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When you think of Italy, it’s probably Ve’s cinematic rolesspas winding past pastel-colored buildings, a lungomare with an osterie and broken cobblestones behind it, and the azure Tyrrhenian Sea coming to mind.
That’s a good enough frame, okay, but… it is far from the whole picture.
What if we told you that there is a lesser known region in the north of Italy, where Renaissance cities give way to Austrian style dorfsthe rugged coastline scene is replaced by tall alpine mountains, and instead of stone jetties leading to the ocean, you get crystal clear lakes instead?
A mini Switzerland, minus the dizzying prices.
Italy away from the Mediterranean
Welcome to Trentino, the Italy you don’t often see on your social media feed, even though it’s currently sandwiched between two of the country’s trendiest spots: Lake Garda and the Dolomites.
Centered around the historic city of Trento, a beautiful medieval town littered with frescoes palazzi and historic spa towns, Trentino is best known for its mountainous nature, unique Germanic culture and distinctive cuisine that closely mimics Tyrolean Alpine cuisine.
But in real life, this could well be part of Austria rather than Italycorrect.
Trentino officially surpassed the 20 million overnight stay mark in 2025 the number of arrivals exceeded 5.1 millionone of the best years for tourism yet. Why do people go there, you ask?
Well, then there’s Trento itself, and then there’s all the pristine lakes, hiking trails and outdoor activities it offers.
The quiet side of Garda
Perhaps the biggest attraction in this part of Italy northern Lake Garda. You’ve probably heard of Simione or Peschiera del Garda, two of the best day trips for tourists from Milan who want to explore the sea-like pond on their bucket list.
The Trentino piece of Garda feels more real remarkable different. For starters, it’s backed by the snow-capped peaks of the pre-Alps, giving it a real Swiss vibe, minus the Chinese crowds and high price tags.
Riva del Garda is the most beautiful base here, with a Old town in Venetian stylethat classic lakeside promenade and charming cafes galore.
A night’s stay at one of those cute heritage hotels on the turquoise waterfront, like Hotel Garnì Villa Maria, will cost you around $150, which amounts to pretty cheap for the Alpine region of Europe.
For fresh, hand-picked pasta that will linger in your mouth long after you’ve mopped up the last bit of sauce, try Pasta Fresca Bistro, a short walk from the main port (typical orders average $15-22).
Before you head to Europe this summer, make sure you check out the travel rules that apply to Americans on the Admission Requirements page.
From mandatory fingerprinting on arrival to new pending e-Visas that could come into effect as early as September, there is a lot you now need to stay informed as a US citizen traveling abroad.
Views of the Alps for days
Trentino is all about getting lost in nature and enjoying the mountain views, so you can’t reach Garda without taking the Monte Baldo cable car.
Starting from the quaint lakeside town of Malcesine, it shows off amazing view of the lake and the Alps as it travels upward. Once you reach the top of Monte Baldo, some 1,800 meters high, there are beautiful scenic trails to walk, and a handful rifugi (station restaurants) that serve hearty mountain portions.
The polenta and the enormous terrace view you can get at La Capannina, near the mountain station? Meh. Kiss from the chef.
It is just a 25-minute drive from the shores of Lake Garda this little local secret it’s called Lake Ledro which very few tourists have heard of. It has insanely clear water, it’s much quieter than Garda, and you can swim just about anywhere thanks to the many small beaches dotted around its shores.
Molina di Ledro is the most accessible beach, with easy access, facilities and parking, but if you’re looking for that wild, unspoilt Alpine atmosphere, then the pebble-covered Pur, on the south side of Ledro, is hard to beat.
The most beautiful part of the Italian Alps?
The most famous part of the Dolomites is claimed by South Tyrol, Trentino’s sister province, just to the north. There you will find picture-postcard lakes such as Braies and Dobbiaco, and the evergreen Val di Funes.
They are absolutely beautiful, but if I’m honest, they’re probably among the busiest nature reserves I’ve been to in Europe recently.
And I went in the middle of winter, when it’s supposed to be quiet.
To my surprise, my favorite part of the Dolomites is indeed indoors western Trentinowhere tourists rarely venture, especially the Brenta part of the Alpine region.
Think towering limestone spires, via ferratas (steel cables in the mountains that you essentially cling to as you move through exposed sections) and more emerald green lakes.
It was probably Lake Tovel, hidden in a lush valley within easy reach of Trento, though the most breathtakingly underrated place I saw it during the entire road trip.
Then of course there is the star of the show: the Adamello Brenta Natural Park, the largest protected area in Trentino, just a 40-minute drive from Trento (if you use the Val Rendena entrance), and a paradise for hikers and general nature lovers.
Glacial valleys, waterfalls flowing straight into turquoise rivers, dense forests framed by year-round snow-capped peaks, and even sightings of brown bears.
For those staying overnight near the park, I highly recommend basing yourself in Madonna di Campiglio, a cute little alpine ski town with access to lifts, hiking trails, and a short drive from the main valleys.
If you’re wondering how safe Italy is to visit right now, it currently scores a respectable 92/100 in the Traveler Safety Index, a live metric based on recent reports from travelers on the ground:
Trentino itself is one of the safest regions to travel in Italy, due to the absence of densely populated areas (its largest settlement, Trento, is home to around 120,000 people) and the largely rural, mountainous nature of the wider region.
In almost every way, it really is Italy’s little ‘mini-Switzerland’, and honestly, it may be one of the country’s best-kept secrets. so close will become mainstream.
