If you’ve been wondering about taking a family holiday to Italy but aren’t sure where to start, a campsite holiday can be a brilliant option — with fun activities for all ages right on your doorstep.
Etain, mum of three, tells us about their family holiday to Bella Italia Campsite at Lake Garda.
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We booked our Lake Garda holiday staying at Bella Italia Campsite. Family that went: two adults and three boys aged 11, 8 and 6.
Bella Italia Campsite at Lake Garda
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Bella Italia is a very large campsite on the shore of Lake Garda in Italy. We booked through Topflight, who arranged transfers to and from the campsite. Linens and towels, along with fresh changes during our two-week stay, were included in our package. We flew into Verona, which was only 45 minutes away.
Accommodation ranged from the basic — pitches for tents and camper vans — to more substantial options like mobile homes, bungalows and apartments.
We stayed in a bungalow with two bedrooms plus a sofa bed in the living area. It had air conditioning, which was very welcome as temperatures reached 32°C. The campsite was well set up, with a small supermarket and a few shops. There were plenty of bathroom blocks with laundry and washroom facilities — though our bungalow had its own bathroom, so we only used the washing machines occasionally.
Eating options onsite ranged from three restaurants to a snack bar and a pub. We ate in all the restaurants, though we sometimes had to wait a bit as they were busy. The food was great, and the children all ate from the adult menus — no chicken nuggets or chips in sight, which was a big plus for us.
We only rented a car for the last four days of our trip — the rest of the time we took a bus or taxi (reception were happy to call taxis, and they usually arrived quickly).
Family Activities on Lake Garda
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As the campsite sits right on the shores of Lake Garda, there’s no shortage of water sports. We rented kayaks and a paddle boat, and even tried paragliding. Onsite, there’s plenty to keep everyone busy — archery, tennis, table tennis, several playgrounds, bikes to rent, and swimming pools.
There’s also a mini club with games and crafts, though our kids didn’t end up joining in. A lovely 20-minute lakeside walk brings you to the local town of Peschiera, where you can catch a ferry to other towns around the lake.
Each evening, the campsite hosts a kids’ disco and entertainment show, which our boys really enjoyed.
Day Trips Near Lake Garda
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We took several day trips, including one by train to Verona and another to Venice.
- Verona – we really enjoyed Verona and visited Juliet’s House.
- Venice – the boys loved the water buses and seeing all the different types of boats on the canals.
- Malcesine – we rented a car one day and drove up to Malcesine, where we took a cable car to the top of the mountain. The views were fabulous and felt like something out of The Sound of Music.
- Sirmione – we took the local bus to Sirmione, a lovely little town surrounded by water, with a castle we visited too. There were plenty more towns around the lake we didn’t get the chance to explore.
Gardaland and Movieland
Gardaland is a nearby theme park. We took the free shuttle bus there and had a great time on the different rides and rollercoasters. It’s attached to an aquarium, which we’d planned to visit but never got around to — we simply ran out of days.
We also visited Movieland, another theme park attached to a water park. The older boys enjoyed the water park, and we all went to Movieland as well, though we felt Gardaland was the better of the two. Still, everyone enjoyed the few hours there.
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Our Verdict
The verdict from the kids was a definite thumbs up — their favourite activity was jumping into the lake and playing around in the water. We’d happily consider returning to Bella Italia again.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is a camping holiday at Lake Garda suitable for young children?
Yes — this family travelled with children aged 6, 8 and 11 and found plenty to keep all three entertained, from onsite playgrounds and pools to nearby theme parks and gentle day trips.
What kind of accommodation is available at campsites like Bella Italia?
Options typically range from tent and camper van pitches to mobile homes, bungalows and apartments, so families can choose a style that suits their comfort needs.
Do you need a car for a Lake Garda camping holiday?
Not necessarily. This family only rented a car for part of their stay, relying on local buses and taxis the rest of the time to get around and reach day trip destinations.
What are the best day trips from a Lake Garda campsite?
Popular options include Verona, Venice, Malcesine (with its cable car) and Sirmione, all reachable by train, bus or a short car journey.
Are there theme parks near Lake Garda?
Yes — Gardaland and Movieland are both within reach of the lake, with Gardaland including an attached aquarium.
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- 18 of the Best Water Parks in Europe
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