Holidays in Malcesine
Summer holidays in Malcesine offer a perfect mix of stunning views, outdoor activities, and relaxation
- Medieval Scaligero Castle
- Panoramic lake views from Monte Baldo
- Cobblestone streets
Walking in Malcesine
Malcesine at a glance
- Italian
- Euro (EUR)
- Manchester Int. (MAN), London Gatwick (LGW), Birmingham Int. (BHX), Bristol (BRS), Edinburgh (EDI), London Stansted (STN), East Midlands (EMA), Leeds Bradford (LBA), Newcastle (NCL), Belfast Int. (BFS)
Travel included to Malcesine
Depart on: Wednesday or Saturday
Arrive into: Verona airport
Transfer time: approx. 1 hour 30 minutes by coach
Included in your Malcesine walking holiday
- Inghams Guided Walks included from 16 May-26 Sep 25 and 11 May-25 Sep 26
- On holiday support and tailored advice from our Destination Expert based in Lake Garda
- Inghams Digital Resort Guide with things to do, walks and useful information on holiday
- Flights from the UK, transfers and accommodation
Walking in Malcesine
Walks and hikes
- Walking Trails:
- 210km of walking trails
- Terrain:
- Diverse terrain from lake side strolls to mountain trails
Walking holidays in Malcesine offer a fantastic opportunity to explore the natural beauty of Lake Garda and its surrounding mountains. With scenic trails that cater to all levels, you can enjoy leisurely walks along the lake or challenge yourself with more adventurous hikes up Monte Baldo, where panoramic views of Lake Garda's fjord-like waters and the Alps await. The area is dotted with charming paths through vineyards, olive groves, and ancient villages, and lakeside strolls lead to towns such as Navene and Campagnola (Northbound). So whether you’re seeking a peaceful stroll or an invigorating hike, walking in Malcesine provides a unique way to experience the stunning landscapes of this beautiful part of Italy.
We’ve included two guided walks per week in Malcesine, just for Inghams guests. Join a small group and be led by a professional walking guide on some of their favourite trails. It’s a great way to get to know the area. The walks will run every Monday and Friday from 16 May-26 Sep 25 and 11 May-25 Sep 26. You can add the walks onto your holiday at the time of booking, through Manage My Booking or by calling us.
Routes may vary from week to week but as a guide you can see some of our planned routes below.
Spaces are limited, so early booking is recommended. Walks depend on weather, guide availability, and group size, and routes may change. Details are provided on arrival, and some may include a small local transport fee. Walks are not suitable for under 12s (under 18s must be with an adult). Please ensure the walk is right for you, our guides have the final say. See our booking conditions for full details.
Our guided walks in Malcesine




Our favourite self-guided walks in Malcesine



Our accommodations in Malcesine
Discover Malcesine
- Take a walk on Monte Baldo and enjoy stunning views of the lake and mountains
- Step back in time with a visit to Malcesine's historic Scaligero Castle
- Relax in the sunshine on Paina’s pebble beach, soaking in the peaceful atmosphere by the lake
Holidays in Malcesine offer a blend of history, culture, and natural beauty, set against the stunning backdrop of Lake Garda and the surrounding mountains. This picturesque town is known for its charming cobbled streets, medieval architecture, and its impressive Scaligero Castle, which offers breath-taking views of the lake. Whether you're exploring ancient churches, strolling through vibrant courtyards, or enjoying a meal at one of the town's authentic Italian restaurants, there’s something for everyone. Malcesine's a lively, family-friendly destination with plenty of shops, gelaterie, trattorie, and bars, and creates a welcoming atmosphere for both relaxation and adventure.
Where's the best place to stay on Lake Garda for culture and history you may ask? It’s a hard one to call, Lake Garda being so beautiful and culturally rich (and one of Italy’s best loved summer holiday spots), but fort the above, summer holidays in Malcesine really do stand out from the crowd. Scaligero Castle is built on a rock jutting over the lake, with fantastic views all around. There’s the Palazzo dei Capitani near the port- with its waterfront gardens, natural history museum and paintings- the 1200-year-old church Antica Pieve di Santo Stefano, and the huge white statue of Madonna dell’Accoglienze looking over the town (a relatively easy 8km round-trip walk from town).
Summer holidays in Malcesine are a great opportunity to head to the water. Just 100 metres from the centre of Malcesine is pebbly Paina beach, with lifeguards, volleyball courts, a skate park, bars, restaurants and a beach club. It's a must-do on a hot summer day. Wander up the coast and the beaches multiply; most have floating swim rafts and a pizzeria close by. A few kilometres south of town is Val di Sogno beach, and when the lake water is low you can walk over to Isola del Sogno (Dream Island) or even swim to it just 20 metres from the shore. Scuba divers might like to rent gear and visit the boat wreck just beyond Isola del Sogno.
Family holidays in Malcesine offer a perfect mix of adventure and relaxation. Take the cable car to Monte Baldo for stunning views over Lake Garda and enjoy a variety of walking and biking trails suitable for all ages. Whether exploring gentle paths for young children or more exciting routes for teens, there’s something for everyone. For a relaxing option, take the cable car to San Michele and walk back to Malcesine along a scenic mule track. Malcesine is also a great base for exploring nearby towns; take a boat to Riva or Limone, and enjoy a beautiful, easy walk along the cliff-hugging Ciclopista del Garda path in Limone.
Cable Car
Monte Baldo cable car is particularly useful if you want to head up high and immerse yourself in nature, walking or biking. The cable car is within walking distance from our hotels (10-35 mins) and there are local buses which will take you there from the further out hotels in under 15 minutes.
Buses
The bus network around Malcesine is particularly useful if you’re staying in one of our further out hotels, you can get to the centre of town and the ferry departure point in under 15 minutes on the bus and it will get you closer to the Monte Baldo Cable Car. While the buses are useful, we’d also recommend walking, as it’s the best way to really get to know an area and none of our hotels are more than a 25 minute walk from the centre of town. Some of the walking routes are mostly along the lakeside so you’ll have a lovely view to enjoy along the way.
The buses also run from Malcesine to nearby towns on Lake Garda such as Riva which you can get to in under half an hour on a direct bus (484). The same bus line travels in the other direction as well and can get you to Garda in under 45 minutes. This is a more cost efficient way of exploring nearby towns.
Ferries
Looking to explore further afield? The ferries depart from the centre of Malcesine regularly and are a scenic way to visit other towns around the lake such as Limone or Riva. The ferry timetable can be found on the Navigazione Laghi website.
Travel to Malcesine
Travel by air
Flights to Verona depart on Wednesday or Saturday between 03 May - 27 Sep 25 & 02 May - 26 Sep 26
- Manchester, London Gatwick, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Stansted, East Midlands, Leeds Bradford, Newcastle, and Belfast
Transfer times:
- Verona airport: approx. 1 hour 30 mins by coach
Private transfers are available on request, for a supplement.
Things to do in Malcesine









