Gardaland: what to see, when to go and how to get there from the station
Gardaland welcomes guests from March 28 to November 1. The 2026 season is confirmed on the season page (as of 09/2026). It is the largest amusement park in Italy on the southern shore of Lake Garda.
More than 40 rides and six themed areas cover 600,000 square meters near Castelnuovo del Garda (park overview). A free shuttle runs from Peschiera del Garda station to the entrance every 30 minutes (as of 09/2026, getting there).
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Gardaland: the essentials
💡 In short:
- The season runs from March 28 to November 1, and an open-date ticket works on any day.
- More than 40 rides, including the Peppa Pig Land and Kung Fu Panda Academy kids' areas.
The park opened in July 1975. It was founded by entrepreneur Livio Furini, inspired by a trip to Disneyland. Since 2006, Gardaland has been owned by the British company Merlin Entertainments and has grown into one of the largest parks in Europe (as of 09/2026, Gardaland page).
Today Gardaland has its own SEA LIFE aquarium and a hotel with themed rooms. For you, that means the visit can easily stretch over two days without moving between locations.
Who it's for: families with kids and roller coaster fans. Not for: if you don't handle crowds well, pick a weekday, the park is packed on weekends.
© Emanuela Meme Giudic… · CC BYPhoto: Emanuela Meme Giudic…, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), Wikimedia CommonsGardaland's six themed areas
The park is divided into six historical themed areas. Each has its own decor, its own rides, and its own audience, and you can easily walk from one to another.
Fantasy Kingdom
Fantasy Kingdom is the park's most kid-focused area and home to the mascot Prezzemolo. Here you can ride carousels, little trains, and canoes along a river, and an underground 4D cinema shows short films. In 2026 the kingdom turns 25, and special activities are being prepared for the anniversary (as of 09/2026, official website).
© Martin Lewison from Forest Hills, NY, U.S.A. · CC BY-SAPhoto: Martin Lewison from Forest Hills, NY, U.S.A., CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0), Wikimedia CommonsTudor English Village
Tudor takes you back to 17th-century England. You'll walk along a paved street between white houses under gray tiled roofs, and a pirate ship sits by the dock. The area is small and easy to see on your way to other rides.
© Massimo Telò · CC BY-SAPhoto: Massimo Telò, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia CommonsLuna Park
Luna Park occupies the far part of the park. These are rides with no single theme: from gentle carousels to tall, fast coasters. Head here if you're after adrenaline.
Egyptian-Arabian area
The Egyptian-Arabian area leans heavily on its decor. There are fountains with domes, an eastern bazaar with sweets and souvenirs, and an almost real pyramid.
© Martin Lewison from Forest Hills, NY, U.S.A. · CC BY-SAPhoto: Martin Lewison from Forest Hills, NY, U.S.A., CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0), Wikimedia CommonsRio Bravo village
Rio Bravo village is dedicated to the Wild West. The atmosphere of America's colonial era is recreated down to the smallest detail: a saloon is open, log churches stand along the streets, and cowboys and cabaret girls perform on stage.
Medieval zone
The Medieval zone greets guests right at the entrance. Stone castles with tall windows stand here, along with a square for knight tournaments. Today performers take the stage there: they sing and dance in costumes from that era.
© Basilico · CC BY-SAPhoto: Basilico, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia CommonsWhat else to see and do
The park has several cafes, a restaurant with a large terrace, a pizzeria, and more than twenty shops. There is also a hotel with themed interiors if you want to stretch your visit over two days. The SEA LIFE aquarium with marine fish deserves special attention.
© Cristian Lorini · CC BY-SAPhoto: Cristian Lorini, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia CommonsYou can't cover more than 40 attractions in one day (list of attractions). There are seven roller coasters, water slides, and family-friendly dark rides. The extreme coasters reach speeds of up to 90 km/h, and the lift hills go up to 40 meters.
Next to the park are the Caneva World water park, a safari park, and a botanical garden. The shore of Lake Garda itself deserves a separate day: from here it's a stone's throw to Peschiera del Garda, Sirmione, and Lazise.
© This Photo was taken by Wolfgang Moroder . Feel free to use my photos, but please mention me as the author and send me a · CC BY-SAPhoto: This Photo was taken by Wolfgang Moroder . Feel free to use my photos, but please mention me as the author and send me a, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia CommonsTickets and opening hours
The park usually opens at 10:00 and closes between 17:00 and 19:00 (as of 09/2026, calendar on the official website). In high season, from late June to early September, Gardaland stays open until 23:00.
Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
2026 season | March 28 - November 1 (as of 09/2026, season tickets) |
Opening hours | usually 10:00-17:00 or 10:00-19:00 |
High season | until 23:00, from late June to early September |
Children | under 90 cm tall, free entry |
Ticket | open-dated, valid any day of the season |
An open-dated ticket is valid any day of the season. Online it is usually cheaper than at the ticket office, so book in advance: Gardaland tickets on GetYourGuide.
The catch: on weekends and at the end of summer the park gets crowded, so a weekday visit is more relaxed.
Tours and tickets in Gardaland
Guided tours, skip-the-line tickets and activities — most offers can be cancelled free of charge.
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How to get there from the train station
The nearest station is Peschiera del Garda on the Milan - Venice line (directions on the park website). The park is only 2 km from the station, and a free shuttle runs there and back every 30 minutes. The trip takes about 5 minutes, and you don't need to reserve a seat.
⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions
How much does a Gardaland ticket cost?
The price depends on the date and how you buy it. An open-date ticket is valid any day of the 2026 season (as of 09/2026, season dates). It's cheaper online than at the ticket office, and children under 90 cm tall get in free. Check the current price for your date on the official website before buying.
How much time do you need for Gardaland?
Plan a full day from opening for one visit. There are more than 40 attractions, and covering all of them in one go is almost impossible. Guests often take two consecutive days and stay at a park hotel. If you came for the top coasters, plan a full day and stick to the far zones.
How do you get to Gardaland without a car?
By train to Peschiera del Garda station on the Milan - Venice line. A free shuttle runs from the station to the park (as of 09/2026, shuttle schedule).
Is Gardaland suitable for small children?
Yes. The Fantasy Kingdom, Peppa Pig Land, and Kung Fu Panda Academy zones are designed for little ones (kids' zones). Carousels, mini trains, and canoes are geared toward preschoolers, and children under 90 cm tall get in free. With small kids, also plan a full day, but skip the adult coasters.
What to see near Gardaland?
The Caneva World water park, a safari park, and a botanical garden are right next to the park. On the shore of Lake Garda, it's worth stopping by Peschiera del Garda, Sirmione, and Lazise. Set aside another one or two days of your trip for all this, so the visit doesn't turn into a race.
In short: what's worth booking
Gardaland suits families with children and coaster fans. Choose your plan based on your situation:
- If you're going with little kids: get a morning ticket and head straight to Fantasy Kingdom.
- If you're after thrills: go for the tall coasters in Luna Park and plan a full day.
- If you don't have a car: stay overnight near Peschiera del Garda station, where the free shuttle departs from.
Book an open-date ticket in advance: choose your visit date on GetYourGuide.
A small editorial team writing guides for independent travel. We travel ourselves, but we haven’t been everywhere, so we check prices, opening hours and how to get there against official sources.