Maderno holidays

Popular holidays

Dive into beaches, walking and watersports – plus centuries of history – on a holiday to Maderno.

Twin towns

Dating all the way back to Etruscan times around 900 BC, this was actually once two towns – Maderno on one side of the river and Toscolano on the other. They officially came together in 1928, and the united town now spreads over a headland on the western shore of Lake Garda. Beaches line the shore and it’s surrounded by vineyards, lemon groves and olive trees, and backed by the tree-covered slope of Monte Pizzocolo.

Time travel

History fans will really be in their element here. The very first paper mills in Italy were built here in the 14^th century and there’s still one left today, making maps and speciality pages for customers all over the world. Walk among the ruins of the other mills and visit the Paper Museum to see photos, machinery and tools, and have a go at making your own sheets. There are also historical spots around town too, from the remains of the Nonii Arii Roman villa to the 12^th-century Church of Sant’Andrea. If you’re more of a nature lover, take a stroll around the Ghirardi Botanical Garden, where they’ve been growing and studying medicinal plants since 1964.

Get active

Keen walkers and cyclists can head into the hills behind town to find loads of trails, or you can even hike to the top of Monte Pizzocolo at 1,582m high if you’re up for it. Drawn to the water instead? Hire a rowing boat, canoe or paddleboard from the beach, or let someone else take the helm on a sailing trip. And if you’ve got a head for heights, get the best view of the town, lake and mountains on a paragliding adventure.

Out and about

Lakeside promenade
Boat trips
Local ferries
Paragliding
Cycle routes
Lake bathing
Sailing
Wine tasting
Botanical garden
Roman villa
Museum

Popular hotels in Maderno

Top things to see and do in Maderno

Beaches

Lido Azzurro

The sandy stretch of Lido Azzurro is one of the most popular beaches here. There's a restaurant and a bar nearby.

Riva Grand Beach

This beach has good views of the lake and the small port of Toscolano Maderno. Bring beach shoes as it's a mixture of gravel and pebbles.

Shopping

Bargain buys

Hunt out clothes and souvenirs, or snap up some tasty bites of fresh produce at Maderno's weekly market.

Mid-range buys

You won't find a massive amount of shopping here, but there are some shops that sell clothes, antiques and gifts, as well as local products like olive oil.

Nightlife

Laid-back evenings

Who needs entertainment on tap when you have views as incredible as these? Take a stroll along the lakefront and watch the sunset with an ice-cream.

Lively evenings

Evenings in Maderno are quiet and laid back affairs, but a few bars and pubs stay open. Some may have music too.

Food & drink

Italian classics

Maderno's restaurants serve up Italian classics like pizza and pasta, as well as lots of lake fish. You definitely have to try the local sweet treats too, like Torta Maderno - a buttery tart made with layers of shortcrust pastry and custard.

Getting about

Buses

The S202 bus line links Maderno with other towns and villages along the west shore of Lake Garda. Go south to Gardone in 10 minutes or head all the way to Riva on the northern shore of the lake, which takes around an hour.

Passenger ferries

Ferries run every hour from Maderno to Torri del Benaco on the opposite shore.

On foot

Maderno's mix of straight streets and winding alleys, as well as its location on a flat headland, make it an easy place to walk around.

Walking

Supina Trail

For an easy walk, catch the bus to Cecina, just up the road, and follow the Supina Trail. It winds through hamlets and past shrines to the tiny Church of Our Lady of Supina, which dates back to the 15th century. Inside, the ceiling is decorated with 72 painted panels.

To Paper Mill Valley

This area was home to Italy's very first paper mills, and you can walk to the Paper Museum at the old Maina Inferior mill to have a go at making your own paper too. Head out from the town centre along a 2.1km trail that winds through the wooded valley.