When I was growing up, my family used to drive to Italy every August for the summer vacation. More precisely to Cavallino near Jesolo, near Venice. We drove from southern Germany through Austria and finally through northern Italy for a total of 10 years in a row and always covered this route in a single, long day. As a result, I drove countless times through Trentino, Italy as a child. The problem? During this time we never stopped, never stopped to appreciate the beautiful nature of this region.
It was supposed to take another 10 years, but then the time had come. In the summer of 2019 I finally had the opportunity to get to know the Trentino region in Italy better. Because this year the Traverse Blogger Conference took place here and this was the perfect opportunity for me to spend a week in the city of Trento as well as to explore the areas around Comano and Valli Giudicarie as part of a post-Traverse press trip. Having traveled a lot through Italy in recent years and visited Rome and Milan, for example, I was really happy to finally get to know Trento and the whole Trentino region better.
In the following I would like to give you all the information about Trentino Italy and introduce you to the city of Trento, as well as the regions of Comano and Valli Giudicarie (both of which can also be easily reached as a day trip from Trentino).
Monte Casale -TrentinoWhere exactly is Trentino in Italy?
The province of Trentino is located in northern Italy and is the southern part of the Trentino-Alto Adige region, which stretches to the border of Austria. The area is very mountainous and wooded. The typical southern, Mediterranean flair that you know from other parts of Italy does not come up here at first. Trentino is much more reminiscent of Austria because of the landscape, but with a very special Italian influence. Incidentally, Trentino also borders on Lake Garda, which is so popular with Germans! You see - Trentino is not that easy to describe and the best way is to explore the area yourself!
How do I get to Trentino?
You have several options to get to Trentino. You can reach Trentino fairly easily from Austria and (southern) Germany by car or by train. By the way, you can take the train directly from Trento to Munich - this was also my way home. Of course, this takes a little longer, but if you are from southern Germany, the train or car is certainly a good alternative.
Of course you can also reach Trentino by plane. The nearest airport is Verona (the city of Romeo and Juliet!). But Trentino is also only a few hours away from Venice Airport and from Milan and Bergamo. Personally, I took a cheap flight to Bergamo and boarded a Flixbus right at the airport. In about 3 hours I was already in Trento!
Having said that, having a car is probably best when you are there. This is the only way you have the full flexibility to explore the beautiful landscape.
View of Trento, Italy
What is there to see and do in Trentino Italy?
You will quickly see that there is a lot to explore in Trentino! Because here you are really in one of the most scenic areas of Italy. The mountains, valleys and lakes are great for skiing or other winter sports in winter, while in summer you can go hiking, climbing or just enjoy life on the banks of the lakes and rivers.
As mentioned above, Trentino seems like an interesting mix of Italy and Austria - both in terms of landscape and culture. Incidentally, many residents of Trentino also speak some German or a German dialect. In addition, the cuisine is clearly influenced by the neighboring countries in the north. In addition to typical Italian dishes (such as pasta and pizza), you will also find polenta, dumplings and meat dishes such as rabbit and venison on many menus in Trentino. In some of the mountain huts in Trentino, I really felt more like I was in deepest Austria than in Italy.
Streets of Trento, Trentino
Trento Italy: sights, information and travel tips
The city of Trento is the capital of the Trentino-Alto Adige region and is home to almost 120,000 inhabitants. Trento is therefore the perfect starting point to explore Trentino extensively. Here you are right in the center of the region and you can also reach many of the most beautiful places, such as Lake Garda, practically as a day trip by car. However, you should not use Trento only as a starting point for the nature of Trentino. Because the city also has a lot to offer for visitors and tourists! In the following I would like to introduce you to the best Trento sights and activities. As I said - I spent a whole 5 days in Trento and I never got bored here.
The Castle of Trento (Castello del Buonconsiglio)
Trento Castle is arguably the city's most famous and important attraction. You should not miss a visit here. The building is historically very important and meaningful and you can learn more about it by taking a tour of the facility through the audio guide. The beautiful ceiling paintings and the castle garden are also particularly worth seeing. A visit to the castle also offers various exhibitions, a fantastic view and the art history museum, which is part of the complex. By the way, entry costs €10. You can find more information about the castle here.
The castle in Trento
Inside the Castle of Trento, Trentino
Piazza del Duomo (Cathedral Square) and the San Vigilio Cathedral
This is the city center of Trento, with the beautiful Fountain of Neptune in the center and the San Viglio Cathedral in the background. You can also visit the large cathedral from the inside. You will also find countless cafés, bars and restaurants with open terraces right around the square where you can enjoy the sun and treat yourself to an Aperol Spritz or a cappuccino. So you don't have to do without the Dolce Vita in the Italian Alps!
By the way, many streets in the city center of Trento are pedestrian zones and it's fun to just let yourself be carried through the alleys of the old town.
The Great Cathedral in Trento
The Ponte Alto Canyon Waterfall
This is arguably one of the most impressive Trento attractions in Trentino. The waterfall is located just on the outskirts of Trento in the village of Ponte Alto, but is easily accessible by public bus from Trento city center within 20 minutes. A huge hydraulic structure was built here hundreds of years ago to control the masses of water that tumble into the valley. As part of a tour (this is a must-see, but only costs €5) you can walk down the gorge directly on the rock walls and finally come behind the gorge waterfall via a spiral staircase. A great natural spectacle that you should not miss if you are in Trentino Italy. Read more about the waterfall here.
Trento attractions: Ponte Alto waterfall
Cable car to Sardagna
Part of the city's public transport system, the Trento cable car is a great way to admire Trento from above. Right on the riverbank in the center of Trento is the valley station, where you board the (a bit small and rickety) gondola that takes you across the river and up the valley to the hilltop village of Sardagna. Here you really have a fantastic view of Trento and the landscape. By the way, there is a bar directly behind the cable car station where you can reward yourself with an Aperol Spritz.
A glass with a view! – Trentino, Italy
Treat yourself to the best Italian cuisine in Trento
Trento wouldn't be part of Italy if it didn't also have super tasty food. I got to know some great restaurants during my 5 days in Trento and I would like to give you a few restaurant recommendations here.
Probably the best pizza in Trento can be found at Pizzeria da Albert, where I have regularly eaten well. Another favorite for tasty Italian cuisine is the Green Tower Restaurant. If you still feel like gelato afterwards, I can recommend the Gelateria Cherry Trento, right in the city center.
Tasty pizza in Trentino
Excursion to Comano Trentino
As already mentioned, Trento can be used as a great starting point for one or more day trips and excursions into the beautiful Trentino countryside. While Lake Garda or the Dolomites are probably the best known and most popular travel destinations, I would now like to introduce you to the Comano region in more detail. Comano is only about an hour away from Trento and still comparatively untouched, not touristy - and still very worth seeing! Incidentally, a great starting point for exploring Comano is the municipality of Ponte Arche, which is easily accessible from Trento.
Let's start with my big highlight in Comano: The Monte Casale! This mountain measures 1632 meters and is also known as Lake Garda Mountain, because from up here you have a great view of the popular holiday lake. While some walls of the mountain are very steep and are also great for climbing, there is also a gravel road (sometimes a bit steep) up the mountain. I personally rode the e-bike up Monte Casale, alternatively you can of course hike or take the car. I advise against the classic bike, as it is very steep.
Biking on Monte Casale
As soon as you have made it to the top and pass the hut at the summit, you are on a meadow plateau with a really fantastic view of the surrounding landscape with the lakes and mountain peaks. Up here at the latest you will realize how fantastically beautiful Trentino Italy is!
In general, Comano is a real paradise, especially for adventurers and sports enthusiasts. In addition to the bike and mountain bike trails and hikes, there is also the opportunity to try out climbing. The best way to do this is to get information from the tourist information office, where you can get a climbing guide and rent equipment.
Climbing in Trentino
By the way, if you don't just visit Comano as a day trip, but want to stay here overnight, I recommend the Agriturismo Gästehaus Maso Pertener. The hosts are super friendly and you are in a great, idyllic location in nature. The perfect place to rest and recover from the stressful everyday life.
Hiking in Trentino
Excursion to Valli Giudicarie Trentino
In addition to Comano, I also explored the region around Valli Giudicarie in Trentino, which lies west of Comano but is also easily accessible by car. Even from Trento, it's only about an hour's drive to reach Valli Giudicarie.
In the Giudicarie valley you will find countless small villages and beautiful, untouched nature. Like the whole of Trentino, the area is also great for hiking. You can drive out of the valley and into the mountains, where you will find many great hiking trails to viewpoints and mountain huts. The best thing to do is to ask the tourist information here which hikes are most worthwhile and which suit you.
In the Trentino countryside
If you're up for some adrenaline, it's worth visiting the Breg Adventure Park. Here you can go ziplining and fight your way through the adventure paths with their obstacles. The whole thing is easily possible for children thanks to good safety precautions and I had a really entertaining afternoon here.
Breg Adventure Park
Otherwise, in addition to hiking, countless other activities are possible in the Valli Giudicarie. For example, you can go fishing (with license and guide) on the Sacra River, or you can visit the local Filanda de Boron for a wine tour. You will quickly notice that the region is still not very touristy and you can get a great impression of Trentino away from the tourist crowds.
Wine tasting in Valli Giudicarie, Trentino
River in Valli Giudicarie, Trentino
Conclusion on Trentino Italy
As you have seen, there is really a lot to see in Trentino and it is worth spending a few days in nature both in Trento and in the surrounding area. Besides Trento, I have only introduced you to two regions (Comano and Valli Giudicarie), but there is so much more to see and explore in Trentino. Of course, the activities also depend on the season and your interests. But you won't get bored here that quickly!
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