Since there is not a lot of info on Largo Garda here I thought I would add a bit. We just spend three nights in Malcesine. It is a smallish lakeside town and we both liked it much more than Lake Como. I recommend staying around the bend in Val Di Sogno. Make sure you stay in the little peninsula that is between the water and the road. It is quiet and there is nice waterside walkway back into town that is so scenic you want to stop every 50ft and take pictures. We stayed at “Sporting Residence” which has a great view and is right on the waterside. If you stay here, get a upper room for a better view and it should be quieter. We stayed in room 12. It had a kitchenette and we loved the view but we could hear the people above us. If was overcast most of the time so we skipped the cable car up to Mount Baldo. We did spend part of a day taking the ferry up to Ravi where we strolled around, had lunch, then caught the afternoon ferry back. $20 r/t. I think this will be on our go-back-to list.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
Your report is pretty specific, but what stood out that you liked better - fewer people or friendlier or more beach access or less traffic? Thanks.
Posted by
Bainbridge Island
3249 posts
I agree it is nicer than Lake Como, at least comparing Malcescine with Varenna. The air is clearer ( no haze), the water is MUCH cleaner ( swim able), and there are more hotels to choose from, some with beach access.
But please please do not put it in the RS book!
Posted by
OP
South Carolina
54 posts
I agree. It should remain a less known gem. Don't get me wrong, it is a tourist town but with an acceptable level of tourists. Probably because it is not that easy to get to. Where we stayed was just out of town so we enjoy the solitude of the lake & views. If we wanted, we could take a 25 minute stroll into town for more activities.
Along the waterfront on the way into town there were several public places to swim. Plus several bars to stop at for a relaxing drink or bite to eat. After three nights in Cinque Terre I felt that the locals here were more friendly. I think they are more used to dealing with people who stay a week and then come back every year for their holiday. Not nearly the same attitude as dealing with one-time day trippers from cruise ships.
I told my wife that this felt like a little slice of the french riviera for the rest of us.
Posted by
Alta Loma, CA, USA
1446 posts
Thank you for the information. I will be there in August.