What to do in Trento in every season, even in the rain

Golden Suites Italy editorial team · Updated on 22 October 2026 · 5 min read

Trento is a small city that offers a great deal: one of the largest castles in the Alps, a science museum that appeals to every age, a Roman city beneath the squares and, just outside, mountains and lakes. Here we have gathered the ideas we give our guests every day, sorted by type and by season.

In the historic centre

• Piazza Duomo and the Cathedral of San Vigilio: the starting point of every visit, with the Neptune fountain and the frescoed façades. Our one-day walking itinerary starts here.
• Buonconsiglio Castle: the residence of the prince-bishops, with the Cycle of the Months in the Torre Aquila (Eagle Tower).
• The Torre Civica: 156 steps to the finest view over the square, on a guided visit only, which must be booked.
• Underground Tridentum: the Roman city beneath Piazza Cesare Battisti, with streets, walls and mosaics. Everything is in our guide to underground Trento.
• The streets of the palaces: via Belenzani, via Manci and via Oss Mazzurana, for looking up at the painted façades.

Museums and exhibitions

The MUSE, the science museum designed by Renzo Piano, tells the story of mountains, glaciers and evolution over several floors and is perfect with children too. The Gallerie di Piedicastello, two former road tunnels turned into an exhibition space, are free and host exhibitions on the history of Trentino. To help you choose at your leisure we have prepared a guide to the museums of Trento, with times and tickets.

We give our guests the Trentino Guest Card: it includes public transport and gives free or reduced entry to museums, for example a 30% discount at Buonconsiglio Castle.

Nature just steps from the centre

• The cable car to Sardagna: in a few minutes you rise above the city to the viewpoint. See the guide to the Trento–Sardagna cable car.
• The Doss Trento: the hill on the right bank of the Adige, with the Cesare Battisti Mausoleum and the view over the valley.
• Gocciadoro park: the green lung of the city, with woodland paths and areas for children.
• Monte Bondone: Trento's own mountain, less than half an hour by car, with meadows, trails and, in winter, ski pistes. Read the guide to Monte Bondone.

If you love walking, you will find all the routes, from the easiest to the climbs up to the mountain huts, in our guide to walks and hikes from Trento.

Lakes half an hour away

In summer Lake Caldonazzo and Lake Levico have warm water, beaches and water sports; Lake Toblino, with its castle, is perfect for a stroll; Molveno and Lake Garda can be reached in under an hour. Distances, beaches and how to get there without a car are in our guide to the lakes near Trento.

By bike

The Adige Valley cycle path starts from the city, almost entirely flat and away from traffic: heading south you reach Rovereto and, a little further on, Lake Garda; heading north, Bolzano. Routes, distances and rentals are in the guide Trento by bike.

Wine and flavours

Trento is the home of Trentodoc, the traditional-method sparkling wine made in Trentino: several wineries, some right at the edge of the city, organise visits and tastings by reservation. At the table you can try canederli (bread dumplings), strangolapreti, carne salada and tortel di patate: we describe them in traditional Trentino dishes, and in where to eat in Trento you will find the restaurants we recommend.

When it rains

A rainy day in Trento is easily filled: the MUSE in the morning, underground Trento and the Diocesan Museum in the afternoon, or Buonconsiglio Castle, where you move from one room to the next under cover. The Gallerie di Piedicastello are free and dry by definition.

In the evening

The centre is liveliest around Piazza Duomo, via Belenzani and the nearby little squares, with wine bars and places for an aperitivo. For culture, the Teatro Sociale and the Auditorium Santa Chiara run seasons of drama, concerts and dance.

Season by season

• Spring: the Trento Film Festival, devoted to mountain cinema (late April and early May), and the Festival dell'Economia (late May).
• Summer: lakes, mountain huts, evenings under the stars on Monte Bondone and the Feste Vigiliane in honour of the patron saint.
• Autumn: the Festival dello Sport, the colours of the woods and the grape-harvest season.
• Winter: the Christmas market and skiing on Monte Bondone, half an hour from the centre.

Dates and tips for each event are in the guide to events in Trento. If you are travelling with little ones, read Trento with children as well.