The Paganella plateau is one of the most loved destinations in Trentino, a natural balcony suspended between Mount Paganella and the spectacle of the Brenta Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the family-friendly mountain par excellence: easy, well-groomed slopes in winter, a picture-postcard lake and a thousand activities in summer, all in a compact, easy-to-get-around area. The villages of the plateau — Andalo, Molveno, Fai della Paganella and Cavedago — offer different atmospheres but are very close to one another, at the foot of the great Adamello-Brenta Nature Park. Here you’ll find where to stay best, with the small addresses we choose one by one, never by hearsay.
It pays to pick your base according to what you’re after: Andalo for the skiing, the services and the village life, the handiest choice for families; Molveno for the lake and the quiet, at the foot of the Brenta; Fai della Paganella and Cavedago for the views and a more peaceful atmosphere. Let’s look at the bases one by one, and then the skiing, the summer and the seasons.
Andalo
Andalo is the tourist hub of the plateau and the handiest base: a lively, well-equipped village, with the gondola climbing the Paganella right from the centre, shops, restaurants and a declared vocation for families. Here you’ll find the big Acquain water park, the Life Park and a thousand activities for children, as well as the ski lifts. It is the choice for those who want everything within reach, slopes and fun included, in a dynamic, cheerful atmosphere.
The addresses we recommend in Andalo:
Hotel Nordik Adults Only – Over 14
An adults-only four-star in the heart of Andalo, with a spa, design interiors and a relaxed atmosphere away from the bustle. The care of the wellness spaces and the central position make it an ideal retreat for a couple, between skiing and relaxation. Perfect for those seeking quiet and style while staying a stone’s throw from the lifts.
Corona Dolomites Hotel
A much-loved four-star in Andalo, with a serious spa, careful cuisine and a handy position towards the centre and the lifts. The ample wellness areas and the services for every age make it a solid base for families and couples. Perfect for those who want comfort, relaxation and skiing in a complete, reliable property.
Àlia Bianca Active & Family Hotel
A four-star designed for active families in Andalo, with spaces dedicated to children, a wellness area and warm management. The active & family formula and the handy position make it ideal for a holiday on the snow or in the open air with little ones. Perfect for those seeking tailored services and a welcoming atmosphere.
All the properties in the village: all hotels in Andalo →
Molveno and its lake
Molveno is the village of the lake, one of the most beautiful stretches of water in Italy, award-winning time and again, set at the foot of the Brenta Dolomites. To stay here means choosing quiet and scenery, with the swimmable lake, the beach, the big Playground adventure park and walks close at hand. In winter it is linked to the Paganella lifts, in summer it is a little paradise for families and nature lovers. It is the choice for those seeking the gentle mountains, between water and crags.
Hotel Lido – slow & natural living
A three-star overlooking Lake Molveno, with a slow, natural philosophy, well-kept interiors and an unbeatable view over the water and the Brenta. The lakefront position and the relaxed atmosphere make it a perfect base for truly switching off. Ideal for couples and families after quiet, nature and views.
Alexander Hotel Alpine Wellness Dolomites
A three-star with a lovely wellness area in Molveno, a few steps from the lake and the centre, with careful cuisine and welcoming Alpine interiors. The spa and the handy position make it perfect for pairing relaxation with walks and skiing on the Paganella. Ideal for couples and families after comfort and wellness.
Hotel Garni Arnica
A welcoming garni in Molveno, prized for its family welcome, its breakfast and its quiet position near the lake. The well-kept interiors and the good value for money make it a handy, genuine base for exploring the plateau. Ideal for couples and families after simplicity and warmth, a stone’s throw from nature.
All the properties in the village: all hotels in Molveno →
Fai della Paganella and Cavedago
The two smallest villages of the plateau are the choice for those seeking quiet and views. Fai della Paganella, looking over the Adige valley, is a panoramic balcony and the second gateway to the lifts, with lovely walks and a view that sweeps across the mountains; Cavedago is a quiet little village immersed in the woods, ideal for a holiday away from the hustle. Both are very close to Andalo and handy for the skiing and the activities of the plateau.
Fai le Coccole
A bed and breakfast whose name is a promise (“pampering”), in Fai della Paganella, with a warm welcome, a carefully prepared breakfast and a panoramic, peaceful position. The cosy interiors and the attentiveness of the hosts make it an ideal base for a couple or a family. Perfect for those seeking pampering and quiet with the mountains in front of them.
LENIS Bed and Breakfast
A small, well-kept B&B in Cavedago, immersed in the quiet of the plateau’s woods, with modern interiors and attentive, friendly management. The peace of the village and the closeness to Andalo make it a relaxing, handy base for skiing and excursions. Ideal for those seeking peace, nature and a touch of design.
Skiing: the Ski Area Paganella
The Ski Area Paganella is one of the most panoramic ski areas in Trentino: wide, sunny slopes drop from the summit of the Paganella towards Andalo and Fai, with a spectacular view over the Brenta Dolomites and Lake Molveno. It is a ski area famous for its family focus, with nursery slopes, children’s areas and slopes for every level, though there is no shortage of demanding runs for experts. It is part of the great Skirama Dolomiti Adamello Brenta consortium, which with a single ski pass also embraces Campiglio, Folgarida-Marilleva and Folgaria. The season runs roughly from December to April, depending on snow cover, to be checked year by year.
To get your bearings among the ski areas and pick the right base, see the guide where to stay for skiing in Trentino-Alto Adige; if you’re after a hotel with direct access to the slopes, the selection of ski-in ski-out hotels in the Dolomites. The great resort nearby, also at the foot of the Brenta, is Madonna di Campiglio.
Summer: Lake Molveno and the Brenta Dolomites
In summer the Paganella is at its best. Lake Molveno, swimmable and equipped with a beach, pedalos and the big adventure park, is the heart of family holidays; from here and from Andalo the trails set off towards the Brenta Dolomites, with the mountain huts, the historic via ferratas and the realm of the brown bear in the Adamello-Brenta Nature Park. The summit of the Paganella, reachable by gondola, offers one of the widest panoramas in Trentino, and there is no shortage of bike parks, easy walks and mountain pastures. For the other summer destinations among the crags, see the Dolomites in summer, and for seasonal ideas what to do in Trentino-Alto Adige in summer.
Lake Molveno is also one of the destinations in our guide where to stay on Trentino’s lakes; and if you’re after wellness after the sport, the selection of hotels with spa and thermal baths.
When to go
The Paganella is a two-full-season destination. Winter (from December to April, depending on snow cover — to be checked season by season) is the realm of family skiing, between the sunny slopes of the Paganella and Andalo’s many activities; it is high season, so it pays to book ahead, especially over the holidays. Summer (from June to September) is the season of Lake Molveno, trekking and cycling, with a cool climate and long days at the foot of the Brenta.
The shoulder seasons are the quietest: in autumn the woods of the plateau light up and the villages are quieter, while in late spring the snow retreats and the summer mountain is not yet fully open, so it’s worth checking openings and connections. The area is an ideal destination for a family ski holiday and, in December, for the Christmas markets.
Getting there
The Paganella plateau is reached by car from the Brenner motorway (A22): you exit at San Michele all’Adige-Mezzocorona and climb a few kilometres towards Fai, Andalo and Molveno, or from Trento. The reference railway station is Trento (or Mezzocorona-San Michele), from which scheduled buses climb up to the plateau. The nearest airports are Verona, Bergamo, Milan and Venice.
Once on the plateau, you get around well with the buses and ski buses that link Andalo, Molveno, Fai and Cavedago with the lifts and the lake, and with the Trentino Guest Card, often included by the properties, public transport is even better value. Distances are short and a car is handy but not essential. 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 on the Paganella.
Which is the best base for staying on the Paganella?
It depends on what you’re after. Andalo is the tourist hub and the handiest base, with the lifts, the services and the children’s activities within reach; Molveno is the village of the lake, for those who love quiet and scenery at the foot of the Brenta; Fai della Paganella and Cavedago are smaller and quieter, with lovely views. The villages are very close and well connected, so the choice is above all a question of atmosphere.
Is the Paganella suitable for families?
Very much so: it is one of the most family-friendly destinations in Trentino. The Ski Area Paganella has nursery slopes, children’s areas and easy runs, and Andalo offers the Acquain water park, the Life Park and a thousand activities. In summer Lake Molveno, with its beach and adventure park, and the easy walks are perfect with children. Many properties are designed precisely for families, often with dedicated services and entertainment.
Is it better to stay in Andalo or Molveno?
Andalo is livelier and handier for skiing and services, with the lifts in the village and lots of activities: the ideal choice for a dynamic holiday, especially in winter. Molveno is quieter and more scenic, overlooking the lake at the foot of the Brenta, perfect for those seeking nature and relaxation, and lovely in summer. They are very close and connected, so from one you easily reach the other.
Where to stay for skiing on the Paganella?
The handiest bases are Andalo, with the gondola leaving from the centre, and Fai della Paganella, the second gateway to the lifts. The Ski Area Paganella is a panoramic, family-friendly ski area, part of the Skirama Dolomiti Adamello Brenta consortium. To compare the region’s ski areas and find the right hotel, see our guide on where to stay for skiing.
What to do on the Paganella in summer?
In summer the heart of the holiday is Lake Molveno, swimmable and equipped with a beach, pedalos and a big adventure park. From Andalo and Molveno the trails set off towards the Brenta Dolomites and the Adamello-Brenta park, and the gondola takes you to the summit of the Paganella for an extraordinary panorama. There is no shortage of bike parks, easy walks and mountain pastures, for an active holiday suited to everyone.
How do you get to the Paganella without a car?
You arrive by train at Trento or Mezzocorona-San Michele all’Adige and continue with the scheduled buses that climb up to the plateau. On the spot the ski buses link Andalo, Molveno, Fai and Cavedago with the lifts and the lake, and with the Trentino Guest Card public transport is good value. Distances are short, so for a holiday on the Paganella a car is handy but not essential.
