Lake Garda is not only water, old towns and views: it is also one of the most pleasant places in northern Italy to go shopping — slowly, through historic streets rather than shopping-centre corridors.
Anyone spending a few days in Bardolino, Lazise or Peschiera del Garda soon discovers that the town centres are full of independent shops, with styles you will not find in the big chains.
This guide collects the advice we give our customers in store every day: when to come, what to look for, how to move between the lakeside towns and what to expect in each season.
Bardolino: lakefront promenade and shops in the centre
Bardolino is probably the easiest starting point. The lakefront is pedestrian, the shops are concentrated along a few streets, and you can cover it all on foot in an afternoon without moving the car.
The shopping area runs around Via San Martino and the streets parallel to the lake. The season lasts from April to October, with July and August naturally busier.
One detail visitors usually discover only on site: on summer evenings many shops stay open late, and after dinner the centre fills with people strolling. It is the nicest time for window shopping, if not the most comfortable for trying things on.
Lazise: the walled town
Lazise has a compact old town enclosed by the Scaligeri walls, where boutiques alternate with cafés. Corso Ospedale and the streets around the harbour have the highest concentration of shops.
Ideal if you are after something particular without the crowds: even in high season it keeps a calmer pace than other towns on the lake. The small harbour and the main square are a few steps from the shopping streets.
Peschiera del Garda: easy for a day trip
Peschiera is the easiest to reach by train — the station is on the Milan-Venice line — which makes it ideal for a day trip even without a car.
Its Venetian fortress is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and around the old town you will find several clothing and footwear shops. If you arrive by train you can do everything on foot: the centre is less than ten minutes from the station.
What to look for, season by season
- April to June: spring collections arrive. The widest choice of sizes and colours, with far fewer people.
- July and August: peak season. Maximum availability of sandals, slides and bags, but also the busiest time.
- Late August to September: end-of-season sales begin. The best value for money, with the lake still fully enjoyable.
- October to December: boots and ankle boots take over. Fewer tourists, more space to try things on.
Getting between the three towns
Bardolino, Lazise and Peschiera are a few kilometres apart: ten to fifteen minutes by car, though parking in high season requires patience.
The nicer alternative is the ferry, connecting the towns on the Verona shore: you arrive right at the harbour, a few steps from the shopping streets. Buses also run, cheaper but less frequent.
Practical advice: if you only have one day, pick two towns and take your time. Doing three in a rush means seeing more car parks than shops.
A few things to know before you come
- Opening hours: in high season many shops stay open all day, often until late evening. Off season hours shorten and some close in the early afternoon.
- Best time: early morning and late afternoon are the quietest for trying things on.
- Sizes: Italian sizes do not always match other countries'. Have a look at our shoe size conversion guide before travelling.
- Payments: cards are accepted everywhere, but cash is still handy for small purchases.
Frequently asked questions
Which Lake Garda town is best for shopping?
It depends what you are after: Bardolino has the highest concentration of shops in a small area, Lazise is quieter and more characterful, Peschiera is the easiest to reach without a car.
Are shops open on Sundays?
In high season yes, almost all of them. Off season it is worth checking, as many keep reduced hours.
Is it worth buying Italian shoes on the lake?
On Lake Garda you find Italian collections that reach other countries rarely or at higher prices. Plus you can try them on, which for footwear remains the decisive advantage.
Is there an outlet on Lake Garda?
There are outlets in the area, but the old towns offer something different: independent shops with selected collections rather than leftovers from past seasons.
Our shops on the lake
Trendy Fashion has several stores in Bardolino, Lazise and Peschiera del Garda. Addresses, opening hours and maps are on our Our Stores page.
If you prefer to browse first, you can see the new collection online: what you see on the website is what we carry in store.