Arguably Italy’s best-kept secret, Trentino is a Mediterranean idyll in the heart of the Italian Alps. Its location may promise breathtaking scenery, but there's plenty more beyond that – whether that's exploring ancient cities, cycling through vineyards or sipping the region’s award-winning sparkling wine.
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Why go to Trentino?
Trentino isn’t as well known as its neighbouring province of Verona – and that’s just the way the locals like it. Nestled among the mountains and valleys of northern Italy, this region has a serenity you won’t find in some of the country’s more famous areas. Here, life is unhurried but never dull, indulgent but never excessive and rustic yet always refined. If you’re looking for la dolce vita, it doesn’t get much sweeter than this.
That’s not to say Trentino’s story is straightforward though. Its unique history is never far from the surface, with the scars of the First World War – during which the Dolomites became a deadly battleground – and the collapse of the Austrian Empire still evident at many of the province’s cultural sites. To this day, a bell in Trentino’s second city, Rovereto, tolls one hundred times every evening as dusk falls over the valley. It’s a poignant symbol of peace in a region that now epitomises harmony, balance and wellbeing.
History is etched into every cobble in Trentino. But tradition always goes hand in hand with innovation, whether they’re combined in exciting dishes at some of the area’s most spectacular restaurants or in exhibitions at its modern art museums. It’s the dream destination for anyone who appreciates the finer things in life.
Photo Archive Garda Dolomiti SpA
The best things to do in Trentino
Explore the region by bike
Whether you’re a confident cyclist or a complete beginner, biking through Trentino is the perfect way to experience the region from a whole new perspective. On miles of cycle paths, weave your way through world-class vineyards that shelter you from the main roads. Up for a challenge? Head uphill to Castello di Avio, an ancient fortress overlooking the Adige Valley. The steep cobbled streets will mean you’ve earned your lunch at the Locanda al Castello. If you prefer to keep things leisurely, opt for an e-bike, which you can easily hire for around £25 (€30) per day.
Photo Archive Garda Dolomiti SpA
Discover the best Trentino museums and galleries
From modern art to Roman artefacts, Trentino’s museums and galleries are full of pieces that offer an insight into this fascinating area. Get under the skin of Riva del Garda at the Museo Alta Garda (MAG), where you’ll discover everything from contemporary paintings of Italy’s most famous lake to eye-opening photographs of the town under Austrian rule.
In Rovereto, be sure to visit the Museu di arte moderna e contemporanea di Trento e Rovereto (MART). It’s worth seeing for the building alone – modelled on the Pantheon in Rome, the gallery will take your breath away before you even enter the exhibitions. And once you’re inside, the art isn’t confined to the walls. Visitors who stop off at the museum bistro can enjoy an in-house MART burger embossed with the gallery’s distinctive domed roof.
Get a taste of the good life with a vineyard tour
The San Leonardo wine estate is a world in miniature. An award-winning vineyard, thousand-year-old monastery, family museum and the ancestral home of the Marquis Guerrieri Gonzaga, the estate has many strings to its bow – but like everything in Trentino, it’s managed to find the perfect balance.
San Leonardo wine has been drunk by the likes of Barack Obama and the Pope. That means you’ll be in distinguished company if you opt for the estate’s two-hour guided tour and wine tasting experience (£76/€90pp). The tour will take you behind the scenes of one of Trentino’s most exclusive vineyards before you relax in the rose garden to sample a selection of its finest whites, rosés and reds.
Enjoy an aperitivo onboard a sailboat
What could be better than sailing across Lake Garda at sunset with a glass of Ferrari Trentodoc in hand?. This gourmet aperitivo experience is a three-hour excursion across iconic Italian waters, available for up to eight people. Discover the story behind an abandoned hotel that perches on the rocks above the waves, all while delighting your senses with an array of sweet and savoury bites.
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The best Trentino hotels and campsites
From luxury hotels to starlit campsites, you’ll find accommodation to suit anyone’s taste in Trentino. Located in the heart of Rovereto, Hotel Leon d’Oro is the perfect base if you want convenience without compromising on the little details: think attentive staff, soundproof walls and even a stunning mirrored ceiling in the foyer. Guests at the back of the hotel can enjoy beautiful mountain views from their bedrooms, so tearing yourself out of bed might be tricky – but a fresh breakfast buffet and swimming pool await those who manage.
If you’re after the full 5-star experience, head to the historic Lido Palace, which has stood on the northern shores of Lake Garda since 1899. Offering gourmet breakfasts overlooking the lake, 42 luxurious suites and dog-friendly facilities for those travelling with their four-legged friend, this hotel and spa is just a few minutes’ walk from the centre of Riva del Garda.
Alternatively, lovers of the great outdoors are spoilt for choice when it comes to camping and glamping spots. With Alpine forests, turquoise waters and the awe-inspiring Dolomites (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), Trentino boasts some of the most diverse scenery in Italy. Average summer temperatures of up to 28°C (82°F) make the region perfect for outdoor adventures. Some of its top-rated campsites include Camping Al Lago – where you’ll find a selection of mobile homes, safari tents and wooden huts on the banks of Lake Garda – and Camping Vidor, a family-friendly wellness resort with views of the Dolomites on every side.
Where to eat in Trentino
You’re never far from your next meal in Trentino. The appreciation of good food and drink underpins almost every aspect of life here, from the olive vineyards that carpet the valleys to regional dishes steeped in history. Absolute must-tries include strozzapreti (or ‘priest stranglers’), supposedly named because greedy priests would gobble this delicious pasta so quickly they would choke.
One of Italy’s premier wine regions, Trentino is also world-famous for its Trentodoc sparkling wine. Or rather, it could be world-famous. When asked about importing the wine to a London restaurant, one supplier humorously requested that Trentodoc be kept a secret. It might not have the global reputation of Champagne or prosecco, but many Italians believe it’s better for it. After all, this drink is perhaps best enjoyed among the hills and breezes that give it its distinctive body.
For local cuisine served with a side of spectacular views, Casa del Vino in Isera – a village a few minutes from Rovereto by car – should be at the top of your list. This restaurant and wine bar is tucked inside a 17th-century palazzo, a building that’s been restored with the same attention to detail that goes into every dish. The menu changes daily to reflect the availability of local ingredients. Look out for the rabbit wrapped in pancetta, apple salad with regional cheese and show-stopping tiramisù.
There’s no shortage of coffee spots in Rovereto itself. If a slow morning of people-watching with a cappuccino is on the cards, head to Caffè Bontadi in the centre of Piazza Cesare Battisti. This café, which is owned by the oldest coffee roasting company in Italy, is located in a lively square just off one of the town’s main streets. Enjoy quintessentially Italian coffee beside the Fountain of Neptune, a landmark dating back to 1736, before heading around the corner to explore Bontadi’s quirky museum of coffee machines, cups and saucers.
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Getting to Trentino
Trentino is easy to reach from many major cities. Although there aren’t any airports in Trentino itself, you can drive to the region in one to two hours from Verona, Bergamo, Milan, Venice and Bologna airports.
There’s also a train station in Rovereto, which you can reach in less than an hour from Verona Porta Nuova, Verona’s main station. If you’re planning to travel by train from further afield, long-distance Italian and European trains serve both Trento and Rovereto stations.
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Map of Trentino
Discover our favourite places in Trentino with our handy map:
Alice was a guest of Visit Trentino.
Lead image: Stefano Politi Markovina/Alamy Stock Photo