The 10 Best Things to do Good for Kids in Arco, Trentino-Alto Adige

We are a group of mountain guides, since many years we accompany our cosutumers in many activities: canyonig, climbing, via ferrata, freeride, mountaneering. We propose a lot of courses (climbing, via ferrata etc) for adults and children

Share enthusiasm Founder and director of the Mountain School is the Trentino Alpinist Mauro Girardi. He is a certified mountain and ski guide and is directing since 20 years the Mountain School Mmove (former Friends of Arco). In the past, his passion had driven him for weeks to the solitude of the Alps, of Patagonia, or of the icy heights of the Karakorum to climb famous walls and peaks and open up new routes. Today his priorities have moved. He wants to share his enthusiasm for the mountains - while working with his guests and in his spare time with his sons, as his father has once done with him. Mauro Girardi is very proud on its enthusiastic and highly qualified team of local Mountain-and Ski Guides, Hiking Guides and office employees. Mmove® is not just a mountain school, but is a steadily growing circle of friends, who would like to realize great experiences. We like to Mmove it !!

Free Alp is a company of Alpine Guides who plays accompanying activities and courses throughout the territory of the Trentino Alto Adige and in particular in the area of Lake Garda where it has its headquarters. There are daily tours climbing, via ferrata, canyoning, trekking, mountaineering and outdoor activities with the children.

Together with the lake, one of the characteristic elements of the Garda Trentino landscape is the rock of Arco, dominating the plain of the River Sarca at the point where it widens. Three paths lead to the castle, which was the residence of the Arco Counts in the Middle Ages; they all leave the village and wind through the olive groves in the hills to reach the castle in a few minutes. Beyond the last town-wall is the Prato della Lizza, a green balcony overlooking the Garda Trentino territory at the foot of the three enormous sides of the Torre Grande, the Prigione del Sasso and Sala degli Affreschi, beautifully frescoed with scenes of games of draughts and battles. At the top, the last refuge in the event of siege, stands the Torre Renghera, whose bell, known as the "renga", called the farmfolk to prayer.

It is located on the road from Prabi to Ceniga and is a magnificent example of sacred art with enchanting frescoes both on the inside and outside. It is one of the most ancient monuments in Arco: the consecration of the high altar was first mentioned in 1186. The construction is very simple. It is built in a niche under an overhanging rock that serves as a wall and partly as the vault of the church, which consists of only one main room and one adjacent room for the hermits. Only the hall of the church is frescoed with images of the Last Supper and the stories of San Paolo’s life. The outside of the Retreat is always accessible; the inside is generally closed. The Retreat is opened for guided visits in the Spring and Autumn.

The Arboretum of Arco is a strip of the archducal park created in 1872 by Archduke Alberto of Habsburg, Emperor Francesco Giuseppe’s cousin, near the archducal villa, when Arco was the winter residence of the Imperial Austrian Court. The Arboreto, whose vegetation, originating from various continents has been thriving due to the mild climate of Arco, still holds some species planted by the Archduke, like the majestic holm-oaks and the great conifers, the Lawson cypress and the huge sequoia.

It is located on the “Piazza Tre Novembre”, in the centre of Arco and its imposing structure dominates the whole of the old town centre. It is without any doubt one of the most beautiful and interesting monuments of the city, apart from being a meeting point for the inhabitants. It was built from the beginning of the 17th century onward, and houses numerous works of value, deserving a closer look: altars, altar-pieces and decorations. The church can be visited during the day time and there are regularly Masses and ceremonies.