Destinations / Lake Garda
Lake Garda with kids
The southeast corner of the lake packs Gardaland, a LEGOLAND Water Park, Movieland, Caneva Aquapark and a safari park into about 10 km, so families can swap park days and lake days without long drives. Hotels run from Gardaland's own themed resorts to aparthotels with lagoon pools and mini clubs. It is mainly a late-spring to early-autumn trip, because most parks and many hotels shut in winter.
Lake Garda
Which ages it suits
Ages 0–2 · Possible
Cots are available, but hot park days with prams are hard; lakeside beaches and baby lagoons are the easier days.
Ages 3–6 · Great
Gardaland has Peppa Pig Land, the LEGOLAND Water Park suits them, and mini clubs usually start from 4.
Ages 7–12 · Great
The best age: thrill rides in Gardaland as they pass height limits, water slides at Caneva and Movieland's stunt shows.
Ages 13–17 · Good
Gardaland and Movieland work, but there is less to do outside the parks, so pair with Sirmione or the lake.
When to go with children
Weather for kids and school-holiday crowds together. Best: May, June, September.
- January · 6°C
- Parks and many hotels are closed, apart from Gardaland's winter event until 6 January; the lake towns are quiet.
- April · 17°C
- Gardaland and Movieland are open, with Movieland's 2026 season starting 2 April; water parks are still closed.
- June · 27°C
- Warm and long days, with all parks open.
- August · 29°C
- Hot, busy and priciest; Caneva Aquapark ran 23 May to 13 September in 2026, and thunderstorms are common in July and August.
- September · 24°C
- Quieter and warm; Caneva Aquapark closed on 13 September in 2026, so check the date for your trip.
- December · 6°C
- Gardaland runs Magic Winter from 5 December 2026 to 6 January 2027, with hotel packages offered for the event.
Parks and days out, by car
Typical minutes by car from Lazise. School-holiday traffic can add a lot.
A cinema-themed park with stunt shows; listings say full price from 140 cm is about 35 to 36 euro and children under 100 cm are free, and the 2026 season ran 2 April to 29 November (third-party sources).
Best for 5–14 · Many rides need 100 cm+ · Adult day from about $40 · Tickets on GetYourGuide · Official site
A Caribbean-style water park with slides and pools next to Movieland; third-party listings give 23 May to 13 September in 2026 and about 33 to 34 euro for full-price tickets.
Best for 4–14 · Adult day from about $35 · Tickets on GetYourGuide · Official site
A large theme park with Peppa Pig Land for toddlers and coasters for older kids; tickets are listed from 32 euro for adults, cheaper booked early, and the park is closed outside its season.
Best for 3–14 · Adult day from about $35 · Tickets on GetYourGuide · Official site
A LEGO-themed water park with a Miniland, run by Gardaland; children under 14 must be accompanied, and the page shows no dates or prices, so check the calendar.
Best for 2–12 · Tickets on GetYourGuide · Official site
A roofed aquarium with an Ocean Tunnel, handy on a rainy day; it is sold with Gardaland winter tickets, but standalone prices are not on the official page.
Best for 2–10 · Tickets on GetYourGuide · Official site
A safari and walk-through zoo near Verona; resellers list about 25 euro for walking or safari and 30 for both, with 2026 opening to 6 January 2027, and babies 0 to 2 free.
Best for 2–12 · Adult day from about $25 · Tickets on GetYourGuide · Official site
A castle town on a peninsula, easy for a half day by car; the old town is crowded in summer, so go early.
Best for 4–16 · Tickets on GetYourGuide · Official site
Where to stay
Lazise and Peschiera
The southeast shore sits closest to Gardaland, Movieland and Caneva Aquapark.
Castelnuovo del Garda (Gardaland Resort)
Gardaland's own hotels are 800 m from the park with a free shuttle.
Bardolino
A quieter lakefront town with aparthotels and beaches, about 6 to 8 km from the parks.
Family resorts we checked
Themed four-star rooms (Arctic, Jungle, Wild West, Arabian) with a pool area for guests only.
⚠ The official hotel calendar showed the hotel closed for the whole of November 2026; winter packages run during Magic Winter, 5 December to 6 January 2027.
Four-star themed rooms with a double bed and a separate area with two single beds.
⚠ Closed for the whole of November 2026 on the official hotel calendar; check winter dates.
The cheapest of Gardaland's own hotels, a 3-star Superior with themed rooms.
⚠ Closed for the whole of November 2026 on the official hotel calendar.
Apartments for a family of four with a mini club for 4 to 12 and a waterslide pool.
⚠ Seasonal: opening dates were not confirmed on the pages read.
A family hotel in Lazise a short drive from the theme parks.
A holiday village with an indoor water park, a small private beach and Gardaland 2 km away.
⚠ The opening period shown is 18 March 2027 to 3 November 2027, so it is closed now.
A 7-night trip, paced for kids
Arrive and the lake
Settle in and spend the afternoon at a hotel pool or beach. Keep it short after travel.
Gardaland
One full day at Gardaland, with the SEA LIFE Aquarium or the LEGOLAND Water Park next day if open. Head back for a midday pool break.
Movieland and Caneva
Movieland in the morning and the water park in the afternoon if it is summer. Rest in the evening.
Parco Natura Viva
A safari and walking day for animal-loving kids. Take snacks, because queues for the safari can be long.
Sirmione and a lake day
Take a morning in Sirmione before the crowds, then a boat trip or beach afternoon.
Good to know
- The catch
- Many parks, water parks and hotels are seasonal and closed from November to March, so confirm opening dates before booking.
- Flights
- Verona (VRN) is the closest airport, about 25 minutes from Lazise, with flights from several UK and European cities; Bergamo is just over an hour away, and Milan and Venice are also used.
- Jet lag
- UK: 1 hour ahead; US East Coast: 6 hours ahead, so expect early waking.
- Health
- Tap water is safe; strong sun in summer and thunderstorms in July and August.
- Safety
- UK FCDO and US State Dept advise normal precautions for Italy; the lake has no lifeguards on many beaches.
- Getting around
- A car is the easy option, since parks are 5 to 10 minutes apart; hotels at Gardaland have a free shuttle; use child seats in cars.
- Budget
- About $230 a night for a mid-range family room for four, $420 for luxury, plus about $200 a day for food, transport and outings.
Pairs well with: Tyrol, Costa Dorada, Sardinia
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