Bardolino is a lovely town on Lake Garda, located on its eastern shore in the Veneto region. It is known as a wine and gastronomy destination, so it is no wonder that many tourists visit this town every year. Usually, Bardolino is a town with around 7,000 inhabitants, but in the summer months, Bardolino’s population rises to up to 50,000 people. That is why Bardolino has plenty of parking lots, and most of them are paid.
If you are visiting Bardolino out of the season, you will easily find available parking space. However, from June to September, finding a parking space is quite challenging, especially in the parking lots near the center of the town. Bardolino has both big parking lots and parking spaces on the streets. Paid ones are marked with blue lines, while free ones are marked with white lines.
Where to park in Bardolino?
If you are flexible and don’t mind parking your car a little bit outside the town, you will find a parking space even in high season. You can choose between the paid parking lots, which are perfect for whole-day stays, and free parking lots, which are a bit out of town but perfect for long-term stays. Here are paid parking lots in Bardolino:
Bardolino parking at Via Europa Unita
This is one of the most convenient modern parking lots in Bardolino. It is open 24 hours all days in the week, and its location at the edge of the historical center is pretty good for all who want to park their car close to all attractions in the town. You will have to cross only around 400 meters of flat terrain to reach the Garda Lake from your car.
Furthermore, this parking lot is very clean, has surveillance cameras (which will give you peace of mind), vending machines, automated payment systems, and full support for campers that includes electricity hookups, waste disposal stations, and drinking water. This parking lot is the best for those who come to town with bigger vehicles because of its spacious parking spaces.
Parcheggio Prandini at Via Santa Cristina
Many tourists overlook this parking lot because it is located underground, which is actually an amazing thing during the hot summer days in Bardolino. So basically, this parking lot is a lifesaver for the car during a heatwave. Also, you will love clever pedestrian tunnels that go directly toward the town, so you won’t have to cross the busy Via Gardesana road.
Parking rates are pretty standard for Lake Garda towns, 2.50 euros per hour. Keep in mind that you will need the ticket at the entrance to re-enter the pedestrian doors, so do not leave your parking ticket in the car. Also, you should know that there is no elevator at this parking lot, so you will have to use stairs. This is not so convenient for those with heavy luggage, families with strollers, or those with mobility issues.
Parcheggio Bardoliners at Via Palestro
This is a private parking lot located in traffic limited zone (ZTL), so you should check access rules in advance to avoid fines. Even though this parking lot is owned by B&B accommodation, it is usually available to outside guests. Parcheggio Bardoliners is perfect for those who want to arrive at the doorstep of the historic center of the town, and for those who don’t mind driving around Bardolino’s narrow streets full of people.
Also, you can use this parking lot if you have your hotel or apartment in the heart of Bardolino and want your car to be close by. But as I said, usually only inhabitants of the town are allowed to drive inside the traffic limited zone, so check if you can get permission prior your come to this parking (or if you rent a car, check if a car is allowed to drive inside this zone). Keep in mind that there are cameras inside traffic limited zone that will photograph your car at the entrance of the zone.
Parcheggio Pubblico at Via dello Sport
This is a large open-air public parking lot located near the local school. It is a good parking lot for those who want to avoid crowds and explore the town on foot. During the high season, there is almost always a spot if you arrive before 11:00 AM. Furthermore, the price is 2.50 euros per hour, and there are parking machines that accept cards and mobile apps.
Nearby, there is a local market that is held every Thursday. Also, only 100 meters away from the parking lot, you can find the castle and the Lemon House. To reach the historic center and the lake, you will have to walk for about 10 minutes.
Parcheggio Cisano at Via Peschiera
This is a convenient parking lot located in the hamlet of Cisano, south of Bardolino’s historic center. There are even some free parking spaces, but they are limited for 1 hour of parking. Overall, this parking lot is the perfect starting point for a lakeside stroll, and perfect for those who plan to spend a full day of swimming at the beaches in the Cisano area.
Even though this parking is not in Bardolino town, you can reach it by walking for about 30 minutes along the promenade. The parking is very close to the Olive Oil Museum, and it is quieter and less busy than parking lots in Bardolino, especially in the summer months.
Free parking in Bardolino
Finding free parking spaces in Bardolino is a real challenge, especially during the summer months and national holidays. Keep in mind that parking spots zoned with blue lines are paid, while white lines are free. However, there are a few locations that locals and experienced travelers use to park for free. First one, and the “safest” bet is Parcheggio Via Lora, located in a residential area above Via Gardesana, 15 minutes walking distance away from the center.
The second one is parking on the street Via Croce. This street leading toward the hills above Barodlino offers several free spots along the road. Furthermore, you can find free parking in the streets of Cisano. The best one is Via Campagnola because there are pockets with white lines.
Last, but not least, there are free parking lots in front of supermarkets. While they are not for a full-day stay, it is useful to know about supermarkets like Lidl or Eurospin that are located at the entrance of Bardolino. These parking lots are exclusively for customers and often have a gate or a time limit of 60-90 minutes. But if you quickly do shopping in these supermarkets and have to do some other things in the town, it is still a solid option for parking.
Useful information for Bardolino parking
There is a widely popular EasyPark app in Bardolino. You can use it for extending your parking time remotely from your smartphone. It is the most popular parking app in Europe and widely used in Lake Garda towns.
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