Trentino is not only mountains: it is also a land rich in lakes, over three hundred stretches of water set among the Dolomites and the Alps, many of them swimmable and awarded for water quality. There is the great Lake Garda, whose northern tip enjoys a Mediterranean climate and wind sports, and there are the more intimate alpine lakes, ideal for a holiday among nature, beaches and views. Here we help you choose where to stay on Trentino’s lakes, with the small lake-view addresses we choose one by one.
Every lake has its own character: Garda for its mild climate and sailing, Molveno for the Dolomites and families, Ledro and Tenno for nature and villages, the Valsugana for swimming and warm lakes. Let’s look at them one by one, and then a few tips on the seasons.
Trentino’s Lake Garda
The northern tip of Lake Garda, Trentino’s Garda, is the most spectacular corner of Italy’s largest lake: here the water pushes in among the mountains, the climate is Mediterranean and the steady winds make Riva del Garda and Torbole a capital of sailing and windsurfing. It is the ideal destination for those seeking lake, sport and outdoor life all year round.
Visioni Lake View Rooms & Breakfast
An adults-only rooms & breakfast in Riva del Garda, with lake-view terraces, some units with a kitchenette and private parking. The intimate atmosphere and the views over the water make it perfect for a getaway for two on Garda. Ideal for couples seeking quiet, views and style a stone’s throw from the centre.
VistaLago Torbole
A panoramic guesthouse in Nago-Torbole, on Lake Garda, with air-conditioned lake-view rooms, a private terrace and parking. The position over the water and the well-kept atmosphere make it an ideal base for lovers of sailing and windsurfing. Perfect for an active holiday with the lake before your eyes.
Residenza Le Due Torri
A well-kept aparthotel in Riva del Garda, with an outdoor pool, a sauna and a hot tub, and apartments with a kitchenette and a view of the lake or the mountains. The self-contained formula and the wellness areas make it perfect for families and free stays. Ideal for those seeking independence and relaxation near the water.
To go deeper, see the full guide on where to stay in Riva del Garda and Trentino’s Lake Garda.
Lake Molveno and the Brenta Dolomites
Lake Molveno, on the Paganella plateau, is one of the most beautiful stretches of water in Italy, awarded time and again, set at the foot of the Brenta Dolomites. Swimmable and equipped with a beach, pedalos and a big adventure park, it is a perfect destination for families and for those who love the gentle mountains, between water and crags.
Hotel Lido – slow & natural living
A family-run three-star just 50 metres from Lake Molveno, with a 2,500 m² garden and views of the Brenta Dolomites. The slow, natural philosophy and the lakefront position make it a perfect base for truly switching off. Ideal for couples and families seeking quiet, nature and views over the water.
Alledolomiti Boutique Lake Hotel
An adults-only boutique hotel on the Molveno lakefront, with a wellness centre, a seasonal pool and rooms with views over the water and the Brenta. The elegant style and the lakefront position make it a refined retreat for a couple. Ideal for those seeking relaxation, wellness and a picture-postcard view.
To go deeper, see the guide on where to stay on the Paganella, with Andalo and Molveno.
Ledro, Tenno and the Valsugana lakes
Around Garda and in the Trentino valleys hide smaller, enchanting lakes. Lake Ledro, among the cleanest in Italy, guards the famous prehistoric pile dwellings, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; Lake Tenno, with its turquoise waters, is flanked by the medieval village of Canale di Tenno; and in the Valsugana, the lakes of Caldonazzo and Levico are among the warmest in the Alps, perfect for swimming.
LMC Guesthouse
A bed and breakfast in Bezzecca, in the Ledro Valley, with an outdoor pool, a sauna and a view of the Trentino mountains. The quiet of the valley and the wellness areas make it a relaxing base for those who love Lake Ledro and nature. Ideal for couples and families seeking peace away from the Garda crowds.
B&B Ai Castagni
A family-run bed and breakfast in Tenno, above Lake Garda and a stone’s throw from Lake Tenno, with a view of the mountains, a garden and a buffet breakfast. The panoramic position and the quiet of the village make it a genuine base for discovering the lakes and Canale di Tenno. Ideal for couples and families seeking nature and calm.
B&B Alba Sul Lago
A bed and breakfast among the hills of Pergine Valsugana, with a lake-view terrace and private parking, overlooking Lake Caldonazzo. The panoramic position and the warm welcome make it an ideal base for swimming and walks in the Valsugana. Perfect for those seeking one of the warmest lakes in the Alps.
For a city trip, see also the guide on where to stay in Trento, a handy base for the Valsugana and its lakes.
When to go
The season of Trentino’s lakes is long. Summer (from June to September) is the peak period for swimming, water sports and beach life, especially on Garda and the warm Valsugana lakes; it is high season, so it’s worth booking ahead. Spring and autumn are splendid for walks, cycling and sailing, with fewer crowds and gentler prices, and on Garda the mild climate offers pleasant days even out of season.
Trentino’s Garda, in particular, is a destination for almost all year round thanks to its Mediterranean climate, ideal in winter too for climbing and walks. Alpine lakes such as Molveno and Ledro are at their best in summer, while in autumn the woods around them light up with colour. To plan your trip, see also what to do in Trentino-Alto Adige in summer.
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 Trentino’s lakes.
Which are the most beautiful lakes in Trentino?
Trentino has over three hundred lakes. Among the most famous: Trentino’s Lake Garda, with Riva and Torbole, the largest and most Mediterranean; Lake Molveno, at the foot of the Brenta Dolomites, among the most beautiful in Italy; Lake Ledro, among the cleanest, with its UNESCO pile dwellings; the turquoise Lake Tenno; and the lakes of Caldonazzo and Levico in the Valsugana, among the warmest in the Alps. Each has its own character and ideal season.
Which is the best lake for families?
Lake Molveno is perfect for families: swimmable, with a beach, pedalos and a big adventure park, at the foot of the Brenta Dolomites. The lakes of Caldonazzo and Levico in the Valsugana, among the warmest in the Alps, are also ideal for children, with equipped beaches and calm waters. Trentino’s Garda offers instead more sport and outdoor life, suited to active families.
Can you swim in Trentino’s lakes?
Yes, many Trentino lakes are swimmable and awarded for water quality. 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, perfect in summer. Lake Ledro too is among the cleanest in Italy. The swimming season runs roughly from June to September, depending on the weather.
What is the best time for a lake holiday in Trentino?
Summer, from June to September, is the peak period for swimming and water sports. Spring and autumn are splendid for walks, cycling and sailing, with fewer crowds and gentler prices. Trentino’s Garda, thanks to its mild climate, is pleasant almost all year round, while alpine lakes such as Molveno and Ledro are at their best in summer. It’s worth booking ahead in high season.
Better to stay on Garda or on the alpine lakes?
It depends on what you’re after. Trentino’s Garda, with Riva and Torbole, offers a mild climate, sailing, windsurfing and a lively town all year round; alpine lakes such as Molveno, Ledro and Tenno give more quiet, nature and Dolomite views, ideal for families and lovers of tranquillity. They are all a short distance from one another, so you can also combine them in a single trip.
