Malcesine Historic Sailboat Cruise, Lake Garda

Malcesine and the Scaliger Castle

Malcesine is one of the most beautiful villages on the eastern shore of Lake Garda, a maze of stone lanes, small squares and pastel houses gathered around a tiny harbour. Above it, on a rocky spur over the water, stands the Scaliger Castle, built in the Middle Ages and rebuilt by the lords of Verona, with a tall tower that you can climb for a superb view over the lake. Its walls also house a small museum on the lake's nature and history.

Is Malcesine worth visiting? Very much: plan an hour or two before or after your cruise to wander the lanes, see the castle and sit by the harbour. How to get to Malcesine? It is about 1 h 15 by road from Verona airport, and the lake's public boats link it with Limone, Riva and Garda in season.

Sailing on a historic boat

Your cruise takes place on a historic sailing boat, kept in beautiful condition and handled by a skipper and boarding crew who know the lake's winds perfectly. You are welcome to watch the sails being raised and trimmed, ask questions or simply sit back on deck and enjoy the movement of the boat, the sound of the water and the light on the mountains.

The northern part of Lake Garda is famous among sailors because of its regular winds: in the morning a breeze from the north, and in the early afternoon the Ora, a steady southerly wind that rises almost every summer day. Our 14:00 departure is timed to make the most of it, so the sailing is lively but comfortable. Fuel, boat and crew are included; drinks on board are not.

The La Forra waterfalls and the western shore

Crossing the lake, you approach the steep western shore below the high plateau of Tremosine, where cliffs drop straight into deep water. Here a mountain stream has carved a narrow gorge called La Forra, and its waterfalls tumble down the rock towards the lake. Seen from the deck, with the cliffs towering above, it is one of the most dramatic panoramic spots of Lake Garda.

Above the gorge runs one of the most spectacular roads of the region, cut into the rock and through tunnels, but from the boat you enjoy the scenery without the traffic. Your skipper brings the boat as close as conditions allow for photos. Further north you can see the lemon houses of Limone, tall stone pillars once used to shelter citrus trees through the winter.

Monte Baldo and the northern lake

Behind Malcesine rises Monte Baldo, a long ridge reaching about 2,200 m that separates Lake Garda from the Adige valley. Its slopes are so rich in rare plants that botanists call it the garden of Europe. A cable car with rotating cabins climbs from Malcesine to about 1,760 m, where paths lead along the ridge with views over the whole lake, a perfect half-day to combine with your cruise.

From the water, the northern lake looks like a fjord: narrow, deep and framed by mountains on both sides, while to the south it opens into a wide inland sea. The best time to visit Lake Garda for sailing is from May to early October, when the afternoon wind is reliable and the water is warm; June and September are pleasantly quieter than the peak of summer.