Weekly Markets on Lake Garda: the indispensable guide for the authentic tourist
If you love shopping and, let’s face it, adore mixing with the locals to hunt down a great bargain, the weekly markets on Lake Garda are your playground. From the Verona shore to the Brescia side, crossing into Trentino, every day of the week has its fixed appointment, a perfect opportunity to discover zero-kilometre produce, sample local specialities, and perhaps take home that souvenir you won’t find anywhere else. Get your shopping bag ready, and a comfortable pair of shoes, because the atmosphere here is truly irresistible.
The weekly guide to Garda markets
Monday: the start of the week on the lower and upper lake
Monday kicks off strongly, with some of the busiest markets, ideal for those who have just arrived and want to immediately dive into the lake’s atmosphere.
- Peschiera del Garda – Piazzale del parcheggio di Porta Brescia (seasonal market, May–December)
- Sirmione – Via Colombare
- Torri del Benaco – Piazza Calderini and Lungolago
- Moniga del Garda – Piazza S. Martino
- Pozzolengo – Viale Gramsci
- San Zeno di Montagna – Piazza Alessandro Schena
Tuesday: a day of grand classics and mountain flavours
Tuesday is the perfect day for those on the western shore, with the large market in Desenzano. Don’t miss the evening artisan market in Bardolino for a romantic sunset stroll.
- Desenzano del Garda – Lungolago Cesare Battisti
- Limone sul Garda – Via Lungolago G. Marconi (seasonal, April–December)
- Castelletto di Brenzone – Via Beato Giuseppe Nascimbeni
- Tignale – Località Gardola
- Cavaion Veronese – Piazza delle Palafitte
- New: Cisano di Bardolino – Via Costabella di Cisano
- New: Bardolino – Lungolago C. Preite (Evening Artisan Market)
- Arco – Viale delle Palme (Farmers’ Market, May–December)
- Torbole sul Garda – Old port (2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month)
- Rovereto – Via Gerolamo Tartarotti
Wednesday: tradition, villages, and historic markets
Wednesday is dominated by the charm of Lazise, one of the largest and most scenic markets, but don’t forget the more intimate markets in Garda Trentino.
- Lazise – Largo Marconi, Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II
- Gargnano – Via Zanardelli (fortnightly)
- Pietramurata – Piazza Mercato
- Arco – Squares and streets of the centre (1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month)
- Riva del Garda – Piazza 3 Novembre (2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month)
- Sirmione (Colombare) – Piazza Virgilio (Farmers’ Market)
Thursday: on the Veronese and Trentino shores
Thursday brings the fascinating market in Bardolino, along with opportunities to find niche products in less central locations. I have also integrated important markets for those in the area.
- Bardolino – Lungolago C. Preite
- Bussolengo – Piazzetta S. Gaetano, Via Mazzini
- Dro – Piazza Repubblica
- Toscolano Maderno – Via G. Marconi
- Mori – Piazza Malfatti
- Lonato del Garda – Piazza Martiri della Libertà
- Pieve di Ledro – Via Cassoni
- Torbole sul Garda – (Farmers’ Market, seasonal)
- Trento – Streets of the historic centre
Friday: taste and intoxicating views
Friday is the perfect day for a market with a view. Here you’ll find the lake’s gems, as well as the farmers’ market in Riva, if you haven’t found what you were looking for.
- Garda – Via S. Francesco (seasonal, April–November)
- Gardone Riviera
- Manerba del Garda – Viale della Rimembranza
- Puegnago – Via Palazzi Garibaldi
- Soiano del Lago – Piazza Don Vantini
- Lugana di Sirmione – Piazzale Lido Lugana
- Riva del Garda – Via Roma (Farmers’ Market)
Saturday: for those who love a weekend bargain hunt
Saturday is the day when the markets extend to the surrounding cities, offering vast choices. Malcesine and Salò, however, remain the stars on the lake.
- Malcesine – Corso G. Garibaldi
- Salò – Piazza Mario Pedrazzi
- Valeggio sul Mincio – Piazza C. Alberto
- Verona – Stadio Bentegodi
- Brescia – Piazza Loggia
- New: Calmasino – Via Monte Baldo (Farmers’ Market)
- Pacengo di Lazise – Piazza Marengo
Sunday: the grand finale
Markets are rare on Sunday, but there is still an opportunity for those who don’t want to miss the atmosphere:
- Rivoltella (hamlet of Desenzano) – Via Giuseppe di Vittorio
The weekly markets on Lake Garda offer tourists an authentic experience, with fixed appointments from Monday to Sunday in the main resorts and surrounding villages. The most important markets for variety and crowds are in Peschiera del Garda (Monday), Desenzano del Garda (Tuesday), Lazise (Wednesday), and Bardolino (Thursday). The list also includes specialised farmers’ markets (Arco, Riva del Garda) and markets in the neighbouring art cities (Verona, Brescia). It is the ideal way to buy typical products, clothing, crafts, and immerse yourself in local life.
Note
Be aware, it is always a good idea to check the exact times locally. The markets are usually held from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm, but in case of bad weather or special events, there may be changes. If you need to plan an excursion, do not leave it to the last minute.
