The local council in Malcesine ensures that the town is very welcoming for visitors. There are regular festivals in the town square, concerts at the castle theatre, firework displays on the lake and beach parties throughout the season.All the towns around the lake have their own individual character and are worth exploring. Bardelino is the centre for local wine production, Riva has the best shops and Sirmione is the most picturesque. The south-western corner of the lake-side is the most elegant, and is known as the Garda Riviera.
The countryside is spectacular. A cable car from Malcesine takes you swiftly up to the top of Monte Baldo, and the mountainside is great for walking and mountain biking.
On the lake you can wind surf and sail dingies, Hobby Cats and larger craft. At the south-eastern end of the lake are two theme parks - Gardaland with its adrenalin rides and Caneva, which is a water theme park
Verona, about an hour's drive away, is a beautiful historic city, with ancient churches, a castle, market squares, narrow streets with elegant shops, and the Roman amphitheatre where opera is performed on summer evenings.
You can comfortably take a day trip to Venice or Milan.
