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When tourists decide to visit Italy, they usually go to Rome. Then it varies depending on the people : Tuscany, Cinque Terre, Sicily… But few people go visit Trento in Italy! For the more popular places, check this one-week Italy itinerary. Regarding Trento, truthfully speaking, I didn’t even know the existence of this city before going there. But I had the opportunity to go to Trento for a travel blogging conference called Traverse. And honestly, I was pleasantly surprised by this small town! I didn’t really know what to expect about my visit to Trentino, and I really liked it!
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Description of Trento
Trento is a small town with almost 120000 inhabitants, in Trentino-Alto Adige region, northeast of Italy in the Alps, not far from Switzerland, Germany and Austria. Trento sits in the Adige Valley, and is surrounded by the Dolomites, the famous mountains now declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Dolomites are one of the most beautiful places in Italy! Not very far, there’s also Lake Garde, the largest lake in Italy. Trento is not the most famous city in Italy, but you can already deduce the landscapes there are just… wonderful! By the way, it’s in the Trentino-Alto Adige area that many Italians choose to spend their vacation days!
Trento reminded me of a big village. Yeah it looks like a village, like Montmartre in Paris. Trento is not too big, nor too small. The atmosphere is really relaxed, therefore visiting Trento is enjoyable. It reminded me a bit of my visit to Ostrava in Czech Republic. Moreover, the locals in Trento are friendly, welcoming and very nice. I think since Trento is less touristic than Rome, Milan or even Verona, the locals don’t hate (yet) the tourists staying in the city.
Even me, as a black person, I had a little apprehension before getting there but honestly, there’s nothing to report! The neighbors of the apartment I was staying at were greeting me warmly, with a big smile, and asked me several times if I needed anything. The cars stop to let you cross the street. We’re basically living the dolce vita in Trento! By the way, even in a small town like Trento, I ran into several black people! Sometimes we were doing the nod when bumping into each other!
Visiting Trento is a bit special. In fact, Trento was part of Austria from the 14th century, and was part of the Austro-Hungarian empire until 1918! We can still feel it today! The atmosphere and the mentality of the locals reminds more of Central Europe than the Mediterranean. When you go to the restaurant, the menu is in Italian but also in German (and sometimes in English, too!). The architecture reminds more of Austria than Italy.
The edge of Trento? You can go there any time of the year. Summertime, it’s the perfect place to go hiking, have a walk along the lakes, admire the valleys, go cycling or do activities like canyoning, rafting… Wintertime, the area is ideal to go skiing with the Dolomites a few kilometers away. If you get there in the winter, check out the best ski resorts in Northern Italy! No matter the season, you’ll see very beautiful landscapes. Moreover, Trento can be part of a Northern Italy road trip itinerary. Trento is also a rich city, with a high standard of living. Trento is a destination suitable for couples, families, but also solo travelers like me!
Things to do in Trento
Castello di Buonconsiglio
As I said, there’s a lot of things to do in Trentino-Alto Adige (rock climbing, hiking, skiing…), but there are several places to see in the city of Trento. Castello di Buonconsiglio is impressive! It’s impossible not to see it when visiting Trento. It dates back to the 13th century, and it was the seat of the bishop of Trento. It’s now a museum, Renaissance style, where it’s possible to visit different rooms exhibiting Gothic art, the history of Trento… You can see wonderful frescoes there. Visitors also love the view from the balcony on the 3rd floor. From there, you have a nice view of the city and the surrounding mountains.
The cable car
Take the cable car to enjoy a very nice view from the heights of the city! The entrance of the cable car is just across the river, and it’s 5 euros the round trip if you don’t have the Trentino card (tips at the end of the article). Once you’re on top, as I said, you have a nice view of the city, and there’s also a bar/restaurant where you can savor delicious Italian dishes, or just have a drink.
The Piazza Duomo
In Trento, you’ll inevitably pass by Piazza Duomo. It’s the main square of Trento, located in the heart of the city. There’s a lot of people and bustle there, and you can admire beautiful buildings like the cathedral of Trento, the medieval Palazzo Pretorio and the Casa Balduini. In the center of the square, you’ll find the very beautiful fountain of Neptune. In Piazza Duomo, it’s also possible to taste delicious gelatos (ice creams). For your information, the Piazza Duomo tower used to be the prison of the city.
The Gallerie at the tunnels of Piedicastello
The Gallerie at the tunnels of Piedicastello is another place to see. It used to be an old highway tunnel, and they turned it into an exhibition place. It’s 300-meters (984 ft.) long! The exhibitions are about the history of Trento in general. When I went there, there was an exhibition about Italy’s involvement during World War I, Trento which was part of the Austro-Hungarian empire and then ceded to the kingdom of Italy, etc… It’s free to get in.
The MUSE Museum
I’m not into museums in general but I gotta admit I really liked my visit to the MUSE museum. It’s the museum of science, with several floors. A lot of families were there. You’ll see exhibitions about the environment of the local region, animals who used to live there a long time ago, the avalanches of the area… There are also interactive experiences. A must see!
Orrido di Ponte Alto
Finally, do not miss it in Trento, I’m talking about Orrido di Ponte Alto. It’s a stunning waterfall, actually located a few kilometers away from Trento. You cannot admire the waterfall by yourself, you need to be on a guided tour. It’s free, and guided tours leave every hour between 10am and 6pm. A must see! From Trente, take bus number 9 at Piazza Dante and get off at Cognola Scuole. It’s a 20-minutes ride. Then you’ll have to walk for like 10 minutes to get there. Here’s a full post about the Gorge of Ponte Alto.
I didn’t talk about it but take some time to savor the food there, it’s delicious in the area. Taste some Trentodoc, it’s the local sparkling wine. I really liked my stay in Trento, a beautiful hidden gem in Italy. Are you into nature, good food, and you like to stay active? Then go to Trento! If you plan to spend some time in the country, here are the best things to do in Italy!
How to get to Trento
There’s no airport at Trento, the closest one is at Verona. Click here to check the latest flight prices. From there, you have to take the train or the bus, it’s a one-hour ride. There are other airports in the area. There’s one in Venice, but also in Milan, Bergamo, Bologna or even Innsbruck a bit further. Click here to check the bus tickets prices.
How to get around in Trento
Just walk, it’s possible to visit Trento by foot, it’s not a big city! You just have to take the bus to see the waterfall!
How to visit Trento
The easiest way to visit Trento is to take a Trentino card. With this card, you can use public transportation for free, it’s possible to visit numerous museums and castles free of charge, and there are discounts on many other activities. The Trentino card is free if you stay at least two nights in one of those hotels. They hand you the card when you check-in. It’s free for people under 18. Otherwise you can buy the card at the tourist office. It’s 40 euros and valid for one week.
Where to stay in Trento
There’s no hostels in Trento. If you’re traveling on a budget, the Bed & Breakfast Nettuno is one of the cheapest ones in Trento. Click here to book your stay. If you’re looking for a mid-range place, there’s the B&B Mazzini, very well-located. Click here to book your stay. If you prefer top of the range hotels, you can stay at the Grand Hotel Trento. Click here to book your stay. Otherwise click here to check what are the hotels available in Trento.
Finally, if you prefer to stay in an apartment, click here to check the apartments available on Airbnb.
Trento travel tips
- Traveling soon? Check out my travel resources page! This list of travel accessories can also be useful!
- Do not travel without a travel insurance! Here’s why you should buy travel insurance!
- Want a tailor-made trip to Italy? Get a free quote here!
- Don’t trust weather apps regarding Trento! They were all saying the weather would be like 12°C/53°F, when it was actually 30°C/86°F. I think they take into account the temperature in the surrounding mountains.
- Always use a VPN when traveling. I use ExpressVPN and I love it! Here’s why you should use a VPN when traveling.
Orrido di Ponte Alto waterfall looks amazing. I would love to take a ride in Cable car to get a bird view of city from skies and also do some hiking with my family. Adding Trento Italy to my travel list. Thanks for sharing this amazing guide
Heena
Thank you. Yes Trento is wonderful.