Peschiera del Garda is a lively town on the southern tip of Lake Garda, in the Veneto region, where the lake flows into the Mincio River. It is known for its pentagonal Venetian fortress, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and for its historic center surrounded by canals. It is also a major transport hub, with a railway station and a motorway exit, and it is very close to Gardaland, so it is no wonder that so many visitors come here every year.
Peschiera has parking lots both inside the town and on its edge, and the good news is that it also has some free ones. However, in the high season, especially on weekends, the lots closest to the center fill up quickly. Most paid lots are open in the morning and work until midnight, so keep that in mind if you plan to stay for dinner.
Where to park in Peschiera del Garda?
If you want to be as close as possible to the fortress and the harbour, choose one of the paid parking lots. They are perfect for a few hours or a whole day in town. If you don’t mind walking a bit, there are also free options, which are described below. Here are the paid parking lots in Peschiera del Garda:
Parcheggio Piazzale del Porto
This is one of the two most convenient parking lots for visiting the old town, and it is located right next to the harbour. It has 81 parking spaces, and the rate is 2 euros per hour. From here, you can reach the historic center, the ferry landing and the lakeside promenade in a couple of minutes on foot. Because of its small size and perfect location, it fills up first. If you want a spot here in summer, arrive early in the morning.
Parcheggio Salita Tognon
A small public parking lot with 41 parking spaces and the same rate of 2 euros per hour. It is located close to the center, so it is a good backup option when parking on the Piazzale del Porto is full. Since it is so small, don’t count on it during peak hours.
Parcheggio Ferdinando di Savoia
This is a larger public parking lot with 143 parking spaces. Parking is paid every day from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, and the rate is 2 euros per hour. It is a good option for evening visits, but keep in mind that you pay until midnight, so a long dinner by the water will add up.
Parcheggio Porta Brescia
This is the biggest and the cheapest of the central parking lots, with 255 parking spaces. Parking is paid every day from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, and the rate is 1.50 euros per hour. It is located next to the old town walls, so the center is just a short walk away. Be careful on Mondays. This is the day of the weekly market, and the parking lot is not available from 5:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
Parcheggio at the railway station
There is also a paid parking lot at Piazzale Stazione, open 24 hours a day. The rate is 1.50 euros per hour, and the daily flat rate is 15 euros. It is a practical choice if you travel on to Verona or Milan by train, or if you want to take the free shuttle bus to Gardaland, which departs from the station forecourt. For a simple visit to the old town, the lots above are cheaper.
Free parking Peschiera del Garda
Peschiera is one of the few Lake Garda towns where free parking is not a myth. The best-known free lot is the one on Via Campo Sportivo (marked as P4). It is large, has no time limit, and is only about 5 minutes on foot from the historic center along a lit sidewalk. It is also next to the railway, and the start of the Mincio cycle path is close by. The lot has no shade and no services, and on Monday mornings the weekly market occupies part of this area.
The second option is P5 Lungomincio Bonomi, which is free on regular days, but you have to pay on public holidays. It is closer to the center than Via Campo Sportivo, so it is usually the first one to fill up. Besides these two, you can also try the residential streets further from the center. Just make sure that the lines are white (blue lines are paid) and that there are no signs forbidding parking.
Useful information for Peschiera del Garda parking
The weekly market is held every Monday morning, from about 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM, near the Porta Brescia. If you want to find a spot nearby, arrive before 9:30 AM, or choose a lot further away.
If you travel with a camper, there is a camper area on Via Milano, about 450 meters from the harbour. It has 80 marked pitches and electricity hookups, and the rate is 5 euros plus 1 euro per hour, with a daily maximum of 24 euros. Also, the maximum vehicle height for entering the old town through Porta Verona is 3.8 meters, so check your route in advance if you drive a tall vehicle.
Tourist buses can drop off and pick up passengers at the bus stop on Riviera Carducci, opposite Piazzale del Porto, but only for a maximum of 10 minutes. For long-term parking, buses should use P5 Lungomincio Bonomi, which is free from Monday to Saturday (excluding public holidays).
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