Malcesine is a great little medieval town on the eastern shore of Lake Garda. Quaint cobbled streets connect most of the resort. It is the perfect place to explore while trying Italian gelato. Walk along the promenade, explore the old port, or find your way through the small twisting back streets. The Italian feel is enhanced by the countless friendly pizzerias and family run hotels.
Here are a few of our favourite activities to do in Malcesine:
Travel around:
The port connects Malcesine to the rest of the lake, Limone, Riva, and as far as Sirmione, by ferry. The ferry timetable runs throughout the day. For those wanting to go a bit quicker there is even the hydrofoil, or fast ferry. A great bus service also connects the resort to the other places on the lake. The tourist bus is available to take you anywhere in Malcesine, from Cassone to Navene.
Get active:
With the lake just in front and the amazing Monte Baldo mountains behind, not many resorts have such differing terrain in such close proximity. Take a trip up the Monte Baldo cable car and on a clear day you can see across the whole lake – and even to the Dolomites in the distance. The clearly marked paths make Monte Baldo the perfect place to go walking or biking.
There are many sailing and water sport clubs around which cater for all levels – from beginner to expert. Many are found around the Navene area – where you can also find the landing strip for paragliders.
The Castle:
The Scaligero castle is one of four castles on the lake. Our castle in Malcesine dates back to the last few centuries of the last millennium BC. It provides the perfect backdrop for pictures in Malcesine and is perhaps the most famous attraction in the resort. In 1902, the castle was classed as a national monument.
In the castle, there is a viewpoint looking north towards Navene. You can climb up the tower to see panoramic 360-degree views. Inside the main building there is a natural history museum with exhibits about the lake, including the species that live there, how it came to be, and information on the surrounding areas, such as Monte Baldo.
Palazzo dei Capitani:
One of the most important buildings in Malcesine is the Palazzo dei Capitani – or Captain’s Palace. This historical building dates back to the thirteenth and fourteenth century and has been classed as a national monument since 1902.
Built by the Scala family to host their governors, it changed hands to become the Captain of the Lake’s residence in 1618. Out the back are lovely gardens next to where the Captains would dock their ships.
The Madonna:
Visit the Madonna statue – which looks over the whole of Malcesine and protects the inhabitants. It is possible to walk to the statue and look over the resort. The walk is steep in places but only takes around 45 minutes to complete. It is well worth it for the outstanding views of both Malcesine and the lake.
Monte Baldo:
The Monte Baldo cable car takes you to around 1800m above sea level. The cable car itself consists of two parts, separated by a halfway point. On the second leg of the journey the cable car rotates 360 degrees ensuring you get the best views of Malcesine and Monte Baldo. The Monte Baldo is home to numerous species of flora due to its unique micro climate, providing a wonderful display of plant life.
With so much to see and do in Malcesine you need never be bored. We look forward to welcoming you to Malcesine soon!