Before you go

Your trip to Malcesine.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Malcesine – Vêneto Destination Verona and Lago de Garda about 190 km from Veneza

How to get there

Aeroporto di Verona-Villafranca Valerio Catullo (VRN) Villafranca di Verona · 85 km
Rovereto Rovereto · 30 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Check before booking. The nearest airport is Verona Villafranca (VRN), about 85 km away. From Verona, buses run along the Gardesana road on the eastern shore to Malcesine. Another option is the train to Rovereto on the Brenner line and a bus to Riva del Garda or Torbole. In season, typically from late March to early November, boats connect Malcesine with the other lakeside villages.

How many days

One day is enough for the castle, the town centre and the ascent to Monte Baldo. Those who want to hike on Monte Baldo or combine the visit with Riva del Garda and Limone on the other side of the lake can stay two or three nights.

When to go

From May to September, with the cable car, boats and trails operating; July and August are the busiest months. June and September usually bring good weather and fewer visitors. The cable car closes in March and from November until mid-December for maintenance. In winter, Monte Baldo can have snow and ski runs, depending on the year.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

It is not required. The historic centre is pedestrian, and buses and boats, in season, connect Malcesine with the other villages. The Gardesana, the narrow road along the shore, usually has slow traffic in summer. The cable car has a paid underground car park at the departure station.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Malcesine

Morning
Cable car to Monte Baldo
Go up early on the Funivia Malcesine-Monte Baldo, when the sky is usually clearer. The second part of the journey is in cabins that rotate 360 degrees. At the top, walk the short trails near the station and look down at the lake. The season typically runs from April to early November.
Afternoon
Lunch and historic centre
Descend in the early afternoon and have lunch in the centre, around 1:00 pm. Then walk through the cobbled alleys to the small harbour, where the Palazzo dei Capitani, the former seat of the Venetian government of the lake, is located.
Late afternoon
Castello Scaligero
Enter the Castello Scaligero di Malcesine, climb the tower and see the Baldo and Garda natural history museum and the room dedicated to Goethe. From the walls you can see the lake as far as Riva del Garda and Limone.
Evening
Dinner at the harbour
Dine near the harbour from around 7:30 pm. Order a lake fish, such as trout or whitefish (coregone), and accompany it with olive oil from the Veronese shore.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

When does the Monte Baldo cable car operate?

The Funivia Malcesine-Monte Baldo usually operates from April to early November and also in winter from mid-December. It closes in March and from November until mid-December for maintenance. It's worth checking dates and times close to your trip.

Can you go from Verona to Malcesine in one day?

Yes, but the day will be long: it's about 2 hours by bus along the Gardesana each way. To climb Monte Baldo and see the castle at a relaxed pace, it's worth spending a night at the lake.

How to get from Malcesine to Riva del Garda?

In the boat season, which usually runs from late March to early November, there are boats across the lake. Year-round there are buses on the road along the shore. Check the timetables.

Do you need warm clothing on Monte Baldo?

Bring a warm layer. At the top, around 1,800 metres, the temperature is usually much lower than at the lakeshore, even in summer.

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