Trento is one of those cities you discover on foot, with your eyes turned upwards. It is an elegant, compact Alpine capital, where a thousand years of Roman, medieval and Renaissance history all sit inside a centre you can cross in a few minutes, with the mountains always in the background. In this guide we tell you what to see in the city and where to stay, based only on places we know and that are truly worth a visit. We at Italy Holiday have been welcoming guests in this area for a long time, and this is the itinerary we would suggest to a friend for a weekend of history, culture and good food.

What to see in Trento

Trento is wonderful to explore on foot. Within a few minutes you go from the main square to a castle, from a science museum to a Roman city hidden underground. Here are the places we suggest, in order of distance from the heart of the city.

1. Historic centre and Piazza del Duomo

The heart of Trento is Piazza del Duomo, one of the loveliest squares in Italy. Facing it are the Cattedrale di San Vigilio, the frescoed Cazuffi-Rella houses with their painted facades and the elegant Fontana del Nettuno, an 18th-century Baroque work at the centre of the square. All around opens a compact old town of Renaissance palaces, cobbled streets and views of the Dolomites.

It is the first thing to experience as soon as you arrive: leave the car and walk. The square is a few steps from the train station and is the natural starting point for everything else in the city.

2. Cattedrale di San Vigilio

The Cattedrale di San Vigilio is the Romanesque church that dominates the square. The current building was begun in 1212, over an older early Christian basilica linked to the tomb of the city's patron, Saint Vigilius. Inside you find three naves, a Wheel of Fortune rose window, medieval frescoes and an evocative underground basilica.

It is a place full of history: this is where the Council of Trent was held, the event that in the 16th century carried the city's name across Europe. It stands right on the main square, so it is a natural stop just after you reach the centre.

3. Torre Civica

On the same Piazza del Duomo rises the Torre Civica, an old medieval tower about 45 metres high. For centuries it marked the rhythm of city life with its bells, and it also had a past as a prison. Climbing the inner staircase you reach a panoramic view over the rooftops of the centre, the cathedral and the fountain below.

The climb is done with a guided tour and gives the best view over the square. Check the updated opening times and visiting arrangements before you go, as openings vary with the season.

4. Tridentum, the underground Roman city

Beneath Piazza Cesare Battisti hides Tridentum, the Underground Archaeological Space of the Sas. It is an area of about 1,700 square metres that preserves a whole quarter of Roman Trento: paved streets, mosaic floors, a glassmaker's shop, a well and the drainage systems.

It is a journey back in time just a few steps below the surface, made even more vivid by 3D and virtual-reality reconstructions. It sits right in the centre, a very short distance from Piazza del Duomo.

5. Palazzo Roccabruna and the flavours of Trentino

To discover the gastronomic side of the city, Palazzo Roccabruna is the right stop. It is a 16th-century Renaissance palace, with a noble floor frescoed in the era of the Council of Trent, which today hosts the provincial wine library of Trentino and a historic collection of more than 600 labels.

Here you can get to know the wines of the region, from Trentodoc to Teroldego, often paired with local cured meats and cheeses. It is right in the old town, perfect for a break between one visit and the next. Check the updated opening days and times, as the tastings follow a set calendar.

6. Museo Castello del Buonconsiglio

The Castello del Buonconsiglio is the largest monumental complex in the region: for centuries it was the residence of the prince-bishops of Trento. It rises on a small hill at the edge of the centre and brings together the Castelvecchio, the Magno Palazzo and the famous Torre Aquila, among frescoes, medieval codices and rich collections of art and archaeology.

Its treasure is the Cycle of the Months in the Torre Aquila, a masterpiece of International Gothic that tells, month by month, the life of the nobles and the work of the peasants as the seasons change. It is reached on foot in a few minutes from Piazza del Duomo.

7. MUSE, the Science Museum

If you travel with family or are simply curious, the MUSE is a perfect stop. It is the Science Museum of Trento, designed by the architect Renzo Piano, with an outline that echoes the surrounding mountains. It unfolds over several levels dedicated to the mountains, the evolution of life and sustainability, with a planetarium and a tropical greenhouse.

Between hands-on experiments, labs and shows, it is a museum made for adults and children alike. It is in the Albere district, a short distance from the centre and the station.

8. Christmas Markets of Trento

If your visit falls in the cold months, the Christmas Markets are well worth experiencing. It is an Advent market that fills Piazza Fiera and Piazza Mostra with around eighty wooden chalets, among crafts, gifts and local products, beside the old city walls.

It is one of the most beloved markets in Italy: mulled wine, alpine treats, festive lights, the tree on Piazza Duomo and an ice rink for the whole family. It usually runs from late November to early January, in the old town a few steps from the station. Check the updated dates of the current edition before you plan your trip.

A practical tip before you go

Many of these places change their hours and services depending on the season, and some require a booking or a guided tour. Before you plan your day, check the updated hours and prices on the official sites, so you avoid surprises and always arrive at the right moment.

Where to stay in Trento

The best way to experience Trento is to have a home of your own in the city, to set out from on foot in the morning and return to in the evening after a day among squares, museums and good food. With Italy Holiday you find well-kept stays in Trento and the surrounding area, made for families and travellers looking for comfort and calm.

Find out where to stay in Trento and book your stay with Italy Holiday: your ideal base for exploring the city and everything around it.

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