This small Lake Garda town makes red wine from Corvina grapes and hosts two annual wine festivals. Its 12th-century church has preserved medieval frescoes.
In Bardolino, you can walk along Lake Garda's eastern shore, taste local wines in centuries-old cellars, and browse the Thursday morning market filled with regional cheeses and olive oils. The town's 9th-century Church of San Zeno and 12th-century Church of San Severo display medieval frescoes and Carolingian architecture. A 13-kilometer lakeside path leads you to neighboring towns, while rental boats and water equipment let you explore Lake Garda's waters.
Wine Production in Bardolino
The hills surrounding Bardolino produce PDO-certified red wines. Local wineries make both the traditional Bardolino red and Chiaretto rosé. You'll find these wines served with regional meat dishes and local cheeses in the town's wine cellars. At the Zeni Wine Museum, you can examine historical winemaking tools and learn about local viticulture through interactive exhibits.
Medieval Churches and Architecture
The Church of San Zeno, dating from the mid-9th century, represents one of Italy's few remaining examples of Carolingian architecture. Inside the 12th-century Church of San Severo, you'll find medieval frescoes covering the walls and an early medieval crypt below. The town's streets follow a herringbone layout, with roads running perpendicular to the shoreline – a pattern from its early days as a fishing village.
Lake Activities and Beaches
At the Nautical Center, you can rent sailing boats or take sailing lessons. The shoreline has several pedal boat rental points, and you can join excursions on the San Nicolò sailing ship. Punta Cornicello beach includes restaurants, bars, parking, and a children's playground. The water temperature reaches 24°C (75°F) during summer months, making swimming comfortable from June through September.
Exploring the Surroundings
The paved cycling path connecting Bardolino to Lazise and Garda passes through reed beds where swans and mallards nest. At the Olive Oil Museum in Cisano, you can learn about local production methods with audio guides in English, German, and Italian. The exhibits explain how the combination of Lake Garda's microclimate and mineral-rich soil affects the olive oil's flavor.
Getting Around
Bardolino sits 30 kilometers from Verona, with regular buses running between the two cities every hour. Venice is 130 kilometers east, and Milan is 160 kilometers west. Local buses connect to nearby towns and Gardaland amusement park every 30 minutes during peak season. The town center spans about 1 kilometer, with most churches, shops, and restaurants within a 15-minute walk of each other.
