Close to nature and the lake
Open the zip in the morning, have breakfast outside and start the day in the open air: tent camping is the most direct way to experience Lake Garda – provided the ground, shade and pitch really suit your tent.
Planning a tent holiday
Travelling to Lake Garda with your own tent requires less vehicle space than a motorhome or caravan, but different details become important. Level ground, shade, practical access to sanitary facilities, suitable electricity and enough distance from traffic routes can make the difference between relaxed camping and an uncomfortable week.
Campsites around Lake Garda vary considerably. The northern and eastern shores include smaller, terraced sites and pitches among olive trees, while the Lazise area and the southern lake have larger holiday parks with pools and entertainment. For tent campers, the biggest or most extensively equipped campsite is therefore not automatically the best choice.
Our four recommendations deliberately cover different styles: Camping Alpino near Malcesine with several pitch categories explicitly intended for tents, Camping Onda Blu directly in the Bay of Manerba, Agricampeggio Oasi del Garda with very generous camping pitches and private bathrooms, and Camping Belvedere near Lazise with shaded tent pitches and extensive holiday facilities.
What matters
Tent campers need to look at different details from guests in fixed accommodation. Four points are worth checking before booking.
A large pitch is of limited value if the tent sits on a strong slope or in full sun all day. For tent campers, a reasonably level surface, natural shade and a useful pitch shape are often more important than the quoted area alone.
A compact two-person tent will fit on almost any tent pitch. Family tents with a porch, tarp or additional sun shelter need more usable ground, so compare the real footprint with the chosen pitch category before booking.
Some nature-oriented tent areas deliberately have no electricity connection directly at the pitch. If you rely on a cool box, lighting or several devices, check whether power is available and what amperage is provided.
Tent campers use the shared sanitary facilities more frequently than guests in motorhomes or caravans. At the same time, walk-in or car-free tent areas can be particularly peaceful. Decide which arrangement better matches your camping style.
Our selection
From a small nature-focused site to a larger holiday campsite, these four operators offer very different conditions for tent campers.
A small nature-focused campsite near Malcesine with only 25 pitches and several categories explicitly designed for tents. Shaded pitches from around 35 m² and direct lake access make it particularly attractive for traditional tent camping.
Camping Alpino - Nature Village is our top recommendation for tent camping because tents are not merely accepted as an afterthought: the operator provides dedicated pitch categories for them. The smaller Edera pitches are listed at around 35 m² and suit tents or vans, while larger options of roughly 50 to 65 m² provide more room for medium and larger tents. The pitches are surrounded by greenery and facilities vary by category.
The setting on the eastern shore below Monte Baldo adds direct access to Lake Garda. Travellers who deliberately choose their own tent and do not need a large holiday resort get a much more traditional camping atmosphere here. The important point is to choose the right category, because some of the most nature-oriented tent areas differ from standard pitches in access or facilities.
Go straight to booking – check current prices.
Check prices on Booking.com✔ Official providers · ✔ Secure booking
A compact camping area directly in the Bay of Manerba. The spacious pitches are explicitly suitable for tents, include 220V electricity at 6 amps and combine traditional camping with a pool and lakeside restaurant.
A small agricamping site near Lazise with only 19 camping pitches. The pitches are listed at 90 to 120 m² and provide 16-amp electricity, water, grey-water drainage and a private bathroom with shower for each pitch.
A larger holiday campsite near Lazise with shaded pitches explicitly suitable for tents. Electricity at 6, 10 or 16 amps, Wi-Fi, pools and waterslides make it the more facility-rich option for families.
Living outdoors
Some of the best moments of tent camping happen right outside your own tent – in the morning, by the water and in the evening under the open sky.
Morning outdoors
Before the campsite fully wakes up, you are already sitting outside. On smaller sites among olive trees, cool morning air, birdsong and the Lake Garda atmosphere create a particularly simple start to the day.
From tent to water
A waterside campsite does not require a complicated day plan. A towel and water shoes are enough for a spontaneous swim before returning to your own tent whenever you like.
Evening in the open air
A simple camping stove, a small table and a peaceful pitch are often enough for a memorable evening. After a day out, the space beneath the trees quickly becomes your own outdoor living room.
Before you travel
A few details can prevent heat, ground conditions or electricity from becoming the main story of the holiday.
Ground conditions can range from soft grass to dry, firmer soil depending on the campsite and season. A robust selection of pegs and a clean groundsheet are more useful than preparing for only one surface type.
A tent can heat up quickly in midsummer. A pitch under olive trees or with natural shade can matter more for sleeping comfort than the most attractive lake view.
If you plan to use an electrical hook-up, check the connector, cable length and amperage in advance. Some nature-focused tent pitches may be offered without a direct electricity connection.
Pitching on unfamiliar ground is much easier when you can clearly see the surface, slope, trees and pitch boundaries. This is especially useful on small or terraced campsites.
Our tip
Two tent campers can have completely different holidays on the same campsite. A shaded, level pitch with short sanitary walks feels very different from a pitch beside an access road, pool or evening entertainment area. When travelling with a tent, it is therefore worth choosing not only the campsite but also the right pitch category.