Three days in Trentino

Day 1: Trento

It would take at least a few days to visit all must-see sites in Trento but, since our itinerary only includes one day in the city, we will recommend what to see and do.

Before starting, reach Piazza Duomo and stop for a coffee overlooking the Cathedral of San Vigilio. Then, slowly stroll along the downtown streets to admire the frescoes of Renaissance palaces and do what the people of Trentino call “El giro al Sass” (the tour of the historic district).

Now, you can walk into one of the city’s museums.

If you are passionate about science and nature, then a stop at the MUSE, the innovative museum of natural sciences, designed by star architect Renzo Piano, is a must. Its strengths? Innovative design, multimedia and guided tours. If, on the other hand, you love art and history, you must visit the Buonconsiglio Castle, once the residence of prince-bishops and today the seat of important provincial museums.

These are just some of the things you can see in Trento. You can find other recommendations in our article below!

Day 2: the Dolomites

You cannot leave Trentino without visiting the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage site, at least once. Obviously, you are wondering: where are they? And how can I see them?

There is not a single answer, because the Dolomites are in various points of Trentino, from east to west. For this reason, we recommend three excursions in three different Trentino locations, about an hour and a half drive from Trento, for late spring or in summer to make sure there is no snow and ice along the walking trails.

So, pack your boots, backpack and breathable jackets in your suitcase because we will have to walk a bit, and remember to bring water and sandwiches with you because huts and refreshment points may be closed in the early spring months.

Brenta Dolomites

The first hike takes you to the discovery of the Brenta Dolomites, the only Dolomite group entirely in Trentino, located west of the city of Trento. It is a very easy hike, about forty minutes on a paved road, which is also suitable for a stroller.

Leave your car in the Patascoss car park, in the Adamello Brenta Nature Park, and walk to Malga Ritorto hut, where you can enjoy one of the most famous views of the Dolomites.

Before returning to Trento, you can take a tour of Madonna di Campiglio and, with a small detour along your way back, you can visit San Lorenzo in Banale, one of Italy’s most beautiful villages. On your way back to Trento, you can also stop on the shores of Lake Toblino, to photograph the beautiful castle that lies in the heart of the lake.

Catinaccio

The second hike we recommend takes you to the other side, in the heart of Val di Fassa. This too is an easy hike, as long as you take the cable car from Vigo di Fassa to climb up to the Ciampedìe plateau. Once you reach Ciampedìe, an hour’s walk takes you to the Gardeccia basin, where you can enjoy a spectacular view of the imposing Catinaccio wall. 

Before leaving, take a look at the cable car schedule, because it may still be closed in spring.

In this case, the alternative we propose is to start from the hamlet of Muncion, a few kilometres from the center of Pera di Fassa. At the very end of this hamlet, you will find the “strada de Gardecia”, a trail that, in about an hour and a half and traversing the woods, takes you to the Gardeccia Hut, at the foot of the Dolomites.

Pale di San Martino

There are many walks that allow you to admire this imposing Dolomite group: certainly the most famous (and most popular) is the one that leads to the Segantini hut. An easy walk, mostly on a dirt road, which is also suitable for a stroller with trekking wheels.

But we also recommend another hiking trail: a little less known, but very pleasant. It is a bit more demanding, if only for its duration, but it does not present technical challenges. And in this case too, the final destination is the famous Segantini hut, but you get there via another route, which crosses Val Venegia, in the Paneveggio Pale di San Martino Nature Park.

Day 3: Lake Garda

After exploring the mountains, on the third day of your holiday in Trentino, we recommend that you visit Lake Garda, which, from the Trentino side, looks like a long branch of lake that winds its way through the mountains.

If you want to treat yourself to a relaxing day, our advice is to stop in the towns of Riva del Garda or Torbole, and maybe stop to eat the famous carne salada, a renowned pickled meat typical of the area.

If, on the other hand, you want to walk a bit, you can choose between two very different panoramic walks.

The first is the Busatte-Tempesta trail, which is particularly popular in late spring and summer. It is a walk along a steep ridge overlooking the lake, through dense typically Mediterranean vegetation. Several iron stairways including a total of more than 400 steps, that have been built to overcome the steepest points of the ridge, make this itinerary rather spectacular.

The second walk, on the other hand, is interesting because in one go it allows admiring Lake Garda from the privileged point of view of the San Pietro Hut, and crossing the village of Canale di Tenno, one of Italy’s most beautiful villages, and stopping to admire the turquoise waters of Lake Tenno, considered one of the most beautiful lakes in Trentino.

Your three-day holiday in Trentino ends here: a small preview of everything you can discover when you come back to visit us. Because there is still so much to see... here, you will find some other interesting ideas!