Lago di Garda is undoubtedly the most sought-after area in Europe for a diverse and challenging family trip. The region is perfect for a vacation and offers families with children of all ages a variety of attractions. Particularly the many, different, and varied parks that Lago di Garda has to offer. Here are the 13 most attractive parks worth visiting on your next family vacation in Northern Italy.
1. Gardaland - Amusement Park
Park Type: Amusement
Town Castel Nuovo del Garda
Website: https://www.gardaland.it
Location: on the shores of Lake Garda, in the southeastern part of the lake. 5 minutes from the town of Peschiera del Garda
Undoubtedly the largest and most significant amusement park in Italy. Among the largest in Europe and the king of parks in Italy. Its location by the lake allows you to experience attractions that will elevate you, enjoying breathtaking views. Gardaland amusement park is divided into 3 attraction areas, in 3 different colors, each indicating by its name the level of challenge and the target audience:
The blue attractions (Fantasy) – suitable for young children and for those looking to enjoy fun but still calm and serene rides.
The green attractions (Adventures) – suitable for nearly all ages, especially for those seeking a mild challenge that isn’t too frightening.
The red attractions (Adrenaline) – these are for the brave among you, looking to challenge the beating heart within you.
The park also offers hotel facilities (3) www.gardaland.it/en/our-hotels/our-themed-hotels/gardaland-hotel and they are particularly suitable for those wishing to stay close to the many parks scattered in the area.
2. Gardaland Sea Life Aquarium
The Sea World at Gardaland (GardaLand Sea Life Aquarium) is adjacent to the Gardaland amusement park, and it is recommended to dedicate between 1-2 hours to it. It is essentially a complex with various aquariums of different sizes, showcasing around 5,000 species of underwater animals such as fish, jellyfish, seals, sharks, and a variety of sea plants. Throughout the day, you can watch shark feeding shows and an impressive seal display.
Entrance to both areas is possible separately, but you can buy a combined ticket for the GARDLAND amusement park and the adjacent Sea World, thus saving quite a bit of money.
Recommendation: If you intend to enjoy both parks in one day, start at Sea World and then head to Gardaland until it closes.
A recommended site for purchasing tickets at a discount: https://www.tikez.it
3. Canevaworld Resort Amusement Park
Park Type: Amusement park, water park, film park, and dinner with knights
Town: Lazise del Garda
Website: https://www.canevaworld.it
Location: On the shores of Lake Garda, in the southeastern part of the lake. 10 minutes from the town of Peschiera del Garda
Important:
First, you can purchase a combined ticket for all 3 areas of the park. This is cheaper than buying tickets individually.
Second, when planning a week-long trip around Lake Garda and wanting to make the most of your time, it’s possible to experience all 3 areas in one day. You just need to be efficient and wake up early.
The water park and film park are open from 10:00 AM until 6:00 PM. They are adjacent to each other, so you can easily move between them in just a few minutes. Then, after a break and getting organized, you can head straight to the first knights’ show, which starts at 7:00 PM (during the summer months, there is a second show at 9:30 PM). If your accommodation is close to the CANEVAWORLD complex, you can also return to your hotel, get ready, and make it to the second knights’ show.
Recommended website for purchasing discounted tickets: https://www.tikez.it
4. Caneva Aquapark - Water Park
Caneva World amusement park is an amazing theme park located 4 km from Gardaland amusement park, divided into 3 different areas that are adjacent to each other:
Website: https://www.canevaworld.it/caneva-the-aquapark.html
Caneva Aqua Park – a fantastic water park featuring a plethora of water attractions: swimming pools, slides with varying levels of adrenaline for all ages, lazy rivers, waterfalls, and other wet delights for the whole family.
5. Movie Park MOVIELAND
Website: https://www.canevaworld.it/movieland-the-hollywood-park.html
Movie Land – a mini amusement park for children, not as large as Gardaland, inspired by Hollywood. What makes it special are the rides and attractions themed around movies. Here you will also find rides divided by family, adventure, and action.
6. Knights' Celebration and Banquet Medieval Times
Website: https://www.canevaworld.it/medieval-times.html
Adjacent to the water park, but on the other side. A fun combination of a traditional dinner with a knight show suitable for the whole family. The show features a competition between 4 knights on horses fighting for the heart of a princess through various contests and battles. Each knight has a different color, and every visitor receives a crown in the color of their knight upon entry. Cheering and following your knight’s success or failure makes the event colorful, particularly noisy (it takes time for little ones to adjust) and enjoyable.
The meal itself is delicious and simulates the life of knights in the medieval period. Vegetable soup served in iron bowls without handles, whole birds without knives and forks, requiring the children to eat just like in the old days. There’s an option available for vegetarians too.
7. Jungle Adventure Park
Park Type: Adventure, Ropes
Town: San Zeno In Montagna
Website: www.jungleadventurepark.com
Location: In the town of San Zeno overlooking Lake Garda, on the eastern shore of the lake. 5 minutes from the town of Torri del Benaco and 35 minutes from the town of Peschiera del Garda, both located on the lake.
JUNGLE ADVENTURE PARK is an active adventure park for the whole family and all ages, including adults, situated in the heart of a forest and combining physical activity that requires concentration and coordination. The activities offered in the park include zip lines, walking on nets, rope climbing, and more. The activities are safe and include the highest quality safety equipment, briefings before starting the activity, and local guides accompanying every stage of the activity. In the park, you will find trails of varying difficulty, starting from easy paths suitable for children aged 3-6 and continuing to more challenging courses that will test adults and experienced individuals alike.
The park features four trails of varying difficulty levels.
The Green Trail is a discovery trail – for ages 8 and above and height of 1.40 m and up. This is the basic trail where you start to understand how the park works. On this trail, you will try zip lining, walking on nets, bridges, and ladders, and end with an exhilarating ride on a fast cable car.
The Blue Trail is an adventure trail – for ages 11 and above and height of 1.60 m and up. This trail resembles the adventures of Indiana Jones, Tarzan, and Lara Croft in the forest, featuring 21 different stages.
The Red Trail is a sensory trail – for ages 14 and up. This is a faster and more thrilling trail, suitable for those who have already completed the more basic trails in the park, requiring more vigorous physical activity.
The Black Trail is an adrenaline trail – for ages 14 and up. This is the fastest and most thrilling trail in the park. It is intense and the hardest trail, challenging one’s fears.
The park also features a special trail designed for children aged 3-6.
8. Parco Natura Viva (Safari)
Website: https://www.parconaturaviva.it
Location: Between Lake Garda (15 minutes) and the city of Verona (25 minutes)
Type: Safari
This charming park, located in a pastoral setting, is a winning combination of a safari where visitors drive between zebras, giraffes, lions, tigers, and many other wildlife, alongside a zoo where guests can stroll on foot among various animals of different types and species. Additionally, there are playgrounds, shops, and restaurants on site. In its final section, Natura Viva Park allows guests to encounter stunning life-sized dinosaur models, leaving children amazed and excited. Natura Viva Park was created in part to preserve biodiversity and protect wildlife. You can spend a whole day or just a few hours there.
9. Molina Waterfalls Park
Website: https://parcodellecascate.it
Location: Between Lake Garda (45 minutes) and the city of Verona (40 minutes)
Type: Nature
Parco delle Cascate is a beautiful nature reserve and a perfect escape from the heat that is likely to prevail during July and August. The drive to the park is an experience in itself, combining a pass through the famous wine region of Valpolicella. The park is located in a valley below a charming village named Molina. Keep in mind, there is a steep descent from the parking area to the entrance, but navigating through the village alleys is worth the effort. On your way down, take note of the small and modest church, and the nearby deli where you can stock up on supplies for a picnic you might want to have at one of the park’s stopping points. Families with strollers – bring a carrier (from the park entrance).
The park has 3 trails: the green one, a short and straightforward path of about 30 minutes. The red one – 60 minutes, a bit more effort but not too bad at all. The black – for experienced hikers only – about two hours.
What will you encounter in the park: many waterfalls, a swing that nearly reaches the waterfall, shady walking paths (just for this it’s worth the visit), magical picnic spots for family outings.
Remember – from the parking to the entrance (descent) takes about 15 minutes. And no one will carry you on their shoulders back up the hill 😊.
10. Sigurta Park
Website: https://www.sigurta.it
Location: South of Lake Garda, 20 minutes from the town of Peschiera del Garda
Type: Botanical Garden
An amazing nature park, with large green public areas, a perfect place for a family outing and picnic.
Movement in the park is possible on foot, by bike, or in a golf cart. In the fall, the colors of the foliage dominate the park, enhancing the experience. The park features an animal area with deer and stunning viewpoints overlooking the Mincho River flowing beneath. The labyrinth is an attraction for children who enjoy getting lost in it. One of the highlights of visiting the park is the fish pond in the heart of the large lawn.
11. Leolandia Park and Mini Italy
Website: https://www.leolandia.it/en
Location: Between Milan and Lake Garda, not far from the city of Bergamo.
Type: Amusement Park (more for children aged 2-12)
Leolandia is the first amusement park in Italy dedicated to families with children. A full-fledged amusement park, more suited for kids aged 2-12. In addition, there is a huge and special area depicting different regions of Italy in miniature. A perfect place for kids to play and recognize famous landmarks from the boot-shaped country.
12. The Thermal Park Villa dei Cedri
Website: https://www.villadeicedri.it/ita/index.php
Location: in the town of Cola di Lazise, 12 minutes from the town of Peschiera del Garda on the shores of the lake.
Type: Hot Springs
The Villa dei Cedri thermal park is located in the heart of a hotel of the same name. Within the park is a large lake and thermal water pools, including waterfalls and jet streams for body treatments, at a water temperature of 36 degrees. The place also offers various types of treatments. The venue is very suitable for children of all ages.
13. Water Park Cavour
Website: https://www.parcoacquaticocavour.it
Location: South of Lake Garda, about 25 minutes from the town of Peschiera del Garda and 10 minutes from the small and charming town of Valeggio sul Mincio.
Type: Water Park
The Cavour water park is especially suitable for families with young children. It is less crowded than CANEVA WORLD, and the water attractions are geared towards younger age groups. The park is large and spacious, filled with lawns and trees. It features a large central pool surrounded by sand and several areas including pools and slides.
