How to Plan the Perfect Day Trip to Trento, Italy

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All you need to plan a dreamy day trip to Trento, Italy. Find out the best things to do, where to eat, when to visit, and some added tips to extend your stay.

Trento is a small city in Northern Italy that many outside of the country haven't heard of. For those searching for a day trip destination that's off the beaten path, I highly recommend Trento.

As the capital of the Trentino region, Trento has more going on than I think most people give itself credit for. It's nestled in the foothills of the mountains, surrounded by rolling green hills. It's a short drive from the northern part of Lake Garda, undoubtedly the most beautiful part of the lake, and a direct train ride from both Bolzano and Verona.

We added in a Trento day trip as a last minute decision when traveling from Verona to Bolzano. Although we didn't do much forward planning, I'm so glad we decided to stop by and spend a few hours here. It even gave what Raf claims was the best meal of his life. Don't worry, more on that restaurant later.

Now that I hopefully have your attention, let's dive into how you can plan and enjoy the perfect day trip to Trento, Italy.

Short on time? Here's the quick guide:

Trento is a small city in Northern Italy surrounded by mountains, wine valleys, beautiful lakes, and nearby ski slopes.

How to Get Here

Arrive at Trento train station directly from Verona, 1 hour away, or Bolzano, 30 minutes away.

Can't Miss Thing to Do

If you're short on time, my biggest recommendation is to walk around the historic old town. This part of Trento is within walking distance from the train station so it's convenient (and enjoyable) even for someone with just an hour or 2 in town.

Where to Eat

One of the best meals I've had since moving to Italy (bold statement, I know) was at L'e' Bon in the city center. I highly recommend you give it a try.

Want more time?

Book an overnight stay at Scrigno del Duomo if you want to have more time at this lovely town.

How to Get to Trento

Since Trento is on a main train line, getting to Trento is relatively straightforward. Whether you're coming from Verona in the south or Bolzano in the north, you can reach the city directly.

By Train

The train ride from Verona takes just around 1 hour and from Bolzano the journey is close to 30 minutes. The Trento train station is located right in the city center so from the moment you arrive, you'll easily be able to walk around and explore. Either way you come from, try and get a window seat. The passing landscape is stunning!

If you're coming from abroad, you can also arrive from trains coming from Innsbruck - you'll just need to make sure they make the stop. You can plan your train trip and book your tickets on the app Trainline.

By Bus

There isn't an airport in Trento, so you'll have to fly into a bigger city, like Verona, and travel from there. You can also take advantage of Flixbus or local bus routes if arriving from a smaller city or town.

Other Ways

Of course, you can always drive yourself to Trento. You can rent a car and give yourself the freedom to combine your Trento day trip with a stop at Lake Garda or to enjoy harder to reach places in the mountains.

Uniquely enough, Trento is also part of the Adige Cycle Path that starts in Landeck, Austria, passing through the city all the way to Verona. So, if you're up for a challenge, you can even bike to Trento, although that will of course leave you with less time to explore on your day trip.

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3 Best Things to Do in Trento

During your day trip to Trento, the best thing you can do is walk around the city center. But, if you're not much for strolling through ancient alleyways and eyeing impressive architecture, there are some nearby outdoor activities you can enjoy instead.

These are my top recommendations with limited time:

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1. Wander Around Old Town

I adore the historic old town of Trento. The Trentino region was once part of the Austro-Hungarian empire and unlike South Tyrol that have clung to their Austrian roots, Trentino has lessened the reins a bit and feels more like Italy than Bolzano does.

That said, the architecture here is uniquely its own. The buildings aren't what I expected compared to nearby Verona or Bolzano or compared to where I live, Trieste, another former city in the Austro-Hungarian empire.

Many of the buildings have frescoes painted out front meaning you don't need to enter any museums to get your fill of incredible artwork and historic buildings. The charming town starts just south of the park and Piazza Dante and covers a few blocks in all directions.

A few of my favorite streets and piazzas we saw in Trento are:

Via Roma: Via Roma is one of the wider streets in old town but no less charming. I recommend you spend some time here since it's well within walking distance from the train station and a good starting point to your self-guided walking tour.
Piazza Cesare Battisti: This piazza doesn't have much to see on a normal day but in the winter is home to one of the Christmas markets. Even in other seasons, events come and go here so I'd swing by to see if anything interesting is happening on the day you visit.
Municipio Vecchio (Old Municipal Building): Take a look at the rich history of Trento at this historic building. Along this same street are other buildings with traditional frescoes for you to admire.
Piazza Duomo: All Italian cities have a main piazza surrounding the city's largest cathedral, or duomo. Trento is no exception. Take some time here to admire the buildings, cathedral, the medieval clock tower, and do some people watching from the fountain.
MUSE Science Museum: If you do want to see a museum while in Trento, this is the most recommended. The museum covers science, natural history, and technology.

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2. Take the Cable Car to Sardagna

Sardagna is a small town that sits on a hill overlooking Trento. From just outside of the train station, you can take the cable car up the hill to Sardagna. The ride itself will offer impressive views of the Adige River and the surrounding mountains.

If you have the time or energy, you can also walk or bike to Sardagna instead. I recommend you make a slight detour at the Doss Trento Natural Park if you make your own way up.

The town itself is small but offers a variety of restaurants, shops, cafes, and even vineyards if you'd like to do a wine tasting.

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3. Go Skiing or Snowboarding

In the winter and early spring, Trento is a haven for winter sports. While not quite as impressive as the nearby Dolomites, Trento has its fair share of mountains and slopes a short distance from the city center.

With a car, you'll have more flexibility and will get to the slopes faster but it's also possible to get to most of them via public transport.

The closest slopes near Trento worth checking out for a day spent in the snow are:

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Where to Eat in Trento

I would have taken a better picture had known how delish this would all be

Alright, I know that there are plenty of restaurants to choose from in Trento but instead of giving you a long list of places I've never actually tried, I instead want to highlight the one we did try and absolutely fell in love with.

Raf and I both ordered different plates and both fell in love but Raf's left him speechless (a real rarity).

This restaurant specializes in pasta and changes their menu often to accommodate seasonality and what they have fresh. I highly recommend you ask your waiter what they recommend because the small staff working here were obviously passionate about the food they served.

I went with a truffle tortelloni and Raf opted for a lemon tomato pasta. A trick in Italy is that usually the most simple pastas are the ones you'll dream about later.

Indulge for lunch or dinner at L'e' Bon for what I hope will be one of your best meals, too. We were able to walk in and get a table for 2 near the end of lunch service but I wouldn't risk it and would instead recommend you call or stop by earlier in the day for a reservation.

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Best Time to Visit

Like all of Northern Italy, Trento has four real seasons. This means that the time in which you plan your visit will greatly impact what you can and can't do while here.

Although surrounded by mountains, Trento does sit in a valley so is a bit warmer than the temperatures you'll face on the peaks but it's best to come prepared. If you want to ski or snowboard, December thru March should be good but January and February are typically prime time. Every winter, Trento also hosts Christmas markets in both Piazza Fiera and Piazza Cesare Battisti.

If you hope to do some hiking, know that winter and spring will be nearly impossible, with the exception of the walking and biking path along the Adige River or maybe up to Sardagna because of snow and/or snow melt.

Summer is a great time to visit Trento but does bring with it humid weather and more crowds than usual as it's the most popular time for people to travel within Italy and from abroad.

To me, the best time to visit Trento is either in the early fall when the weather is cool and prime for walking around and going on a hike or in the winter when you can hit the slopes but of course, based on your plans, you might have another idea.

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Want to Extend Your Stay?

I'd go back to Trento in a heartbeat and stay longer to fully enjoy the surrounding area. So, if you want to plan a longer trip to Trento to begin with, here are some additional ideas.

Where to Stay in Trento

Budget Option: Scrigno del Duomo: Enjoy incredible views of the Piazza Duomo from the apartment so you can soak up the sights day and night.
Mid-Tier Option: Be Place Adult Friendly Hotel: This adults-only hotel is ideal for those that want a scenic escape. If you stay here, I recommend booking the room with the private spa.
Luxury Option: Cinquanta4 Charme Apartment: Traveling with a bigger group? This modern apartment is suitable for up to 4 adults.

Day Trips from Trento

If you do decide to stay longer in Trento, embark upon a day trip or two using this city as your base. Enjoy Italian cities, stunning nature, and the biggest lake in Italy:

Lake Garda: I've visited Lake Garda from north to south and can say without a doubt, the north is the far more beautiful area. From Trento, I recommend visiting either Riva del Garda, Torbole, or Malcesine.
Bolzano: The capital of South Tyrol sits just 30 minutes north of Trento by train. This is a uniquely beautiful city that I highly recommend you visit to see the Austrian influence still obvious today.
Verona: Verona is my favorite of the most popular places to visit in Italy. It's romantic, teeming with local shops, and a great place to wander around and enjoy delicious food. Just like Trento is one of the best day trips from Verona, Verona is on this list, too.

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You'll Love Your Day Trip to Trento

Trento lies right in between two of Italy's most beautiful cities, Verona and Bolzano, making it an ideal day trip destination from either direction. With a historic center oozing with old world charm and architecture, one of the best meals I've ever had, and plenty of outdoor adventures in the surrounding mountains, you can see why I love this small city.

While this is just scratching the surface of what Trento and the entire region have to offer, I'm sure you'll be thankful you took a day trip to Trento.

Save it for later!