Caprino Veronese is the gateway to Monte Baldo and one of the most fascinating villages in the mountain hinterland of Lake Garda: from its territory you reach the hamlet of Spiazzi and from there the famous Sanctuary of Madonna della Corona, built into a sheer rock face at 774 metres, one of the most spectacular and photographed places in Italy. The village, at 254 m above sea level, preserves its rural and mountain identity and is the starting point for the dense network of Monte Baldo trails.

Experiences on Lake Garda

Caprino lies 30 km from Verona (around 35 minutes by car, Affi exit on the A22 and then provincial road to Spiazzi), spread over a large municipal territory that includes the hamlets of Spiazzi, Lubiara, Pesina and Pazzon. The landscape ranges from vineyards and olive groves at lower altitudes to alpine pastures and woods of Monte Baldo, with significant elevation changes and extraordinary views over the lake and the Veronese plain.

Top 5 things to do in Caprino Veronese

  • Sanctuary of Madonna della Corona (Spiazzi hamlet) — sanctuary built into the cliff face of Monte Baldo at 774 m, accessible via the 1,450 steps of the “Scala Santa” (Holy Stairway) or by shuttles from the upper square. One of the most scenic places in Italy, popular with both pilgrims and photographers.
  • Monte Baldo trails and cable car — from Spiazzi and the other hamlets, CAI trails depart for Naole, Coal Santo, Cima Telegrafo (2,200 m) and the classic loops of the Baldo ridge, a protected area known as the “Hortus Europae” for its biodiversity.
  • Fort of Rivoli (on the municipal border) — 19th-century Austrian fortification, part of the defensive Quadrilatero system, today open to visitors with views over the Adige Gorge.
  • Pieve of San Martino — medieval Romanesque church in the historic centre of Caprino, a sober example of Veronese medieval architecture.
  • Villa Carlotti — Venetian noble villa surrounded by a historic park, a symbol of the era when Caprino was a summer residence for Veronese aristocratic families.

Where to stay in Caprino Veronese

Caprino Veronese mainly offers farm stays, family-run B&Bs and mountain refuges: in the hamlets of Spiazzi, Lubiara and Pesina you'll find properties immersed in greenery with affordable prices (€60–120 per night). For visitors to the Madonna della Corona Sanctuary, some historic hotels stand right in Spiazzi, a few minutes from the pedestrian entrance. On the Baldo ridge a handful of CAI refuges operate seasonally for hikers.

It's a great destination for those seeking tranquillity, contact with nature and lower prices than on the coast, while staying just 20–25 minutes by car from the beaches of Bardolino and Garda. See all accommodation in Verona and around.

Where to eat in Caprino Veronese

The gastronomy of Caprino is the mountain one, hearty and seasonal: bigoli with lake sardines, polenta with venison, wild boar stew, malga gnocchi, polenta with mushrooms, alpine pasture cheeses from Monte Baldo and the famous San Zeno PGI chestnuts. A typical local specialty is the marasche, small wild cherries used for liqueurs and desserts.

Many family-run trattorias and farm restaurants serve menus with garden produce and alpine pasture meats and cheeses. The reference wines are Bardolino DOC and Custoza DOC from the surrounding hills, accompanied by artisanal grappas and herbal liqueurs from Monte Baldo. See all restaurants.

What the area offers

Caprino's territory is dominated by Monte Baldo, a limestone mountain range stretching for about 40 km parallel to Lake Garda and reaching 2,218 m at Monte Telegrafo. Known as the “Hortus Europae” or “botanical garden of Europe”, Monte Baldo hosts an extremely rich alpine flora with endemic species and glacial relicts, and is a classic destination for hiking, mountain biking, paragliding and in winter alpine skiing and ski touring on the Costabella-Naole slopes.

The mountain hamlets — Spiazzi above all — are ideal bases for nature lovers: alpine pastures, beech and fir woods, flowering meadows in spring and spectacular blooms on the ridge. The CAI trail network is one of the most extensive in the Veneto region and connects Caprino to Ferrara di Monte Baldo, Brentino Belluno and the summit ridge.

Typical events

The most heartfelt religious event is the Patronal Feast of San Martino, on 11 November, with procession, market and tastings of new wine and chestnuts. In June, the Marasche Festival celebrates the small wild cherry of the area with food stalls, traditional desserts and artisanal liqueurs. There are also many religious events linked to the Sanctuary of Madonna della Corona — in particular the Feast of the Apparition in May — which draw pilgrims from all over Northern Italy.

How to get here from Verona

By car: 30 km, around 35 minutes. From Verona take the A22 Brenner motorway and exit at Affi, then continue on the provincial road towards Caprino Veronese and Spiazzi. For the Madonna della Corona Sanctuary, parking at Spiazzi (paid) with shuttle or pedestrian access to the sanctuary square.

By bus: ATV line from Verona Porta Nuova with connections for Caprino and Spiazzi (reduced frequency on holidays: check times on atv.verona.it).

By train + bus: nearest railway station is Domegliara–Sant'Ambrogio, then ATV bus to Caprino Veronese (around 25 minutes).

From the Garda beaches: 20–25 minutes by car from Bardolino or Garda, ideal for a half-day or full-day trip to the Sanctuary and the Baldo trails.

Frequently asked questions

How do you reach the Madonna della Corona Sanctuary? From Spiazzi hamlet: on foot by descending the 1,450 steps of the “Scala Santa” (very scenic, about 20–30 min downhill, 45–60 uphill) or by paid shuttle from the Spiazzi square. There's also a longer trail from the Adige Valley (Brentino), a classic pilgrimage route.

Is Monte Baldo suitable for families with children? Yes, for easy walks at high altitude (Naole, Prà Alpesina) reachable by cable car from Malcesine or by car up to the parking areas. The ridge trails require fitness and proper equipment.

Can you ski on Monte Baldo? Yes, on the Costabella-Naole slopes (Caprino side) and on the Malcesine side. Season typically December to March, snow conditions to be checked.

Is Caprino a good base for a nature stay at Lake Garda? Yes: lower prices, tranquillity, direct contact with Monte Baldo, and in 20–25 minutes by car you reach the beaches of Bardolino and Garda. Recommended for active families, hikers and mountain bikers.