Malcesine
Set against the backdrop of the Mount Baldo peak, Malcesine is a town which balances modern culture with rich history. It also happens to be the largest town on the North Eastern section of Lake Garda. Filled with small shops, winding pathways and it's own castle, Malcesine is the perfect place to experience all that Lake Garda has to offer.
Malcesine Hotels
Malcesine is home to more than a hundred hotels, 300 apartments and various private villas which are rented out to some of the many tourists visiting the town. The area around the lake experiences a mild climate all year round which allows visitors to take advantage of the beautiful outdoor tourist attractions and walking trails.
Mount Baldo is home to a large variety of plant species that can be seen by walking one of the many foot trails, or by riding 1800m up to the peak in a cable car. The cable car system regularly takes visitors to the summit of Mount Baldo for breathtaking views of the lake and the surrounding towns. Make sure to head out for the peak early and allow for a full eight hours for a complete round-trip, this will give you a nice amount of time to spend on the mountaintop. While you're at the peak be sure to take advantage of the hiking trails. The “fitness track” is a very popular walk about halfway up the cable car ride near St. Michelle. The cable car stops here and you can enjoy a walk through the woodlands, with fitness challenges like situp benches and balance beams spaced out along the course.
Malcesine History
People have been living in Malcesine since Roman times and there have been artifacts found that date back to the third and fourth centuries. After the collapse of the Roman empire, the Lombards occupied the area and were responsible for building the first castle in Malcesine. Over the following centuries, the township grew around the castle and in 1154 it eventually became an independent city state. It was once part of the Venetian Republic under the Della Scala family, and later became part of the Lombard-Veneto Kingdom. The castle that stands here today was built in the 14th century. It wasn't until 1866 however, after the third war of Independence, that it became part of the Kingdom of Italy. While it's always been a popular spot to visit, tourism in Malcesine boomed after the construction of the Gardesana Occidentale. This road allowed easier access to Malcesine and other cities along the eastern side of Lake Garda.
Malcesine Attractions
The Scagliari Castle is by far one of the most popular spots in Malcesine. Today, it houses a museum in the grounds and serves as a backdrop for many destination weddings. For the cost of four euros, you can visit the museum and learn about the long history of the castle and the surrounding region. It also offers information on the wildlife and plant life in the area. Famous German author Johann Wolfgang von Goethe appreciated Malcesine and the castle so much and wrote about it so frequently that there is a monument to him on the castle grounds.
The castle and mountain peak are framed by the Centro Storico, the historic center of the town, that is home to many small shopping streets and the quaint harbor. The town center features a market every Saturday morning but there are also many shops to choose from. If you're interested in buying Italian leather, Malcesine is one of the best places to get it. The shops in the area feature well-made pieces at very reasonable prices.
If shopping isn't your thing, there are a wide variety of sporting activities to choose from in the area. You can rent a mountain bike at the Piazza Matteotti and see Mount Baldo from a different perspective. You can also attend the sailing school in nearby Val di Sogno, which is within easy walking distance of Malcesine.
So whether you're looking for a journey back in time, quaint shopping districts, breathtaking lake views or simply a little adventure then Malcesine is the place to visit!