Villas for rent on Lake Garda: the best for a dream holiday
June 1, 2025
Lake Garda cycle paths: the most beautiful routes to try by bike
June 1, 2025
🌿 Why Visit the Shrines Around Lake Garda
Hidden between the crystal-clear waters of Lake Garda and its surrounding hills are places of spirituality, silence, and wonder. The shrines, hermitages, and monasteries around Garda are not only pilgrimage destinations but true gems of art and architecture, often set in breathtaking landscapes.
Visiting these sites means:
- Experiencing moments of reflection and contemplation
- Discovering ancient stories and local legends
- Admiring unique panoramic views, often reachable by pleasant hikes or short boat tours
- Combining a cultural, spiritual, and natural experience in a single day
Whether you’re religious or not, the charm of these shrines is universal. They are places that invite you to slow down, appreciate beauty, and connect with yourself and nature.
📌 Many of these sites are located in strategic spots overlooking the lake or nestled in rocky cliffs, and can even be admired from the water during a Navicharters cruise.
⛪ Sanctuary of the Madonna della Corona (Ferrara di Monte Baldo, VR)
One of Italy’s most spectacular shrines, the Santuario della Madonna della Corona appears to be literally suspended in the rock. Built on a cliff overlooking the Adige Valley, it leaves visitors breathless with its dramatic setting and spiritual energy.
✨ What Makes It Special:
- Set into a rock face at 770 m above sea level
- Accessible via a scenic walk or shuttle bus
- A pilgrimage site beloved by hikers and photographers alike
📌 Fun fact: Inside, you’ll find a Gothic-style statue of the Sorrowful Madonna brought from Rhodes.
🔗 More info: santuariodellacorona.it
🏞️ Sanctuary of Montecastello (Tignale, BS)
Known as “the highest shrine on Lake Garda,” the Santuario di Montecastello sits atop a rocky spur overlooking the lake’s western shore. Dedicated to the Madonna della Stella, it offers breathtaking 360° views.
✨ Why Visit:
- Spectacular vistas of the lake and Verona’s coastline
- Richly decorated Baroque church built over a medieval chapel
- Reachable by car or via a short uphill walk
📸 Tip: The viewpoint beside the shrine is one of the most photogenic spots on the lake, perfect after a hike or a boat stop in Tignale.
🧗♂️ Hermitage of San Valentino (Gargnano, BS)
Accessible only on foot via a nature trail, the Eremo di San Valentino sits over 700 m above sea level. It’s a hidden gem for those who love hiking and tranquility.
✨ Features:
- 15th-century hermitage built by plague survivors
- Stunning lake views from a rocky terrace
- A unique blend of spiritual and natural experience
📍 Starting point: Sasso di Gargnano. The one-hour trek is well worth it for anyone seeking to combine outdoor adventure and spirituality.
🌿 Sanctuary of Madonna del Frassino (Peschiera del Garda, VR)
Just steps from Peschiera’s historic center, this shrine is one of the most accessible on Lake Garda. Built in 1511 after the miraculous appearance of the Madonna in an ash tree, it features Renaissance architecture and richly decorated interiors.
✨ Highlights:
- Renaissance design with elaborate interior decorations
- Quiet cloister for moments of meditation
- Spacious grounds and a shop selling religious and artisanal goods
📌 For Navicharters guests disembarking at Peschiera, a perfect complement to a day of nature and culture.
🔗 Info: madonnadelfrassino.org
🕊️ Church of San Pietro in Mavino (Sirmione, BS)
Perched on the high point of Sirmione’s peninsula, this 8th-century Romanesque church is a must for art, history, and tranquility enthusiasts.
✨ Don’t Miss:
- Peaceful setting among olive groves
- Well-preserved medieval frescoes inside
- Views of the lake and the archaeological site of the Grottoes of Catullus
📸 Reachable on foot from Sirmione center – an ideal stop during a boat tour with a land excursion.
📜 Abbey of Maguzzano (Lonato del Garda, BS)
A lesser-known but captivating site, the Abbazia di Maguzzano is now a Benedictine-run retreat center nestled among hills, vineyards, and olive groves just south of the lake.
✨ Reasons to Visit:
- Simple, harmonious architecture
- Contemplative atmosphere for a peaceful pause
- Artisanal production of honey, olive oil, and jams by the community
📍 Perfect as a stop for those staying in Desenzano or Lonato, or for anyone seeking a relaxing detour after a boat trip along the Brescian shore.
🗺️ Planning a Spiritual Itinerary on Lake Garda
Visiting Lake Garda’s shrines can be more than just an excursion: it’s a chance to slow down, find balance, and discover the region’s authentic beauty.
🚤 By Boat with Shore Stops
Many accessible shrines lie near ports or villages served by Navicharters. For example:
- Depart from Peschiera: sail to Sirmione to visit San Pietro in Mavino
- Continue to Desenzano or Lonato, then drive briefly to the Abbey of Maguzzano
- Return with a stop at the Sanctuary of Madonna del Frassino, just 5 minutes by car from the harbor
This route blends spiritual visits with scenic boating, offering unique vistas and meaningful stops.
🛏️ Stay in a Shrine? Yes, at Frassino
For a fully immersive experience, you can stay at the Locanda del Santuario della Madonna del Frassino, located within the sanctuary grounds.
A simple, welcoming, and peaceful place, ideal for:
- Relaxation and spirituality
- Proximity to the lake and historic villages
- Breakfast overlooking the cloister courtyard
- An authentic, timeless atmosphere
📌 Popular with mature couples, hikers, and anyone seeking a rejuvenating stay in a place that fosters peace.
🔗 Info: locandaalsantuario.it
🎒 What to Bring & Handy Tips
✔️ Essentials:
- Comfortable shoes (especially for hilltop hermitages)
- A light jacket or shawl for entering sacred sites
- Water and snacks if walking between sites
- Camera or smartphone for capturing the scenery
- Respect and discretion: some shrines require silence or modest attire
🚦 Best Time to Go:
- Spring and early autumn are ideal
- Avoid holidays for a quieter visit
- Always check opening hours and access requirements, especially for hermitages
📌 Some shrines also hold sacred concerts, chanted masses, and guided tours, perfect for delving into the site’s history and art.
🌅 A Journey of Faith, Beauty & Silence
The shrines of Lake Garda are not just religious sites: they are living pages of history, spirituality, and art, suspended between sky and water. Whether you visit for faith, curiosity, or peace, each shrine offers a personal and profound experience far from crowded tourist spots.
Traveling with Navicharters? Enhance your itinerary with scenic boat rides, stops in charming villages, and the chance to admire these holy places from the lake—an ideal blend of culture, relaxation, and wonder.
Each stop will become a special memory, from the hush of a cloister to a coastal vista and the distant sound of waves. Because Lake Garda is also that: a place to rediscover yourself, one step (or boat ride) at a time.
