In summer Trentino-Alto Adige turns into an immense open-air park. When it’s hot on the plains, here the climate stays cool and pleasant, and the possibilities are endless: you walk among the spires of the Dolomites, dive into the lakes, cycle along the cycle paths, visit castles and art towns, and at the end of the day relax in a spa or at the table, among the flavours of a generous land. It is a region that in summer really has something for everyone: sporty types, families, couples and culture lovers. Here is an overview of what to do, with links to our guides for going deeper.
Trekking, Dolomites and mountains
The mountains are the absolute stars. The Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offer trails for every level: from easy walks reachable by the summer cable cars to the great multi-day high routes from hut to hut, to the historic via ferratas for experts. The symbol-destinations are the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, the Odle of Val di Funes, the Catinaccio and the Marmolada, but every valley has its treasures. The mountain pastures, with their cheeses and typical dishes, are the tasty stop of every excursion. To choose where to stay among the crags, see the guide where to stay in the Dolomites in summer.
Lakes, beaches and water sports
Water is the other great star of the Trentino summer. Lake Garda, in its northern tip between Riva and Torbole, is a world capital of sailing and windsurfing; Lake Molveno, at the foot of the Brenta, and the lakes of Caldonazzo and Levico in the Valsugana, among the warmest in the Alps, are perfect for family swimming. Adrenaline lovers find in the Noce stream, in Val di Sole, one of the finest rafting rivers in Europe. To plan a lake holiday, see the guide where to stay on Trentino’s lakes.
Cycling, towns and food and wine
Trentino-Alto Adige is a paradise for cycling: long valley-floor cycle paths link villages and vineyards, such as those of Val Pusteria, Val di Sole and the Isarco Valley, while the bike parks of Daolasa, the Paganella and the Dolomites challenge mountain bike enthusiasts. But summer is also culture: art towns such as Bolzano, with Ötzi, Trento, with the MUSE, and Merano, with its gardens, are worth a visit, as are the many castles scattered among the vineyards. And then there’s the food: white wines and Teroldego, apples, speck, dumplings and mountain-pasture cheeses tell of a unique land.
Nature parks, adventure and starry skies
Beyond the most famous peaks, the region guards great nature parks to explore: the Stelvio National Park, the largest in Italy, with its glaciers and Alpine wildlife; the Adamello-Brenta Nature Park, realm of the brown bear; the Paneveggio – Pale di San Martino Park, with the famous “forest of violins”. They are ideal for excursions, wildlife watching and educational activities for families. For adventure lovers there is no shortage of adventure parks among the trees, canyoning, climbing — with Arco, on Garda, a world capital of climbing — and thrills up high between suspension bridges and via ferratas.
In summer, moreover, many resorts offer a rich calendar of events: concerts up high at dawn, village festivals, food-and-wine fairs, farmers’ markets and stargazing under the clear Dolomite skies, among the finest in Europe for looking at the stars. It’s the best way to combine nature with culture and local traditions.
Wellbeing, families and when to go
After the sport, wellbeing: the region is a capital of spas and thermal baths, from Merano to Peio and Rabbi, ideal for recharging after a day in the open air — see the selection of spa and wellness hotels. For families, the offer is boundless: swimmable lakes, adventure parks, mountain pastures, easy walks with the cable cars and activities for children in every valley. The cool climate makes the mountains a perfect destination with little ones too.
The summer season runs roughly from June to September: June brings flowering meadows and fewer crowds, July and August are the peak of summer with everything open, while September offers stable weather, fewer people and the first colours of autumn. At the most famous spots, such as Lake Braies and the Tre Cime, it’s worth finding out in advance about the regulated access. To choose your base, see the guide where to stay in Trentino-Alto Adige.
This guide is part of our grand journey through the region: discover all the destinations and areas in Where to Stay in Trentino-Alto Adige.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions we’re asked most often about what to do in Trentino-Alto Adige in summer.
What to do in Trentino-Alto Adige in summer?
The possibilities are endless: trekking and via ferratas in the Dolomites, with mountain huts and summer cable cars; swimming and water sports on the lakes, from Garda to Molveno, and rafting on the Noce; cycling and mountain biking on cycle paths and bike parks; visits to art towns such as Bolzano, Trento and Merano; wellbeing in the spas and thermal baths; and plenty of food and wine, between wine, apples and mountain-pasture flavours. It’s a perfect destination for sporty types, families and culture lovers.
Is it hot in Trentino-Alto Adige in summer?
Up high the climate stays cool and pleasant even in high summer, and this is exactly the appeal of the region when it’s hot on the plains. In the valley floors and towns, such as Bolzano and Merano, temperatures can rise, but in the evening you always breathe the air of the nearby mountains. It’s the ideal destination for those seeking coolness, nature and outdoor activities.
Can you swim in the lakes in summer?
Yes: many Trentino lakes are swimmable and awarded for water quality. Lake Garda has beaches and lidos, Molveno is equipped for swimming, and the lakes of Caldonazzo and Levico in the Valsugana are among the warmest in the Alps. The swimming season runs roughly from June to September. To stay near the water, see the guide where to stay on Trentino’s lakes.
Is summer in Trentino-Alto Adige suitable for families?
Very much so: swimmable lakes, adventure parks, mountain pastures, easy walks reachable by the cable cars and activities for children in every valley make the region an ideal destination with little ones. The cool climate is an added bonus. Among the areas most loved by families are the Paganella, the Alpe Cimbra and Val di Sole, but the whole region is very well equipped.
What is the best time to go in summer?
The season runs from June to September. June has flowering meadows and fewer crowds, but there may be residual snow up high and not all the huts are open; July and August are the peak of summer, with everything open but busier, especially around mid-August; September is often the ideal period, with stable weather, fewer people and the first colours of autumn. It’s always worth checking the opening of lifts and huts.
