In the municipality of San Felice del Benaco, one of the jewels of Lake Garda, just a few hundred meters from its shores, lies the famous Isola del Garda, also known as Isola Borghese. It is the largest island on the lake: about one kilometer long with an average width of 60 meters.

Archaeological remains discovered on the island, mainly tombstones and votive temples, prove that it was known and inhabited since Roman times. In later periods, it even served as a safe haven for pirate crews. By decree of Carloman, it became the property of the Friars of San Zeno in 879 and was then called Isola dei Frati. About four hundred years later, Saint Francis of Assisi built a small hermitage on the island, which was also visited by Saint Anthony of Padua.

Dante Alighieri also visited the island and, according to some interpretations, referenced it in the 20th canto of the Inferno in the Divine Comedy.

In the early 1800s, the island became the property of Count Luigi Lechi, who transformed it into a paradise for intellectuals, a special salon where figures such as Donizetti, Foscolo, and the famous singer Adelaide Melanotte gathered. After an intense and much-discussed public life, Melanotte retired to live on Isola del Garda, where she passed away at the age of 47.

The island was expropriated by the state in 1860 for the construction of a fortress that was never built. A decade later, Count Ferrari acquired the property, and it became known as Isola Ferrari. The luxurious villa on the island, built between 1890 and 1903, along with the construction of Italian-style symmetrical gardens, the dock, and the park, were the work of architect Luigi Rovelli and the then-owners, Duke Gaetano De Ferrari and his wife, the Russian noblewoman Maria Sergeevna Annenkova.

Today, Isola del Garda is owned by the Cavazza family, who for about twenty years have organized guided tours exclusively during the summer months (from March to October) through the enchanting park that covers the entire island and the magnificent villa—a splendid example of early 20th-century Venetian Neo-Gothic architecture. The interiors, furnished with period furniture, also reflect Venetian taste: parquet floors, coffered ceilings, Carrara marble, and Venetian stucco. Guided tours allow access to only four rooms: a dining room, the music hall, a study, and the small chapel. The villa is also used as a stunning wedding venue.

The villa's gardens, partly English and partly Italian, are truly marvelous, a fairytale place: meticulously maintained and enriched with a multitude of flowers and various fruits whose colors and scents offer delightful discoveries for visitors.

Many breathtaking spots on the island can be discovered during the visit: the small harbor tower and boathouse, the villa's loggia and the extraordinary bougainvillea balcony, the caves and the retaining wall, the fairy house, and the pond. A strip of land, steeped in history and legends, surrounded by the clear waters of the lake—a dreamy, unforgettable place that touches the visitor's heart, evoking emotion and wonder.

Isola del Garda can be reached by boat. It is possible to book organized tours through Garda Tours from April to October, with guided visits available by reservation. The tour lasts approximately two and a half hours and includes transfers, a multilingual guide, and a welcome cocktail.

The price of the visit, including the transfer, depends on the departure port but generally ranges between 40 and 46 euros. These rates apply to adults only, with discounts available for children and reduced rates for groups.

Departures are scheduled daily, except on Mondays, from both the Veronese and Brescian sides of the lake.