{"id":17983,"date":"2026-09-21T09:05:11","date_gmt":"2026-09-21T09:05:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/visitlagodigarda.it\/malcesine-the-old-town-castello-scaligero-and-the-monte-baldo-cable-car\/"},"modified":"2026-09-21T14:37:52","modified_gmt":"2026-09-21T14:37:52","slug":"malcesine-the-old-town-castello-scaligero-and-the-monte-baldo-cable-car","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/visitlagodigarda.it\/en\/malcesine-the-old-town-castello-scaligero-and-the-monte-baldo-cable-car\/","title":{"rendered":"Malcesine: the Old Town, Castello Scaligero and the Monte Baldo Cable Car"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Today we’re taking you to Malcesine<\/strong>, one of the most photographed villages on the entire Lake Garda. Here the old town drops straight down to the water, the Castello Scaligero<\/strong> keeps watch from a rocky spur, and, behind the village, a scenic cable car<\/strong> takes you in just a few minutes from lake level up to over 1,700 metres on Monte Baldo<\/strong>.<\/p>

In this guide we explore the village and its castle, an anecdote about a famous guest who ended up under arrest, how the cable car works with its cabin that rotates a full 360\u00b0, what to do once you’re up top, and when it’s best to go. Ready to set off?<\/p>

In this article:<\/strong> the village of Malcesine \u00b7 the Castello Scaligero \u00b7 the museum and the Goethe Room \u00b7 the Monte Baldo cable car \u00b7 what to do at the summit \u00b7 when to visit \u00b7 frequently asked questions.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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The village of Malcesine, between alleyways and harbour<\/h2>

Malcesine wraps itself around its small old harbour<\/strong>, where fishing boats now sit side by side with the tables of lakefront bars. The historic centre is a maze of narrow lanes (the typical “calli”), stone archways and small squares that suddenly open onto the lake: perfect for an aimless stroll among shops, gelaterias and photogenic corners at every turn.<\/p>

From the lakeside promenade, a pleasant walk also leads to the hamlets of Val di Sogno<\/strong> and Cassone<\/strong>, past Liberty-style villas and small coves. It’s no surprise that Malcesine has always been one of the most loved villages on Lake Garda’s Veronese shore, a destination for painters, writers and travellers since the eighteenth century.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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The Castello Scaligero: on a rocky spur<\/h2>

Towering over the harbour and old town is the Castello Scaligero<\/strong>, built on a rocky spur that juts out into the lake. Its origins are ancient \u2014 the first fortified settlements probably date back to the Lombard era \u2014 but it was in 1277, under the rule of Alberto della Scala<\/strong>, that the fortress took on the shape and name we know today. In the following centuries it passed under the control of Venice, the Visconti family and finally Austria, before becoming a national monument in 1902.<\/p>

The pentagonal tower<\/strong>, 31 metres tall and standing 70 metres above lake level, is still today the most recognisable landmark of Malcesine. From the Rivellino walkway, the panoramic terrace at the foot of the tower, the view sweeps across the lake, the village below and the western slopes of Monte Baldo.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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The natural history museum and the Goethe Room<\/h2>

Inside the Casermetta, the castle’s former guardhouse, there’s a multimedia natural history museum<\/strong> dedicated to the lake’s ecosystem and the flora and fauna of Monte Baldo, with interactive displays designed for adults and children alike.<\/p>

Upstairs, in the former Austrian powder magazine, you’ll find the Goethe Room<\/strong>, which houses drawings and notes linked to the German writer’s famous Italian journey. A small treasure trove of history that’s just as worth the visit as the view from the tower.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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