# Gardaland theme park near Verona > Gardaland is Italy's largest theme park, on the south shore of Lake Garda half an hour from Verona. It has roller coasters for thrill-seekers, water rides, themed lands and toddler rides with the park mascot, the green dragon Prezzemolo. It opens from spring to autumn and for holiday seasons; tickets are cheaper online, and you'll want a full day. Web page: https://yesgo.io/italy/verona/gardaland - City: [Verona](https://yesgo.io/italy/verona), Italy - YesGo score: 17/100 (Yes, if nearby) - Time on site: 7 h - Opening hours: Spring to autumn, plus holiday seasons - With kids: Fine with kids - Entry: Paid, cheaper online - Season: Spring to autumn, Halloween and Christmas - Highlights: Coasters, water rides, kids' zones, shows - From Verona: Train to Peschiera plus a free shuttle - Time needed: A full day - Location: Castelnuovo del Garda, ≈ 30 km from Verona - Coordinates: 45.45722, 10.71083 - Facts checked: 11.11.2026 ## Key facts - **1975** — the park opened (source: English Wikipedia) - **Largest** — theme park in Italy (source: English Wikipedia) - **Prezzemolo** — the green dragon mascot (source: English Wikipedia) - **SEA LIFE** — an aquarium next to the park (source: English Wikipedia) - **Lake Garda** — the park sits by the south shore (source: English Wikipedia) ## About Gardaland **Gardaland** opened in **1975** and has grown into Italy's largest theme park. It stands by the south shore of Lake Garda, between Verona and Peschiera, and welcomes millions of visitors a year, from toddlers to coaster fans. The park is divided into themed lands: an oriental fantasy with Egyptian temples, a pirate cove, fantasy worlds and children's villages. The mascot, the green dragon **Prezzemolo**, pops up everywhere for photos. Alongside the rides, shows, parades and performances run through the day. ## The rides For thrill-seekers there are several big **roller coasters**, with vertical drops, upside-down flight and loops. Their queues are the longest by midday, so ride the most popular ones first thing after opening. For the whole family there are **water rides** in boats and logs that can leave you soaked, dark rides through fantasy worlds, carousels and a Ferris wheel. Toddlers have their own areas of mini-coasters, little trains and play zones with hardly any height limits. ## What's at Gardaland - **Roller coasters** — for teenagers and adults. - **Water rides** — boats and splashdowns. - **Dark rides** — journeys through fantasy worlds. - **Toddler zones** — carousels and mini-coasters. - **Shows and parades** — several times a day. - **SEA LIFE aquarium** — next door, separate or combo ticket. > **Saving time and money** Online tickets are usually cheaper than at the gate, and weekdays are much quieter than weekends and summer. Arrive at opening and head straight for the most popular coasters, where midday queues can top an hour. Check your children's height: many rides have limits. ## Seasons and holidays The main season runs from spring to early November. In summer the park stays open longer, sometimes into the late evening with special shows and lights. In October Gardaland turns into a **Halloween** festival of pumpkins and themed shows, and in December it opens for a **Christmas season** of trees and decorations. Dates and hours change every year, so check the official website before you go. Themed hotels next to the park suit those staying for several days. ## The aquarium and hotels by the park Next to the main entrance is the **SEA LIFE** aquarium, indoors, so it's handy in the heat or rain. It holds creatures of seas and lakes, from rays, sharks and jellyfish to seahorses, and a glass tunnel lets fish swim right over your head. Tickets are sold separately or with the park; the combo is usually better value. For longer stays, themed hotels in a fairy-tale and adventure style stand next to the park, so you can walk in at opening and skip the trip back to Verona at night. Many families pair two days at Gardaland with time on the beaches of Lake Garda, just a few minutes away. ## How to get to Gardaland from Verona 1. Train from Verona Porta Nuova to **Peschiera del Garda**, about 15 minutes. 2. From Peschiera station, a free shuttle to the park, about 5 minutes. 3. By car, about 30 minutes on the A4 motorway, with a large paid car park. 4. From Milan or Venice, the train to Peschiera, then the shuttle. ## Tips for the day Wear comfortable shoes and a hat, and bring a change of clothes for the water rides. There are plenty of cafés and restaurants inside, at theme-park prices; refill water bottles at the drinking fountains. Gardaland pairs well with time on [Lake Garda](https://yesgo.io/italy/verona/lake-garda): the park in the morning, a stroll along the Peschiera or Lazise waterfront in the evening. Half a day is plenty with small children, though teenagers rarely want to leave before closing. ## Before you go Tick off what's ready — your ticks are saved in this browser. - [ ] Check the park's opening dates - [ ] Buy tickets online - [ ] Check children's height limits - [ ] Pack a change of clothes for water rides - [ ] Arrive at opening time ## Day trips from Verona: compare and choose Day trips from Verona rated by YesGo. - [Gardaland](https://yesgo.io/italy/verona/gardaland) — YesGo score 17/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 7 h · Paid ## A lake day with kids Gardaland in the morning and afternoon, the Lake Garda waterfront in the evening. 1. [Gardaland](https://yesgo.io/italy/verona/gardaland) — YesGo score 17/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 7 h · Paid 2. [Lake Garda](https://yesgo.io/italy/verona/lake-garda) — YesGo score 38/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 8 h · Free; castle and ferries paid ## Don't mix it up Gardaland is a theme park, not a water park: its water rides are boats and splashes, with no pools. Water parks are separate, elsewhere on the lake. ## Tips - Cheaper online. - Coasters first thing. - Spare clothes for water rides. - Shuttle from Peschiera station. ## Questions ### How do I get to Gardaland from Verona? Take the train to Peschiera del Garda in 15 minutes, then the free shuttle to the park. ### How much are Gardaland tickets? Entry is paid and usually cheaper online; prices depend on the date. ### When is Gardaland open? From spring to early November, plus Halloween and the Christmas season; exact dates are on the park website. ### Is Gardaland good for toddlers? Yes, there are separate toddler areas with carousels and mini-coasters. ### How long do you need at Gardaland? A full day; half a day with small children. ## How we checked Park facts from English Wikipedia. Prices and opening dates weren't confirmed with an official source — hence the 'checking' badge. ## Sources - English Wikipedia: Gardaland - Official park site, gardaland.it --- This is the Markdown version of a YesGo page for AI assistants. Quote the web page link above, not this file.