Malcesine

Camping Malcesine: the sweet pearl of Lake Garda

Moving up the shore of the lake, remaining in the province of Verona, visitors will reach MALCESINE, a little mediaeval village that almost appears to dive into the lake. It borders to the north with the Trentino area, to the east, after the Baldo ridge, with the Adige Valley, and to the west with the Brescia shoreline.

This last is easily reached by the Malcesine-Limone ferry, so staying in a campsite in Malcesine is also convenient for visiting the other side of the lake, which can be reached in a short time.

The setting of the village is breath-taking: “the northern arm of the lake thrusts its way between the sheer mountainsides, offering a palette of splendid blue at which Goethe marvelled when he travelled through this area”.
Malcesine, indeed, owes much of its fame to the great German poet and writer and his superlative descriptions of the feelings the landscape awakened in him; those same feelings are aroused to this day in visitors exploring the Lake Garda area, especially in the autumn. Even at this time of year it is possible to enjoy the wonders of Lake Garda, and for lovers of tranquillity, staying in a camping in Malcesine even at the end of September, October is certainly the best solution, thanks to the mild and pleasant weather.

Malcesine is a particularly renowned tourist destination, thanks to its splendid geographical position and mild climate.
The mediaeval origins of the village have been preserved intact, and the buildings are gathered around the lofty Della Scala Castle and the historic Captains’ Palace.
The Castle, which today belongs to the municipality, was built on the bare rock, possibly by the Longobards, and was later turned into a military fortress by the Della Scala family. The building houses the Museum of Natural History and of Mount Baldo, and also hosts a permanent exhibition section dedicated to Goethe.

It is a popular destination for tourists; therefore many people choose to spend their holidays in Malcesine, also thanks to the rich offer of sights and things to do and see, even if they only have a few days available and can only spend a weekend in Malcesine.

Well worth a visit is the church of the Madonna della Fontana, built in 1600 over a sixteenth-century oratory.
The particularly mild, healthy climate is ideal – especially in the low season – for magnificent walks both in the hills and high up in the mountains, with the landscape shifting from the Mediterranean vegetation of the lakeshore, characterised by oleander and olive groves, to the typically alpine scenery further up.

Another destination that should not be missed is Punta Larici, the natural terrace on Lake Garda that acts as a border between Riva del Garda and Limone. Although it is on the other side of the lake and apparently far from Malcesine and its surrounding villages, thanks to the convenience of the ferry you can reach the other shore in about 40 minutes.

The area offers the opportunity to practise a wide variety of sports, such as sailing, water-skiing, windsurfing, tennis, paragliding and mountain biking. For this reason, there are always plenty of holiday offers in Malcesine for sports enthusiasts and, for those who want to have comfort at their fingertips without giving up physical activity, there are many campsites in Malcesine with a swimming pool.

Malcesine is also the departure point for the cableway that in about 10 minutes takes visitors up to the 1800 m peak of Mount Baldo, "the botanic garden of Italy”, where skiing fans will find a total of 12 km of runs, served by a chairlift and six ski lifts suitable for all levels. 

Even if you choose to stay in campsites near Malcesine, you can enjoy all the magic that this real jewel overlooking the lake has to offer, thanks to the cycle-pedestrian path that connects it to Brenzone for a total of 20 km of track, suitable for everyone: from the most athletic to people who ride at a leisurely pace and choose to enjoy the views that Lake Garda has to offer, to finish the ride in one of the many typical Lake Garda restaurants.

Malcesine is also ideal for dog lovers, offering the possibility of various activities together with your four-legged friend. For this reason, there are many campsites in Malcesine with dogs allowed where you can stay if you do not want to renounce the company of your faithful friend. Thanks to the cable car, you can easily access the paths on the ridges of Monte Baldo with your dog, entering the car with your dog equipped with a muzzle and leash.

From the beaches to the peaks, this charming location always provides great emotions for those who, each year, choose to spend their holiday in a campsite, holiday village or glamping in Malcesine.