Maderno holidays

A laid-back town with centuries of history on show, holidays to Maderno are just the thing for mixing lakeside lounging with some leisurely activities.

Twin towns

Back in 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 nowadays the place covers a semi-circle-shaped headland on the western side of Lake Garda. A week’s worth of beach spots pepper the shoreline, while vineyards, lemon groves and olive trees add a Mediterranean feel to the place inland. And watching over it all are the tree-covered slopes of Monte Pizzocolo.

Time travel

The valley above town was home to Italy’s very first paper mills in the 14th century, and there’s still one left today, making one-of-a-kind 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 12th-century Church of Sant’Andrea. And for nature with a dash of history, take a stroll around the Ghirardi Botanical Garden, where they’ve been growing and studying medicinal plants since 1964.

Explore your way

The trails in the hills behind town are just the ticket for walking and cycling, and you can even follow a route to the peak of Monte Pizzocolo – topping out at 1,582m, the scenes from the summit make it worth every step. 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 for some next-level sightseeing, take to the skies on a tandem paragliding flight to get the best view of the town, lake and mountains around.

Out and about

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