It is eight in the morning and the water of Lake Garda is still dark green, almost still. Then the sound arrives: a splashing that grows steadily thicker, a creaking of rigging, and then suddenly — dozens of white and coloured sails emerging from the haze toward the centre of the lake. The 76th Centomiglia has set off from Bogliaco, and the wind has already taken hold of it.
You don't need to be a sailor to experience this moment. You just need to be on the water at the right time.
What to see in Bardolino during the Centomiglia del Garda 2026
The 76th Centomiglia Internazionale del Garda takes place on 5 and 6 September 2026, organised by Circolo Vela Gargnano. The start takes place from Bogliaco, the harbour of Gargnano, between eight and nine in the morning. The boats cover approximately 100 nautical miles split across two days — the Trofeo Gargnano on Saturday, the Trofeo Gorla on Sunday — with buoys positioned at Torbole, Malcesine and Desenzano. The course runs along the entire Veronese shore of the lake, and the boats pass through the waters off Bardolino during the first day, heading toward the southern lake.
Bardolino sits on the eastern shore of Garda, along the Riviera degli Ulivi. From its lakefront promenade the sails are visible, but it is from the water that the spectacle takes on a different dimension entirely. Children who from the shore see small coloured triangles in the distance, from a boat become witnesses to something tangible: the bow cutting through the water, the rustle of halyards, the sailors climbing forward to trim the mainsail. Something that stays with you.
How to rent a boat from Bardolino without a boating licence
No boating licence is required to rent a motorboat within 6 miles of the shore, provided the engine power does not exceed 30 kW (approximately 40 hp). On Lake Garda, within this distance, you can navigate comfortably along the entire Veronese shore. Bardolino has boat rental services operating from May to September — including Boat Garda, based in Bardolino with a fleet of motorboats — offering family-friendly vessels with children's life jackets included. For outings with a skipper on board (no driving required, maximum safety), small skippered boats can also be booked through services such as noleggiobarchelagodigarda.it, operating from May to September with departures from Bardolino.
Local advice: book at least 3–4 weeks in advance. The Centomiglia weekend is one of the most sought-after of the year on Garda. The race starts early in the morning — it is better to already be on the water by 9:00 to intercept the leading boats of the fleet. Children cope better if you have something to eat on board: focaccia, fruit, cold water. Avoid getting too close to the competitors when they are racing: keep a respectful distance, racing boats have right of way.
Plan B: if the weather doesn't cooperate, Bardolino won't disappoint
Lake Garda in September can be unpredictable. The Pelèr wind blows from the north in the early hours, then gives way to the afternoon Ora. But rain can arrive, or a sudden squall that makes a boat trip with children inadvisable. It has happened even at the Centomiglia: the 2025 edition saw the first day delayed by four hours due to strong winds and formed waves.
Plan B in Bardolino is solid. The lakefront promenade is flat and walkable even in light rain, with arcades and bars where you can shelter. The playground behind the church of San Nicolò is spacious, varied by age group, and shaded: a place where children would happily spend hours. For a more structured detour, Aquardens — the thermal park near Bardolino — is open year-round and welcomes families with both indoor and outdoor pools, suitable even for very young children. If the sky only partly clears, it is worth following the race live: in recent years Circolo Vela Gargnano has broadcast GPS fleet tracking on a large screen in Bogliaco. It is not Bardolino, but you can get there in 40 minutes by car along the lake shore: another memorable scene.
And if the day were entirely grey? Step inside the Museo del Vino di Bardolino, where one section is designed with younger visitors in mind, or walk to the village of Cisano, a few minutes to the north, where the lido with its gently sloping lake bed is perfect for a late September swim — the water of Garda at that time of year is still around 22–23 degrees.
Is it safe to take young children out on a boat on Garda?
Yes, with the right precautions. Choose a boat with low sides and guardrails, life jackets approved for your child's weight (ask the rental service when booking), and prefer morning hours when the lake is calmer. Avoid going out if gusts above 20–25 knots are forecast.
Is Bardolino reachable by car from Verona on the day of the regatta?
Yes. From Verona city centre it is approximately 30 km along the SS249. Paid parking is in operation from 15 March to 1 November. Arrive by 8:00 to find a spot near the harbour. Alternatively, use the Cisano car park and reach the lakefront on foot or by bike along the cycle path.
Can I follow the regatta from the lakefront without renting a boat?
Of course. The passage of the boats is clearly visible from the shore — bring binoculars. The real difference between land and water is the atmosphere: up close, racing boats have a scale that surprises you, and the sound of the wind in the sails is not easily forgotten.
For your stay in Verona, 30 minutes from the lake, the apartments of The Verona Stay near the Arena and the Teatro Ristori place you at the heart of the city with all the flexibility a family needs. Book at theveronastay.it and use Verona as your base for a day out at the Centomiglia.