Lake Molveno Holidays

from € 842 pp

Peaceful and unspoilt, Lake Molveno is nestled deep within the magnificent UNESCO-protected Dolomites.

Mountain waters

Part of the Natural Park Adamello-Brenta – the largest national park in Trentino – Lake Molveno is surrounded by nature. At 123m deep, it’s the deepest lake in the region, and is characterised by its magnificent colour scheme. From sailing and stand-up paddleboarding to simply dipping your toes in, there’s plenty of opportunities to make the most of the mountain water.

Village at altitude

Back on solid ground is Molveno village. This small, picturesque village centres itself around a historic church, small lanes and alleyways snaking further up the hill for a better view. The buildings are adorned with Trentino-style balconies, and age-old barrel tunnels make for snappy shortcuts. Wander the streets and have a peak in the shops, or visit one of the many local museums including the Museum of Sciences of Trento, or the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. Nearby you’ll also find some of the region’s last remaining castles, like the elegant Stenico Castle.

Pradél Plateau

Journey higher up the hill on a gondola to access a wide array of walks, biking routes and even via ferrata. For the kids there’s the adrenaline-pumping Forest Park or the Educational Farm, where you’re taken through the various stages of making cheese. Or if you fancy it, you can embark on a scavenger hunt for wild mushrooms – you may even see a royal owl or wild fox on your way too.

Out and about

Here are some ideas of things to do when staying in Lake Molveno:

• Lakeside path with cycle route
• Lake bathing and watersports
• Rowing and sailing boats
• Sports centre
• Alpine flower garden and botanical garden
• Castles and Roman ruins
• An array of museums
• Horse riding
• Outdoor pool
• Wine tasting

At a glance

Take to the water on a rowing boat to admire the incredible Brenta Dolomites.
Set off on an educational walk on the Pradél Plateau, accompanied by Sclury the Squirrel.
Spend a day at Thun Castle, surrounded by gardens, towers and age-old trenches.

Destinations in Lake Molveno

PLACES TO STAY IN Lake Molveno

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Molveno Beach

Just steps from the resort centre is Molveno Beach, an Alpine beach harbouring 10 acres of green meadows. Throw down your towel and bask in the sun (or shade - there's plenty of trees too), go for a swim or challenge your friends or family to some volleyball. There's also a playground and mini-golf nearby, for when the little ones get a bit fidgety.
Acquapark Molveno

Down on the waterfront is the Acquapark - a hefty complex filled with two outdoor pools, including one Olympic pool, a handful slides and water activities like aqua gym. There's plenty of space for sunbathing too.
Stony bays

Just to let you know, the beaches on Lake Molveno aren't very sandy. While there's plenty of grassy areas to sunbathe, you'll have to walk over a small stony section to get to the water. Therefore, you may want to bring some flip flops or beach footwear with you for extra comfort.

Mid-Range Buys

This small, pedestrianised resort isn't home to designer brands or high-street names. Instead, you'll find plenty of local independent shops selling everything from wines, sweets, cakes and homewares to lovely souvenirs to take home with you. There's a selection of shops along the central Via Roma and in the square Delle Scuole.

Laid-back evenings

Chilled evenings aren't hard to find in Molveno. Take a wander along the lakeside promenade at dusk, or kick back in your hotel's bar.
Lively evenings

Holidays to Lake Molveno are made with peace and quiet in mind. It's also quite a small mountain village, so it's not overflowing with lively, late-night joints. If you fancy an aperitivo or after-dinner drink, however, then there are a few local bars and restaurants – with outdoor seating – who will be more than happy to accommodate you.

Eating out

Molveno is dotted with local bars and restaurants that serve up typical mountain foods with long-dated traditions. Up on the mountain you'll also come across various mountain huts to take a break or grab some lunch. If you want to try something authentic, go for the mushroom-based pastas and risottos, canederli (dumplings), and the popular carne salada – thinly sliced cured beef.
Mountaintop dining at Rifugio La Montanara

Take the gondola, followed by the chairlift, to a little piece of mountain heaven. Open since 1973, this mountain hut whips up homemade dishes – from the Sartori family's secret recipe book – using fresh, seasonal produce. They even have a large panoramic terrace so you can stay and enjoy the silence of the mountains for as long or as little as you like.
Pizza at Pub La Botte

Down in the centre of Molveno is a tavern-come-pizzeria decked out in wood and comfortable furnishings. Upstairs is the pizzeria – with an outdoor seating area – serving a huge range of pizzas made from local ingredients. The Botte pizza is a must-try, topped with German sausage, boiled eggs, mushrooms and ham. You can even order your pizza to take away. Downstairs is the brewery. Along with the bustling atmosphere, you can snack on their mouth-watering cheese and meat boards.
Meals made with love at Osteria del Maso

Run by a friendly local couple, the Osteria del Maso in the centre of Molveno is rustic and homely, with a welcoming informal service. As well as views of the Brenta Dolomites, they have a wine cellar housing more than 30 local and Italian wines. And if you're here for local foods, you're in luck – expect to tuck in to roe deer, polenta and plenty of cured meats.

On foot

The centre of Molveno is full of quaint little alleys and squares that are more than pleasant for an afternoon or evening stroll. However, as the resort is located in the mountains, some roads can be slightly hilly - and some are even cobbled. The lake, though, is surrounded by a large network of paths for walking and trekking, along with plenty of mountain huts for taking a break. The paths are suited to all levels and give you the opportunity to enjoy the natural environment of the National Park Adamello-Brenta.
Ferries

While there aren't any organised ferries, it doesn't mean you can't get out on the water. Hire a motorboat, sailing boat, paddle boat or rowing boat and set off across the lake, admiring the stunning natural scenery.
Trains

From Molveno, take bus B611 to Mezzocorona – it takes around an hour. From here, you can board a Brenner Railways train to Trento (around 25-30 minutes away), Innsbruck (in around 3 hours) and even Verona (in less than 90 minutes). From the latter you can even pop over to Lake Garda for the day, if you fancied.
Buses

Free local buses run every 30 minutes to various points of interest in and around the resort of Molveno, including the Acquapark and the camping ground. You can also journey by bus to Lake Garda and Madonna di Campiglio for an extra charge, though these require changes.
Summer lifts

Head up to the top end of the resort – close to the sports complex – to catch a ride on the Molveno Pradel gondola, which connects the village to the wooded knoll, Pradel. From the top there's panoramic views of the lake and the majestic Dolomites. You can also hop on the Pradel-Croz dell'Altissimo chairlift, which takes you even higher, for lots more walking paths and cycle routes, as well as access to the Forest Park.