No matter the season, Trento offers a wide variety of ways to have fun and enjoy its beauty. Here are a few ideas, based on our experience, for spending 24 hours (or more) without getting bored:
“A TRIP TO SASS”
If you’re not from Trento—or at least from the Trentino region—this expression might sound strange to you, but it’s the local dialect version of the more well-known “fare una vasca” or the Spanish “dar vuelta,” meaning to take a stroll through the city’s historic center.
Starting hypothetically from Via Roma and continuing along Via Oss Mazzurana, you’ll arrive at Piazza Battisti and then proceed along Via del Simonino and Via Oriola until you reach Piazza Pasi. When you look up, you can’t help but be amazed by the beauty that sets Trento apart. The tour naturally continues to the marvelous Piazza Duomo, with a skyline that rivals that of any other city: the Duomo, the Civic Tower, the Fountain of Neptune, and the numerous frescoed buildings surrounding the square. The route continues along the extremely elegant Via Belenzani, with its splendid palaces and the Civic Gallery, which offers interesting exhibitions as well as activities for families.
MUSE – SCIENCE MUSEUM
For those who love science, research, and innovation, a visit to MUSE is a must. This modern building, designed by Renzo Piano, is located next to the historic Palazzo delle Albere. Both are set within a green setting that doubles as an exhibition and educational space, featuring installations and a botanical garden. It’s the perfect place to spend a few hours stimulating all your senses.
Inside, there are countless attractions: fromthe fun“science gym” to the tropical greenhouse to the Maxi Ooh for the little ones. Everything is spread out over six floors, centered around the heart of the museum, the Big Void—a full-height space where the animals that inhabit the mountain are suspended. There are also plenty of activities organized throughout the year. Don’t miss the terrace on the top floor.
HERE is one of our many reviews.
BUONCONSIGLIO CASTLE
Another must-see for anyone who wants to learn about a fundamental part of Trento’s history is undoubtedly this elegant and majestic castle in the heart of the city. The Cycle of the Months, one of the most fascinating series of paintings from the late Middle Ages, is located in one of its towers and is a sight to behold for people of all ages. We tell you all about it HERE. Lose yourself among the many rooms, each with its own unique style and architecture. The loggia, from which you can admire the city, is also stunning. In addition, there are many activities organized for families… you can find the latest updates HERE. 
SASS UNDERGROUND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE
A place you wouldn’t expect to find in the heart of Trento—and one that children will love, too. You descend underground from the central Piazza Battisti, behind the Teatro Sociale. Here, the archaeological trail winds through more than 1,700 square meters of the ancient city’s ruins. You can see sections of the city wall of ancient Tridentum, the remains of a tower, a street with its original paving and the sewer system that ran parallel to it, as well as some original Roman-era floor tiles. The S.A.S.S. preserves over two thousand years of history and can also be explored with the special“Archeofamily”guide, which invites children to discover secrets and mysteries through simple clues. You can also continue your visit to the Roman Villa of Orfeo on Via Rosmini. To learn more, click HERE
CAPRONI AVIATION MUSEUM
The Aviation Museum, located at Mattarello Airport, showcases the world’s first aviation collection, established in the 1920s, as well as the stories of pilots and aviation pioneers. The narrative continues through artifacts and key figures from the industrial restructuring that took place immediately after the war, marking the birth of passenger air travel in Italy. There’s a lovely area for children where they can draw, color, and climb aboard a small airplane. Find all the information about the Caproni Aviation Museum.
TORRE DI PIAZZA
The guided tour of the Torre di Piazza, in Piazza Duomo, is very interesting; from there, you can admire the entire city. It’s a wonderful experience for children (minimum height 120 cm): as you climb the tower, you can listen to the guide recount its history, the fire, and its subsequent restoration.
GATIZOLE CAT CAFÉ – TRENTO
In the center of Trento, on Via Travai, there’s a truly special café: the hosts are four beautiful cats. It’s a small but cozy spot with a truly remarkable selection of teas. It’s worth stopping by to spend a pleasant hour relaxing. Admission is by appointment only. All the information is HERE.
SARDINIA CABLE CAR and PANORAMIC TERRACE
For a different view of Trento, we recommend taking the cable car that departs from the Lungadige near the San Lorenzo Bridge. For the price of a bus ride (you can actually board with a regular bus ticket), you’ll reach Sardagna in just a few minutes . Please note: Starting January 15, 2024, and for about three months, the cable car will be closed for maintenance. From there , head to the “La Busa dei Orsi” overlook , a steel-step structure that also serves as a small open-air theater with 80 seats for shows and concerts. It’s a true “cage” suspended in mid-air—well worth a visit and definitely worth a selfie with the view.
To enjoy high-quality local dishes, you can stop by either Trento Alta or—just a ten-minute walk away—Osteria S. Rocco, which we tried out for you and were very pleased with (read HERE).
MELTA PARK
This large park covers an area of about 110,000 square meters. Here you’ll find a small pond with ducks, plenty of meadows and hills, playgrounds for all ages, and, above all, plenty of space—even just to relax on a blanket. It’s especially beautiful in the spring, when the blooming flowers, with their riot of colors, and the first warm days invite you to spend your days outdoors. It’s located in northern Trento and is easily accessible by public transportation or by bike, as it’s connected to the bike path (3 km from downtown). We’ve written about it HERE
Trento also has attractions that we can consider “city attractions” even though they aren’t exactly in the historic center, since they’re just a few kilometers away and, most importantly, accessible by public transportation. So here are our recommendations:
THE DOSS TRENTO
It’s the hill located next to the Adige River. A trip up here is a great excuse to see the city from above, but also to take a walk in nature and discover a piece of Trento’s history. What looks from below like a classically inspired temple is actually a monument dedicated to Cesare Battisti. There are also several other historical artifacts, dating mainly from the war. To reach the top, we recommend taking the paved road accessible from the square on Via Brescia in the Piedicastello neighborhood. All the information is HERE.
MANAZZON SWIMMING POOL AND BEACH
A large swimming center open year-round with two indoor pools: a large pool and a teaching pool. In the summer (June through September), the outdoor pool area features several pools, including one with waves, one with long slides, one for swimming, and a kids’ area with a fun spray park and child-sized pools. Find all the information HERE.
GARDOLO SWIMMING POOL AND SUMMER BEACH
Aquatic center open year-round with indoor and outdoor pools. During the summer (June through September), the pool area features three pools: a shallow one with a whirlpool area, a deeper pool with a whirlpool and slides, and a swimming pool. All the info HERE.
MONTE BONDONE
This is the “city’s” mountain—that is, the peak most easily accessible by car or public transportation, allowing everyone to enjoy a nice walk (or a day of skiing in the winter). There are several ski schools and instructors available to help you learn: from the Monte Bondone Italian Ski and Snowboard School to the Cristallo Ski and Snowboard Instructors, who often organize activities even in the summer.
At Viote del Bondone, you’ll also find the Terrazza delle Stelle , which—especially in the summer—hosts many events focused on exploring the cosmos, organized by the MUSE. Also maintained by MUSE’s botanists on Bondone is the Alpine Botanical Garden , which, along with the nearby playground, offers a wonderful opportunity to enjoy some leisure time surrounded by nature.
THE CITY FOREST
For a lovely walk in nature without having to venture too far from the city, we recommend heading to Dosso di San Rocco, above Villazzano Tre—you can even get there by public transportation. Here you’ll find the so-called“city forest,” a beautiful, lush park where you can enjoy a lovely loop trail through woods, meadows, and fragrant flowers.
PONTE ALTO GORGE
An incredible gorge carved into the rock by the rushing waters of the Fersina Stream, just a few minutes from downtown Trento. A place that offers a truly thrilling experience, both for its natural beauty and for the history of its hydraulic engineering structures, some of which date back over 500 years. Following stairways and walkways, you’ll find yourself “stepping inside” a waterfall to admire it from within. HERE is our story.
WHERE TO EAT IN TRENTO
If you’re looking for a place in Trento where you can enjoy excellent pizzas or burgers in a cozy, family-friendly atmosphere, Passù is undoubtedly the place for you. It’s located in the heart of the historic center, behind the walls of Piazza Fiera. It offers truly remarkable dishes, with special attention paid to food intolerances and vegan options: carefully selected ingredients, fermented vegetables, and many other homemade preparations form the basis of the menu.
On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays in March and October, take advantage of our family special: a Margherita pizza or a hamburger for 1 euro for children under ten. Read our story HERE.
WHERE TO STAY IN TRENTO
If you’re looking for a youthful, dynamic, and affordable place to stay in the city, why not consider a hostel?The hostel in Trento offers family rooms and all the little conveniences you need when traveling with children. It’s very convenient for those traveling by train, but also for cyclists, and it’s just a stone’s throw from Trento’s main square. All the info: Trento Hostel: convenient, affordable, and family-friendly!
WALKS AROUND THE CITY
There are several walks you can take in the area around the city; you just need to go a few kilometers. Here are a few:
- The Sorasass Loop, along the military road to see the city from above, passing through World War I gun emplacements and trenches. The loop trail, with a 300-meter elevation gain over about 7 km, starts in Cadine, just a few kilometers from Trento and also accessible by public transportation;
- On the trenches (and the hundred steps) of Monte Celva: a trail that takes about an hour to complete, perfect for kids who want to feel like little explorers;
- On Trento’s third “peak”: at Doss di S. Agata: a short scenic walk up one of the hills (“denti”) overlooking the city, leading to an ancient, abandoned little church;
- Parolet Trail: an ideal route for those looking for a beautiful hike surrounded by nature. The hike starts in Viote in Bondone (a 45-minute drive from Trento), where you’ll pass the barracks and head up the military road until you enter the woods and reach the panoramic overlook behind the Palon
If you’re looking for a hotel or more information, you can visit the website of the APT of Trento, Valle dei Laghi, and Monte Bondone, HERE.