Malcesine holidays

Malcesine holidays

Deals from £170 per person

You find the small, medieval town of Malcesine on the eastern shore of Lake Garda, surrounded by rolling hills. At the centre of its network of cobbled streets and pastel-painted buildings, you’ll find the imposing Scaligero Castle, which offers some of the best views of Lake Garda from its tower. If you’re taking your holidays to Malcesine with the intention of exploring the neighbouring towns dotted along the shore, you can catch a ferry from the town’s harbour and go sightseeing.

For thrill-seekers, Lake Garda’s waters offer a variety of water sports, while if you prefer more leisurely Malcesine holidays you can simply lace up your walking boots and take a stroll around the coastal path. Alternatively, spend your days relaxing in the warm Italian sun in a piazza café. Whatever you want from your holidays to Malcesine, you can make your downtime your own.

Things to do

Malcesine holidays can be as busy or as laid-back as you want them to be. Monte Baldo offers great fun for anyone passionate about the Great Outdoors, including cyclists, climbers and photographers. The central structure of Castello Scaligero offers superb views and a dip into the towns medieval history. The charming harbour is as pretty as a picture, and it’s easy to while away the hours in a café, watching the boats bob about on Lake Garda. Shoppers can flex their bargain-hunting muscles in the town’s squares, or hop on a water taxi across the lake and visit the surrounding villages for some boutique shopping.

 Majestic scenery

From mountains such as Monte Baldo to colourful fishing towns on the edge of Lake Garda, every way you turn you’ll be faced with incredible photo opportunities. There are many ways for you to enjoy the superb views: get on the lake on a boat excursion, head up a mountain by cable car, hire a car or bike or simply take a stroll. The historic Scaligero castle is Malcesine’s most visited attraction, which is no surprise as it is perched on a cliff over the lake and has been kept in great condition. As you explore your beautiful surroundings look closer and you should be able to spot a variety of wildlife including birds and insects.

 Fantastic outdoor activities

There is no end of walking routes from Malcesine taking you up hills and mountains or beside the lake. You don’t need to go far before you reach other towns, where you can then rest in a lakeside café. The bay of Val di Sogno is known for its clear water and is a lovely spot for swimming. In the height of summer the lake is buzzing with activities. Watersports on offer include sailing, waterskiing, windsurfing and kitesurfing but they aren’t suitable for everyone, whereas elalpaca trekking on Monte Baldo is popular with all ages.

More Travel Guides

We also have travel guides available for destinations, including: Amalfi | Ischia Porto | FlorenceLake Garda | Limone | RomeSant'AgnelloSardinia | Sicily | Sorrento | Venetian Riviera | Venice

 

Map of Malcesine

world_map
Approximately two and a half hours

Flights land at Verona Villafranca Airport, which is just over an hour’s drive from the resort.

Malcesine is best for...

Best for history lovers: Castello Scaligero gives a fascinating insight into the town’s medieval past, while the Palazzo dei Capitani is an excellent example of Venetian Gothic architecture.

Best for thrill-seekers: Bike up the thrilling trails of Monte Baldo and come back down on a cable car for the ultimate experience and amazing views.

Best for scenery lovers: Castello Scaligero’s 31-metre-high tower offers stunning photo opportunities. Braver photographers can make the climb up Monte Baldo and be rewarded with a fantastic view.

Fast facts for Malcesine

Language: The language spoken here is Italian, but most of the locals and staff in shops, restaurants and hotels have a basic grasp of English.

Currency: You’ll need to exchange your Sterling for Euros (€), before heading off on our Malcesine holidays.

Local time: Malcesine is 1 hour ahead of GMT/UK time.

Fly to: Verona Villafranca Airport. The transfer time to Malcesine is just over 1 hour. 

Flight time from UK: The flight time to Malcesine is 2.5 hours.

Tourist information: Further tourist information can be found at www.visitgarda.com/en/Malcesine-vacanze-lago-garda.

Holiday destinations related to Malcesine:

 

Getting around Malcesine

By foot: The narrow, cobbled lanes of the historic town centre are best explored on foot, giving you the chance to stop at a café and rest your legs with a cup of delicious Italian coffee.

By bus: The little tourist bus, which runs seasonally up and down Malcesine, is a handy way of getting around this hilly town.

By water: Hop on a ferry, boat or even a hydrofoil to explore the surrounding towns and villages.

Events in Malcesine

For music and theatre lovers: From the end of June to August, enjoy Cinema in the Garden at the City Hall Courtyard.

For shopaholics: Experience Shopping Under the Stars the first Saturday of each month from May to September. Castello Scaligero and the shops in the town centre stay open ‘til late, with music and entertainment throughout the evening.

For Foodies: Find food festivals celebrating everything from fresh fish to local produce, throughout the year.

Malcesine weather

Temperature: Winter sees lows of -2°C to highs of 10°C, while the summer months bask in highs of 30°C down to around 18°C.

Best time to visit: Spring to autumn.

You can take Malcesine holidays at any time of year. Hit the slopes in the winter for a skiing break with excellent powder, or enjoy the Mediterranean sunshine in the summer. April has more wet days than any other month, but the temperature hovers in the late teens.

Places similar to Malcesine to visit