Malcesine

Lake Garda, Italy

A popular Lake Garda town for relaxation and sports in an historic town.

About Malcesine

Malcesine is one of the most popular Lake Garda towns for visiting or as a holiday destination.

Popular for sailing, windsurfing, rock climbing and mountain biking along with enjoying the lakeside ambience, beaches and culture of this historic place.

In the winter months, skiing is available on Monte Baldo with a lift to the mountain from Malcesine and in summer it’s a great location for cooling breezes and a superb view of Lake Garda.

LOCATION

Malcesine location on Lake Garda

Malcesine is on the north eastern side of Lake Garda, close (by boat) to Limone on the other side of the Lake.

The town is connected via the lakeside road, the SR249, about half way between Garda and Riva del Garda

FERRY INFORMATION

Fisherman on Lake Garda. Image � Stockitalia/Alamy

There are two ferry terminals in Malcesine: Malcesine Centro and Malcesine (Traghetto).

To Limone takes about 20 minutes by ferry, Torbole 55 minutes and Riva del Garda 45 minutes (fast ferry) to an hour. Other destinations on the lake� are available but may take longer.

�There are tour boats available to various Lake Garda destinations.

Tickets can be bought directly from the ferry service website, except for fast boat tickets which must be bought at the ground station.

*All times approximate

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Things to see in Malcesine

Malcesine Lake Garda. Image � Stockitalia/Alamy

THINGS TO SEE

Malcesine’s most prominent landmark is the Castello Scaligero, which has 13th-century fortifications and an older medieval tower in white natural stone. Like the castle of Sirmione at the southern end of the lake, it is named for the della Scala family of Verona who ruled the region in the 13th and 14th centuries. There’s a small museum here,

Located on the lake shore is the Palazzo dei Capitani. Today, it is used for exhibitions and events and also houses the public library.

Behind Malcesine rises the 2,218 m (7,277 ft) high Monte Baldo. There’s a gondola/lift to take you up the mountain from Malcesine from April to October. Bicycles can be taken up at specific times. For a slight reduction in the fare, buy your ticket online from Funivia Monte Baldo. The lift promotes that it is easily accessible for people with disabilities.

View Malcesine – Monte Baldo lift website

Sport in Malcesine & on Lake Garda

SPORT

Malcesine can offer sailing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, paddle boarding and kayaking along with the delights of Monte Baldo, 2000m above the town and connected by gondola.

On Monte Baldo there are hiking routes easy and hard, mountain bike rides and it’s used for paragliding. You can also find here climbing and some of Lake Garda’s Via Ferrata climbing routes.

Malcesine Beaches

There are a number of beaches, small and large, in the Malcesine area.

The small Posterna beach is near the Castle in Malcesine.

The Lakefront beach is near the port. Close by are bars, pizzerias and restaurants.

Val di Sogno beach has a car park nearby. It also has bars, pizzerias and restaurants nearby.

Navene beach is 4k north of the town. The beach has a sports field for children and local facilities and food nearby. There’s also parking nearby.

Campagnola beach is 3km to the north of Malcesine. It is one of the largest beaches with bars, pizzerias and restaurants close at hand along with a car park.

Paina beach is 100m away from the town centre. It�s a free pebble beach equipped with: swim raft, lifeguard service, beach volley fields, a skate board area and sports field. You can find bars and restaurants along the beach, a beach club with an entrance fee and beach loungers to rent. There�s a large car park nearby.

Hotels in Malcesine

A selection of the most well-reviewed hotels in Malcesine include the following

Wellness Hotel Casa Barca

****
Malcesine
Lake Garda

Hotel Vega

***
Malcesine
Lake Garda

HOTEL LUISE

****

Hotel Luise

Hotel Luise is less than half a mile from Riva Del Garda’s historic center and a 5-minute walk from the lake. It features a choice of elegant rooms, an outdoor swimming pool, and free Wi-Fi throughout. Parking is free.

All rooms come equipped with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, and parquet or carpeted floors. Some rooms are complete with a balcony.

The new Millelire restaurant overlooks the swimming pool and is open in summer. The chef prepares international dishes and specialties from Trentino. Breakfast is a sweet and savory buffet, with hot and cold dishes.

The interiors of the Luise combine art, design and technology with a vintage atmosphere. Free bicycle rentals are available at the front desk and the garden has a playground.

information from Booking.com

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HOTEL VILLA ENRICA

****

Hotel Villa Enrica

Set in Riva del Garda, 200 metres from beaches on the shores of Lake Garda, Hotel Villa Enrica offers a small swimming pool and modern rooms with lake-view balconies.

Villa Enrica is surrounded by gardens and offers a furnished sun terrace and a cosy lounge with bar. There are a number of cycle paths in the area and bikes are available to rent at reception.

Rooms come with a flat-screen TV, wood floors and a contemporary design. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.

Parking is free at Villa Enrica Hotel, one kilometre from Riva del Garda centre. The A22 motorway is 15 km away and the nearest train station is in Rovereto, reached by a local bus.

information from Booking.com

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GARDA LIFE HOTEL

***

Hotel Garda Life

Located 550 metres from the lake shores, Garda Life offers accommodation with free WiFi in Riva del Garda. Guests can relax in the shared lounge or in the garden.

Rooms feature modern furnishings and wooden floors, and come with a satellite TV and a private bathroom. All guest rooms have air conditioning and a kettle. Some units also have a balcony.

The rich breakfast buffet includes sweet and savoury items, and guests will enjoy a drink at the on-site bar.

information from Booking.com

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Du Lac Et Du Parc Grand Resort

****

Du Lac Et Du Parc Grand Resort

Du Lac and Du Park Grand Resort is set in parkland in Riva Del Garda. Guests have free use of its 2 swimming pools, wellness facilities, and fitness centre.

Rooms here come with air conditioning and satellite TV. Some have a balcony.

The Grand Resort�s outdoor swimming pool has beautiful mountain views which you can enjoy from the sun terrace with loungers. Bike rental is available so you can explore the surrounding area. Charging stations for electric vehicles are also available.

The hotel has a number of dining options including an � la carte restaurant serving local and national specialities, a poolside caf� and a snack bar. There is also a roof garden for seasonal outdoor dining.

The beauty spa offers a variety of relaxing treatments, massage and a sauna. The indoor swimming pool offers year-round relaxation and water aerobics classes.

information from Booking.com

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GRAND HOTEL LIBERTY

****

Grand Hotel Liberty

This charming 4-star hotel has impressive Art Nouveau d�cor, a luxury spa and indoor and outdoor pools. It is in Riva del Garda centre, 5 minutes’ walk from the lake.

Grand Hotel Liberty offers classically furnished rooms and modern rooms. They all come with a minibar and a TV with satellite channels. Each one has a private bathroom with hairdryer and toiletries.

Dating back to the early 20th century, the property is surrounded by landscaped gardens. Indoors, the spa includes a fitness area, sauna and Turkish bath. A variety of massages and beauty treatments are also available.

Grand Hotel Liberty serves a buffet breakfast and the restaurant opens at dinner on demand. Liberty Caf� is ideal for drinks throughout the day and offers also a light lunch men�.

information from Booking.com

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