Best Time to Visit Trentino-Alto Adige

If you’d like to take advantage of the spectacular mountains in Trentino-Alto Adige for a getaway filled with lots of hiking and perhaps other warm weather activities, visit from around mid-June through mid to late September, when the high-altitude trails are mostly clear of snow. The average temperature ranges from 69 to about 77 degrees during this period and it also brings opportunities for longer, overnight treks with the mountain huts open.

In June, the conditions can vary significantly from year to year, but the first half is usually better for more experienced hikers. Most of the snow will be melted at altitudes below 8,500 feet by mid-June. October is the very end of the Dolomites’ hiking season. In the lower elevations without heavy snow such as Alpe di Siusi, the hiking season can run through late October with the huts closing around the middle of the month, but you’ll have a greater risk of snowfall.

Summer, between mid-June and mid-September, is the best time for sightseeing in Trentino-Alto Adige. Unlike many other places in Italy, it doesn’t get too hot with temperatures rarely exceeding the upper 70s and most often staying around 70 degrees. However, this is also the rainiest time of year with the majority of annual rainfall coming in July and August in the form of afternoon thunderstorms. Sightseeing is generally ideal with the opportunity to admire magnificent mountain views from lookout spots in many of the small towns and villages too. The biggest drawback to visiting Trentino-Alto Adige during the summer is that it is the peak tourist season.

While the region doesn’t attract the kinds of crowds that Venice gets during Carnevale or the Vatican City at Easter, it will be busy and accommodation rates will be higher. Avoid the crowds and enjoy decent weather by coming in late May/early June or late September/early October.

If you want to enjoy the region’s festivals, the best time to come is in the summer or fall. Some of the best music festivals take place during the summer months, including Suoni delle Dolomiti which runs during the last month of summer from around August 23 through September 24. It’s been called the most beautiful in the world, with nature and music coming together. Translating to the “Sounds of the Dolomites,” it’s a high-altitude festival of jazz, classical, and contemporary music.

Autumn is an ideal time to come for food and wine festivals. The Autumn Festival in Trento is held for four days around the first weekend of fall bringing the chance to get to know the gastronomic culture with lots of seasonal delicacies accompanied by Trentodoc sparkling wine. DiVIn October is enjoyed during every weekend of October with every town involved showing off its own unique contribution to the region, from wines to food products.

January is the middle of winter in Trentino-Alto Adige. While some destinations in Italy practically shut down during this season, visitors arrive in droves to this region to take advantage of the outstanding powder. This is a great time to enjoy the world-class ski resorts and landscapes that will be blanketed in white. If you come after January 6th , once the holidays have passed, you might find some cheaper rates on hotels and other accommodation, outside of the most popular ski resort areas.

Many major events take place this month, including gastronomy on the slopes and international downhill ski races. It’s a good time to explore the historic streets of towns like Trento, Bolzano, Belluno, and Ortisei, but you’ll need to bundle up by bringing a warm winter coat, hat, gloves, and boots, with the average high temperature at 47 degrees. On sunny days, outdoor terraces can still be lovely for sipping coffee with a view.

While many places throughout Italy will be starting to thaw out after a cold winter with spring arriving in March, in Trentino-Alto Adige, the ski resorts will still be open and there’s likely to be plenty of snow. The average temperature in the higher altitudes is still well below freezing at about 28 degrees although it’s usually sunny in March, making it more tolerable. While it’s high season in the Dolomites and all ski areas, it’s the low season for lakes like Garda where you can enjoy some especially picturesque walks and discounted hotel rates. The higher you go, the roads are likely to be icy, snow, or even closed, but they might also be dry so you’ll want to take that into consideration when planning your trip. No matter where you go, you’ll want to bring that winter gear, but don’t forget your sunglasses, with March bringing lots of bright, sunny days.

May is an “in-between” month with the ski resorts and mountain huts closed and in some places, tourist facilities almost entirely shut down. Despite that, winter conditions are still persisting, with snow still possible. But there isn’t enough snow for skiing and there’s too much for hiking. While spring brings colorful wildflowers to many places, that doesn’t happen here until early summer.

May is another good time to come if you want to avoid the crowds and enjoy a more budget-friendly trip but you’ll need to scope out your accommodation options well ahead of time with many places shuttered. If you visit now, your hiking will generally be limited to valley and low-elevation trails that sit at below 5,000 feet. In terms of packing, you’ll want to bring a mix of clothing for colder weather along with items for some warmer days, with highs that can reach the mid-60s and occasionally rise to 70 in Trento.

July is one of the busiest and warmer months of the year in Trentino-Alto Adige. It’s the peak of the region’s high season for hiking, enjoying the lakes, and sightseeing in the towns and villages. Afternoon thunderstorms are common with the average high temperature reaching 77 degrees in Trento and in the 60s in higher elevation areas like the Dolomites. Everything will be open and operating, including seasonal buses, cableways, huts, restaurants, and hotels, while a noticeable rise in visitors occurs.

The roads will be more congested with both cycling and car traffic. Conditions on the hiking trails will be ideal, although you’ll have to share them with many others. If you plan your visit in July, book your reservations well in advance – otherwise, you’re likely to pay an exorbitant price, or you may not find anything suitable at all. Pack as you would for June, but you might want a bathing suit for lake swimming too.

September is one of the best months of the year to visit Trentino-Alto Adige. It will still be quite busy early in the month, but it won’t be nearly as crowded as in August with Italians going back to work and families with children heading home for back to school. Everything will still be operating, including cableways and seasonal buses, and hotel and other accommodation rates won’t be as exorbitantly priced. The later in September you come, the less busy it will be, but be aware that there is usually a snowstorm this month, more likely during the second half. It typically melts quickly, within a few days at most, but if it does snow, it’s best to avoid trails in the high-elevation areas. The mountain huts stay open until around the third week of September. In terms of weather, expect temperatures that range between the mid-50s to mid- 60s, ideal sweater weather.

November is another one of those awkward months, falling between the hiking and the skiing seasons, but that also means you can take advantage of off-season rates for a more budget-friendly trip. The hiking trails are always open, but snow and/or ice can make some impossible to hike, which is likely in the higher elevations. Many tourist facilities are closed in the Dolomites but in cities like Trento and Bolzano, everything will be open. You’ll find plenty of shops and restaurants, plus you can enjoy the attractions with everything from castles to museums, without the crowds.

In the town of Merano, the Merano Wine Festival takes place, showcasing some of Italy’s best food and wine. In terms of the weather, the average high temperature in Trento is in the low 50s so it won’t be too chilly. Bring clothing that can be layered and topped with a rain jacket with about four inches of precipitation in November.