Toscolano Maderno
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Latest page update: 1 November 2025
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By: Dion Protani
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Where is
Where is Toscolano Maderno?
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The scenic town of Toscolano Maderno is located on the western shore of Lake Garda, in the province of Brescia, Lombardy.
Known for its historic paper mills and beautiful lakeside setting, it is famous for the Romanesque Church of Sant'Andrea and its proximity to the Parco Alto Garda Bresciano. Nearby attractions include the town of Salò and the beaches of the western shore. |
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Comune di Toscolano-Maderno
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Province: Brescia
Region: Lombardy Population: 7,657 (in 2024 - source) Size: 58 km² Elevation: 86 metres Highlights: Spiaggia Toscolano, paragliding, sailing Water quality: Blue Flag Beach 2024-2025 Travel facilities: ferries (including car ferries) and buses Close by: Gardone Riviera, Salò, Gargnano, Desenzano del Garda Recommended accommodation: Hotel Sorriso |
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Discover
Discover Toscolano Maderno
Toscolano Maderno is a twin town on the western shore of Lake Garda in the province of Brescia, within the region of Lombardy. Formed from two adjoining settlements divided by the Toscolano River, it lies between the slopes of Monte Pizzocolo and the lake’s shoreline. The area combines industrial heritage with a relaxed lakeside atmosphere, its centre featuring historic villas, old paper mills, and a long promenade lined with trees and cafés.
Known since Roman times, Toscolano Maderno became an important centre for paper production in the Middle Ages, a legacy preserved in the Valle delle Cartiere, now home to an open-air museum. Architectural highlights include the Santuario della Madonna del Benaco and the Church of Sant’Andrea, which contains fine frescoes and works of art. The nearby hills offer panoramic views across the lake, while ferry and road connections to Gardone Riviera, Salò, and Gargnano make it a convenient point for travelling along the western Garda coastline.
Known since Roman times, Toscolano Maderno became an important centre for paper production in the Middle Ages, a legacy preserved in the Valle delle Cartiere, now home to an open-air museum. Architectural highlights include the Santuario della Madonna del Benaco and the Church of Sant’Andrea, which contains fine frescoes and works of art. The nearby hills offer panoramic views across the lake, while ferry and road connections to Gardone Riviera, Salò, and Gargnano make it a convenient point for travelling along the western Garda coastline.
Where to Stay
Where to Stay in Toscolano Maderno
Toscolano Maderno has a good selection of established hotels, with well-reviewed properties along the lakeside and near the ferry terminal. Most offer comfortable facilities, lake views and easy access to the beaches, promenade and walking paths towards Gardone Riviera.
Hotel Villa Maria au Lac is one of the leading choices, appreciated for its lakefront location, elegant interiors and consistently strong guest feedback (€€€). Hotel Bel Soggiorno Beauty & Spa provides a central option close to the shore, known for its wellness facilities, panoramic terrace and welcoming service (€€). Hotel Maderno offers a classic stay near the ferry port, noted for its garden, outdoor pool and reliable standards (€€).
Hotel Villa Maria au Lac is one of the leading choices, appreciated for its lakefront location, elegant interiors and consistently strong guest feedback (€€€). Hotel Bel Soggiorno Beauty & Spa provides a central option close to the shore, known for its wellness facilities, panoramic terrace and welcoming service (€€). Hotel Maderno offers a classic stay near the ferry port, noted for its garden, outdoor pool and reliable standards (€€).
Photo Gallery
Toscolano Maderno Photo Gallery
Things to Do
Things to Do in Toscolano Maderno
- Valle delle Cartiere is a scenic valley that once housed a thriving paper industry dating back to the Middle Ages. Ruins of mills and factories line the river, now part of an open-air museum. Trails follow the valley floor, combining industrial heritage with natural beauty.
- Duomo di Sant’Andrea dominates the lakeside of Maderno with its grand Baroque façade and sweeping steps. Inside are frescoes, marble altars, and a richly decorated nave. The church reflects the artistic and religious importance of the town through the centuries.
- Museo della Carta stands within the Valle delle Cartiere, preserving centuries of craftsmanship through displays of machinery and handmade paper. Visitors can learn about the techniques once vital to Toscolano’s economy. Workshops and demonstrations keep the old traditions alive.
- Lungolago di Toscolano Maderno stretches along the waterfront, linking beaches, gardens, and small harbours. The promenade offers views across Lake Garda and plenty of spots for dining or relaxation. It’s an inviting area for evening walks beside the water.
- Guided nature and heritage tours in Toscolano Maderno explore the Valle delle Cartiere, historic churches, and panoramic trails above the lake. Local guides share stories of papermakers, traders, and fishermen who shaped the town. Many excursions include boat trips or tastings of Garda olive oil and wines.
Tours and Activities
Toscolano Maderno Tours and Activities
Where to Eat
Where to Eat in Toscolano Maderno
Dining in Toscolano Maderno reflects the relaxed rhythm of life on Lake Garda’s western shore, with a focus on fresh lake fish, local olive oil, and seasonal produce. Restaurants and trattorias line the waterfront and the narrow streets of both Toscolano and Maderno, many offering outdoor terraces and lake views. The atmosphere is casual yet refined, ideal for sampling traditional Garda dishes and regional wines. Lunch is usually served between 12:30 and 14:30, with dinner beginning from about 19:30.
Local cuisine includes bigoli con le sarde del Garda (thick pasta with lake sardines), lavarello al burro e salvia (whitefish with butter and sage), and risotto al pesce persico (risotto with perch). Starters often feature antipasti di lago or salumi bresciani, while desserts such as torta di rose and sbrisolona are typical of the area. Local wines include Lugana, Garda Classico Rosso, and Chiaretto di Moniga, typically €5–€7 by the glass or €18–€30 per bottle.
Typical Prices of Popular Dishes
Antipasto di lago (€12–€16), bigoli con le sarde del Garda (€13–€17), lavarello al burro e salvia (€22–€30), and torta di rose (€5–€6). A typical meal with wine costs around €40–€50 per person.
Local cuisine includes bigoli con le sarde del Garda (thick pasta with lake sardines), lavarello al burro e salvia (whitefish with butter and sage), and risotto al pesce persico (risotto with perch). Starters often feature antipasti di lago or salumi bresciani, while desserts such as torta di rose and sbrisolona are typical of the area. Local wines include Lugana, Garda Classico Rosso, and Chiaretto di Moniga, typically €5–€7 by the glass or €18–€30 per bottle.
Typical Prices of Popular Dishes
Antipasto di lago (€12–€16), bigoli con le sarde del Garda (€13–€17), lavarello al burro e salvia (€22–€30), and torta di rose (€5–€6). A typical meal with wine costs around €40–€50 per person.
Day Trips from [Place Name]
Day Trips from Toscolano Maderno
From Toscolano Maderno, there are many enjoyable excursions both along the lake and into the surrounding countryside. To the south, Gardone Riviera and Salò are easily reached for their waterfront promenades and historic villas, while northwards the road follows the dramatic shoreline towards Limone sul Garda. Ferries connect Toscolano Maderno with Torri del Benaco on the eastern shore, offering a scenic crossing and easy access to the towns of Garda and Bardolino.
Inland, the valleys around Gaino and Cecina provide quiet walking routes and mountain viewpoints. The Alto Garda Bresciano Park begins just above the town and features routes through forests and small villages overlooking the lake. A short drive south leads to the Valtenesi region, where visitors can explore vineyards, olive groves and traditional farms producing Garda olive oil and DOC wines.
Inland, the valleys around Gaino and Cecina provide quiet walking routes and mountain viewpoints. The Alto Garda Bresciano Park begins just above the town and features routes through forests and small villages overlooking the lake. A short drive south leads to the Valtenesi region, where visitors can explore vineyards, olive groves and traditional farms producing Garda olive oil and DOC wines.
How to Get to [Place Name]
How to Get to Toscolano Maderno
By Rail: Toscolano Maderno does not have its own train station, but the nearest one is in Desenzano del Garda (about 35 kilometres away) on the Milan–Venice main line operated by Trenitalia and Italo. Trains from Desenzano del Garda reach Verona Porta Nuova in about 20 minutes, Milan in roughly 1 hour, and Venice in approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes. From Desenzano, Toscolano Maderno can be reached by taxi or by bus via Salò, with a journey time of around 1 hour.
By Road: Toscolano Maderno lies on the western shore of Lake Garda, about 70 kilometres northwest of Verona. The drive from Verona takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes via the A4 motorway and SS45bis. From Brescia, the distance is approximately 40 kilometres, taking about 50 minutes via the SP45bis. From Trento, it is around 90 kilometres, with a journey time of about 1 hour and 45 minutes via the A22 motorway and SS240. Public parking is available near the lakeside, around the ferry terminal, and close to the town centre.
By Bus: Toscolano Maderno is served by Arriva Brescia bus routes that run along the western shore of Lake Garda. Regular services connect with Desenzano del Garda, Salò, Gargnano, and Limone sul Garda, providing access to towns further north and south. Buses from Brescia take about 1 hour and 10 minutes, while those from Desenzano del Garda reach Toscolano Maderno in roughly 1 hour. From Verona Villafranca Airport, travellers can take the Aerobus to Verona Porta Nuova, continue by train to Desenzano del Garda, and transfer by bus to Toscolano Maderno.
Nearest International Airports:
Ferry Connections:
Toscolano Maderno is one of the main ferry terminals on the western side of Lake Garda, with both passenger and car ferry services to Torri del Benaco on the eastern shore. The crossing takes around 25 minutes and operates throughout the year. Additional passenger services connect with Desenzano del Garda, Sirmione, Garda, and Riva del Garda, with journey times ranging from 30 minutes to around 2 hours depending on the route and ferry type.
By Road: Toscolano Maderno lies on the western shore of Lake Garda, about 70 kilometres northwest of Verona. The drive from Verona takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes via the A4 motorway and SS45bis. From Brescia, the distance is approximately 40 kilometres, taking about 50 minutes via the SP45bis. From Trento, it is around 90 kilometres, with a journey time of about 1 hour and 45 minutes via the A22 motorway and SS240. Public parking is available near the lakeside, around the ferry terminal, and close to the town centre.
By Bus: Toscolano Maderno is served by Arriva Brescia bus routes that run along the western shore of Lake Garda. Regular services connect with Desenzano del Garda, Salò, Gargnano, and Limone sul Garda, providing access to towns further north and south. Buses from Brescia take about 1 hour and 10 minutes, while those from Desenzano del Garda reach Toscolano Maderno in roughly 1 hour. From Verona Villafranca Airport, travellers can take the Aerobus to Verona Porta Nuova, continue by train to Desenzano del Garda, and transfer by bus to Toscolano Maderno.
Nearest International Airports:
- Verona Villafranca Airport: Located about 65 kilometres southeast of Toscolano Maderno, with a driving time of roughly 1 hour and 20 minutes via the A4 motorway and SS45bis. It is the nearest airport, offering a range of domestic and European flights.
- Bergamo Orio al Serio Airport: Approximately 85 kilometres southwest, reached in about 1 hour and 40 minutes via the A4 motorway. It mainly serves low-cost and European destinations.
- Milan Linate Airport: Roughly 125 kilometres southwest, taking around 2 hours via the A4 motorway, with a wide range of international connections.
Ferry Connections:
Toscolano Maderno is one of the main ferry terminals on the western side of Lake Garda, with both passenger and car ferry services to Torri del Benaco on the eastern shore. The crossing takes around 25 minutes and operates throughout the year. Additional passenger services connect with Desenzano del Garda, Sirmione, Garda, and Riva del Garda, with journey times ranging from 30 minutes to around 2 hours depending on the route and ferry type.
Private Transfers
Toscolano Maderno Private Transfers
A private transfer offers a comfortable and reliable way to travel to or from Toscolano Maderno, with a professional local driver providing direct, door-to-door service. It’s a convenient choice for visitors heading to this lakeside town, where ferry timetables and public transport connections may not always align with arrival or departure times.
Transfers can be arranged from Verona Airport, Bergamo Airport, or Milan Malpensa Airport, all serving regular domestic and international flights. Private transfers also connect Toscolano Maderno with nearby destinations such as Gargnano, Salò, and Desenzano del Garda, allowing you to travel comfortably and at your own pace along the western side of Lake Garda.
To request a quote or check availability for a private transfer, just fill out the short form below and we’ll get back to you with all the details.
Transfers can be arranged from Verona Airport, Bergamo Airport, or Milan Malpensa Airport, all serving regular domestic and international flights. Private transfers also connect Toscolano Maderno with nearby destinations such as Gargnano, Salò, and Desenzano del Garda, allowing you to travel comfortably and at your own pace along the western side of Lake Garda.
To request a quote or check availability for a private transfer, just fill out the short form below and we’ll get back to you with all the details.
