A Day Trip to Malcesine & a Lake Garda Vintage Sailboat Tour
A Perfect Day Trip to Malcesine: Pasta, Sailing, Shopping, Cappuccinos, and Castles on Lake Garda, Italy!
Exploring Malcesine in One Day: A Must-Visit on Your Lake Garda Trip
I hope you’re joining this blog post after reading all about our stay in Limone, Lake Garda first—there are so many details about our trip! When staying in one part of the lake, it’s always fun to hop on a ferry and explore other villages. We dedicated an entire day to discovering Malcesine! I initially planned to include it in the ultimate Lake Garda guide, but we took so many photos that I decided it deserved its own blog post.
Taking the Ferry to Malcesine from Limone: A Lake Garda Day Trip
Malcesine was one of the places I was most excited to visit during our Lake Garda trip. While we chose to stay in Limone, it was just a quick 25-minute ferry ride to Malcesine. I will say, it was noticeably busier than Limone, but it had the same charming atmosphere—filled with cute shops, lakefront restaurants, boats, castles, and picturesque cobblestone streets lined with colorful Italian buildings.
How to Get from Limone sul Garda to Malcesine
You can drive or bike, but that would take much longer! We took the ferry from the port right next to our hotel, and it was a quick 25-minute ride. We bought a round-trip ticket, so we could easily hop back on when we were ready to leave. Taking the ferry is one of the best ways to get around Lake Garda, explore more villages, and enjoy breathtaking views from the open deck!
Malcesine, Lake Garda
Malcesine is a charming medieval town on the eastern shore of Lake Garda, and it looks like something straight out of a painting. It’s known for its beautiful views, cute cobblestone streets, and historic landmarks. One of the highlights is the Scaliger Castle, where you can take in incredible views of the lake and mountains. The streets are full of colorful alleyways, little boutiques, cafés, gelato shops, and lakeside restaurants. Malcesine also connects to Monte Baldo, where you can hop on a cable car and enjoy some amazing hiking and alpine views. Whether you’re sailing on the lake, grabbing a meal by the water, or just wandering around, Malcesine is definitely a place you need to check out on Lake Garda!
When walking around Limone, most buildings are a natural stone color, but in Malcesine, you get more colors like red, oranges, blue, and even green buildings!
Can you see most of Malcesine in one day?
Yes! A day trip is absolutely a great way to experience most of Malcesine. Just like Limone, everything is close together and easily walkable. We toured the castle, had lunch, enjoyed cappuccinos, visited historic spots, indulged in some gelato, went shopping, and even took a sailboat out on the lake for a few hours. And we still made it back on our ferry to Limone with plenty of time to get ready and walk to our dinner reservation
Early that morning, I decided to spontaneously book us a vintage sailboat tour, and I was so excited for that adventure!
We were starting to get pretty hungry, so we decided to grab some lunch before our boat reservation and castle tour. As we were wandering around Malcesine, we stumbled upon a cute restaurant tucked down one of the vibrant alleys leading to the lake. It was a super windy day, so we found a spot behind a building to block some of the wind. I ended up borrowing my husband’s jacket since I didn’t bring one on the ferry—my plan was to buy a jacket locally. Now, when people compliment me on it, I get to say, “Oh, I got this in Italy!” HA.
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A Day Trip to Malcesine & a Lake Garda Vintage Sailboat Tour
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Lunch in Malcesine – Al Marinaio Ristorante
The first thing on our minds was, “Two cappuccinos, please!”
We found a spot at one of the gorgeous light blue tables on the cobblestone at Al Marinaio Ristorante. We managed to beat the lunch crowd, and as soon as we left, the tables started filling up. I jokingly told my husband it was probably because I shared a video on Instagram of their pesto pasta! Ohhhh, that pasta was a dream.
Pistachio Pesto Paccheri Pasta
Okay, so I wasn’t planning on ordering pasta… or maybe I was. When I saw “pistachio and pesto” together in the dish title, I just couldn’t say no. The Pistachio Pesto Paccheri was incredible. The rich, creamy pesto with the crunch of pistachios and crispy bacon was out of this world. Even though I might not be able to replicate it exactly, this dish is definitely on my “remakes from Italy” list! Can’t wait to try it again at home!
My husband ordered the balsamic chicken breasts, and it was also delicious. We did a little bit of sharing everything, and honestly, I think that’s the best way to experience food in Italy. Every bite was delicious, and being able to try a bit of everything made the meal even more fun. It’s all about enjoying the variety and savoring the flavors! 
Musical Talent in Malcesine
Mauro Ferrarese, born in 1960, is a talented singer and guitar player with a deep passion for acoustic music. His repertoire is rooted in the timeless traditions of folk, country blues, and spirituals, drawing inspiration from the great pioneers of these genres. He also composes his own songs, blending his influences with his unique style.
It was such an honor to get to sit on a bench in Italy and listen to his talent.
Visting the Palazzo Dei Capitani in Malcesine
The Palazzo dei Capitani is a historic palace in Malcesine, Lake Garda, dating back to the 13th–15th centuries. It’s so beautiful from the lake! It was originally built by the Scaligeri family (who owned the castle!), it later became the residence of the Venetian Captains of the Lake, who governed the area under Venetian rule.
The palace features a stunning Gothic-Venetian façade, beautiful frescoes, and a peaceful lakeside garden. Today, it serves as a cultural center and is often used for exhibitions, weddings, and public events. It’s a great spot to visit while exploring Malcesine, offering a mix of history, art, and gorgeous lake views! You can just walk right into the center, and out the doors into the garden. When we were there, a musician was performing one of the most beautiful opera pieces I have ever heard.
Not only was the garden gorgeous, but it’s also another beautiful outlook to the lake.
Gelateria Nuvola – Lake Gelato in Malcesine
On our walk to the castle, we made a quick (and very necessary) stop for some pistachio and Biscoff gelato! I had to keep my pistachio gelato tour going—I think I’ve mentioned it in every Europe blog post so far.
The waffle cone was dipped in chocolate and rolled in nuts, then topped with Biscoff and pistachio gelato, and wow… it was AMAZING!
I’m the type of person who needs something sweet after a savory meal, and the gelato in Europe was incredible.
Visiting Castello Scaligero di Malcesine
Castello Scaligero di Malcesine is like something straight out of a fairy tale! This medieval castle sits right on the edge of Lake Garda, giving some of the most breathtaking views of the water and mountains. It dates back to around the 13th century and has been beautifully preserved, making it one of the town’s must-see spots.
The best part? Climbing to the top of the tower! The stairs may get your heart pumping, but the panoramic views are so worth it. You can see the rooftops of Malcesine, the shimmering lake, and even Monte Baldo in the distance. Inside the castle, there’s a small museum with historical exhibits about the area, plus some cool artwork and artifacts. It was about $15 a person for the tour, and so worth it!
The most famous occupants were the Scaliger family from Verona, who took control in the late 13th century. They reinforced the castle’s defenses and gave it the iconic medieval look it has today.
Before hopping on our sailboat tour, we stopped by some shops so I could pick out a new jacket! I had a feeling Kyle would want his jacket back once the wind picked up on the lake.
A Vintage Sailboat Tour in Malcesine, Lake Garda, Italy
While I was looking for things to do, I stumbled upon the Siora Veronica, a stunning 1926 sailboat that offers panoramic views of Lake Garda. It was everything I could have dreamed of—wooden details, turquoise accents, and soft pillow seating for us to lounge. It was the perfect way to spend a few hours on the water! They also offer wine, and the tour was only $100 (for the both of us) for two hours. It was an unforgettable experience, and we snapped some of the coolest photos!
Loving this travel guide so far? Check out the rest of my blogs from Europe!
48 Hours in Würzburg, Germany: The Ultimate Travel Guide
Füssen, Germany Travel: Visiting the Neuschwanstein Castle!
Asolo, Italy: The City of 100 Horizons – Ultimate Travel Guide
A Day Trip to Verona, Italy | Best Spots to Eat & Explore!
Traveling to Limone, Italy: The Ultimate Lake Garda Guide
I hope you enjoyed the extra photos from our little day trip to Malcesine! Don’t forget to check out my blog on Limone too! 🙂
Questions for you!
- Have you ever been sailing?
- Where are you traveling to next?
- Have you been to Italy?
