What to do in Arco in the summer? Arco is a very charming little town, rich in history, greenery, and outdoor activities. It owes its fame primarily to its mild climate, which made it one of the favorite destinations of the European nobility in the 19th century. Numerous architectural remnants of this past remain, such as the Casinò delle Feste, with its veranda and gardens, and the Parco Arciducale, now known as the Arboretum.
Today, however, Arco is the ideal destination for those looking for a sports-oriented vacation. There are so many options: from rock climbing (for which Arco is world-famous) to hiking and mountain biking… There’s definitely a relaxed, vacation-like atmosphere here, with special attention paid to children. The Municipality of Arco is also certified as “Family in Trentino.”
We’ve put together a few ideas for you on what to do in Arco with kids during the summer. Here they are:
Arco Castle
Arco Castle ( click for more info), perched atop a rocky outcrop overlooking the historic center, is easily accessible even for children. All it takes is a pleasant 15- to 20-minute walk through the olive grove. There are several trails that start from the town center and lead to the castle. They all offer a beautiful view of the Busa Valley and Lake Garda.
There’s also a scenic overlook where you can take in the view of the city from a glass-enclosed balcony: look for it as you wander along the sun-drenched trails! The last few meters before reaching the castle gate are the most challenging, but then you can relax on the large Lizza lawn, which is also perfect for a picnic, a snack, or an aperitif. From here, you climb a bit further and enter the castle, which consists of the ruins of several towers offering a 360-degree view of the valley below. Of particular interest is the only remaining frescoed room, featuring a cycle of frescoes depicting courtly pastimes.
Colodri Cross
To reach this incredible spot, you must first get to the little church of Laghel. The Val di Laghel, just above Arco, is a true haven of tranquility, nestled among olive groves, woods, and meadows. The Sentiero dei Lecci trail begins at the church of Santa Maria and leads, in about 30 minutes, to the Croce del Colodri and the nearby Madonnina. Up there, you’ll also find wild goats, not to mention (why even mention it?!) a spectacular view of Arco, Riva, and Lake Garda. The trail isn’t suitable for strollers and requires direct supervision of children on some of the more slippery or exposed sections.
Prabi Aqua Park
The new Prabi Aqua Park (click for info) has replaced the old Prabi pool to meet the needs of families and kids. Here you’ll find four brand-new pools: one for swimming, one for diving, one for fun, and one for the youngest children. There’s also a spray park and a giant slide that’s 8 meters high and 80 meters long. Don’t miss the climbing wall suspended over the water: climb up and then take the plunge! All around is a beautiful lawn with shaded areas and a bar-restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating. Finally, there’s deck chair rental, a playground, and spacious changing rooms.
Arboreto, the Garden of Arco
The Arco Arboretum (read our story here), also known as the Archducal Park, is a beautiful park that is home to rare and exotic plants. Among them are a large avocado tree, a California redwood, and giant agaves. You’ll also find greenhouses with citrus trees, a bamboo grove, a palm grove, a path shaded by climbing roses, and a charming little pond with dragonflies and frogs. Visitors also have access to spacious lawns where they can spread out a blanket, as well as a shaded picnic area and restrooms. Currently (2024), the park is closed for renovations.
Muro dell’Asino Climbing Wall
On the way up to the Colodri Cross, you can stop to climb at the Muro dell’Asino crag ( click to learn more), a small wall that’s also suitable for beginners, including children. It can be reached in about fifteen minutes along the SAT Trail 431. Right next to the cliff is a lovely meadow where you can stop to spend a few hours or have a picnic (there are also a couple of tables).
Laghel Farm 7
Also in Laghel, if you have children who love farm animals, don’t miss the Laghel 7 Farm. It’s a place where piglets, horses, rabbits, sheep, cows, cats, dogs, and chickens are loved as part of the family. Paola will introduce you to them, and you can even help her with the farm chores. For horse lovers, there’s also the chance to get a taste of horseback riding with the help of a certified instructor. You can even stay overnight here, and we guarantee that waking up in a place like this is priceless.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Path Along the Sarca River
Whether on foot or by bike, there are countless opportunities for nature walks in Arco and the surrounding area: you could spend entire days walking through apple orchards, olive groves, and vineyards without ever taking the same route twice. There’s no shortage of bike paths in the Basso Sarca region, but the most pleasant one to ride is the trail that runs along the Sarca River. You can explore it on foot, by bike, or even with a stroller—whether heading north toward Dro, stopping for a refreshing swim at the beaches along the river, or heading toward Lake Garda, all the way to Torbole.
Walks Through the Olive Grove
The olive grove stretches north of the entire town of Arco and is the perfect spot for a walk in nature. Sheltered by sun-drenched rock faces—though it’s best to avoid the hottest hours of the day in summer—it’s the ideal place to warm up a bit on a cold day. There are several trails winding through the grove: you can start from the hamlets of Vigne and Chiarano, or even from downtown Arco. The elevation gain is always modest; some trails are accessible with a hiking stroller, and all are easy and suitable for the whole family. We took the Olivo Trail: a lovely loop hike—all the details are HERE.
Boulder Arena
A special place where climbing brings the family together: Arena Boulder, an indoor climbing gym designed for everyone! There are 430 square meters of climbing surface, a board that can be tilted from 30° to 60° with interactive LED lights, a space for endurance circuits, and a full-fledged training area. There’s also a colorful kids’ area, designed for children up to seven years old, where they can start exploring the vertical world… through play. All the info HERE.
Pezol Lookout
A little-known scenic loop trail that offers a truly unique view of Lake Garda and the Sarca Valley. We’re talking about the roughly three-hour hike (with 650 meters of elevation gain) that leads from Massone to Belvedere Pezol. All the details HERE.
Caproni Forest and the Trenches of Vastré
Bosco Caproni is named after the aviation pioneer from Arco. This forest lies north of the village of Massone. The hike begins near the Policromuro cliff. Along the way, you’ll first come across the mysterious oolite quarries—now used for rock climbing—and then a series of World War I trenches. The trail is not suitable for strollers. Read: Caproni Forest and the Vastrè Trenches
Donkey Hike at Malga Zanga
Malga Zanga is a truly special little place… with llamas, dogs, and donkeys, the kids are sure to have a blast! In the morning, you can go on hikes with donkeys and reach the Creino trenches, passing by the CreinArte installations in the woods…
You can admire Lake Garda from above and walk back through the fragrant organic vegetable gardens of Val di Gresta. And Lojra’s cakes are a sight to behold!
Marchetti Mountain Hut at Stivo
Climbing to the summit of Mount Stivo is always a thrill. We went there in the winter (read Mount Stivo: Top View of Lake Garda), but up here, the sunset is truly exceptional in every season! The climb is a bit challenging and long (you can only go on foot), but you can also spend the night at the mountain hut (so you can catch the sunrise, too!). If you’d rather hike up for the sunset and dinner with a guide, Garda Dolomiti has you covered with its Experiences
Climbing
Climbing, of course! Arco is famous worldwide forclimbing (it’s impossible not to notice this just by looking at the store windows in the city center). There are various ways to get started in the world of climbing and via ferratas. The Colodri via ferrata (which ends just below the cross we mentioned above)—definitely worth trying with the mountain guides from MMove, who organize many other activities geared toward families and children/teens. You can also train indoors at the Arcoclimbing indoor climbing gym. Also perfect for kids is the San Martino crag, not far from Bosco Caproni.
Omkafé Coffee Museum
Did you know that Arco is home to one of the oldest coffee roasting companies? At Omkafè’s modern location, you’ll find not only a shop with a wide variety of products and accessories, but also a real coffee museum (click to read), where you can trace the history of this beverage and discover the journey and transformations the beans undergo before reaching our cups! The layout is very charming, featuring sensory activities, coffee grinders to try out, and even an entire wall dedicated to quizzes, so you can learn absolutely everything about coffee. The tour continues inside the workshop, where you can see the machinery in action, and ends, of course, with a tasting.
Agrisalus
Looking for a cozy spot for a casual, relaxing breakfast or to spend a couple of stress-free days? The Agrisalus farm and agritourism campground, nestled in the countryside of Pratosaiano, just outside Arco, is the perfect place for you. Here you can sample natural, locally sourced products, including those made on-site, such as their excellent ice cream and eggs. Kids can get up close and personal with dogs, bunnies, chickens, pigs, and cows. They also organize pet therapy sessions. We went there for breakfast, but the campground is super modern and even has an amazing pool: read Breakfast at the Farm at Agrisalus.
For more information, visit the website www.gardatrentino.it
Around Arco
As you’ve seen, there’s no shortage of things to do in Arco during the summer. Here’s something that might interest you:
- You might also be interested in “Summer in Riva del Garda: Things to Do” – find out HERE our mini-guide
- If, on the other hand, you’re looking for a different kind of family experience in Garda Trentino, check out the ones we’ve selected and tried out for you: Garda Trentino: Family Activities