Trentino-Alto Adige is two autonomous provinces and two souls that live side by side: Alto Adige (Südtirol), German- and Ladin-speaking, with its mountain farms, spas, wine and Christmas markets; and Italian-speaking Trentino, with the Brenta Dolomites, the lakes and Lake Garda. Together they form Italy’s number one destination for skiing and for quality small Alpine hotels, but also an extraordinary summer destination. Here we act as your compass: the areas, one by one, and the two strong seasons, with the addresses we choose by hand, never by hearsay, and the detailed guide we point you to each time.
How to read this guide: first the Dolomites for skiing, then western Trentino, then the cities, spas and wine, Lake Garda Trentino and finally the summer of lakes and trekking. For each macro-area you’ll find the villages, one or two signature addresses and the link to the full zone guide.
For an experience out of the ordinary: two 5-star hotels in the Dolomites
If you’re after something truly special, there are two 5-star resorts that are worth the trip on their own, one for each soul of the region: the Lefay Resort & SPA Dolomiti in Trentino, among the Brenta Dolomites, and My Arbor in South Tyrol, above Bressanone. Design, vast spas and nature for a holiday out of the ordinary, devoted to the most exclusive wellness.
Lefay Resort & SPA Dolomiti
An eco-luxury resort set in the greenery of Val Rendena, at the foot of the Brenta Dolomites and a stone’s throw from Madonna di Campiglio. Its vast spa world, pools and panoramic suites make it a temple of alpine wellness, where you can regenerate among treatments, nature and silence. The ideal choice for a couples’ getaway or a stay devoted to the most exclusive relaxation.
My Arbor
A design hotel suspended among the trees of the San Leonardo woods, above Bressanone, with striking architecture that seems to float among the treetops. Pools, a large wellness centre and direct access to the Plose ski area make it a one-of-a-kind retreat for those seeking relaxation and sport in South Tyrol, far from the ordinary.
The Dolomites for skiing: the Sellaronda and the great ski areas
This is the heart of the Italian winter. Dolomiti Superski is the largest ski carousel in the world, with twelve areas linked by a single ski pass and about 1,200 kilometres of slopes; its icon is the Sellaronda, the ring around the Sella group that links skis-on the Val Gardena (Gröden), Alta Badia, Val di Fassa and Arabba. The season runs roughly from late November to April, depending on snow — to be checked year by year. Three Ladin valleys, three atmospheres: Val Gardena, lively and sporty beneath the Sassolungo and the Seceda; Alta Badia, elegant and gourmet; Val di Fassa, the only Trentino sector of the Sellaronda, beneath the Marmolada and the Catinaccio.
The Laurin Small & Charming
A small charming hotel in Selva, in the heart of Val Gardena, with the warmth of wood and attentive hospitality a stone’s throw from the Sellaronda. The careful management and the cosy atmosphere make it an ideal base for couples after skiing and a touch of style in the Gröden.
B&B La Tranquillitè
A welcoming bed and breakfast in Corvara, in the heart of Alta Badia, with the warmth of Ladin hospitality and the convenience of being on the Sellaronda. The well-kept rooms and the quiet make it a perfect base after the slopes or the walks. Ideal for a couple after elegance and calm in the Dolomites.
Garni Ciamorc
A welcoming garni in Canazei, gateway to the Sellaronda and the Marmolada, with the warmth of wood and family hospitality. The careful breakfast and the cosy atmosphere make it a relaxing base in the heart of Val di Fassa, with the slopes within reach.
Around the core of the Sellaronda revolve the other great Dolomite ski areas. In Val Pusteria (Pustertal) you ski on Plan de Corones (Kronplatz), the signature mountain of Brunico (Bruneck), with San Vigilio di Marebbe on the Fanes Dolomites; further east open Lake Braies and the Tre Cime di Lavaredo. Val di Fiemme, with Cavalese, Tesero and Predazzo, combines the Alpe Cermis with the great cross-country skiing, and in February 2026 hosted the Nordic events of Milan-Cortina.
Stoa – Elegant & Romantic Guest House
An elegant, romantic guest house in San Vigilio di Marebbe, at the foot of Plan de Corones, designed for adults after quiet. The curated design and the intimate atmosphere make it a refined retreat after skiing or hiking in the Fanes Dolomites. Ideal for a couple’s escape away from the crowds.
To find your way among the areas and choose the right base there’s the guide where to stay for skiing in Trentino-Alto Adige. Then go to the detail of each valley: Val Gardena, Alta Badia, Val di Fassa, Val Pusteria and Plan de Corones and Val di Fiemme.
The skiing of Trentino: Brenta, Paganella and the valleys
On the Trentino side, away from the Sellaronda, you ski among the spires of the Brenta Dolomites and on the plateaus. Madonna di Campiglio, with Pinzolo and Val Rendena, is the region’s élite skiing; the Paganella, with Andalo and Molveno, is the realm of families, with the finest lake in Trentino at the foot of the slopes; Val di Sole combines skiing, spas and biking; Folgaria and the Alpe Cimbra round off the family offer a step from Trento and Rovereto.
Boutique Hotel Diana
A refined boutique hotel in the centre of Madonna di Campiglio, the pearl of the Brenta Dolomites. The care of the spaces and the handy position near the slopes make it an elegant base for skiing and for evenings in the region’s most chic resort.
Hotel Lido – slow & natural living
A hotel with a slow, natural spirit in Molveno, with the lake and the Brenta Dolomites as its backdrop, at the foot of the Paganella. The welcoming spaces and the relaxed atmosphere make it perfect for families, between skiing in winter and the lake in summer. Ideal for those after nature and quiet in every season.
The detail, valley by valley: Madonna di Campiglio and Val Rendena, the Paganella between Andalo and Molveno, Val di Sole and Folgaria and the Alpe Cimbra. If you travel with children, see also the guide to a family ski holiday.
Cities, spas and wine: Merano, Bolzano, Bressanone and Trento
Trentino-Alto Adige isn’t only skied mountains: it’s also art cities, spas and wine. Merano (Meran), the most elegant, lives on its mild climate, the Merano spa, the Trauttmansdorff Castle gardens and the walks along the Passirio, with the villages of Scena and Tirolo around it. Bolzano (Bozen), the bilingual capital, guards Ötzi at the Archaeological Museum and is famous for its Christmas markets and as a base for the Dolomites. Bressanone (Brixen), the oldest town in Tyrol, combines the cathedral and cloister with the skiing of the Plose. And Trento, city of the Council, the Buonconsiglio Castle and the MUSE, is the gateway to the Brenta Dolomites.
Maison Valentina
A much-loved bed and breakfast in the heart of Merano, with well-kept spaces and the warm hospitality that is the spa town’s hallmark. The central location puts walks, spa and gardens within reach. Perfect for a couple or a family who want to experience Merano on foot, among mild climate and good living.
Eisenhut Boutique Hotel
A contemporary boutique hotel in the old centre of Bolzano, among the stone gateways and the arcades. The curated design and the location put museums, markets and the Wine Road within reach. Ideal for a city break among the Dolomites, with style.
Santre dolomythic home
A design address in Bressanone that reinterprets the spirit of the Dolomites with warm spaces cared for in every detail. The handy position near the centre and the Isarco valley makes it a perfect base between city, markets and the Plose slopes. Ideal for those after character and comfort in the oldest town in Tyrol.
Villa Sizzo Relais B&B
A refined relais in a historic residence in Trento, with elegant spaces and the charm of an art city. The handy central position puts the Buonconsiglio Castle, the MUSE and the streets of the Council within reach. Perfect for a couple who want to discover Trento and use it as the gateway to the Brenta Dolomites.
The detailed guides: Merano and around, Bolzano, Bressanone and the Isarco valley and Trento. For those after wellness in every season there’s the selection of hotels with spa and thermal baths; for Advent, the guide to Christmas markets in South Tyrol.
Lake Garda Trentino: Riva, Torbole and Arco
At the northern tip of Lake Garda, Trentino has its Mediterranean surprise: Riva del Garda and Torbole (Nago-Torbole), capitals of sailing and windsurfing, and Arco, a mecca for climbing. Here the climate is mild, the season is long (roughly March to October) and there’s no skiing: you go sailing, biking and climbing, among olives and palms, with the Brenta Dolomites at your back. It’s the perfect alternative for those who want mountains and lake in the same trip, or for a spring or autumn escape when the high valleys are still out of season.
AktivHotel SantaLucia
A hotel designed for sport lovers in Torbole, a step from the lake and the winds that make it the windsurf capital. The attentive welcome and the active atmosphere make it the ideal base for sailing, biking and climbing on Lake Garda Trentino.
Residenza Le Due Torri
Well-kept apartments in the heart of Riva del Garda, with the space and independence perfect for families and longer stays. The central position puts the lakefront, the beach and the streets of the centre within reach. Ideal for those who want to set their own pace by lake and mountains.
The full guide: where to stay in Riva del Garda and on Lake Garda Trentino.
Summer: lakes, Dolomites and trekking
In summer Trentino-Alto Adige changes face and becomes one of the loveliest outdoor destinations in Europe. The Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, open up to trekking, via ferratas and mountain huts, from the Tre Cime di Lavaredo to the Seceda, from the Alpe di Siusi to the Catinaccio; the swimmable lakes — Molveno, Caldaro, Levico and Caldonazzo, as well as Garda — offer days of sun and swimming; and biking rules, from the Valsugana cycle path to the trails of Val di Sole. The famous Lake Braies is beautiful but very crowded: it’s worth checking ahead on opening hours, shuttles and access rules, and avoiding the central hours.
For summer we have a dedicated route: start from the hub what to do in Trentino-Alto Adige in summer, then choose between the lakes of Trentino and the Dolomites in summer, for trekking and mountain huts.
When to go
Trentino-Alto Adige is a four-season destination, but with two peaks. Winter (roughly late November to April, depending on snow) is the high season of skiing: the Dolomites are at their best, the markets liven up the cities in December and it’s worth booking well ahead, especially for the holidays. Summer (June to September) is the season of trekking, lakes and biking, with a cool climate at altitude and mild weather on Lake Garda.
The shoulder seasons have a charm of their own: spring is ideal on Garda and in the cities; autumn lights up the woods, brings the new wine, the chestnuts and the Törggelen at the farms, and is splendid in Merano and on the Wine Road. In those periods many lifts and some properties follow the seasonal calendar, so it’s worth checking openings and connections before setting off.
How to get there
The heart of the connections is the Brenner motorway (A22), which climbs from Verona and Trento up to Bolzano and the border, flanked by the Brenner railway with the stations of Trento, Bolzano, Bressanone and Fortezza. The handiest airports are Verona, Bergamo, Venice, Milan and Innsbruck (in Austria). In Alto Adige public transport is excellent — with the Mobilcard and the Pusteria and Val Venosta valley trains — while in Trentino and for the ski areas a car stays handy for moving between valleys. For the full picture, see the guide how to get to and around Trentino-Alto Adige.
From here you can set off towards every corner of the region: choose the area that suits you and the right season, and let our detailed guides lead you. All the properties are gathered on the Trentino-Alto Adige region page.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions we’re asked most often about where to stay in Trentino-Alto Adige.
Which is the best area to stay in Trentino-Alto Adige?
It depends on what you’re after and on the season. For skiing, the Dolomites of the Sellaronda (Val Gardena, Alta Badia, Val di Fassa) and the great areas like Plan de Corones and Madonna di Campiglio; for cities, spas and wine, Merano, Bolzano, Bressanone and Trento; for the lake and the mild climate, Lake Garda Trentino between Riva, Torbole and Arco. In summer valleys and swimmable lakes like Molveno are at their best. In this guide you’ll find each macro-area with its detailed guide.
Where to stay in Trentino-Alto Adige for skiing?
The strongest bases for skiing are the three Ladin valleys of the Sellaronda — Val Gardena, Alta Badia and Val di Fassa — linked skis-on around the Sella group, all on Dolomiti Superski. Also excellent are Plan de Corones in Val Pusteria, Madonna di Campiglio in the Brenta Dolomites and, for families, the Paganella, the Alpe Cimbra and Val di Fiemme. Our “where to stay for skiing” guide compares the areas and the right hotels for each.
What is the difference between Alto Adige and Trentino?
They are two autonomous provinces of the same region, with different souls. Alto Adige (Südtirol) is German- and Ladin-speaking, with mountain farms, spas, wine, markets and the Dolomites of Gardena, Badia and Pusteria. Trentino is Italian-speaking, with the Brenta Dolomites, the great lakes, Garda and valleys like Rendena, the Paganella and Val di Sole. In many villages of the Ladin valleys, Ladin is also spoken, a historic third language.
Can you visit Trentino-Alto Adige in summer too?
Absolutely: summer is the second strong season. The UNESCO Dolomites offer trekking, via ferratas and mountain huts, the swimmable lakes like Molveno, Caldaro and Levico give days of sun, and biking is at home, from the Valsugana to Val di Sole. Lake Garda Trentino extends the season with its mild climate. Mind the busiest spots like Lake Braies and the Tre Cime: it’s worth checking ahead on opening hours and access rules.
Do you need a car to get around Trentino-Alto Adige?
Not always. In Alto Adige public transport is excellent, with the Mobilcard and the Pusteria and Val Venosta valley trains, and in the ski resorts the ski buses link villages and lifts. A car stays handy, though, for exploring the valleys, the passes and the more out-of-the-way ski areas, especially on the Trentino side. For the detail on motorway, trains and airports there’s our guide on how to get to and around the region.
When should you book for the ski season?
Well ahead, especially for the Christmas, New Year and February weeks, when the Dolomites are in highest demand. Quality small hotels have few rooms and sell out in the peak periods. The season runs roughly from late November to April, but openings and snow change year by year: check them before booking and, for long weekends, move early.
