Trento is the capital of Trentino, an elegant and surprising art city, set in the Adige valley among the mountains. It is the city of the Council, the one that in the 16th century changed the history of the Church, and it keeps a refined old town, with frescoed palaces, scenic squares and the great Buonconsiglio Castle. But Trento is also a young, lively city, a university seat and home to the futuristic MUSE museum, and an ideal base for discovering the valleys, lakes and mountains of Trentino. The addresses we suggest we choose one by one, never by hearsay.
The old town is the handiest choice: here, between Piazza Duomo, the palaces and the arcaded streets, you experience the city on foot, with museums, shops and restaurants within reach. Just outside, Pergine Valsugana, with the lakes of Caldonazzo and Levico, and Mezzolombardo, in the wine-growing Piana Rotaliana, offer quiet and nature while staying very close. Let’s look at where to stay, and then what to see, the seasons and how to get there.
Where to stay in Trento
The best area is the old town, around Piazza Duomo and the streets of the Council: extremely handy for experiencing the city on foot, with museums, palaces and restaurants a stone’s throw away. Those seeking more quiet or gentler prices can choose the hills around the city or the nearby villages, still a few minutes away. The addresses we recommend in Trento:
Casa Vertigo
A design bed and breakfast in the heart of Trento, with well-kept, original interiors and a very central position a stone’s throw from Piazza Duomo. The refined style and the attentive welcome make it perfect for experiencing the city on foot. Ideal for couples and travellers seeking personality and convenience in the old town.
Villa Sizzo Relais B&B
A charming relais in a historic residence in Trento, with elegant interiors and the appeal of its ancient walls, a stone’s throw from the centre. The refined atmosphere and the attention to detail make it a special address for a classy stay. Ideal for a couple seeking history, style and quiet in the city.
Ai Tre Garofani B&B
A much-loved bed and breakfast in the old town of Trento, prized for its warm welcome, its breakfast and its very central position. The well-kept interiors and the good value for money make it a handy, pleasant base for discovering the city on foot. Ideal for couples and budget-conscious travellers.
Calepina Alpine Suite
Elegant suites in a contemporary Alpine style in the heart of Trento, with well-kept interiors and a very central position. The self-contained formula and the refined design make them perfect for free, comfortable stays. Ideal for couples and families seeking independence, style and convenience a stone’s throw from Piazza Duomo.
All the properties in the city: all hotels in Trento →
Pergine Valsugana and Mezzolombardo
Just outside the city, two destinations offer a quieter alternative in touch with nature. Pergine Valsugana, east of Trento, is the gateway to the Valsugana and its swimmable lakes, the Caldonazzo and the Levico, among the warmest in the Alps, ideal in summer. Mezzolombardo, to the north, is the heart of the Piana Rotaliana, the land of Teroldego, one of the great red wines of Trentino, and the gateway to Val di Non. They are perfect bases for those seeking wine, lakes and quiet while staying close to Trento.
CA’ La Bottega
A well-kept bed and breakfast in Pergine Valsugana, with welcoming interiors and warm management, handy for the lakes of Caldonazzo and Levico and for Trento. The pleasant style and the quiet position make it a relaxing base for a holiday between city and nature. Ideal for couples and families seeking genuineness and a good price.
Casa da Carmen Boutique & Private Spa
A boutique B&B with a private spa in Mezzolombardo, in the heart of the Teroldego Piana Rotaliana, with elegant interiors and a touch of intimacy. The private spa and the position among the vineyards make it a perfect base for a romantic getaway. Ideal for a couple seeking relaxation, wine and quiet a stone’s throw from Trento.
All the properties in the area: all hotels in Pergine Valsugana →
What to see in Trento
The heart of the city is Piazza Duomo, one of the finest in northern Italy, with the Cathedral of San Vigilio, the Neptune fountain and the frescoed Cazuffi-Rella houses. From here you visit the Buonconsiglio Castle, the ancient residence of the prince-bishops and the city’s symbol monument, with the famous Torre Aquila and its fresco of the Cycle of the Months. Don’t miss the MUSE, the futuristic Science Museum designed by Renzo Piano, one of the most visited museums in Italy, perfect for families too.
Trento is also a city to enjoy in the open air: the cable car climbs in a few minutes to Sardagna, with a view over the city, while the Doss Trento and Monte Bondone, the “mountain of Trento”, offer walks and views. Beneath the centre, the SASS excavations tell of the ancient Roman city of Tridentum. Around, the vineyards, the castles and the lakes complete the picture of a city that combines culture and nature.
When to go
Trento is pleasant all year round. Spring and autumn are ideal for visiting the city at leisure, with a mild climate and the colours of the vineyards; autumn is also the season of new wine and country festivals. Summer is warm in the city but perfect as a base for the Valsugana lakes and trips to the mountains, where the climate is cool; it is the season of the Feste Vigiliane, the city’s most heartfelt event.
Winter has its highlight in the Christmas market, one of the largest and most loved in Trentino, which fills the squares of the centre with huts, lights and aromas: see the guide to Christmas markets. For snow lovers, nearby Monte Bondone offers handy, family-friendly skiing a stone’s throw from the city; for seasonal ideas, see what to do in Trentino-Alto Adige in summer.
A base for Trentino
Trento is an excellent base for discovering the whole region. In a short time you reach the Paganella, with Andalo and Molveno, Val di Fassa and Val di Fiemme, and even Lake Garda, to the south. It is therefore ideal for those who want to combine the city with the mountains or the lakes. To plan the other stages of your trip, see where to stay on the Paganella, Riva del Garda and the lakes of Trentino; if you love art cities, don’t miss Bolzano.
Getting there
Trento is very handy to reach by car from the Brenner motorway (A22), with the Trento Nord and Trento Sud exits. By train it is an important hub on the Brenner line, with frequent connections and fast trains from Verona, Bolzano, Innsbruck and the rest of Italy; the station is a stone’s throw from the centre. From Trento the Valsugana railway also sets off towards Venice, and the Trento-Malé railway for the valleys. The nearest airports are Verona, Bergamo, Venice and Milan.
Once in town, Trento is easily explored on foot and by bike, and an efficient network of buses and the cable car link the centre with the hills and the nearby villages. With the Trentino Guest Card, often included by the properties, regional public transport is even better value, very useful for trips towards the valleys and lakes. For the full picture on motorway, trains and airports of the region, see the guide how to get to 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 where to stay in Trento.
Which is the best area to stay in Trento?
The old town, around Piazza Duomo and the streets of the Council, is the handiest area: it lets you experience the city on foot, with museums, palaces and restaurants within reach, and it is the ideal choice for a short stay. Those seeking more quiet or gentler prices can opt for the hills around the city or the nearby villages such as Pergine Valsugana and Mezzolombardo, still a few minutes from the centre.
What to see in Trento?
Don’t miss Piazza Duomo with the Cathedral of San Vigilio and the Neptune fountain, and the Buonconsiglio Castle, with the Torre Aquila and the famous fresco of the Cycle of the Months. Not to be missed is the MUSE, the Science Museum designed by Renzo Piano, perfect for families too. Also lovely are the Roman excavations of the SASS and the cable-car ride up to Sardagna for the view over the city.
Is Trento a good base for visiting Trentino?
Yes, excellent: from Trento you reach the Paganella with Andalo and Molveno, Val di Fassa, Val di Fiemme and even Lake Garda in a short time, by public transport too. It is the ideal choice for those who want to combine a city holiday with hiking in the mountains or the lakes. The city is also a handy railway hub, well connected with the whole region.
Can you ski near Trento?
Yes: Monte Bondone, the “mountain of Trento”, offers handy, family-friendly skiing a few kilometres from the city, with slopes for every level and a lovely view. For lovers of more demanding skiing, the great Dolomite areas and the Paganella are within driving distance anyway. Trento is therefore a base that combines town, culture and snow.
How do you get around Trento without a car?
Very well: Trento is explored on foot and by bike, and an efficient network of town buses and the cable car to Sardagna link the centre with the hills and the surroundings. The city is an important railway hub on the Brenner line, with frequent trains. With the Trentino Guest Card public transport is good value, so a car is not essential for a holiday in the city and for many day trips.
