Weekend in Toscolano Maderno

The main parish church in the historic centre, built in the 18th century. Plain baroque exterior, but the interior has a striking wooden altarpiece and a series of frescoes by loca

Tip: Check whether the sacristy is open – it contains a small collection of silver liturgical objects rarely on display. Ask the custodian if the lights can be turned on for the altar paintings.

A medieval clock tower marking the boundary between the old towns of Toscolano and Maderno. The original mechanism is still visible through a glass panel at street level. The tower

Tip: Walk through the archway into the narrow lane behind it – there's a tiny courtyard with a 17th-century fountain that most visitors miss.

A paved lakeside promenade that runs for about a kilometre along the Garda shore, between the harbour and the public beach. Benches, oleander hedges, and a couple of small kiosks. Best free view of th

Tip: Walk it at sunset – the light on the Sirmione peninsula is spectacular. There's a tiny free public lido at the end near the boat ramp where you can swim off the rocks.

A sprawling regional park covering the hills behind Toscolano Maderno. Offers marked hiking trails through olive groves, chestnut woods, and past old farmsteads. Great views down to the lake from the

Tip: Start from the trailhead near the Santuario di San Zeno early in the morning to avoid the midday heat and catch the best light over the water.

A museum housed in a former paper mill along the Toscolano river. Documents the area's 15th-century papermaking industry with working water-powered machinery and historical exhibits. Entry is €5 for a

Tip: Visit on a weekday afternoon when it's quietest. The short film at the start is worth watching for context. Allow an hour.