Lady’s Secret Guide to Trento, Italy

Every time I think I’ve traveled a lot in Europe, I come across a place I’ve never heard of. It’s both humbling and exciting to discover new-to-me destinations, especially when they’re as beautiful as Trento, Italy. This northern Italian city is the capital of the province of Trentino, which is known for being home to Lake Garda and the Dolomites. Now that I’m here I’m wondering how I never came across it before.

Trento, Italy

That’s mostly because Trento is stunning. I’m here to speak about Instagram at the Traverse travel blogging conference, and before I arrive I figure the city will be a small regional hub without much going for it.

But when I get here I discover it’s one of Italy’s best-kept secrets.

Getting to Trento

First off, it’s easy to travel to Trento. My flight lands at Verona airport, from where it’s a quick bus ride to the main train station.

The subsequent rail journey from Verona to Trento takes only an hour, and it’s one of the most scenic I’ve been on in Europe.

There are vineyards and mountains everywhere, and hilltop castles punctuate the scenery with medieval charm.

Hotels in Trento, Italy

When I arrive in Trento, I’m almost sad the train trip is over. But I quickly recover when I see how pretty the city is.

I check into the Grand Hotel Trento, a classic Italian hotel a few minutes’ walk from the train station. I settle in, then head out to explore the city.

Things to Do in Trento

As I do, I discover there are a lot more things to do in Trento than I imagined. From sprawling piazzas to riverside walks and historic cathedrals, this place has it all. There’s even a castle.

And the best part is that it’s small enough to see on foot. I spend a day and a half exploring, and I feel like it’s a good amount of time to see Trento and get a feel for what the city has to offer.

Sightseeing in the Trento City Center

To get my bearings, I go for a walk through the historical center. Renaissance frescoes decorate facades along Via Rodolfo Belenzani, which leads down to the main square, Piazza Duomo.

There are multilingual signs along the way detailing the history of the buildings, which enriches the experience.

Once in Piazza Duomo, I soak up my surroundings. The giant Fountain of Neptune dominates the square, and buildings like Le Case Cazuffi-Rella—Renaissance twins with frescoes climbing their fronts—add color to the scene.

But the main event is the duomo itself. The Cathedral of San Vigilio was built on the site of a 6th-century church devoted to Saint Vigilius.

It’s not only stunning inside and out, but also famous for being the site where the decrees of the Council of Trent—an important council of the Catholic Church prompted by the Protestant Reformation—were issued in the 16th century.

My favorite part of visiting the cathedral is going underground. The ruins of the early church can be seen down here, and virtual reality headsets allow me to see what it would have looked like in its heyday.

Elsewhere in Trento, there are towers, alleys, and hidden gardens to discover. I walk along the historic streets, taking in old palace facades and medieval stone walls among the shopfronts.

I duck into Parco San Marco, where sunflowers and poppies welcome me into a haven of peace. In fact, I spend hours just walking through the streets and green spaces to soak up the city’s beauty.

Castle in Trento, Italy

Speaking of beauty, the Castello del Buonconsiglio castle was once the residence of the Bishopric of Trento. Now a museum, this enormous set of buildings goes through the history of Trento from start to finish.

I spend hours taking in the exhibits, marveling at everything from Ancient Roman mosaics to Renaissance ceiling frescoes.

It’s hard to believe how big this place is or how much art there is here, let alone the pivotal role it’s played in Trento’s political, cultural, and military history.

After soaking up the lavish interiors, I spend time walking in the garden. Small but well-maintained, it’s a beautiful sun trap in the afternoon.

Cable Car in Trento, Italy

Across the city, my next stop is the cable car in Trento. The Funivia Trento-Sardagna takes me up from the banks of the Adige River to the village of Sardagna.

There are sweeping views of the city from the top, as well as a cafe that’s ripe for a Spritz in the sunshine.

Museum of Science

The last item on my list of things to do in Trento is the MUSE, or science museum. Designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano (he also designed The Shard in London), the MUSE opened in 2013 alongside the city district Le Albere.

The district was also planned by Piano and looks like an extension of the museum.

Given I love his work, I can’t wait to see the area. The museum itself is designed to look like a mountain, and I like the way it compliments its surroundings in the Dolomites.

The rest of Le Albere adds a nice contemporary contrast to Trento’s historic center.

Where to Eat in Trento, Italy

All the sightseeing in Trento has made me hungry, and thankfully there’s no shortage of places to eat in Trento. The city is full of restaurants, cafes, and gelaterias, and the prices are incredibly reasonable.

I have lasagna at Ristorante al Vo and classic pizza at Uva e Menta. I stop for a snack at Sosi Buona Pausa and eat unique violet gelato at La Gelateria on Via Rodolfo Belenzani.

I also attend an event one night at Antica Birreria Pedavena, where a labyrinth of rooms has fresh pizza and artisanal beer galore.

With all my eating and sightseeing in Trento, I still have time to give my talk at the conference (it goes well!) and catch up with the amazing travel bloggers that have come from every corner of the world.

And the best part is that it’s not over when the conference ends. I’m off to explore Trentino for four more days, so stay tuned for the next installment…

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