Desenzano is the busiest and most important resort on Lake Garda and as such has something to offer for everyone. It is very well known by the Italians as the fashionable resort on Lake Garda with oodles of Italian chic. Situated on the south of the lake it is very popular with the locals from nearby Verona and Milan as one of ‘the’ places to spend a weekend. At the weekends and all through the summer months Desenzano has an animated nightlife and boasts a very cosmopolitan atmosphere. As popular and lively as it is though Desenzano still has managed to maintain its original character and charm.

Venues:

Desenzano offers two venues for your Italian wedding. The hilltop castle or the town hall.

Desenzano Castle

The historic castle of Desenzano holds a dominating position over the town and offers incredible views along the whole length of Lake Garda.
It is possible to have your legal, civil ceremony here in the castle o certain days of the week. The ceremony hall is an ambience very suited to ceremonies of any kind, it’s high wooden beamed ceilings and stone walls adding a nostalgic air of days gone by.
Following the ceremony it is possible to stay in the castle for your wedding photos to remember this special place. It is also possible to have a small aperitif with your guests within the castle walls. Moving on the lovely town of Desenzano is laid out below you for you to choose where you wish to move on to for the rest of the celebrations.

Desenzano Town Hall

Once known as the “Bagatta Palace” the Town Hall is built around what was once a convent in the 18th Century and is situated right in the centre of Desenzano, minutes away from the lakeside squares and promenade. Located on the ground floor, the ‘Sala Orologio’ where ceremonies are held, is just off the old and very atmospheric, cloistered courtyard which echoes back to the historic origins of the building. The “Sala Orologio” itself is an elegant and stylish room which has seating for 20 guests and plenty of standing space for more.

The resort of Desenzano offers many delightful possibilities for a champagne toast either by the little old port or in one of the fashionable bars around the “piazzas” populated by the ever-fashionable locals. The Town Hall is right in the centre of the town and just 100m from the main square.

Location:

Desenzano is on the south side of the Lake Garda and is just a 10-minute drive to the A4 motorway which conveniently leads directly to Bergamo and Verona airports in 40 minutes and the Milan airports (Linate and Malpensa) in 1h45mins. The airport at Montichiari (Verona/Brescia) is also only 40 minutes from the resort.

Desenzano is a vibrant place to stay, with lots of comfortable hotels, most in the town center and others spread along the lakeside road suiting all tastes and budgets.

Additional Information:

Your ceremony can take place at different times during the week as follows: Monday morning, Thursday morning or afternoon and Saturday at 11.30.

The indoor venue at Desenzano, and the climate in general on the south of Lake Garda, mean that this is also a great location for a Spring of Autumn wedding. As the main town on Lake Garda, Desenzano still has plenty to offer in the low season and infact the scenery in the winter can be even more impressive than in the summer when a crisp clear day reveals views of snow capped mountains and the lake stretching away towards Riva . With a bus and train station Desenzano also makes for an excellent base for exploring further afield in the area.

This resort will particularly suit anyone who would like a flat resort with easy access to move about as the Town Hall and most of the hotels are close to the centre and involve little uphill walking. The long lakefront is pedestrianised in the evenings and on Sundays to allow for the compulsory “passegiata”, and primetime people watching!

As the major town on Lake Garda there is of course a wide selection of restaurants, we will be able to guide you to the one that best suits your requirements.