Trento Travel Guide

Trento, Italy - Trento Travel Guide
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Why Trento?

Trento is a city in northern Italy part of the Trentino region south of the Alps and north of Venice. The Trentino area includes Garda Lake and the Dolomites so, this region has everything you would want in a destination from lounging by a lake to hiking in the mountains and everything in between. Trento is the perfect city to set up your base to explore this fabulous region of Italy. Trento has beautiful Italian streets to wander down, historic castles to explore, gourmet restaurants to indulge in, and plenty of photography opportunities throughout the town. Here is the Trento Travel Guide for you to use on your future visits here.

Trento, Italy - Trento Travel Guide

How to Get to TrentoItalian street in Trento

Trento is easy to get to by train or bus. Although there is no direct way to reach Trento by plane, you can fly into Milan, Verona, or Venice as I did. You can search for cheap flights using Skyscanner. If you are arriving by plane, you can get a train that will only take another 1-2 hours to get to Trento. And you can admire the Italian countryside while you are traveling to Trento.

Things To Do in Trento

Castello del BuonconsiglioBuonconsiglio Castle - Trento Travel Guide

Castelo del Buonconsiglio is right in town, and with the Trento card, you can get 50% off the entry fee costing you 10€. This will give you access throughout the castle and plenty of time to explore it. There are tons of rooms with period furniture, artwork, museum exhibits, prison cells, and amazing frescoes on the walls, ceilings, and alcoves to admire. Plus, you can get an extra ticket for 3€ to Torre Aquila. This is a must when you visit the castle. The Eagle Tower houses the cycle of months, which are beautiful frescoes depicting what life was like here throughout the year. This castle is one of many in the Trentino area and should be on your Trento Travel guide list of things to do.

Piazza del Duomo – Neptune FountainNeptune Fountain in the Piazza del Duomo

The Neptune Fountain originally was placed here in the late 1700s and brought fresh water into the city continuously. The fountain that resides there today replaced the original in 1945. Today it is the focal point of the Piazza del Duomo surrounded by the Diocesan Museum of Trento, beautiful palazzos with intricate frescoes on the walls, and the Duomo, the Cathedral of St Vigilio. It is also the site of groups getting together and celebrating events as I was fortunate to witness a wedding celebration by the Associazione Capoeira Trento group.Piazza del DuomoAssociazone Capoeira Trento wedding celebration

Gorge of Ponte AltoGorge of Ponte Alto - Trento Travel Guide

One of my highlights of the Trento Travel Guide is the Gorge of Ponte Alto, also known as the Orrido Di Ponte Alto. The gorge is a deep ravine carved out by the Fersina river. Over 500 years ago engineers created a series of dams to control the rushing water from flooding the town of Trento. The result is a gorgeous natural area that is accessible by tour only where you can experience the power and beauty of these spectacular waterfalls.

Funicular to SardagnaFunicular to Sardagna - Trento Travel Guide

The funicular or cable car to see the town of Sardagna is a must-see on your Trento Travel guide. This is a fun ride to the top of the mountain where you will get some breathtaking views of Trento and the surrounding mountains. I went up there to explore one afternoon and ran into a fellow travel blogger that was afraid of heights and ended up hanging with her at the restaurant at the top for most of the afternoon. It was a great day, and the weather was terrific along with the views. There are a lot of hiking opportunities when you reach the top as well. The cable car runs from 7 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on weekdays and holidays. The fee is free with the Trentino Guest Card.View of Trento from above

Teatro SocialeTeatro Sociale

One of the oldest structures in Trento is the Teatro Sociale. This beautiful Italian theater holds 670 people and is a lovely venue for events like the one Traverse put together in Trento. The theater gallery is spectacularly beautiful with an amazing painted ceiling that my photo doesn’t do justice for. If you are looking for a more elegant evening out in Trento, check their calendar of events coming up.

Piazza DantePiazza Dante - Trento Travel Guide

A relaxing nature park right across from the train/bus station is Piazza Dante. Filled with benches, fountains, ducks, and a giant statue of Dante Alighieri, this is a park stating it is Italian for all to see. The statue was erected at a time when the Austro Hungarian empire was in control in 1896 to be a symbol of Italian language and character. The park is a great place to sit down and take a breather from the hustle of being a tourist. Sit down, relax, and take in all the beautiful Italian scenery in every direction.

Museums in Trento

MUSE

MUSE is a science museum in Trento with over 19,000 sqm and 600,000 visitors a year; it is the most popular science museum in Italy. The building was designed by Renzo Piano to resemble a mountain. The museum’s mission is to “explain Nature, beginning from the mountain landscape, with the eyes, the instruments and the questions of the scientific research, rising the challenges of today, encouraging scientific curiosity and the pleasure of knowledge so to give value to science, innovation, and sustainability.” With six floors of exhibits, you can fill a couple of your hours here exploring the museum. MUSE Entrance fee is 10€ but free with the Trentino Guest Card. Open hours are Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. and on Saturday through Sunday 10 a.m.-7 p.m. It is closed on Mondays.

 Museo Diocesano TridentinoDiocesan Museum of Trento - Trento Travel Guide

Tridentine Diocesan Museum is one of the first diocesan museums established in Italy located in the Palazzo Pretorio building in the Piazza del Duomo. The museum is filled with art and culture from the churches in the Trentino area from the 11th to 19th centuries. Tridentine Diocesan Museum‘s entrance fee is 7€ but free with the Trentino Guest Card. Open hours are Monday, Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m.-1 p.m and 2 p.m.- 6 p.m. It is closed on Tuesdays.

Museum of Aeronautics

The Gianni Caproni Museum of Aeronautics is the oldest aviation museum in Itlay since 1927. IT was moved to Trento and opened in 1992. There are 17 historic aircraft on display. There are also many engines, pieces of zeppelins, and propellers for you to explore. A vehicle is needed as there is no public transportation to this museum. Museum of Aeronautics entrance fee is 4.50€ but free with the Trentino Guest Card. Open hours are Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. It is closed on Mondays.

Torre VangaTorre Vanga

Torre Vanga built-in 1210 is an ancient tower that houses exhibits on art, history, and photography. The history of the building goes back quite a long time, during a revolt in 1407, the Prince Bishop George of Liechtenstein was imprisoned here. The building was also used as a prison at one time. The museum also has an exhibit on the Italian Alpine troops displaying their uniforms and weapons. Open hours are Tuesday through Thursday from 9 a.m.-12 p.m and 1 p.m.- 4 p.m. On Friday through Sunday it stays open until 5 p.m. It is closed on Mondays.

MART

MART is one of the largest modern contemporary art museums in Italy. They exhibit over 20,000 pieces of art, and when I visited for the Traverse Awards banquet, I was able to see some of them. I would have loved to have some of the pictures I took at this venue, but I lost them. Part of the trials of traveling, I dropped my hard drive the day after, and it took a beating. I got it back working, but, I seemed to have lost these particular photos. What I can tell you is the art exhibits were strange and made you ask a lot of questions, which is always a good thing at an art museum. The building itself is beautiful with a large open-air and glass round dome in the center which we ate and danced under. MART entrance fee is 12€ but free with the Trentino Guest Card. Open hours are Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. On Friday it stays open until 9 p.m. It is closed on Mondays.

Churches of Trento

Cattedrale di San VigilioCathedral of St Vigilio - Trento Travel Guide

The Cathedral of St Vigilio is the backdrop to the Piazza del Duomo with its rose window facing the piazza known as the Wheel of Fortune. You can see the rose window in a couple of photos earlier in this post. The cathedral was built on the site which initially housed an ancient 6th-century temple to the city’s Patron saint, Saint Vigilius. The Crucifix Chapel houses a “group of wooden sculptures at whose feet the decrees of the Council of Trent (1545-1563) were issued”. Another example of a beautiful European/Italian church to add to your list of things to do in your Trento Travel Guide.

Chiesa di Santa Maria MaggioreChiesa di Santa Maria Maggiore

The Church of Santa Maria Maggiore plays an integral part in Trento’s history as this was the site of the Third Session of the Council of Trent. The bell tower at 53 meters is the tallest in Trento. The interior consists of a single nave with a series of chapels with marble altars in the baroque style lining the sides of the church. This was the first example of a single-nave church in Trentino. This setup inside the church is the style of most of the Italian churches that I have visited on my tour through Italy. Hang on for more posts on the churches of Italy coming in the future.

Chiesa dei Santi Pietro e PaoloChiesa dei Santi Pietro e Paolo

The church of Saints Peter and Paul is a surprising find in the city center of Trento dating back to the 12th century. There was a group of us travel bloggers that came across this church, and we all took out our cameras at the same time. This is a gorgeous church outside and inside. I went back a couple of times to spend some time in this church. Flower planted truck in front of Chiesa dei Santi Pietro e Paolo - Trento Travel Guide

Chiesa di San MarcoChiesa di San Marco

The Church of San Marco is an unassuming building on one of the city center streets in Trento that dates back to the 13th century. Entrance inside is through the Renaissance-inspired porticos. The interior of the church has the only reminder of the Medieval Church, a fragment of a fresco dating back to the 14th century and it is the dispute of Santa Caterina d’Alessandria which is worth a look. During the Council of Trent, the leading theologians, Bishop of Salerno and the Cardinal Girolamo Seripando lived in the church.

Chiesa della Santa TrinitàChiesa della Santa Trinità

The Church of the Holy Trinity is located at the end of the street in the Nuovo district of Trento founded in 1519. This church is famous because it was the site where the initial procession of the Council of Trent went directly to the Cathedral in 1545 attended by four other cardinals, twenty-five bishops and archbishops and five generals from religious orders. The outside of the church is so ornate that seeing it from down the street made me get closer to see more of the impressive details on the facade.

Giardino Botanico Alpino Viote

The Viote Alpine Botanical Garden is one of the largest and oldest botanical gardens in the alps. This garden has over 200 high-altitude plants from all over the mountains of the world. Many of the plants in this garden are at risk of being extinct. If you are driving up Monte Bondone, stop in for a couple of hours. Open hours are 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. daily.

Dolomites

The Dolomites are a mountain range located in northeastern Italy. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Dolomite Mountains are where you can ski in the winter and mountain climbing, cycling, BASE jumping, paragliding, hang gliding and hiking in the summer. The mountains are a sight to see and even more to explore and see the magnificent clear blue water of the lakes in the valleys. I didn’t get to explore the Dolomites, but I have a lot of travel blogger friends that did, and this should be on your Trento Travel Guide things-to-do list.

Other Photographic Spots

Trento VineyardsVineyards in Trento

Taking photographs of buildings, churches, and beautiful landscapes is something that I always plan to do when putting together my travel plans. Visiting Trento has been fantastic, and all the things I photographed had to go into the Trento Travel Guide. Trento is filled with vineyards that make some amazing photographs. And the vineyards produce the famous Trentodoc wine. Trentodoc is a Metodo Classico sparkling wine. There are 53 sparkling wine produces that are affiliated with the Trenodoc brand which is controlled, regulated, and reserved for sparkling wine made with grapes exclusively from Trentino.

Cesare Battisti MausoleumCesare Battisti Mausoleum

Overlooking the city of Trento, the mausoleum of Cesare Battisti is located on the hill of Doss Trento and is accessible from the funicular to Sardagna. It is an easy walk from the top to reach the monument that was inspired by the Romans. Open hours are 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. daily.

Porta di Santa MargheritaPorta di Santa Margherita

The Porta di Santa Margherita is a medieval gate from the 13th-century walking distance from the city center. It is inserted right between 19th-century buildings. It was a door into the city which gave access to the farming areas by the River Adige. Over the years through repeated floods have partially buried it.

Torre Arcidiaconale O Del MassarelloTorre Arcidiaconale O Del Massarello

This massive medieval tower is over 20 meters high and was built to represent the heart of the fortified system of the Borgonuovo neighborhood. The tower of Massarello was the residence of the archdeacon of the Cathedral Chapter and the archdeacon Martino Neideck. For the entire duration of the Council of Trent (1545-1563) the secretary-general of the Trent Council, Angelo Massarelli, lived here. In the inside, there is a room with frescoes of plant motifs, draped and checkerboard, in the late Gothic style.

Torre VerdeTorre Verde

The Green Tower is one of the strategic points of Trento, as the north-eastern cornerstone of the city walls. The position of the tower on the Adige river had it guarding the northern border, and it was a warehouse serving the nearby port along the river before the river was diverted. Even though you can’t go into the tower, it is still impressive from the outside. Worthy of a photo!

Alberti Colico PalaceAlberti Colico Palace - Trento Travel Guide

Alberti Colico Palace is one of the most photographic buildings that I saw in Trento. This gorgeous palazzo is covered with vibrant frescoes. The windows, balconies, and the portico add to the character of this building. It is incredible that the colors of the frescoes are still so prominent after all these years.

Palazzo RoccabrunaPalazzo Roccabruna

The Palazzo Roccabruna built-in 1557-1562. You can see the large Cardinal Cristoforo Madruzzo’s coat of arms on the facade center with the family’s coat of arms above the entrance. The Cardinal’s coat of arms shows the close relationship between the Roccabruna’s and the Prince-Bishop of Trento. It is so refreshing to see how prominent the church played and still plays in Italian culture.

Palazzo CalepiniPalazzo Calepini

The Palazzo Calepini gets its name from the noble family that lived here in the 15th century. The Renaissance facade and its diamond-pointed, ashlar-worked windows is a fantastic building to photograph.

Palazzo Larcher FogazzaroPalazzo Larcher Fogazzaro

One of the most important Baroque buildings in Trento is the Palazzo Larcher Fogazzaro built in the 18th century. The windows and the bulky portal decorations add to the building’s character. But, the telamons (pillars shaped as men) holding up the arch by the front door is so unique and worth a picture or two.

Palazzo GeremiaPalazzo Geremia - Trento Travel Guide

The Palazzo Geremia is one of the first Renaissance architecture in Trento. What is surprising is that nobody knows who the fresco painter is that worked on this building. The fresco is very similar to that of late 15th-century Verona and Vicenza. Cardinal Ludovico Simonetta and the Bishop of Lodi lived here during the last part of the Council of Trent.

Little Things in Trento

Rock Climbing GroupRock Climbing on the buildings of Trento

Walking around Trento, I stumbled upon this climbing group. There were small groups throughout the city center climbing or trying to scale the building walls. It was entertaining to watch them for a while. Rock Climbing on the buildings of TrentoRock Climbing on the buildings of Trento

Fountains in TrentoFountain in Trento

Walk around the city and make sure to look down every corner. You never know what you might find. When I’m traveling I always do this and I have found some gems. This particular fountain is tucked away in a building. I noticed it out of the corner of my eye and went to investigate further and found this beautiful oasis that most tourists or photographers even know is hidden in Trento. So keep your eyes open!

Getting Around

Once in Trento, it is easy and convenient to get around by the city buses or walk. Trento is not a very big city, and you can walk to everything by a few minutes from the train/bus station. The buses run on a schedule and are posted at each stop. I happened to stay outside of Trento in the town of Povo and took the bus every day with no hassle. Buses run from 5:30 am to 11:30 pm so, if you do live outside of the city you will have to use other transportation outside those hours.

Best Day Trips

Riva del GardaRiva del Garda - Trento Travel Guide

Riva del Garda and Lake Garda are in the Trentino area and are very close to Trento. With a Trentino Guest Card, you can hop on a bus for a short 1-hour ride to the lake. I spent a great day by the lake climbing towers, eating at restaurants where it feels like my grandma cooked for me, walking through museums with amazing photographs from the world wars, and enjoying a walk in the marina. There is so much to do in Riva del Garda that you could easily spend a couple of days here.

VeronaVerona - Trento Travel Guide

Taking a day trip to Verona is easy by hopping on the train, and public transportation makes getting around the city so convenient. You can spend a fabulous day trip from Trento in Verona. There is so much to do and see. There is the Arena, climbing towers for gorgeous views of the city, beautiful Italian churches, fantastic Italian restaurants, walking through Roman ruins, and sunsets by castles. You can make the most of seeing all the sights in your day trip from Trento and still get the last train for the evening to Trento. It is worth it.

Where to Eat in Trento

Breakfast

Trento has some beautiful cafes for you to pick up a croissant, pastry, and/or coffee. Most of the restaurants have tables set up outside, but there are ones where you can sit inside. Part of the Trento Travel Guide below is restaurants that I ate at and serve genuinely delicious Italian food.

Lunch

Pizzeria Green TowerPizzeria Green Tower

The Pizzeria Green Tower is a fantastic restaurant for lunches. The restaurant has been serving customers for over 20 years with exceptional Italian dishes and great customer service. The interior has a warm welcoming feel with wood accents everywhere. I had a great Italian meal there thanks to Traverse and Visit Trentino. Vegetable stuffed strudel served with Casolet cheese creme from Val di Sole, Trentina Pizza – San Marzano tomato, mozzarella cheese, luganega (traditional salami from Trentino), gorgonzola cheese, and for dessert Chocolate mousse served with strawberries and almond crumble.  Vegetable stuffed strudel served with Casolet cheese cremeTrentina Pizza

Chocolate mousse served with strawberries and almond crumble

Ristorante al VoRistorante al Vo

Ristorante al Vo is a restaurant that I kept going back to because the service and the food were exceptional. This restaurant has roots dating back to 1345 and the Antoniolli family carries on the tradition of excellent Italian cuisine, cozy dining areas, and great customer service. The first time I ate, there was on behalf of Traverse and Visit Trentino. The meal consisted of Carne Salada carpaccio (traditional cured raw beef from Trentino) served with toasted bread and golden chanterelle mushrooms, Risotto with Trentodoc with apples from Trentino, and for dessert a Mini Sacher Torte. The second time I ate there for lunch, I had Pasta with Bolognese sauce and strudel with berries and cream. My friend Alison from Dreamer at Heart had a Mini Sacher Torte, but it was decorated differently than mine. Both meals were delicious!Inside of Ristorante al VoCarne Salada CarpaccioRisotto with Trentodoc with applesMini Sacher TortePasta with Bolognese sauceDessert at Ristorante al Vo

Mini Sacher Torte

Dinner

#PizzaRoad#pizzaroad

You can’t go wrong as a travel blogger eating a restaurant that has a hashtag in its name. #Pizzaroad was a phenomenal choice to eat at and a definite add to the Trento Travel Guide. Italian pizzas are thinner than what we eat in the United States, and another difference is that they don’t have pepperoni. You need to ask for salami to get anything close to American pepperoni. We went in as a group and had the chef pick the toppings for the pizza, and they were outstanding. Pizza at #pizzaroadPizza at #pizzaroad

Birreria PedavenaBirreria Pedavena

Birreria Pedavena was one of the venues for the Traverse parties and is an excellent pub/restaurant to some and wind down in after a full day of exploring the sights of Trento. They have great in-house brews and lots of pizza choices for you to choose from.

Dessert

Gelateria Cherry TrentoGelateria Cherry Trento

This one ice cream shop, the Gelateria Cherry Trento, always has a line in front of and around the corner and deserves a prime spot on the Trento Travel Guide. There are several choices for you to choose from. I got a Lemon and a Dark Chocolate, and it was divine on the hot Italian day. All the ice cream is in containers and not out in the open as this is a good tip to look for when choosing Gelatto in Italy.

Where to Stay in Trento

Booking.comB&B Alla Val

I stayed at a great B&B in Povo right outside of Trento. It had its own little kitchen, living area, washing machine, and fabulous balcony to watch the sunrise and set over the mountains. To help you find a place to stay in Trento, you can use Booking.com to find deals. I use booking.com for most of my searches when looking for a place to stay, especially in Europe.

Booking.com

Airbnb

If you sign up for Airbnb with this link, you will get $40 off your home-booking. And you’ll get $15 to use toward an experience worth $50 or more.

Trento Annual Events

Mercatini Di Natale

Christmas Markets in Europe are a big thing in the Winter. This year Mercatini Di Natale will be from November 23 to January 6 in Piazza Fiera and in Piazza Cesare Battisti in Trento. All the details for the Christmas Market can be found here.

Trentino Guest Card

If you are planning on staying a few days in the Trentino region, I would recommend getting the Trentino Guest Card. With the card, you can travel for free on all the public transportation throughout the region. Plus, the Trentino Guest Card provides free entry to many museums, castles, and parks. Along with discounts for tours and other activities, the card is a great addition to pick up on your travel to Trento and the surrounding area.

Trento Travel Guide Summary

Trento is a great city to visit and plan as your base for exploring the northern region of Italy. I hope that this Trento Travel Guide helps you in planning your Italian vacation. There are a lot of activities to do in the Trentino area and sights to see. Bring your camera and lots of memory cards and spare batteries; you’ll need them! Enjoy, and I can’t wait to hear about your trip to Trento!

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Further Reading

If you are coming to Italy for a visit, check out these posts for more inspiration:

Thank You to the Visit Trentino and Traverse for offering this opportunity to tour the Trentino region and Trento. As always opinions are 100% my own.

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