Callas, the Greek-American soprano, and naming the landmarks as they come into view. You're not getting off the boat (this is a cruise, not a walking tour), but that's the point. You sit, you watch, the boat does the work.

The route takes you past San Biagio Island and around Garda Island, where the water stays gentle and the pace never rushes. You'll pass the Aquaria Thermal spa without stopping, see the Rocca di Manerba rising above the shoreline, and get a clear view of Isola del Garda's palace and lawns from the water. A glass of Prosecco is poured somewhere in the middle of it all, which is the kind of detail that makes a boat ride feel less like transport and more like something you chose to do. The whole thing takes 90 minutes, which is long enough to feel like you've actually been somewhere but short enough that you're not sitting still for half the day.

Weather matters here: the tour runs subject to favorable conditions, and if the lake gets rough or the sky turns, they'll offer you an alternative date instead of pushing out anyway. That's worth knowing before you book, but it also means when you do go, the conditions are right. Infants and small children can come along in a pram or stroller, and service animals are allowed on board.

What’s included

• Your tour includes a private local guide, a glass of Prosecco, and all taxes, fees and handling charges.
• You do not pay separately for entry or transport to the attractions, since you're viewing them from the boat.
• Public transportation options are available nearby if you need to reach the departure point.

Before you book

Lasts 1h 30m, runs every day at 11:30, 15:30 and 17:30, from € 435 per group, with a live guide in English, German and Italian, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 11:30, 15:30 and 17:30

Book up to1d before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Bertoldi Boats Snc

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see Lake Garda's main landmarks (villas, castles, Roman ruins) without arranging multiple stops or entry tickets. The boat does the routing and the guide does the naming, which leaves you free to just look.

Traveler reviews

4.95★★★★★★★★★★

428 verified traveler reviews

5 ★415

4 ★7

3 ★4

2 ★0

1 ★2

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, German and Italian.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the boat tour?

1.5 hours on the water, viewing attractions from the boat without stops.

What's included in the tour?

Local guide, a glass of Prosecco, and all taxes and fees. You do not arrange transport or entry separately.

Can I bring children or a baby?

Yes. Infants and small children can travel in a pram or stroller, and service animals are allowed on board.

What if the weather is bad?

The tour is subject to favorable weather conditions. If it's canceled due to poor weather, an alternative date will be offered.

Will the boat stop at any of the landmarks?

No. This is a cruise tour. You view Scaliger Castle, the Roman grottoes, Isola del Garda and other sites from the water.

Is this tour private or a group tour?

It's a private tour with a local guide.

What landmarks will I see?

Scaliger Castle in Sirmione, the Roman Grottoes of Catullus, Rocca di Manerba, Isola del Garda, San Biagio Island, Garda Island, and Maria Callas' villa.

Do I need to be fit or athletic for this tour?

No. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. You're on a boat the entire time.