I first laid eyes on the region of Trentino, Italy with the announcement of the location of Traverse 2020, a travel blogging conference, in collaboration with Visit Trentino.
It was to be my first travel blogging conference of all time, and oh, what a place for it to be.
Though I had never heard of Trentino before, I quickly fell in love. The second I stepped foot in the city of Trento, I could tell that it was a unique place full of all the things that make a place my personal definition of perfect.
Photos that will Inspire you to Visit Trentino
Even from the center of town, you can see the mountains…
And climbing up to the highest point in the city (which appropriately houses Buonconsiglio Castle), you can see for miles around.
Colorful rooftops blend in perfectly with the mountains in the background…
The castle itself features intricately painted ceilings and a romantic garden…
And when you head back down into town, you’re greeted with quaint cobblestone streets, impressive churches, and decorative frescoes…
Located in the very north of Italy, Trentino has been profoundly influenced by Austria. You can hear it when the residents randomly burst into German, and taste it in the hearty and delicious food…
Of course, you can’t go to Italy without indulging in wine, either. In Trentino, the specialty is Trento doc: a refreshing sparkling wine second only to champagne.
And forget about Aperol when you come to Trentino. Spritzes here come in all shapes and sizes, often made with local bitters. Hugo Spritzes are also popular, made with prosecco, elderflower syrup, seltzer, and mint leaves.
And of course, you can’t forget the coffee…
Once you head out of the city, you’ll be met by gorgeous rolling mountains, medieval castles, and plenty of adventure activities.
Just a few minutes from Trento is the Gorge of Ponte Alto, where a guided tour takes you behind a roaring waterfall.
Or why not visit the fairies at Toblino Castle, perched on the edge of a lake.
In the stunning Valle di Ledro, even just a few hours of hiking can bring you up a mountain and to a little blue-trimmed rifugio, or mountain hut…
Where you can eat a delicious home-made meal of strangolapreti (literal translation: priest-stranglers, less literally translation: cheesy bread dumplings that are the height of deliciousness) and polenta, bed down for the night in comfy bunks…
And wake up for a soft orange sunrise accompanied by coffee the next morning.
The best way to get back down the mountain? By mountain bike, of course…
Of course, the adventure doesn’t stop there…
Clamber through a canyon and rappel down a waterfall…
Paraglide over the sparkling Lake Idro…
Kayak across the waters…
and eat fish from the lake when you’re done…
Valle di Ledro is also home to one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, Baitoni…
And of course, there are plenty more waterfalls to chase…
Before you top it all off with a generous helping of gelato.
Top Tips for when you visit Trentino
Now that you’re itching to visit Trentino, here are a few practical tips for planning your trip!
When to Visit Trentino
You honestly can’t go wrong when it comes to the best time to visit Trentino. I went in June, which was the perfect time for hiking and all of the other warm-weather activities that the region offers. It is the busiest season for tourism, though, so things will be a little bit more crowded and expensive than usual.
Winter in Trentino is perfect if you’re interested in winter sports, while spring and fall are great shoulder season times with generally mild weather and fewer tourists.
Where to Go in Trentino
There are SO many amazing places to go in Trentino, you could easily spend weeks exploring the region.
Trento, the capital of the region, is a medieval city surrounded by mountains, and definitely shouldn’t be skipped.
For an easy gateway to the region, try Riva del Garda, on Lake Garda.
For a plethora of adventure, head to one of the region’s many valleys. Valle di Ledro and Valle del Chiese are both excellent choices. Read my guide to Valle di Ledro here and my guide to Valle del Chiese here.
And of course, you can’t miss the Dolomites when you’re in Trentino. The Brenta Dolomites are the perfect place for hiking and wellness.
For even more recommendations about places to visit in Trentino, check out this post!
How to Get Around Trentino
Trento, Rovereto, and Riva del Garda are all easily accessed by train and bus (FlixBus runs services to them all), but other than that your best bet is generally going to be to rent a car.
If you’re super opposed to renting a car, then getting around by public transport is possible, but it will take a bit longer. Click here for a complete guide.
With the Trentino Guest Card you also get unlimited access to the Trentino Trasporti network, which includes the public transportation networks in Trento, Rovereto, Alto Garda, and Pergine, as well as several regional trains and cable cars.
Read my other Italy posts!
- How Not To Visit Rome (Rome Travel Mistakes & How to Avoid Them)
- The Best Vatican Guided Tours: Through Eternity Tours Review
- Valle del Chiese Guide: Where to Eat, Sleep, and Play in this Italian Lakes Paradise
- Valle di Ledro: 8 Things To Do in This Offbeat Adventure Destination in Trentino, Italy
