Levico Terme is one of those towns where the holiday flows slowly and does you good. The lake is a short walk away, there is a large historic park in the centre, and there is that sense of wellbeing in the air ever since, over a century ago, its healing waters drew travellers from across Europe. In this guide we tell you what to do in Levico Terme and what to see nearby, based only on places we know well and that are truly worth a visit. At Italy Holiday we have been welcoming guests to the Valsugana for a long time, and this is the itinerary we would recommend to a friend.
Levico Terme, between lake and wellbeing
Levico Terme is a spa town in the heart of the Valsugana valley, tucked between wooded hills and its lake. The centre is small and easy to explore on foot, with tidy streets, cafés and shops, and buildings that recall the era when the town became a renowned spa resort. Everything here revolves around two simple ideas: water and rest.
Getting there is easy. Levico Terme sits on the Valsugana railway line, which links Trento to Bassano del Grappa, and the station is a few minutes' walk from the centre and the spa park. The lake is reachable on a walk of about twenty minutes from the centre, or by local buses. The best time to enjoy the town runs from late spring to early autumn.
What to see in Levico Terme and nearby
One of the loveliest things about Levico Terme is that it sits at the heart of an area full of places to discover. In just a few minutes you can move from the lake to the historic park, from the spa to another lake, all the way to the mountain forts and to art in the woods. Here are the places we recommend.
1. Lago di Levico, a fjord in the heart of the Valsugana
A few minutes from the centre, the Lago di Levico awaits you. It has a distinctive elongated shape that recalls a fjord, and it is ringed by wooded hills. It is one of the lakes in Trentino awarded the Blue Flag: its waters are among the mildest in the area and its shores are gentle, perfect for swimming, walking and cycling with the family.
Here you will find tree-lined free beaches, equipped swimming areas and the rental of rowing and electric boats. The swimming season runs roughly from May to September. It is reachable on foot from the centre of Levico Terme in about twenty minutes, by car on the Valsugana main road or by local buses.
2. Terme di Levico, the town's healing waters
The Terme di Levico are the historic heart of the town. Their waters, of the arsenical-ferruginous type, rise from the mountains above the town and have been known for centuries for their beneficial properties. As early as the nineteenth century their fame spread beyond the Alps, drawing the Habsburg family and the travellers of the day, and from then on Levico became a point of reference for health and wellbeing.
Today the spa offers treatments, mud therapies and relaxation paths in a modern facility, set within the large historic park. It is the ideal place to devote a day to yourself, between water, greenery and calm. Hours and services change with the seasons, so check the latest information on the official website before planning your visit.
3. Parco secolare degli Asburgo, a walk through time
Around the spa lies the Parco secolare degli Asburgo, a Habsburg-era thermal garden inaugurated in 1905. Spread over about 13 hectares, it is the most important historic park in Trentino. Strolling along its avenues you meet century-old beeches, sequoias, magnolias and cedars, among hundreds of trees and dozens of different species, as well as the elegant Liberty-style Villa Paradiso.
It is a peaceful, romantic place, beautiful in every season: blossoms in spring, cool shade in summer and golden foliage in autumn. You can reach it on foot in a few minutes from the station and the centre of Levico Terme.
4. Lago di Caldonazzo, the warmest lake
A few minutes from Levico, along the same valley, lies the Lago di Caldonazzo. It is one of the warmest lakes in southern Europe, with waters reaching close to 24 degrees in summer: this makes it perfect for relaxing swims and whole days spent on the beach with the family.
Its shores are ringed by Blue Flag beaches, and the water is not just for swimming. Here you can try sailing, SUP (stand up paddle), canoeing and even water-skiing. The swimming season runs roughly from May to late September. It is reachable in a few minutes by car from Levico on the Valsugana main road, or by train.
5. Lago di Lavarone, clear water among mountain woods
If you want to climb higher and change perspective, the Lago di Lavarone is a perfect destination. It is a small mountain lake with clear waters, of karstic origin, on the Lavarone plateau at about 1,080 metres of altitude. It is surrounded by woods and has two equipped beaches and an easy path along its shores.
Here too the waters hold the Blue Flag and can be swum in during summer. Between easy walks, pedal boats and an art trail in the woods, it is an ideal destination for families. The best time runs from June to early September, when the lakeside services are open. It is reachable by car from Levico, climbing up to the plateau.
6. Forte Belvedere, the story of the Great War
For those who love history, Forte Belvedere is a stop not to be missed. It is an Austro-Hungarian fortress built between 1908 and 1912 on the Lavarone plateau, on a rocky spur that overlooked the old border. It is one of the best preserved forts in the whole area, the only one to remain intact, today turned into a museum of the First World War.
Inside, across several floors, you will find relics, images and multimedia installations that tell the harshness of the war in the mountains. It is an intense visit and suitable for families too, in a place that combines history and high-altitude views. It is reachable by car from Levico, climbing up to the Lavarone plateau; check the opening hours on the official website.
7. Arte Sella, where nature becomes art
For those who love art and out-of-the-ordinary places, Arte Sella is an experience not to be missed. It is an open-air contemporary art park, in the Val di Sella above Borgo Valsugana, where artists create sculptures using wood, rock and branches. Among the most famous works is Giuliano Mauri's Tree Cathedral, made of columns of interwoven branches that hold living trees inside.
It is a magical fusion of art and mountain nature, changing with the seasons, for a serene walk among living artworks. It is even lovelier from late spring to autumn, when the trails and gardens are at their best. It is reachable from Borgo Valsugana, climbing towards Malga Costa, by car or by train to Borgo Valsugana Centrale.
8. Alpe Cimbra, the plateau for every season
If you want to devote a day to the mountains, the Alpe Cimbra awaits you. It is a wide green plateau in south-eastern Trentino, between Folgaria, Lavarone, Luserna and Vigolana, made of alpine meadows, woods, lakes and First World War forts.
In summer it offers family-friendly hikes and many kilometres of bike trails, while in winter you can ski. It is a place that preserves the rare Cimbrian language and where you can taste the tasty Vezzena cheese. It is at its best from June to September for walking and from December to March for the snow. It is reachable by car from Levico, climbing up to the plateau.
A practical tip before you set off
Many of these places change their hours and services depending on the season, and some require booking. Before planning your day, check the latest hours on the official websites, so you avoid surprises and always arrive at the right moment.
Where to stay in Levico Terme
The best way to experience Levico Terme is to have a home of your own near the lake and the centre, to return to in the evening after a day between beach, spa and mountains. With Italy Holiday you will find carefully chosen stays in the Levico and Valsugana area, designed for families and travellers looking for comfort and calm.
Discover where to stay in Levico Terme and book your stay with Italy Holiday: your ideal base for exploring the lake, the spa and everything around them.
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