Trentino-Alto Adige is an autonomous region of northern Italy bordering Austria and Switzerland, home to the spectacular UNESCO-listed Dolomites. Split into the Italian-speaking province of Trentino and the German-speaking South Tyrol, the region blends alpine grandeur with Mediterranean wine valleys, world-class skiing, and a fascinating dual culture.
Top day trips
Handpicked excursions within easy reach.
Lago di Braies (Pragser Wildsee)
The emerald Lago di Braies, ringed by the sheer walls of the Croda del Becco in the Val Pusteria, is the most photographed lake in the Dolomites. A flat 3.5 km path circles the shore, traditional wooden rowing boats can be hired from the historic boathouse, and the early morning light before the crowds arrive is magical. In summer, driving into the valley is restricted to protect the site.
Highlights: Emerald alpine lake beneath the Croda del Becco · Historic wooden boathouse and rowing boats · Flat 3.5 km lakeshore loop walk · Sunrise reflections before the crowds arrive · Gateway to higher Fanes-Sennes-Braies hikes
Alpe di Siusi and Val Gardena
The Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm) is the largest high-altitude alpine meadow in Europe, a vast rolling pasture beneath the Sciliar and Sassolungo crossed by easy trails and chairlifts. Combined with a ride up to the famous Seceda ridgeline above Ortisei in Val Gardena, it makes one of the great scenic days in the Dolomites.
Highlights: Europe's largest high-altitude alpine meadow · Views of the Sciliar and Sassolungo · Seceda ridgeline above Ortisei · Easy trails and mountain huts · Wood-carving tradition of Val Gardena
Merano and Trauttmansdorff Gardens
Elegant, sub-Mediterranean Merano combines belle-époque promenades and arcaded streets with the spectacular Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle, where 80 botanical worlds tumble down a hillside with sweeping mountain views. The town's thermal spa and riverside walks round out a relaxing day.
Highlights: Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle · Belle-époque Tappeiner promenade · Arcaded medieval old town · Merano thermal baths · Touriseum museum of tourism
Lake Garda — Riva del Garda and Torbole
The northern tip of Lake Garda, where Trentino meets the lake, offers a Mediterranean change of scene from the high mountains. Riva del Garda's elegant lakefront and medieval tower, neighbouring Torbole's world-class windsurfing, lakeside cycle paths, and ferries to the lake's prettiest villages make for a warm, relaxed day.
Highlights: Riva del Garda lakefront and Torre Apponale · Torbole windsurfing and kitesurfing · Lakeside cycle and walking paths · Ferries to Limone and Malcesine · Mediterranean climate with palms and olives
Val di Funes and Santa Maddalena
Val di Funes is the quintessential Dolomite valley, a string of green pastures and timber farmhouses beneath the serrated Odle (Geisler) peaks. The little church of Santa Maddalena, standing alone in the meadows with the jagged range behind, is one of the most photographed scenes in the Alps, and gentle trails make it an idyllic walking day.
Highlights: Santa Maddalena church beneath the Odle peaks · San Giovanni in Ranui chapel viewpoint · Gentle meadow and forest trails · Puez-Odle Nature Park · Traditional South Tyrolean farms
Innsbruck, Austria
Just over the Brenner Pass in Austria, the Tyrolean capital of Innsbruck makes an easy cross-border day trip. Its imperial old town, the famous Golden Roof, the Hofburg palace, and the Nordkette cable car that whisks visitors from the city centre to high alpine peaks in minutes combine history and mountains in one compact, walkable city.
Highlights: Golden Roof (Goldenes Dachl) and old town · Imperial Hofburg and Hofkirche · Nordkette cable car to alpine peaks · Maria-Theresien-Strasse and mountain views · Swarovski Crystal Worlds nearby
Lago di Carezza and the Great Dolomite Road
The jewel-like Lago di Carezza, famous for the rainbow colours of its water mirroring the Latemar range, sits beside the scenic road up to the Costalunga Pass. Combined with a drive along the Great Dolomite Road and the Catinaccio (Rosengarten) massif glowing at sunset, it makes a classic Dolomite touring day.
Highlights: Lago di Carezza with Latemar reflection · Catinaccio (Rosengarten) alpenglow · The scenic Great Dolomite Road · Costalunga Pass viewpoints · Val d'Ega gorges and villages
Lago di Resia and the Submerged Bell Tower
At the head of the Val Venosta near the Austrian and Swiss borders, the bell tower of a drowned village rises eerily from the waters of Lago di Resia (Reschensee). The 14th-century campanile, all that remains of old Curon after the valley was flooded for a dam in 1950, is one of Italy's most haunting and photographed sights.
Highlights: Submerged 14th-century bell tower of Curon · Lakeside walking and cycling path · High Venosta valley scenery near three borders · Apple orchards and Romanesque churches en route · Winter walk out to the frozen tower
Renon Plateau and the Earth Pyramids
A panoramic cable car climbs from Bolzano to the sunny Renon (Ritten) plateau, where a quaint narrow-gauge railway runs between villages with grandstand Dolomite views. The plateau's strange earth pyramids — tall columns of clay each capped by a balancing boulder — are among the finest examples of the formation in Europe.
Highlights: Renon cable car from Bolzano · Historic narrow-gauge Renon railway · Earth pyramids at Longomoso and Auna di Sotto · Panoramic Dolomite views from Corno del Renon · Sunny walking trails between villages
Verona
An hour south of Trento by direct train, the rose-coloured city of Verona offers a complete change from the mountains: a magnificent Roman amphitheatre that still hosts a summer opera festival, the balcony of Juliet, elegant piazzas, and a UNESCO-listed historic centre best explored on foot.
Highlights: Roman Arena and summer opera festival · Casa di Giulietta (Juliet's House) and balcony · Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza dei Signori · Castelvecchio and the Scaliger bridge · Views from Castel San Pietro
Trips by distance
How far you can go in a day.
Near Under 1hr From Bolzano
Renon Plateau
Lago di Carezza
Merano
Alpe di Siusi
Medium 1 To 2hr From Bolzano
Val di Funes
Lago di Braies
Lake Garda (Riva del Garda)
Marmolada (Malga Ciapela)
Far Over 2hr From Bolzano
Innsbruck (Austria)
Lago di Resia
Verona
Venice
Getting there
Transport options for day trips.
- Regional train
- Hire car
- Cable cars and valley buses
- Guest Pass transport
- Lake Garda ferries
Day trip tips
Make the most of your excursions.
Start early — most popular day-trip destinations get crowded by mid-morning.
Check return transport times before you leave — missing the last train or bus can be costly.
Carry water, snacks, and layers — weather and food options can be limited at smaller destinations.