Lake Garda's southern shore has a mild Mediterranean-influenced climate. Summers are warm, with daytime highs around 28-32°C in July and August and the lake swimmable from June through September. Winters are damp and grey, with occasional snow and most restaurants closing from November to March.
Spring (April–early June) and early autumn (September) are the best times to visit: warm enough to swim and walk the walls, busy but not packed, and the lake is at its prettiest. Italian school holidays in August can make Peschiera uncomfortably crowded; avoid the middle two weeks if you can. The tulip bloom at Parco Sigurtà in late March and April is a draw in itself.