Visit Trento – Italy’s Best Kept Secret

Published: Feb 26, 2020 · Modified: Oct 21, 2022 by Chef Dennis Littley

Have you ever heard of the Trentino region of Italy or its capital Trento? If you haven’t keep reading because it’s one of Italy’s best-kept secrets!

View of Trento from the hill above the town

I have traveled throughout Italy and enjoyed all the major destinations that are picked as must-see destinations in Italy. And as more people travel, these destinations get overcrowded and touristy. The Real Italy has been lost as once epic sites are now jam-packed with tourists taking selfies.

But there are still undiscovered gems in Italy and the Trentino region is my top pick as Italy’s undiscovered country, with Trento as my favorite town.

Chef Dennis on a street in Trento, Italy

Table of Contents:

Where is Trento Italy?

You’ll find Trento in the Trentino region of Northern Italy. Bordering Switzerland and Austria, It’s known for medieval castles and the Dolomite Mountain Range (a section of the Italian Alps known for sawtooth limestone peaks). About 3 hours east of Milan and 1 hour north of Verona you’ll find the capital city of Trento. It’s easily accessible by train and bus and within driving range from Milan.

entrance to Buonconsiglio Castle in Trento Italy

Trento is home to Renaissance palaces and the Buonconsiglio Castle, where you’ll find some of the area’s best frescoes.

What can I do when I Visit Trento?

The weekly market held every Thursday is a lively event where you can pick up everything you need for dinner or a new outfit for a night on the town.

fountain of neptune in piazza duomo, Trento Italy

The fountain of Neptune was a focal point in the Piazza Duomo. Restaurants are plentiful in this area and its nice spot for lunch to people watch with a glass of wine or espresso.

people walking and biking on the path along the Adige River in Trento

If you’d like to get a little exercise there’s a very scenic walking and biking path along the Adige river.

The city of Trento also runs guided tours free of charge from their Discover Trento Tourism office at Via Torre Verde, 7 across from the public gardens. Make sure to visit their website to see what events will be going on during your visit.

What type of food will I find in Trento?

pasta and clams in a round cooking pan, Trento Italy

During our stay in Trento, we got to try quite a few of the local restaurants and enjoyed a nice variety of dishes. One of the restaurants we enjoyed in Trento was the Green Tower where we sampled their clams and linguine.

Blueberry pappardelle with duck ragout on a white plate

Another favorite was this Blueberry Pappardelle with a Duck Ragout at Ristorante Patelli.

You’ll also find a German influence in the region with its proximity to Austria. Huge pretzels and steins of beer at Forsterbräu Trento are a relaxing way to enjoy the late afternoon. And right around the corner, you’ll find Ristorante Pizzeria Chistè Trento where I found this amazing grilled seafood platter!

pizza with gorgonzola cheese in Trento Italy

And of course, there are plenty of options for pizza when you visit Trento.

What would a trip to Italy be without desserts? Everyone knows about gelato and tiramisu but you’ll also find delicious local pastries like this Blueberry Strudel. They love blueberries in Trento and you’ll find them showing up in dishes around the area.

bottles of TrentoDOC sparkling wine in white tubs on a table

Most people have learned about the joy of Prosecco. During our time in Trento, I was introduced to the Nectar of the Gods, TrentoDOC.

bottle of Ferrari TrentoDOC on a tray on a table

My favorite variety of the spumante aka sparkling wine (please don’t compare it to Asti Spumante) was the Ferarri brand. This was the best Italian sparkling wine I’ve ever had!

chef dennis and lisa at dinner with Betti and Nazim Beltran

But the best part about going to conferences is being able to reconnect with old friends and make new ones. We got to spend time with our friends Betti and Nazim of Casa Chiesi which was the highlight of our trip!