For a holiday on the Valsugana lakes, Calceranica al Lago and Caldonazzo are the handiest bases if you want the beach a few steps away and warm water for swimming; Levico Terme is the best choice if you also want a lively town, the spa and the historic park; Pergine Valsugana is great for those who want services and more affordable prices. We at Italy Holiday welcome guests on these very shores, and below we explain, town by town, who each one suits.
Why choose the Valsugana lakes
The Valsugana is the valley of Trentino's warm lakes. Caldonazzo and Levico sit side by side, with waters among the warmest in Southern Europe: in summer Lago di Caldonazzo gets close to 24 degrees, and the swimming season runs from May to the end of September. Around the lakes there are beaches awarded the Bandiera Blu, a cycle path linking every town, and Trento twenty minutes away by car. It is a rare spot: in the morning you wake up minutes from the water, and when you want a change the mountains and the other lakes are close by. To work out where to swim, our guide to the beaches and swimmable lakes of Trentino has it all.
Caldonazzo, the great warm lake for families
Caldonazzo gives its name to the largest entirely Trentino lake and is the classic base for those who want to live by the water. The town sits on the southern shore, with equipped and free beaches reachable in a few minutes, and in high season it is worth arriving early for parking near the shore. The water is warm and stays shallow for a good stretch, perfect for children, and here you can go sailing, SUP, canoeing and water skiing.
Who it suits: families with children, those who want full days on the beach and water sports, anyone after a quiet holiday with the lake in front of them. For day ideas read what to do at Lago di Caldonazzo, and when you are ready see where to stay in Caldonazzo.
Levico Terme, lake, spa and a lively town
Levico Terme is the spa town of the valley, gathered between the hills and its fjord-shaped lake, also awarded the Bandiera Blu. The centre is lovely to wander on foot, with cafes, shops and the large historic Habsburg park. The lake is reached from the centre on a walk of about twenty minutes, or by local buses; by car it is a few minutes. The station is a short walk from the centre, handy for those arriving by train.
Who it suits: those who want the lake but also town life in the evening, the spa and wellness, couples and people travelling without a car. Dig deeper with what to do in Levico Terme and our guide to the Levico thermal baths, then discover where to stay in Levico Terme.
Calceranica al Lago, the quiet shore right by the water
Calceranica al Lago is a small town facing Lago di Caldonazzo, with one of the most beloved Bandiera Blu beaches in the area. It is the choice for those who want the water truly within reach: from the centre to the shore is a few minutes on foot, and the atmosphere stays intimate even in peak summer. There is a stop on the Valsugana train line and the cycle path runs right through here.
Who it suits: those who put closeness to the beach first, families and couples seeking peace without giving up the essentials, anyone wanting to get around on foot or by bike. See where to stay in Calceranica al Lago.
Pergine Valsugana, services and good value
Pergine Valsugana is the largest centre in the area, with all the services: supermarkets, shops, pharmacies and excellent connections. It faces the northern part of Lago di Caldonazzo, reachable in a few minutes, and from its castle there is a fine view over the valley. It is the practical base for those who want convenience and usually more affordable prices than the shoreline.
Who it suits: those travelling by car, larger families, longer stays and anyone wanting a well-served base from which to reach the lake, Trento and the mountains. Read what to do in Pergine Valsugana and then where to stay in Pergine.
Tenna and San Cristoforo, the most secluded shores
Between Caldonazzo and Levico, the small centres of Tenna and San Cristoforo al Lago face the quietest shores of Lago di Caldonazzo, with Bandiera Blu beaches and panoramic views from above. They are tiny hamlets, ideal for those seeking absolute peace and direct contact with the water, while staying a few minutes by car from all the services of Pergine and Caldonazzo. For the views from above, see the panoramic walks above the Valsugana lakes.
Trento, the city as a lake base
If you like sleeping in the city and reaching the lake during the day, Trento is about twenty minutes by car or a short train ride away. You have museums, restaurants, historic squares and urban comfort, with the Valsugana lakes and the mountains within day-trip reach. It is a good choice for those combining lake, culture and shopping. Discover where to stay in Trento.
Getting around the lakes
The area is compact and well connected. The Valsugana cycle path links all the lakeside towns and continues for kilometres along the valley: it is the loveliest way to get around without a car, as we describe in the lake loop by bike. The Valsugana train line stops at Calceranica, Levico and Pergine, and in summer there are buses and boats on the lake. By car all the towns are a few minutes from one another.
Where to stay: our advice
If it is your first time on the lakes and you travel as a family, start with Calceranica or Caldonazzo: beach a few steps away and warm water. If you also want a lively centre, spa and something to do in the evening, choose Levico Terme. If you are after services and a practical base, Pergine. If you love the city, Trento. In every case you stay minutes from the water and a short distance from the other lakes and the mountains.
We at Italy Holiday welcome guests in exactly this area, in well-kept homes designed to make you feel at home from the very first moment. Compare the options and find your home on the Valsugana lakes: the warm water, the Bandiera Blu beaches and the mountains all around are waiting for you.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to stay on the Valsugana lakes?
For the beach a few steps away and warm water, choose Calceranica al Lago or Caldonazzo. For a lively centre with spa and historic park, Levico Terme. For services and a practical base, Pergine Valsugana. For city lovers, Trento, twenty minutes from the lake. All these towns stay close to one another and to the water.
Which is the warmest Valsugana lake for swimming?
Lago di Caldonazzo is among the warmest lakes in Southern Europe: in summer the water gets close to 24 degrees. Nearby Lago di Levico also has mild, clear waters. Both have beaches awarded the Bandiera Blu and are perfect for families with children, with relaxing swims for much of the summer season.
When can you swim in the Valsugana lakes?
The swimming season runs from May to the end of September. In June the water of Lago di Caldonazzo is already around 20 degrees, in July it climbs towards 23 and in August it reaches 24. May and September are quieter and pleasant for those who want to avoid the crowds, with water still enjoyable on sunny days.
Do you need a car for a lake holiday?
Not essential. The Valsugana train stops at Calceranica, Levico and Pergine, the cycle path links all the lakeside towns and in summer there are buses and boats. A car remains handy for trips to the more distant alpine lakes or the mountains, but for the beach, the centre and nearby moves you can do without one.
Are the Valsugana lakes suitable for families with children?
Yes, they are among the most beloved destinations for families. The water is warm and stays shallow for a long stretch, the beaches are equipped and awarded the Bandiera Blu, and there are pedal boats, parks and easy trails. For more ideas see what to do in Trentino with children: the lake area is perfect for a child-friendly holiday.
What is there to do on the lakes besides swimming?
Plenty: sailing, SUP, canoeing and water skiing on the water, as explained in water sports on the lakes, and then the cycle path, panoramic walks, the spa at Levico, castles and villages. With the alpine lakes, Trento and the mountains a short distance away, you have enough to fill a week without ever repeating the same day.
