Toscolano-Maderno
Province of Brescia · Lombardy · Guide 2026
Town with a dual historic centre: Toscolano, home to the Museo della Carta with paper mills active since the 15th century, and Maderno, with its Romanesque basilica of Sant'Andrea. Departure point for the car ferry to Torri del Benaco.
Where is Toscolano-Maderno? Toscolano-Maderno is a town of 7,546 inhabitants in the Province of Brescia, Lombardy, in the Lake Garda area. The town centre sits at 86 m above sea level, and the municipality covers 58.2 km².
Where is Toscolano-Maderno
Toscolano-Maderno lies on the Brescia shore, between Gardone Riviera and Gargnano, on the delta formed by the Toscolano stream. It is the union of two towns, Toscolano and Maderno, with a long lakefront and wide beaches.
There is no railway station: the most convenient are Desenzano del Garda and Brescia, then an intercity bus along the western Gardesana (SS45bis). From Maderno the car ferry to Torri del Benaco crosses to the Verona shore.
| Mode | How |
|---|---|
| Car | Western Gardesana (SS45bis) from Salò or Gargnano |
| Train + bus | Desenzano or Brescia station, then intercity bus along the riviera |
| Car ferry | Maderno – Torri del Benaco crossing |
| Boat | Maderno pier (Navigazione Laghi) |
Bus and boat timetables: always check the operators' current information before travelling.
The paper valley and a Romanesque church on the lake
For centuries Toscolano was one of Italy's paper-making centres; Maderno keeps one of the finest Romanesque churches on Lake Garda.
In the Valle delle Cartiere (Paper Mills Valley), behind Toscolano, the stream powered paper mills for centuries. A former mill now houses the Paper Museum, telling this industrial story, and a trail runs through the valley among ruins and woods.
In Maderno, the Romanesque church of Sant'Andrea is the town's most important monument. On the lakefront stands Palazzo Gonzaga, linked to the presence of the Dukes of Mantua on the lake.
Remains of a Roman villa of the Nonii Arrii family have been found in Toscolano, a sign of how ancient settlement on the riviera is. Behind the town rises Monte Pizzocolo, a hiking destination.
Things to do in Toscolano-Maderno
Toscolano-Maderno combines beaches, industrial history and mountains.
| Place / Activity | Practical notes |
|---|---|
| Paper Mills Valley and Paper Museum | Valley trail and museum on paper making. Check opening hours. |
| Church of Sant'Andrea | Romanesque church in the centre of Maderno. |
| Lakefront and beaches | One of the widest beach stretches on the Brescia riviera. |
| Ferry to Torri del Benaco | Cross the lake to the Verona shore. |
| Monte Pizzocolo | Demanding hike with views over the lake. |
What to eat in Toscolano-Maderno
Lake fish, hillside olive oil and Brescia-riviera wines.
| Speciality | Description |
|---|---|
| Lake fish | Whitefish, trout and lake sardines. |
| Garda DOP extra virgin olive oil | From the riviera's olive groves. |
| Valtènesi wines | Chiaretto and Groppello. |
| Garda citrus | From the riviera's lemon-house tradition. |
For restaurants open today → IlGarda.live · Shops & Services
Where to stay in Toscolano-Maderno
Toscolano-Maderno has lakefront hotels, campsites near the beaches and holiday homes.
| Type | Where |
|---|---|
| Lakeside hotels | Maderno and Toscolano lakefront |
| Campsites | Near the beaches |
| Holiday apartments | Centre and hills |
| Agriturismi | Inland and Monte Pizzocolo |
Check offers and availability directly with the properties. In high season it is worth booking ahead.
A day in Toscolano-Maderno
A day of the paper valley, a Romanesque church and a ferry.
Paper Mills Valley
Walk in the valley and visit the Paper Museum.
Lunch
Lake fish on the lakefront.
Maderno
The church of Sant'Andrea and Palazzo Gonzaga.
Beach
A swim from one of the lakefront beaches.
Ferry to Torri
Cross to the Verona shore at sunset.
Around Toscolano-Maderno
From Toscolano-Maderno you reach the Brescia riviera and, by ferry, the Verona shore.