Lake Ferry

Navigarda operates an extensive ferry network on Lake Garda, connecting the main lakeside towns from April to October. Services range from slow traghetti (car ferries) to faster passenger-only hydrofoils. Taking the boat is one of the best ways to see the lake — the perspectives from the water, looking back at the cliffs and town clusters along the shore, are very different from the road.

The full north-south passenger service from Riva del Garda to Desenzano takes several hours and stops at most of the major towns. A day-ticket allows on-and-off travel. The Maderno-Torri car ferry runs year-round and is the only crossing-point for vehicles. Ferry timetables vary by season; check navigarda.it for current schedules and fares.

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The car ferry at Maderno on the western shore to Torri del Benaco on the eastern shore has operated since the 1920s. It crosses the widest part of the lake in about 35 minutes and is the only way to cross between the shores without driving the entire length of the lake. On busy summer days, the queue for the car ferry can stretch back a kilometre — passengers on foot can always board, and it's a good reason to leave the car behind.

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