Borghetto sul Mincio: among ancient mills and postcard views
Borghetto sul Mincio: things to do and see
Near Lake Garda, there is a village that, due to its majesty, is included in the Club of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy. Known as the ‘village of water mills,’ it’s a gem just a few steps from Verona. In this article, I’ll tell you about the things to do and see in Borghetto sul Mincio.
To this day, the small medieval village is the most renowned fraction of Valeggio sul Mincio, on the border between Veneto and Lombardy.
A FEW HELPFUL TIPS
Before starting with the list of the most beautiful things to do and see in Borghetto sul Mincio, I’ll give you some useful information to simplify the organization of your vacation.
First, let’s see how to get to Borghetto sul Mincio. By car, once you reach Valeggio sul Mincio, just follow the signs to the village. It’s only one kilometer away!
Public transport-wise, from Peschiera del Garda, you can take the summer line ATV 479. As an alternative, throughout the year, you can take line 46 of APAM, which stops in Valeggio sul Mincio. Getting off at the ‘Valeggio San Rocco B’ stop, you’ll have about a kilometer to walk to reach the center of Borghetto sul Mincio.
For more information on public transport around Lake Garda and nearby places, check out our article where you can also find all the schedules in PDF.
PARKING IN BORGHETTO SUL MINCIO
If you’ve decided to visit this small gem by car, here’s where to park in Borghetto sul Mincio, coming from Valeggio sul Mincio:
- Parking Convenzionato with Gran Cafè San Marco, very close to the center of the village. With a consumption, you’ll be given a coin that you can use to exit the parking lot for free.
- Paid parking at the entrance of Borghetto sul Mincio. On the opposite side of the road from the Convenzionato Parking is this paid parking (hourly rate of €1.50).
ORGANIZE YOUR VISIT EFFECTIVELY
You’re probably wondering, ‘how long does it take to visit Borghetto sul Mincio?‘. The village is small, and you can easily explore it in half a day. You’ll also have time to enjoy an aperitif along the Mincio River.
If you want to be captivated by its romantic spirit and explore the surroundings, I recommend planning a weekend. This way, you’ll have the chance to visit nearby Valeggio sul Mincio and spend some time at the Sigurtà Park Garden. Whether in summer or winter, Borghetto sul Mincio will undoubtedly capture your attention!
Now, let’s discover the three things to do and see in Borghetto sul Mincio that will make your vacation unforgettable.
THINGS TO SEE IN BORGHETTO
1. VISCONTEO BRIDGE AND SAN MARCO BRIDGE
2. HISTORICAL CENTER OF BORGHETTO
3. THE LOVE KNOT STATUE
THINGS TO DO IN BORGHETTO
1. CLIMB TO THE SCALIGERO CASTLE
2. DELIGHT YOUR PALATE
3. EXPLORE THE MINCIO CYCLE PATH
EVENTS
THINGS TO SEE IN BORGHETTO SUL MINCIO
1. VISCONTEO BRIDGE AND SAN MARCO BRIDGE
Borghetto is surrounded by the waters of the Mincio River, and its two main bridges are the San Marco Bridge and the Visconteo Bridge.
Let’s start with the San Marco Bridge because if you’re coming from Valeggio, you’ll enter the village through there. It’s a small wooden bridge near the Church of San Marco Evangelista. Scenic and characteristic, as you cross it, you can also see the statue of San Giovanni Nepomuceno, the patron saint of rivers and bridges. According to legend, the saint protects those who fall into the river’s waters from drowning.
To your right, you’ll admire the Visconteo Bridge and the small waterfalls in the river. This view couldn’t be missing from the list of things to do and see in Borghetto sul Mincio.
Taking a stroll on this imposing bridge is the best way to get a panoramic view of the entire Borghetto. Even today, the ‘Ponte Lungo’ (long bridge), as the locals call it, is used for driving through the village.
Built in 1393 by the will of the Duke of Milan, Gian Galeazzo Visconti, it is 650 meters long, 21 meters wide, and stands 9 meters above the Mincio. At the time, it was used as a dam to divert the waters of the Mincio River. Additionally, it was connected to the Scaligero Castle with crenelated walls.
2. HISTORICAL CENTER OF BORGHETTO
Once you’ve crossed the two bridges that frame the village, take a stroll through the historic center. The small waterfalls, craft shops, restaurants, and mills are the distinctive elements of Borghetto sul Mincio. Get lost in the alleys with the sound of water in the background and admire all the postcard-perfect views of the center.
In the village, you’ll see three well-preserved and still-functioning water mills. There are also other old mills around the village, but not as well-preserved. Some of them can even be visited inside to see how the power of water was used to grind cereals.
Near one of the mills is the romantic “Angolo degli Innamorati” (Lovers’ Corner): a railing adorned with colorful padlocks. Add one with the name of someone special to you!
While you’re there, stop for a Spritz in a bar or indulge in an ice cream while sitting on a bench, observing the river. And please, don’t forget to take lots of photos! Spend a day in Borghetto sul Mincio dedicated to beautiful views and delicious food that you’ll find hard to forget.
3. THE LOVE KNOT STATUE
“Nodo d’Amore” is the name given to Valeggio’s tortellini, the fresh stuffed pasta served in all the restaurants in Borghetto. You’ll find the statue on the path from Valeggio down to Borghetto, depicting a woman holding a knotted handkerchief, with a book at her feet narrating the legend.
Curious about the legend of the Nodo d’Amore? The story tells of an impossible love between Captain Malco and the nymph Silva. Unable to live their love story on land due to human laws, the two lovers decide to escape together into the waters of the river. It is said that the lovers left a yellow silk cloth knotted as a sign of their eternal love on the banks of the Mincio.
This particular tortellini, with thin pasta like silk and hand-knotted, was created by women and girls and prepared on festive days in memory of the lovers.
A delight for the palate that’s just waiting to be tasted. Want to know the perfect time to eat them? I’ll tell you in just a moment!
The recipe for Valeggio’s tortellini, or Nodo d’Amore, involves wrapping braised meat (beef, pork, veal, and chicken) in a thin golden dough. They are then cooked in water and seasoned with whatever you like.
THINGS TO DO IN BORGHETTO
1. CLIMB TO THE SCALIGERO CASTLE
Raising your eyes to the sky or looking through your camera’s viewfinder during the shots, you probably noticed it. No one can miss the tall tower of the Scaligero Castle in Valeggio, and before you wonder: yes, you can climb it. I’ll explain how, as it’s worth being included in the things to do and see in Borghetto sul Mincio.
A perfect stop for those seeking something historical to see near Parco Sigurtà, the Scaligero Castle will leave you in awe.
It’s located in Valeggio sul Mincio, but the pedestrian path to reach it starts right from Borghetto. A series of steps lead up to the drawbridge, and then the Round Tower will unfold in front of you. A unique horseshoe-shaped construction, one of a kind.
During the spring and summer, you can climb the tower to admire the panoramic view of Valeggio and Borghetto, and trust me, the steps are worth the view!
2. DELIGHT YOUR PALATE
What can you eat in Borghetto sul Mincio? One thing is certain: you can’t miss trying the tortellini. So, add them to your list of things to do and see in Borghetto sul Mincio!
The tortellini of Valeggio, locally called agnolini, are a must-try during your visit to the village. Delicious to eat with homemade broth or dry, they are undoubtedly a staple in every local family. They never fail to appear on the table during festivities, such as the Christmas Eve dinner.
Along the cobbled streets of the village, you’ll find numerous restaurants, both budget-friendly and upscale, offering this delicacy. And if you’ve parked your car at the Conventional Parking, you can also taste the famous tortellini at Gran Cafè San Marco.
If you’re looking for a unique experience, perfect for groups as well, I’ve got just the thing for you!
And if you want to take it a step further, you can even learn to make them with your own hands! Participate in one of the cooking classes organized in some pasta factories in Borghetto. Tailored for small groups, they’re a fun way to get hands-on experience and learn the authentic tortellini recipe. The highlight will undoubtedly be savoring the result together because even if they aren’t as beautiful as those made by experts, they will surely be delicious!
3. EXPLORE THE MINCIO CYCLE PATH
Borghetto is located along the cycling path that runs along the Mincio River, which, spanning 45 km, connects Peschiera del Garda to Mantua.
If you’re a cycling enthusiast, you probably already know it because it’s among the most famous cycling routes in Italy. Easy to navigate and mostly flat, this route is crossed every year by families, groups, sports enthusiasts, and non-cyclists alike.
So, if you’re wondering what you can visit along the Mincio, this cycling path is just what you need!
The itinerary follows the meanders of the river and passes through the Mincio River Nature Reserve. Suitable for every season, it traverses villages and nature, offering various scenarios and breathtaking panoramas. The stop in Borghetto is ideal for those starting from Peschiera. In just 15 km, you can reach the village, visit the nearby Parco Sigurtà by bike, and return.
If you’re a bit more sporty or have an electric bike, you can also complete the remaining 30 km and reach Mantua. The city of the Gonzaga family and lakes!
EVENTS
If you are considering when to visit Borghetto sul Mincio, it might be useful to know about the two events that involve the village every year. To enrich your visit, add one of these to the list of things to do and see in Borghetto sul Mincio.
The main one is undoubtedly the Festa del Nodo d’Amore. Every year, on the third Tuesday of June, a long table is set up on the Ponte Visconteo for more than 3000 people. The entire event revolves around the Nodo d’Amore: handmade tortellini and other local products are served during the evening. At the end of the night, there will be music and fireworks.
The second event in Borghetto is during the Christmas season. The entire village is filled with magic and golden lights. Next to the Ponte San Marco, there is a giant sequoia tree, thirty meters high, illuminated with 6000 bulbs during the sequoia lighting ceremony.
And there you have it, the end of your tour of Borghetto sul Mincio. I hope I’ve been helpful, and if you want to continue your vacation, check our site for the article dedicated to Valeggio sul Mincio!
