The western shore of Lake Garda is the quiet side. While Bardolino and Sirmione take on summer pulse rates, the west shore stays what it has always been: a row of old olive groves, small harbour towns and a stretch of water you can still share. Here are seven places we write down for guests every time — and that show up in no standard guidebook.
1. The small harbour of Maderno
Not the big ferry harbour, but the old basin right next to the Sant'Andrea church. Stone pier, boats, an old plane tree offering shade for four hours. Order an Aperol Spritz at the bar on the corner and watch the hobby fishermen for hours — that is Maderno the way it has been for 200 years.
2. The olive oil manufactory Comincioli
Ten minutes from Toscolano-Maderno, in Puegnago sul Garda. A family business that has been making olive oil since 1552 (no typo). Tastings with five varieties plus pickled olives. Anyone who wants to understand Italian "Casaliva" — the olive of the northern Lake Garda — learns it here.
3. Spiaggia della Punta
Between Maderno and Gardone Riviera, almost impossible to find: a small pebble beach with buoy platforms, where mostly locals go. Drive there in the late afternoon, when the sun disappears behind Monte Pizzocolo and the water turns bronze.
4. Cartiera di Toscolano
Toscolano has been producing paper since the fifteenth century. The old paper-mill ruins lie inland, along the Toscolano river. A hiking trail runs through the "Valle delle Cartiere". Half history lesson, half nature walk. At its best in spring.
5. Trattoria Da Oscar in Cecina
Fifteen minutes by car up into the hills. A family-run place. Homemade pasta, the best tartufo in the region, wine from their own cellar. No stars, no Instagram presence, just what the Da Oscar family has cooked for thirty years. Reservation absolutely required.
6. Belvedere Monte Pizzocolo
A roughly three-hour hike up to the summit of Monte Pizzocolo (1,581 m). Reward: a view over the entire southern Lake Garda all the way to Monte Baldo. In May alpine roses bloom, in October the slope turns colour. If you do not want the full climb: just walk up to "Rifugio Pirlo allo Spino" — the panorama reward starts there already.
7. Cantina Lugana — tasting on the southern shore
A little further south, in Sirmione/Pozzolengo, the Lugana wineries begin. This is the white wine of the region — lightly mineral, perfect with fish from the lake. Recommendation: Cà Maiol or Ottella. Tasting with three labels, a tour of the cellar, then a bottle to take home for the evening on the terrace.
What connects this list
All seven places are 15 to 45 minutes by car from our apartments in Toscolano-Maderno. They work year-round — in high season as an escape from the crowds, in shoulder season as the main programme. If you arrive on the west shore and do not know where to start: one of these seven is usually the right choice.
If you want to go deeper still: Ezio, our caretaker on site, has personal recommendations beyond this list. Ask him at check-in — he has known the region for thirty years.