Trento, a millennia-old city founded by the Romans, is the capital of Trentino and a place where history, nature and culture come together seamlessly.
The area of Trento and its surroundings is located in the heart of Trentino, between the Dolomites and the Valle dell’Adige. Trento, the provincial capital, is a city rich in history, culture and traditions, with a charming historic center dominated by the Buonconsiglio Castle and the Cathedral of San Vigilio. The mountains surrounding the area include Monte Bondone (2,181 m), Paganella (2,125 m) with views over Lake Garda and the Brenta Dolomites and Monte Cornetto (2,180 m).
The area of Trento and its surroundings is located in the heart of Trentino, between the Dolomites and the Valle dell’Adige. Trento, the provincial capital, is a city rich in history, culture and traditions, with a charming historic center dominated by the Buonconsiglio Castle and the Cathedral of San Vigilio. The mountains surrounding the area include Monte Bondone (2,181 m), Paganella (2,125 m) with views over Lake Garda and the Brenta Dolomites and Monte Cornetto (2,180 m).
Reaching Trento is easy and convenient thanks to its strategic location in the heart of Trentino. Those traveling by car can rely on the A22 Brennero motorway, with direct exits at Trento Nord and Trento Sud, allowing easy access to both the city center and the surrounding valli.
Those arriving by train will find Trento station along the Brennero railway line, well connected with frequent routes from Verona, Bolzano and Innsbruck, making it an ideal choice for those who prefer to travel sustainably.
For those arriving by plane, the closest airports are Verona, Bolzano and Innsbruck, all connected to Trento by convenient train and bus services, ideal also for travelers with luggage or sports equipment.
Trento is a dynamic cultural city to experience all year round. Strolling through its elegant historic center, you discover architectural gems such as Piazza Duomo, the Cathedral of San Vigilio, the Fountain of Neptune and numerous frescoed palaces. Among the main attractions, stand out the modern interactive MUSE – Museum of Science, ideal also for families, the Museo Diocesano Tridentino, with important works of sacred art and the METS – Ethnographic Museum of San Michele, just outside the city, dedicated to rural culture.
To enjoy spectacular views of the city, you can take the cable car to Sardagna or reach the Arco di Trento, a natural viewpoint over the Valle dell’Adige. Throughout the year, Trento hosts major cultural events such as the Festival of Economics, the Trento Film Festival, exhibitions, markets and guided tours in the historic districts. In the evening, the city offers bars and wine shops for aperitifs and tastings of Trentino wines, traditional restaurants and even some clubs for those looking for nightlife.
Near Trento you’ll find authentic and charming villages, perfect for a day trip filled with nature, history and local traditions. Just a few minutes from the city, San Michele all’Adige is known for the METS – Museo etnografico trentino, one of the most important museums in Italy dedicated to Alpine culture: a fascinating journey through the customs, objects and daily life of mountain people.
Aldeno is nestled among vineyards and hills and is known for the historic Mostra dei Vini del Trentino, a highly regarded wine exhibition that showcases local products and the work of nearby wineries. In the nearby Romagnano, the historic heart is the Church of San Biagio, small and charming, set among the rows of grapevines: a perfect spot for those who love to combine spirituality and landscape.
Cimone offers peaceful routes such as the nature educational trail, immersed in the woods and designed also for families and curious children eager to explore.
Sardagna, resting on the slope overlooking Trento, is famous for its panoramic cable car: in just a few minutes you can go from the city center to a natural terrace with a spectacular view of the Valle dell’Adige, perfect for a sunset break. Further east, Vigolo Vattaro is the starting point for scenic walks towards Doss del Bue and Monte Marzola, offering wonderful views of the Valsugana and Lake Caldonazzo.
Towards the Piana Rotaliana, you reach Lavis, home to the very unique Giardino dei Ciucioi: a suspended park, nestled among ruins and romantic dreams, currently under restoration and open to visitors on special occasions. Finally, Meano, surrounded by apple orchards and vineyards, is perfect for a refreshing walk to the Eremo di San Pietro, a quiet and spiritual place immersed in nature.
Summer in Trento and its surroundings is an invitation to fully experience the area. Trekking enthusiasts will find a dense network of trails on Monte Bondone suitable for all levels: the Viote loop, which crosses the Alpine Botanical Garden; and the Viote Trail to Rifugio Vason, offering open views over the Valle dell’Adige. For a typical high-altitude break, you can reach alpine huts and mountain farms along the routes, such as Malga Albi or the charming Rifugio Bindesi, a panoramic spot just a few kilometers from the city center.
Climbing enthusiasts will find well-equipped climbing walls and some of the most popular via ferrata routes in Trentino, such as the Terlago crag, also ideal for beginners, or the Burrone Giovanelli via ferrata near Mezzocorona. And for those who prefer to alternate mountain adventures with culture, two must-visit stops in the city are the MUSE – Museo delle Scienze, featuring interactive experiences, exhibitions and sections dedicated to children and families, and the Buonconsiglio Castle, one of the largest and best-preserved castles in the region, housing art collections, armor and medieval frescoes.
On warmer days, you can find refreshment in the lakes near Trento. Lago di Caldonazzo is the largest, ideal for swimming, sailing and SUP, with equipped beaches and lakeside bars. The nearby Levico Lake, quieter, is a true gem immersed in nature, also perfect for families with children. More intimate and picturesque is Terlago Lake, loved for fishing and relaxing moments by the shore.
The summer in Trentino is also a time for traditions and major events: among these, the Feste Vigiliane stand out, which every year at the end of June bring the historic center of Trento to life with costume parades, historic games, shows, local cuisine and fireworks. A unique reenactment of the city’s roots, dedicated to the patron saint San Vigilio, involving adults and children in a festive and engaging atmosphere.
Autumn in Trento and its surroundings offers an enchanting landscape: the woods light up with warm shades, from yellow to deep orange, creating the perfect atmosphere for walks among the foliage and hikes to mountain huts. Ideal destinations in this season are Monte Bondone, with its golden larch forests and Monte Calisio, which offers peaceful and panoramic trails. It is also the time for chestnut harvesting, especially cherished in the woods of Aldeno and Vigolo Vattaro, where families gather to pick chestnuts and enjoy them at local farmhouses, perhaps paired with fresh cheeses and new wine.
Among the most awaited events is the Festa della Castagna di Albiano, a true celebration of autumn: food stalls, folk music, craft markets and tastings of forest products bring the village to life, offering an authentic rural experience. Farmers’ markets and food and wine festivals are also held in the center of Trento, where you can savor wines like Teroldego and Nosiola, honey, cured meats, cheeses and traditional sweets.
In winter, Trento lights up with a special atmosphere: the streets of the city center fill with lights, decorations and Christmas scents that make every corner warm and welcoming. The famous Christmas markets, set up in Piazza Fiera and Piazza Cesare Battisti, offer local crafts, decorations, traditional sweets like zelten and strudel, mulled wine and Trentino products in typical wooden huts. They are also an opportunity to attend musical events, workshops for children and themed guided tours.
A simple yet charming walk, perfect even in winter, is the path along the Adige that connects the city center with the Albere district: a flat route suitable for everyone, offering views of the river, sights of the snow-covered Monte Bondone and a passage next to the MUSE, with the option to stop at bars and bistros in the area.
For snow and mountain lovers, Monte Bondone is the perfect destination: just 20 minutes from the city center, it offers about 20 km of alpine ski slopes served by modern lifts, a ski school, and snowparks for children. At Viote, the wide plateau at the foot of the peaks, there are cross-country ski loops, groomed trails for snowshoeing and hiking routes such as the one leading to Palòn, from which you can enjoy a magnificent view of the Brenta Dolomites.
After a day on the snow, it’s easy to treat yourself to some relaxation: in the city there are several wellness centers and day spas, while nearby you can visit the Terme di Levico between lake and mountain, the Terme di Comano, known for their healing waters and the Terme di Garniga, specialized in hay therapy.
With the awakening of nature, spring in Trento and the surrounding area is the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors. In the city, Parco di Gocciadoro is an ideal oasis to relax, stroll or picnic among trails, playgrounds and wooded areas. Next to the MUSE, Parco delle Albere invites you to walk between modern architecture and urban nature. Just outside the city, the blooming apple orchards of Val di Non and Piana Rotaliana offer enchanting landscapes, perfect to explore on foot or by bike, with opportunities for guided visits to farmhouses and outdoor snacks.
Nearby villages also come alive with events, traditions and the scents of spring. In Aldeno, Sardagna (reachable by panoramic cable car) and Piedicastello, you can experience an authentic atmosphere filled with historic views, cultural initiatives and local flavors. Families can enjoy days at playgrounds, educational farms and nurseries with workshops for children. Don’t miss the Festa dei Fiori in Aldeno, which between April and May livens up the town with flower markets, workshops, music, food stands and tastings of typical products like honey, cheeses and Trentino cured meats. A special occasion to combine nature, tradition and flavor in the heart of the Trentino countryside.
