With its snow-capped Dolomite peaks and emerald valleys, Trentino-Alto Adige is an alpine postcard come to life. Its slopes offer plenty of things to do, tempting hikers, mountain bikers, and lovers of the great outdoors in summer, while its winter snows attract skiers and snowboarders from across the globe to the famed Sella Ronda circuit. At the end of a day on the trails or runs, cozy mountain chalets beckon with local specialties like canederli dumplings and polenta with goulash paired with regional wines to fuel another round of open-air adventure.
The UNESCO-listed peaks of Trentino-Alto Adige are a spectacular destination all year round. The high-altitude walking and cycling trails offer a scenic respite from the heat in the summer months, while the slopes transform into a snow-covered wonderland for skiers and snowboarders in the winter. Many lifts operate in both seasons to transport visitors to trailheads and ski runs.
Trentino-Alto Adige has made moves to limit traffic and encourage visitors to use the region’s train and bus networks. However, many pockets of the provinces are still challenging to explore by public transit. Trains run to the main cities of Bolzano and Trento, and buses fan out from there to the top ski resorts, but the easiest way to get around is by car.
Famous for its panoramic hiking trails, Trentino-Alto Adige has a meticulously signposted and maintained network of paths that is easy to navigate with the trail maps available at tourist information kiosks. The area’s via ferrata trails, on the other hand, should only be taken on with an expert alpine guide. These climbing routes require special equipment and safety gear to navigate but reward your efforts with some of the region’s most unforgettable views.
Local Currency Euro (€) | Time Zone CEST (UTC +1) | Country Code +39 | Language(s) Italian | Attractions 2 | Tours 141 | Reviews 1,678 |
Considered one of the most scenic regions in Italy, Trentino-Alto Adige is famous as the home to the UNESCO-listed Dolomites mountain chain. These jagged peaks have eroded over millions of years into rocky pinnacles and sheer cliffs, creating striking alpine vistas and a wow-worthy backdrop for hiking, cycling, skiing, and snowboarding.
...MoreTrentino and Alto Adige are neighboring areas with distinct histories and cultures combined into a single region. Trentino to the south is more Italian in its language and cuisine while Alto Adige to the north is heavily influenced by Austria, with signage in German and Austrian dishes dominating the menus.
...MoreItalian is spoken in the Trentino province, while Italian and German are the official languages in Alto Adige. There are also small pockets in both provinces where Ladin is spoken, an ancient Romance language that has survived in a few limited areas of the Dolomite mountains.
...MoreThe central city and provincial capital in the southern area of Trentino is Trento, a small yet cosmopolitan center with a lively student population and architecture that spans from ancient Rome to the 21st century. Further north, Bolzano is the main city and capital of Alto Adige, known for its porticoed old town and world-class archaeological museum where Ötzi, the glacier mummy, is displayed.
...MoreA mecca for outdoor sports lovers, Trentino-Alto Adige is a destination for all seasons. From late spring through early fall, hikers and cyclists venture along the trails for day hikes, bikes, or multi-day hut-to-hut treks. With the first snowfalls of autumn, skiers and snowboarders come out in droves to tackle the world-class runs.
...MoreTrentino-Alto Adige is famous for its cuisine that blends Italian and Austrian influences, so traditional dishes lean more towards dumplings and polenta than pasta and pizza. Carne salada (similar to corned beef), sauerkraut, and apple strudel are also regional staples. The region's southern reaches are home to vineyard-covered hills where wines like Teroldego and Schiava have been produced since Roman times.
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