So, you’ve decided to embark on a dreamy adventure to Lake Garda. Awesome choice! But before you start packing your bags, let’s make sure you’re prepared for everything this stunning destination has to offer.
From sun-soaked days by the lake to exploring medieval towns like Sirmione, here’s a quick guide to what to bring on your trip.
Don’t be scared, we won’t suggest the average and repetitive items that every guide on the web suggest. Here the top 5 essentials you absolutely need on a trip to Lake Garda and mustn’t forget.
Reusable Water Bottle
With all that exploring around Lake Garda, it’s important to stay hydrated. One of the best things about traveling to Lake Garda (and the whole Italy) is that water is free. A reusable water bottle is a must-have item for your trip.
With a reusable water bottle, you can easily refill it at any of the numerous public and free fountains around Lake Garda, ensuring you’re always hydrated and ready to take on the next adventure. Plus, you’ll be helping to reduce plastic waste and protect the environment.
If you’re planning on spending a lot of time outdoors, consider investing in a water bottle with a filtration system. This will allow you to safely refill your bottle from any water source, even in mountain remote areas, since around Lake Garda there are a lot of natural springs.
Mosquito Repellent
Let’s be real, no one wants to be interrupted by pesky mosquitoes during their vacation. And trust me, these little critters can be a real nuisance, especially during the warmer months. That’s why packing mosquito repellent is a no-brainer for your Lake Garda trip.
While the region’s beautiful scenery and pleasant climate are hard to beat, it’s important to be prepared for the occasional mosquito encounter. By applying insect repellent, you can significantly reduce your chances of getting bitten and avoid those annoying itchy bumps. Plus, it’ll help you enjoy your outdoor activities without constant swatting.
If you’re particularly sensitive to mosquito bites, consider wearing long-sleeved clothing and pants during the evenings and early mornings, especially in the areas just near Lake’ shores, where mosquitoes are most active. You can buy one of those in every Farmacia (pharmacy) in town, there are tons of them and they have more or less the same prices. Here some major pharmacies:
Lake Garda Pharmacy Map
Reusable Shopping Bag
Who hasn’t found themselves in that awkward situation of needing a shopping bag and don’t have plastic ones available neither? Well, that won’t be a problem for you if you pack a reusable shopping bag for your Lake Garda trip.
Not only is it eco-friendly and helps reduce plastic waste, but a reusable shopping bag is also incredibly practical. Whether you’re picking up groceries, souvenirs, or beach essentials, you’ll always be prepared. Plus, it’s a great way to show your support for sustainable tourism and leave a positive impact on the environment.
Remember, almost all supermarkets and some clothes shops in Italy charges clients for bags. In supermakets they make you pay both the vegetables bio-degradable plastic bag and the shopping bag. Regarding the shops like clothes shop they usually give you something more valuable like cloth bag. Plus: it’s a great souvenir to jealously guard!
Travel adapters (if not UE citizen)
Imagine arriving at your hotel after a long day of exploring, only to find that you can’t charge your camera to capture those Lake Garda highlights. Or worse, your phone battery dies just as you’re about to navigate your way back to your accommodation. With a travel adapter, you can avoid these scenarios and enjoy your trip without any unnecessary stress.
Unlike many other European countries, Italy used to have a different type of electrical outlet than the ones you’re probably used to. So, during years, the process of change italian socket to EU standard (Schuko) didn’t completely cover all the country.
If you want to avoid the frustration of a dead phone or laptop, be sure to pack a travel adapter that’s compatible with Italian sockets or EU socket in case you are non EU citizen. Obviously if you are going to stay in a hotel you only have to worry about EU socket type. If you are already here you will find one of these in major supermarkets and all of hardware or electronic stores, called ferramenta and negozio di elettronica.
Health insurance (if not UE citizen)
One crucial aspect of your trip planning should be travel insurance. While it might seem like an unnecessary expense, travel insurance can provide peace of mind and financial protection in case of unforeseen circumstances.
Imagine get injured while hike some of the best trails around Lake Garda. Without travel insurance, you could face hefty medical bills that could ruin your trip. With travel insurance, you’ll have access to emergency medical care and coverage for any related expenses. It’s like having a safety net that can help you navigate unexpected challenges.
Remember well: UE citizen in Italy are covered by italian health system (SSN) and will get cure completely free, don’t worry! If, instead, you are coming from abroad (non EU citizen) you shall get your health insurance to be worry-free.
