Borghetto sul Mincio
Borghetto sul Mincio is a small, almost hidden village tucked along the Mincio River in northern Italy. Medieval stone houses and old water mills sit at the river’s edge, their reflections rippling softly in the water.
Once a working settlement built around grain milling, Borghetto still carries the quiet rhythm of its past, with narrow paths, arched bridges, and a way of life shaped by the flow of the river
I spent a lot of time in this village and slowly came to understand its rhythm. For the best experience, visit on a weekday (Monday–Thursday), with Tuesday and Wednesday being the quietest, ideally in the early morning or late afternoon, and avoid weekends and Italian public holidays. Most visitors are Italian, which adds to the village’s authentic, unhurried feel.
The best way to immerse yourself is to run or bike while eating your way through small villages, such as Monzambano, along the Mincio River from Borghetto to Mantua (image above). The bike trail follows one of northern Italy’s most scenic and relaxed routes, largely flat, well paved, and separated from traffic. Spanning roughly 30–35 km one way, it passes through quiet countryside, wetlands, shaded stretches, and intimate villages. It was through runs and rides like these that I came to enjoy many early mornings and long afternoons in Borghetto.
