Trentino is a land of lakes. There are large warm ones, perfect for swimming and water sports, and small alpine ones, hidden among the woods and the mountains. Some are famous all over the world, others are known mostly by the people who live here. In this guide we take you to discover 8 lakes to visit in Trentino, telling you what makes each one special and how far it is from our area. We at Italy Holiday have been welcoming guests to this land for a long time, and these are the lakes we would recommend to a friend on the way.
1. Lago di Caldonazzo, the great warm lake of the Valsugana
Lago di Caldonazzo is a large stretch of water set in the greenery of the Valsugana. Its most beloved feature is the temperature: it is one of the warmest lakes in Southern Europe, with waters that in summer get close to 24 degrees. This makes it perfect for relaxing swims and for whole days spent on the beach with the whole family.
Its beaches have been awarded the Bandiera Blu, and the water is not just for swimming. Here you can go sailing, do SUP (stand up paddle), canoeing and even water skiing. The swimming season runs from May until the end of September. You can reach it in about twenty minutes by car from Trento on the SS47 state road towards Levico, or by train on the Trento-Bassano line, which stops just a few steps from the shores.
2. Lago di Levico, a fjord among the hills
Just a few minutes from Caldonazzo, near Levico Terme, Lago di Levico awaits you. It has an elongated, distinctive shape that recalls a fjord, and it is surrounded by wooded hills. Its waters have also been awarded the Bandiera Blu: they are mild and clear, and the shores are gentle, perfect for swimming, walking and cycling with the family.
Here you will find tree-shaded free beaches, swimming areas and a loop trail that runs along the shores. The ideal season runs from late spring to early autumn, with swimming from about May to September. You can reach it on foot from the centre of Levico Terme, by car on the SS47, or by train on the Valsugana line.
3. Lago di Lavarone, the small mountain lake
Climbing up to the Altopiano di Lavarone, at about 1,070 metres of altitude, you will find a small lake with clear waters, of karst origin, surrounded by woods. Lago di Lavarone has also earned the Bandiera Blu, and in summer its waters are open for swimming. It is an ideal place for a relaxing day with the family, between easy walks, pedal boats and an art trail in the woods with works and installations to discover along the way.
On the lake there are equipped beaches and a trail that runs along the shores. You can reach it in a few minutes by car from the village of Lavarone, or on foot on the marked trails. Compared to the large lakes of the valley, here the air is cooler and the atmosphere more peaceful.
4. Lago di Toblino, the lake of the castle
Moving west of Trento, into the Valle dei Laghi, you come across one of the most photographed views of Trentino. Lago di Toblino is a romantic lake surrounded by wooded hills, vineyards and cypresses, and on its small peninsula stands Castel Toblino, an ancient castle that seems to float on the water. All around there is mild, almost Mediterranean vegetation, and a protected reserve of waterbirds.
It is a beautiful place to visit all year round, with spring and autumn ideal for walks and birdwatching. You can reach it in about 25 minutes by car from Trento, and a walkway lets you follow the shores of the lake. From our area it is little more than a quarter of an hour beyond Trento.
5. Lago di Garda at Torbole, the paradise of the wind
About 40 minutes from Trento, where the mountains end and the great lake begins, lies Torbole, on the northern tip of Lago di Garda. Here the walls of Monte Baldo drop down into the turquoise water, and the town has a charming little harbour, a lakefront promenade and an ancient Venetian customs house.
Torbole is one of Italy's most beloved destinations for windsurfing and sailing, thanks to its steady, reliable winds. Beyond water sports, you will find beaches, trails and spectacular landscapes between mountains and lake. The best period runs from May to September. From our area you can get there in about 50 minutes by car.
6. Lago di Tenno, the turquoise diamond
Just above Riva del Garda hides one of the most beautiful lakes in Trentino. Lago di Tenno is a small alpine lake at about 570 metres of altitude, famous for the intense turquoise colour of its waters and for being one of the cleanest lakes in Italy. A flat trail of about 3 kilometres goes around it in about an hour, offering ever-new views.
From June to August it is lovely for swimming, while spring and early autumn are ideal for walks. Not far away is Canale di Tenno, a medieval village among the most beautiful in Italy, with narrow lanes and stone houses. From our area you can reach it in about an hour by car.
7. Lago di Molveno, at the foot of the Dolomiti di Brenta
Lago di Molveno is an alpine lake with crystal-clear waters, at the foot of the Dolomiti di Brenta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its large grassy beach is so well kept and beautiful that the lake has been awarded several times as the most beautiful in Italy. A loop trail of about 11 kilometres lets you walk around it in a few hours, between woods, open shores and views of the peaks.
Beyond summer swimming, here you can go kayaking, SUP and pedal boating, and from the nearby cable car enjoy panoramas over the Brenta mountains. The best season runs from late spring to early autumn, with June and September among the quietest months. You can reach it in about 25 kilometres from Trento, towards Andalo. From our area it is little more than an hour by car.
8. Lago di Carezza, the rainbow lake
To close, we take you further afield, to the edges of Trentino, where you will find one of the most photographed lakes in the Dolomites. Lago di Carezza is a small alpine lake at about 1,520 metres of altitude, below the Passo Costalunga, which reflects the peaks of the Latemar and the Catinaccio in waters that range from emerald green to deep blue. They call it the rainbow lake for the shifting colours of its waters.
An easy loop trail runs along the shores and is suitable for everyone. The best period runs from late May to October, and arriving early in the morning helps you enjoy it in peace. It is the most distant lake on this list: from our area it is over an hour and a half by car, but it is worth the trip for a day out.
Where to stay to visit the lakes of Trentino
If you look at the map of these 8 lakes, you notice one thing: most of them are within easy reach of the Valsugana, the valley of Trentino's warm lakes. Caldonazzo, Levico and Lavarone are practically on the doorstep, and from here Trento, the Valle dei Laghi with Toblino, and even Lago di Garda at Torbole are reachable in a short time. Even the more distant alpine lakes, like Molveno and Carezza, remain a lovely day out.
That is why the lake area of the Valsugana, around Caldonazzo, Levico and Calceranica, is an ideal base for a holiday among the lakes. In the morning you wake up just minutes from the water, you spend the day between the beach and sports, and when you want a change of scenery you have the other lakes and the mountains close by. It is the best way to experience Trentino without having to choose a single lake.
We at Italy Holiday welcome guests in exactly this area, in homes designed to make you feel at home from the very first moment. If you dream of a holiday with the lake in front of you and the mountains all around, discover where to stay near the lakes of the Valsugana and pack your bags: the lakes of Trentino are waiting for you.
