What to do in Trentino Alto Adige: 10 unmissable places

Trento has Roman origins, of which it preserves evidence in its subsoil. It has a particular history, made of clashes for its dominance. The city was the focus of conflicts during the difficult years that led to the Unification of Italy and the First World War. Today, Trento is a city rich in historical testimonies and keeps breathtaking natural beauty.

Together with other buildings, the Castle of Buonconsiglio is one of the most important museums in Trentino Alto Adige. It keeps rich collections of artworks related to Trento culture and art history. 

Mount Bondone, easily accessible from Trento, is dotted with many beautiful trails surrounded by alpine nature. From here, you can admire evocative views, such as the three peaks of Cornet, Dos d'Abramo and Cima Verde. The Mount also has a rich offer of activities to do, both in winter and in summer. Ski slopes, ice-skating rinks, mountain biking and walking tours, horseback riding, paragliding, hang-gliding: there is something to suit everybody's fancy!

Included in the Adamello-BrentaPark, the Brenta Dolomites are the only Dolomite group located west of the Adige River. Here, you will find enchanted places where silence becomes music. Not surprisingly, the Brenta Dolomites are often chosen as the setting for I Suoni delle Dolomiti (The Sounds of the Dolomites), the high altitude music festival that gathers musicians performances immersed in the majestic natural landscape every summer. The echo of silence marries with the music giving a highly evocative experience. We also advise you to see the majestic Lake Tovel, where the crystal clear water reflects the magnificent smooth walls of dolomite rock, typical of the place. In addition, the lake is a popular destination for skiers, mountaineers and hikers. Finally, among the main tourist resorts in the area, we recommend visiting the delightful Madonna di Campiglio, a village where you will find an infinity of hiking trails. Among the most popular, we recommend the itinerary at low altitude towards the beautiful Vallesinella Waterfalls. Suitable for families and children, the path is immersed in the intense green of the woods of the Adamello-Brenta Nature Park.

Val di Fassa is one of the most characteristic valleys of the Dolomites. It houses numerous natural terraces from where you can admire the spectacular alpenglow, a natural phenomenon due to the chemical constitution of the Dolomites (mainly magnesium and calcium carbonate), which makes the rock walls particularly capable of reflecting the sunlight. The peaks of the Dolomites turn pink, orange and purple at every sunset and sunrise. We suggest reaching the Sass Pordoi Viewpoint (around the Pordoi Pass) to enjoy this stunning chromatic show. Here, you will find the famous 2950 meters high Terrace of the Dolomites. You will feel you can touch the sky!

The spectacular view keeps an unsettling geomorphological history related to the territory. Sass Pordoi was once the bottom of a primordial ocean. The landscape, then, changed thousands of years ago: the gigantic sea has retreated and has left the indelible marks of its passage on the rocky walls.

Moena is the largest town in Val di Fassa and is known worldwide as the Fairy of the Dolomites, a name emphasizing the charm of its landscape. Recently, Moena has become a Perla Alpina (Alpine Pearl), an association founded by alpine resorts to promote sustainable tourism. The village is very classy, and here you can do trendy shopping among the most refined shops. In winter, the snowy town transports you into an almost enchanted atmosphere. On the other hand, the village is the perfect place for long summer walks in nature, both on foot and by bike.

Val di Rabbi is one of the most majestic alpine valleys in Trentino. Partially included in the magnificent Stelvio Natural Park, the Val di Rabbi reflects exactly a mountain valley as it is in a common imagination: rich in dense forests, streams of freshwater, small villages, wooden chalets, immense green meadows. Among the activities to do here, we recommend:

• a walk through the beautiful path of Valorz, a corner of green paradise;

• visit the Venetian Sawmill, an extraordinary work of mechanical engineering that exploits the power of water to cut plants. Among the prerogatives of the Val di Rabbi, there is undoubtedly the wealth of natural water sources;

• cross the suspended Tibetan Bridge over the Ragaiolo torrent. The bridge inaugurated in 2016 is about 100 meters long and 60 meters high. Crossing it is an experience full of charm and adrenaline, both for adults and children.

Bolzano is located in the far north of Italy, on the border with Switzerland and Austria. It is rich in historical buildings, churches, monuments and the castles that dot it. Its medieval arcades are the real living room of the city where you can have a break after a long shopping walk among the most beautiful shops in the town.

The Bolzano Cathedral overlooks Piazza Walther and dominates it with its particular green and gold roof. The structure was finished in the fifteenth century, but it has much older origins. It is built on three overlapping churches, dating back to different historical periods. The exterior facade is made of red and yellow marble. Inside, the fascinating Gothic pulpit will amaze you. In addition, the cathedral houses part of the original frescoes of Giotto’s workshop.

Bressanone is located in the Isarco Valley, in the heart of South Tyrol. The town is famous for the imposing Baroque Cathedral and the characteristic medieval arcades that cross the historic centre. The surrounding landscape is rich in orchards, vineyards and chestnut groves surrounded by a spectacular natural landscape. Bressanone is a versatile municipality: here, you can choose among a wide range of cultural proposals and various outdoor activities to relax and enjoy the healthy mountain area.
A must for anyone visiting Bressanone is the Novacella Abbey, which, as well as being a place with great historical charm, is the ideal place to taste a good grappa and excellent wine. 

The majestic Resia Lake is located in Val Venosta, near the Resia Pass, located in the western part of South Tyrol. Its emblem, now a major tourist attraction, is the bell tower that rises in the middle of the lake. The Resia Pass was first composed of three natural lakes. The large dam created around the end of the 1940s joined two of them and submerged the small village of Curon Venosta, leaving the bell tower rising from the water. According to the legend, you can still hear the bells ringing from the bottom of the lake on some days. However, in addition to this picturesque attraction, the lake also offers the opportunity to practice sports along its shore, including running, nordic walking and bike ride. Also, you can practise water sports, including kitesurfing and sailing sleigh in the winter months.