A Comprehensive Visitor’s Guide – OUR CROSSINGS

Poised under the jagged slopes of Monte Baldo lies the little town of Malcesine.

Its historic centre is packed shoulder to shoulder with pastel coloured houses adorned with shutters and terracotta roofs.

Old-world piazzas perch right at the very edge of the lake, offering panoramic views of shimmering waters.

Stairways are lined with potted plants blooming with flowers, and artisan shops blend seamlessly with modern-day cars and Vespas.

The hustle and bustle seems to be a foreign concept in a town; it’s quite the opposite. Locals linger in the winding streets, chatting with people passing by, enjoying coffee, and savouring the simple things.

If you visit Malcesine, be prepared for the splendours of the surrounding mountains you cannot but admire, incredible sunsets that look more like paintings and the calmness of the lake early in the morning, both reassuring and insanely beautiful.

Is Malcesine Worth A Visit?

Absolutely!

As one of Italy’s most beautiful small towns, Malcesine is a great place to visit for stunning views, hiking opportunities, as well as for its authentic atmosphere that makes you feel like you’ve been transported into a classic Italian film.

Malcesine is also a place rich in culture and history, offering many opportunities to savour the typical cuisine of the region.

The town’s strategic location on the eastern shores of Lago di Garda makes it an ideal base for exploring many of the lakes’ towns.

The stunning lake views, friendly locals, and vibrant atmosphere make it a must-visit destination.

Thrilling attractions you have to experience in Malcesine

When it comes to exciting attractions in Malcesine, there is something to suit all tastes, whether you want to unwind on the lake shores, be pampered or wanna enjoy an active holiday.

Natural beaches along the lake are mostly pebble, but it’s also possible to find soft golden sand. Apart from walking, cycling, and paragliding, you can immerse yourself in water sports like diving, kite surfing, sailing, and SUP.

So read on to see why you should add this tiny town to your Italian travel list.

In this travel guide, I’ll share:

The best ways to get there

And the top things to do in Malcesine, all based on several personal trips and local insights

#1. Visit The Scaliger Castle of Malcesine

Malcesine’s most striking feature is the Castello Scaligero, which is also the town’s main tourist attraction.

The castle is perched on top of a rocky outcrop and is surrounded by pomegranate, citrus and cypress trees.

Malcesine Castle is a place from a fairy tale. After watching the beautiful sunrise and misty mountains behind it, we walked around the paved trail, listened to singing birds and smelled blooming flowers.

It is open to visitors and hosts a museum of the Natural History of Mount Baldo and Lake Garda. It’s a good place to learn a little bit about the town’s history and enjoy one of the best views of the lake.

If you only have one day in Malcesine, make sure you stop by the castle to experience the stunning views and learn about the local culture.

*Good to know – If you are getting married and wish to have an Italian wedding, you can book the castle as your wedding venue.

Castle Opening times: from 11th March 2018 to 3rd November 2018: every day from 09:30 to 10:30

Entrance fee: adults EUR 6, kids EUR 3, students EUR 5

#2. Jump On The Rotating Cable Car To Reach The Monte Baldo Summit

Monte Baldo is the highest mountain in the Lake Garda region, standing at 2,218 meters.

It is known as the Garden of Europe due to its remarkable botanical diversity. There is also a large number of chamois living on the mountain as well as many marmots, pheasants, foxes and badgers.

If you wish to enjoy mountain views and explore Monte Baldo, then the best way to do it is by jumping on the Mlacesine-Monte Baldo Cablecar.

If the weather is beautiful and the sky is clear on your visit, make sure you go to the very top.

Malcesine cable car is undoubtedly unique and one of the best things to do around the lake because it offers panoramic views over Malcesine and the northern half of Lake Garda due to the cabins’ rotating abilities.

Once at the top, you’ll find numerous hiking trails, mesmerising views and an Elalpaca alpaca farm.

For timetables, stations and more useful information, visit the Monte Baldo website.

#3. Take a Boat to Limone

A boat trip from Malcesine to nearby Limone is one of the best things you can do, as the sailing is quite enchanting with reasonably priced tickets and picturesque views.

The ferry crossing from Malcesine to Limone takes just under an hour and makes for a wonderful way to arrive in the town. I suggest setting aside half a day for this venture, leaving you ample time to visit other charming towns nearby.

Once we stepped off the boat and were back on the hard ground, we joined other holidaymakers walking up and down little streets filled with restaurants and shops.

This lovely town is situated on the western shore of the lake and has plenty to offer visitors, from picturesque cobblestone streets to restaurants and bars.

Limone was once renowned for growing lemons and other citrus fruits; if you walk around the town, you’ll see shops selling lemonade, soaps, candles and even sweets; all bursting with citrus flavours.

One of the little town squares in Limone village

#4. Explore the Picturesque Old Town of Malcesine

Malcesine is an absolute treasure.

The achingly beautiful old town consists of a myriad of tiny harbours, colourful houses with centuries-old facades, blooming pomegranate trees and small alleys.

It is built around the fortress of the city, and one of the best ways to explore it is to walk around and pop in and out of the cute little shops.

There are two squares – the Piazza Cavour and the Piazza Turazza – as well as many alleys and narrow streets to wander around.

Here you can breathe the authentic atmosphere of a lake village as you discover its taverns, courtyards, gardens, and restaurants.

Relax on the beach

The sun-kissed Malcesine is home to a wide choice of picturesque beaches, and I can’t think of a better place to cool down on a warm summer day than taking a refreshing dip in the sparkling lake waters surrounded by mountain peaks.

There are private beaches with facilities and public ones with nearby bars and restaurants.

Popular beaches include Posterna Beach and Paina Beach, situated to the north of the Scaliger Castle. It’s a free pebble beach equipped with: a swim raft, lifeguard service, beach volleyball fields, a skateboard area and a multi-sport sports field.

There’s also a dog beach right in Malcesine called Bau Beach; bau is Italian for woof.

Given that many beaches are covered in pebbles and stones, it could be uncomfortable to walk barefoot.

*Good To Know – to find a beach, look out for signs that say “spiaggia,” “baia”, “punta” or “lido”

Go On A Day Trip to Verona

If you wish to marvel at one of the world’s finest Roman theatres still in use and visit the city of “Romeo and Juliet”, you can do so by going on a day trip to Verona.

Romanesque and Gothic architecture, galleries and opera make this a wonderful destination for history and art buffs.

In the Renaissance era, Verona was a centre for artists, and today the city has UNESCO World Heritage status.

In summer, the open-air arena in Verona hosts some of Italy’s most sensational performances, including Aida and Carmen. As well as opera performances, there are many other wonderful things to do in the historic city.

Getting there: You can catch a train from Peschiera del Garda to Verona Porta Nuova. The journey takes around 18 minutes, the tickets start from €3.9,5 and you can simply sit back, relax and enjoy the ride.

Best things to do in the city:

Stop by the beautiful Basilica of San Zeno Maggiore

Take in the views from Castel San Pietro

Visit Casa di Giulietta, (Juliet’s house

Climb the Torre dei Lamberti

Visit the Palazzo dei Capitani

One of the unmissable buildings in Malcesine is the Palazzo dei Capitani, which is a historic building located on the lakefront of Malcesine.

This 13th-century palace was once the residence of the Venetian governors and is now open to the public. Today, it is used as a vibrant cultural centre that hosts various activities throughout the year.

Here you can find temporary art exhibitions featuring local and international artists, while the main hall serves as a venue for conferences and prestigious cultural events.

Thanks to its prime lakeside position and elegant interiors, the palace is also one of the most sought-after locations for civil wedding ceremonies.

During the summer season, the inner courtyard transforms into a charming open-air auditorium for classical and contemporary music concerts.

Local history museum in Malcesine, Italy

How To Get To and Around Malcesine

Lake Garda is Italy’s largest lake, situated on the northeast shore of Lake Garda, in the Veneto region of Italy.

The most favourable airports to reach Malcesine are Bergamo, Verona and Venice Airports. Regardless of which one you choose to land on, you’ll need to either drive or take public transportation to reach the lake.

We travelled from Ireland to Bergamo Airport, rented a car and drove to the Dolomites along Lake Garda’s west side and on our way back, stopped at Malcesine.

There used to be a nonstop coach service from Verona to Malcesine. Instead, you have to take a bus to Garda town and then the second bus to Malcesine.

Getting around: The best way to get around is on foot, as Malcesine is a walkable town. Just make sure you wear comfortable shoes to enjoy the picturesque cobblestone streets.

By train: The nearest train station to Malcesine is in the town of Peschiera del Garda (about 45 km south). From Peschiera del Garda, you can take a bus or a ferry to Malcesine. The bus ride takes about an hour and a half, while the ferry ride takes about two hours.

Where to stay in Malcesine

When it comes to accommodation in Malcesine, you’ll be spoiled for choice.

There are many hotels and apartments with beautiful lake views that you can book and rent depending on your needs and and they can range drastically in price.

I have found rooms for as low as 180 euros a night and have seen rooms go upwards of 1,000 euros per night at luxury hotels.

If you wish to stay in the old part of the town, keep in mind that Malcesine’s historic centre is made up of old buildings and narrow lanes, and it can be hectic during the peak season with people wining and dining, which only adds to the noise.

Hotels and apartments outside of the historic centre are quieter and spacious, but could be a long walk from all the restaurants, shops and ferries.

Our cosy B&B was within driving distance of all the major attractions, so we couldn’t simply walk into town, but as there was a beautiful olive garden and a pool, we were more than happy to surrender to the blissful beauty of the area and relax in the pool.

*Top Tip: Before you confirm your booking, double-check the exact location and read the guest’s comments.

Top Tips For Visiting Malcesine

One of the best tips regarding Malcesine would be regarding when to visit.

May, June and September are all good choices because the weather is warm, but not stiflingly hot. Travel will also be more affordable when compared to peak summertime.

You should, if possible, avoid Italy in August due to intense heat, high prices, and extremely crowded conditions at popular destinations.

Many small businesses and family-run restaurants tend to close for the national vacation period centred around Ferragosto.

To make sure you have a memorable stay, check out these useful tips:

If possible, visit during the shoulder seasons (spring or autumn) to avoid the summer crowds and enjoy a more relaxed experience.

During the summer months, it can get quite hot. Stay hydrated, wear sunscreen, and bring a hat and sunglasses.

Consider purchasing a multi-day ferry pass if you plan to visit several towns around Lake Garda.

Respect quiet hours in residential areas, especially during the afternoon siesta.

Try the local olive oil – some of the finest olive oil in Italy!

One of many town squares in Malcesine, Italy

Wrap up

If you’re looking for breathtaking views, delicious food, and an all-around wonderful experience, be sure to visit the wonderful town of Malcesine.

We had a wonderful time soaking in beautiful lake views, exploring its narrow cobbled streets, historic buildings, and relaxing in terraced gardens.

With its stunning mountain backdrop and charming small-town atmosphere, this town is definitely worth a visit.

I hope you found this Malcesine travel guide helpful and that it has inspired you for your next Italian adventure!

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Now, over to you!

Have you been to Lake Garda? Let us know in the comments below!

Let us know if you are planning a visit to Malcesine and have travel-related questions!

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