Golden Suites ItalyBest lakes near Trento: where to swim and how to get there
At a glance
- For swimming: Caldonazzo and Levico, with warm water and beaches
- For a stroll: Toblino, with its castle on the water
- Distances: from 20 minutes for Toblino and Caldonazzo to 50 for Molveno
- Without a car: Valsugana train for Caldonazzo and Levico, bus for Toblino and Molveno
Trentino has almost three hundred lakes, and some of the most beautiful are half an hour from Trento. If you are looking for a lake to swim in, the most convenient are Caldonazzo and Levico, in the Valsugana; for a stroll there is Toblino, with its castle on the water; for a longer day out, Molveno and Lake Garda.
Lake Caldonazzo
It is the largest of the lakes lying entirely within Trentino, about 20 kilometres from the centre. It has warm water in summer, lidos with facilities, public beaches and sport for everyone: sailing, canoeing, windsurfing and pedalos.
On the Pergine lakefront you will find Ristorante Al Faro, a Golden Suites partner: it has a private beach with parasols and cabanas, and what you spend on the beach becomes credit to use at the restaurant, where our guests get a 10% discount. For boat rental, at Caldonazzo our guests get a 10% discount at the Centro Nautico Alle Barche.
Without a car: the Valsugana train from Trento stops at San Cristoforo al Lago and at Caldonazzo, close to the beaches.
Lake Levico
A little further east, Lake Levico is long and narrow, enclosed by mountains like a small fjord. It has well-kept beaches, a quieter atmosphere and the spa town of Levico a short walk away. Here too the Valsugana train is convenient: the station is Levico Terme.
Lake Toblino
About 20 minutes by car in the direction of Lake Garda, in the Valle dei Laghi, Lake Toblino is one of the most photographed landscapes in Trentino: a castle on a peninsula, reed beds and an already mild climate, with olive trees that give a foretaste of Lake Garda. It is perfect for a walk along the shore and a stop for lunch. It is served by the buses that run from Trento towards Riva del Garda.
Piné plateau
About twenty kilometres from Trento, on the Piné plateau, are Lake Serraia and Lake Piazze, among woods and meadows, with trails within everyone's reach. In winter the plateau is famous for ice skating.
Lake Molveno
At the foot of the Brenta Dolomites, about 50 minutes from Trento, Lake Molveno has emerald-green water, a long beach with facilities and trails for every level. It is considered one of the most beautiful lakes in Italy. In summer it is linked to Trento by frequent buses; you will find everything in our guide to Molveno and the Paganella and, if you want to sleep by the lake, in the home Molveno Golden Suites.
Lake Garda
Riva del Garda and Torbole are about 45 minutes from Trento, by car or bus. It is the right destination for a full day among villages, lakefronts and wind sports: ideas are in the guide Lake Garda: what to do in every season. By bike you get there along the Adige cycle path and the Adige–Garda cycle path: see Trento by bike.
Which lake to choose
- For swimming with children: Caldonazzo or Levico, easy to reach by train too.
- For a relaxed half day: Toblino, with a walk and lunch.
- For a day of mountains and lake: Molveno.
- For sport and villages: Lake Garda.
Frequently asked questions
What is the nearest lake to Trento for swimming?
Lake Caldonazzo, about 20 km away, with lidos and beaches. Lake Levico is a little further. Both can also be reached by the Valsugana train.
Which lakes near Trento can you reach without a car?
Caldonazzo and Levico by the Valsugana train; Toblino and Lake Garda by the buses towards Riva; Molveno by bus, more frequent in summer.
How far is Molveno from Trento?
About 50 minutes by car. In summer there are frequent buses from Trento.
Where to swim near Trento with children?
At Lake Caldonazzo and Lake Levico, which have warm water in summer, beaches and pedalo and canoe rental.
Sources and further reading
Information checked against the official websites on 22 October 2026:
