Aerial view of Malcesine
Why Italy's Malcesine Resort Town Is An Underrated Alternative To Lake Como
By Kira Reinke

VACATIONS

If you're trying to avoid Lake Como's tourist towns, Italy's biggest lake, Lake Garda, is home to a fantastic alternative: the quaint medieval village of Malcesine.
Selected as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, Malcesine is a wonderful destination year-round, especially in the fall when the lake's water is warm enough for swimming.
Malcesine is located roughly between Milan and Venice. It features natural and man-made landmarks, such as Monte Baldo and the 13th-century fortification of Castello Scaligero.
No visit to Malcesine is complete without a trip to the top of Monte Baldo, either by hiking the 7-mile trail or taking the cable cart to enjoy the aerial panoramas of Lake Garda.
Another must-do is sailing around Lake Garda. You can rent a speedboat to explore the lake's hidden coves and smaller villages or jump off and swim in the lake's cool waters.
Malcesine offers many beautiful, private lakefront accommodations at a much lower price than Lake Como, like the Castello Lakefront Hotel & Living Suite.