I’ll forgive you if you’ve never heard of Trento in Italy because nor had I before I visited. While most visitors to Italy aim for Rome, Florence and Venice the city of Trento is definitely off the tourist trail.

Discovering Trento in Italy

Trento is the capital of Trentino, an unusual region of Italy because it is actually made up of two self-governing provinces and is known as Trentino-Alto Adige. Since the eighth century, it has been part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and only became part of Italy around a century ago.

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The town of Trento, with a population 55,000 is beautifully situated in a wide glacial valley with a backdrop of awe-inspiring peaks, as the Dolomites surround the area on all sides. Off the beaten path of mass tourism, Trento is definitely worth a visit, with unique architecture, European inspired food and stunning scenery.

The landscape has an obvious effect on the rest of the country as its lush hillsides and valleys supplies high-quality grapes for the production of fine wines, and farmer’s markets are filled with an array of fruits and vegetables, cheeses and specialty meats.

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Don’t think for a second that this beautiful location is just for those after a relaxing break, if you’re on the lookout for adventure and keeping active then this is also the area for you. Hiking, mountain climbing, abseiling, mountain biking and skiing can all be discovered and enjoyed.

Discovering Trento in Italy

Getting to Trento

It’s actually very easy to travel to Trento. Take a flight to Verona airport, followed by a quick bus ride to the main train station, lastly the train journey from Verona to Trento takes a little over an hour, but with vineyards, mountains and medieval castles it’s also one of the most scenic ones you’re likely to go on (even if it was raining when I travelled.) 

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Arriving and Discovering Trento

Just a matter of minutes from Trento Station is the Grand Hotel Trento where I stayed, a classic Italian hotel it is perfectly located so once I had checked in, unpacked my suitcase and enjoyed a much-needed cup of coffee (while I waited for the rain to stop) I headed out to explore the city.

What I soon discovered is that Trento is small enough to explore on foot, with sprawling piazzas, pretty parks, historic cathedrals, and even a castle. Walking around you will quickly get the feel of what the city has to offer.

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Piazza Duomo is the heart of the city, with a giant fountain featuring Neptune dominating the square, the magnificent Cathedral of San Vigilio and twin towers either side, this is the bustling epicentre of Trento, with restaurants and cafes perfect for a delicious brunch, a mid-afternoon drink or simply a spot of people watching. 

What makes Trento a joy are the historic streets waiting to be explored, narrow streets with tables and chairs from tiny restaurants, hidden gardens waiting to be discovered, tiny alleyways and mesmerising buildings painted with frescoes, and wonderfully characterful stone walls and painted door and shutters.

I was actually in Trento for a conference but even with a weekend full of talks, networking and socialising with bloggers from all across the world there should always be time made to explore the local area.

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The Castle 

Castello del Buonconsiglio was once the residence of the Bishopric of Trento. Now it is a museum, and provides visitors with a thorough account of the history of Trento.

The interiors are lavish and impressive, the surrounding gardens are beautifully maintained and allow for quiet appreciation, but as you make your way up the levels you will find the most stunning views of the city and the neighbouring rooftops.

The Cable Car

Close to the train station, just along the banks of the Adige River is the entrance to the Funiva Trento-Sardagna – the cable car that takes you up to the village of Sardagna where you will be rewarded with the most incredible views of the city and the distant mountains.

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Sightseeing can be tiring and hunger-inducing, but there’s no need to worry, Trento is in no way short of places to eat and drink. Restaurants, cafes, bars and gelaterias are available on almost every street and the prices are surprisingly reasonable.

Of course, no trip to Italy is complete without discussing the food and despite it’s lack of touristic clout Trento does not fail to impress.

Considering its relatively small size it has a surprisingly large amount of restaurants, most offer typical hearty Italian cuisine but as I said earlier it also takes influence from neighbouring countries and the food is a good example.

Where to Eat and Drink in Trento

Pizzeria Ristorante Duomo

Service with a smile and an excellent menu. Even if you don’t want to order pizza you’ll definitely find something to tempt your tastebuds.

Recommended: Pizza Capricciosa (tomato, mozzarella cheese, Italian baked ham, mushroom, and artichoke)

Locanda Le Due Travi

Local Trento cuisine is offered alongside Mediterranean tapas dishes. Homely and delicious options are on the menu which changes regularly allowing the chefs to use the seasonal ingredients available in the area.

Recommended: Tortel de Patate with Carne Salada (potato pancake with raw cured beef) followed by Risotto with apples and Casolét cheese. 

Cherry

I’m almost positive that it’s illegal to visit Italy and not have at least one gelato (a day.)

In Trento the some of the best can be found at Cherry. 

However, as I said at the beginning of this post, Trentino is about exploring, but you don’t have to be whizzing up and down mountains to enjoy this area of Italy. After a busy conference weekend I decided to spend a relaxing few days in another area of Trentino so after leaving the beautiful city of Trento I headed to the gorgeous town of Riva del Garda, just a bus ride away and the Northern-most tip of Lake Garda. 

Check out my slow travel guide to Riva del Garda next week.

Remember, before heading to Italy it is always important to make sure you have sufficient Travel Insurance – single trip and annual multi trip cover is available from Unite Travel Insurance

Have you visited Trento or other parts of Italy?

Let me know in the comments.