16 Best Places to Visit in the Dolomites, Italy (+ Map of Must-See Spots)
This post may contain affiliate links, which means that we may earn a small commission, at no cost to you, for qualifying purchases. More info: Disclosure.
Dreaming of the breathtaking mountain landscapes of the Italian Dolomites but not sure where to start? This guide highlights the most beautiful places and best things to do in the Dolomites that are worth a trip, even if you’re traveling from across the globe. We also share first-hand tips and recommendations to help you plan a bucket list trip and enjoy the best that the Dolomites have to offer. Find out!
The Italian Dolomites have some of the most beautiful mountain scenery you can imagine. Stunning scenic roads and dazzling mountain passes, thousands of kilometers of hiking trails, picturesque mountain lakes, and countless charming towns and villages dotting the region…
However, with so many beautiful places in the Dolomites, it can get really overwhelming just trying to figure out where to go and what to see. Especially if this is your first visit and you want to see the very best in a limited time…
We had the same question before our first trip to the region – what are the most beautiful places in the Italian Dolomites that you really shouldn’t miss? And, since we travel with kids, we also had to make sure that these places would be relatively easy to visit.
As I’m updating this guide, we have been to the Dolomites several times and spent many weeks exploring the region. In all that time, we haven’t come across one place that we didn’t love… But in this guide, I only share our absolute favorite places and top things to do in the Italian Dolomites that deserve your time the most – the ultimate Dolomites bucket list.
TIP: To help you plan your trip, we also created a map indicating all the best places of the Dolomites mentioned in this article. You can save this map to your phone and use it during the trip. In addition, you may want to check out our Dolomites itinerary suggestions.
How to use this map: Use your computer mouse (or fingers) to zoom in or out. Click on the icons to get more information about each place. Click the arrow on the top left corner for the index. Click the star next to the map’s title to add it to your Google Maps account. To view the saved map on your smartphone or PC, open Google Maps, click the menu and go to ‘Your Places’/’Maps’. If you want to print the map or see it in a bigger window, click on ‘View larger map’ in the top right corner.
Good to know: Most of the places on this list are very easy to visit and only a few of them require hiking. Furthermore, all the hikes mentioned here are easy to moderate and we have done them all with our three kids.
Please keep in mind that this is a summer guide, from May-June to September-October! If you visit Dolomites in winter, you’ll still be able to see some of these beautiful places, but it will be a very different experience and you’ll have to do more research to see what’s open and how to get there.
Note on place names: There are three different languages spoken in the Dolomites: Italian, German, and Ladin (an ancient Rhaeto-Roman language). Therefore, many place names in the region have several different names. In this article, we use the names that are most commonly known among international tourists. In addition, we include the other names as well, so that you know that e.g. Lago di Braies is the same place as Pragser Wildsee and Tre Cime is the same as Drei Zinnen, etc.
And now that you know all the practicalities, scroll down for our ultimate Dolomites bucket list!
These are some of the very best places to see and things to do in the Dolomites:
1. Tre Cime di Lavaredo
Tre Cime di Lavaredo (aka Drei Zinnen) are the three iconic mountain peaks, the unmistakable symbol of the Dolomites. If there’s one place that everybody considers a must-see in the Dolomites, it’s definitely Tre Cime!
Hiking the Tre Cime di Lavaredo trail is by far the best way to enjoy the jaw-dropping scenery of the area. However, if the entire 10km loop around the base of these three peaks is too challenging for you, you can also just opt to walk the first part of the trail, to Forcella Lavaredo.
This hike to Forcella Lavaredo is easy at first, with a short climb to the viewpoint and it takes just 20-30 minutes one way. It offers some fantastic views from the start and a short climb is rewarded with a nice side view of the Tre Cime peaks.
LEARN MORE: Tre Cime di Lavaredo
2. Lago di Braies
Another must-see place in the Dolomites is Lago di Braies (aka Pragser Wildsee). It’s one of the most beautiful mountain lakes in Italy, maybe even in Europe.
Located at the end of the Prags Valley, Lake Braies is surrounded by tall mountain peaks that make the scenery here picture-perfect. In summer, you can rent a boat and enjoy the beautiful views from the water. If you feel like, you can also take a short and easy loop hike, or even go swimming in the ice-cold waters of this glacier-fed lake.
The good thing is that Lago di Braies is easy to reach and you don’t have to walk far from the car in order to enjoy the best views. However, this is also the reason why it’s one of the most popular Dolomites landmarks, attracting big crowds of locals and tourists alike.
LEARN MORE: How to Visit Lago di Braies
TIP: Also the nearby Lago Di Dobbiaco is very picturesque, but it’s not as well known to tourists and is mostly visited by locals. Check it out if you’re looking for some lesser-known hidden gems of the Dolomites – it’s easy to visit and only takes a few minutes.
3. Val Gardena
Val Gardena is one of the best-known regions of the Italian Dolomites, and the place to be in summer and in winter. Val Gardena is home to three main towns – Selva, Santa Cristina, and Ortisei, that serve as a base for exploring the surrounding mountains. This area is extremely popular for skiing in winter. But also in summer, there’s so much to see and do in Val Gardena!
It’s not easy to mention just one or two highlights at Val Gardena since the entire area is absolutely stunning. The best thing to do when visiting in summer is to take one of the cable cars to the mountains and do some hiking. But also if you don’t hike, you can just find a seat with a view at one of the mountain restaurants and enjoy some phenomenal landscapes the easy way.
Some of the most beautiful scenery of Val Gardena can be found at Seceda (see also the featured image on top of this article – the one with the cute donkeys). The best way to visit is by taking the Ortisei – Furnes- Seceda cable car from Ortisei town and then (easy) hiking in the direction of Santa Christina. Or you can simply enjoy the area by exploring some shorter trails on top of the mountain and then taking the cable car back to the village.
We also loved the views in the area around Dantercepies – Jimmy’s Hutte that can be reached by cable car from Selva village or from Alta Badia. If you are looking for a longer hike in this area, check out the Rifugio Puez hike. It’s quite long, but the views are well worth it.
Another very popular place is Alpe di Siusi (aka Seiser Alm), Europe’s largest high-altitude Alpine meadow. There are some easy hikes here and this area is also popular with families.
READ ALSO: Best Hikes in the Dolomites
4. Val di Funes
Val di Funes (aka Villnöß) is a mountain valley known for the most iconic postcard view of the Dolomites – the little church of St. Magdalena against the impressive backdrop of the Puez-Odle massif.
If you want to take the same picture as in all those famous photographs, it’s quite easy to get to this viewpoint (also indicated it on our map above). You can get there by driving or on foot from St. Magdalena village. The road here is really narrow, however, and you can’t park at the viewpoint, so it’s easier to leave your car in the village and walk up there.
Another highlight of the Villnöss Valley are the stunning mountains of the Puez-Odle natural park and the picture-perfect mountain huts. The nicest mountain hut with the most beautiful view is Geisler Alm and there are a few others.
You can reach Geisler Alm by taking a short hike from one of the car parks in the area. However, we recommend that you take a slightly longer route by hiking the Adolf Munkel Trail. It’s an easy circular hike of about 3 hours in total, and the views are absolutely amazing! You can read all about this hike in our Dolomites hiking guide.
5. Lago di Sorapis
Lake Sorapis is a stunning mountain lake and definitely deserves a mention on any list of the best places in the Dolomites. This lake and the surrounding scenery is totally different than the landscapes at Lago di Braies, but many people would argue that it’s even more beautiful.
The glacial waters of Lago di Sorapis have a very distinctive milky-blue color that looks too beautiful to be real. If you visit on a sunny day, the color of the lake is absolutely incredible. Add to that the colorful wildflowers, deep blue sky, surrounding mountains with a distinctive pinnacle called God’s Finger, and you feel like you stepped into a real-life painting!
However, there’s just one tiny issue and that is that Lago di Sorapis is not as easy to visit as most other beautiful places in the Dolomites. So you’ll only be able to see this lake if you hike. Furthermore, it’s not an easy walk in the park, but a moderate 2-hour uphill hike with some challenging sections that involve stairs, ladders, and narrow passages with metal chains for support.
Having said all this, don’t get discouraged – it’s a hike most people should be able to do (and we did it with our three kids). You simply should know what to expect and take your time so that you can truly enjoy it (count 4-5 hours for the entire hike).
LEARN MORE: Lago di Sorapis Hike
6. Marmolada
No list of the Dolomites best places would be complete without mentioning the highest mountain in the region, Marmolada. Also known as the Queen of the Dolomites, Marmolada is a very unique place where you will not only find some of the best far views over the Dolomite mountains but also fascinating Great War history.
With 3,265 m (10,712 ft) height, Marmolada offers incredible 360° views of the entire Dolomites region and you can even see as far as the mountains of Austrian Tyrol. In addition, you can visit the Museum Marmolada Great War 3000m, a WWI fortress (at 3km height!), and Grotto of the Madonna. For the more adventurous, there are also a couple of via ferratas and other activities here.
Despite its altitude, Marmolada is very easy to visit by taking a series of cable cars, and it doesn’t take longer than a few hours. So if you find yourself in the heart of the Dolomites region and are looking for something nice to do, definitely check it out!
Good to know: Because of the altitude, there’s always snow at Marmolada. Be sure to take a sweater and a rain jacket with you – even if it’s very warm in the valley.
LEARN MORE: How to Visit Marmolada
7. Passo Gardena
Passo Gardena (aka Grödner Joch) is a beautiful mountain pass and one of the must-drive roads in the Dolomites. The first time we visited the region, we reached Val Gardena via this mountain pass at around sunset. What a scenery, what a landscape! It was love at first sight.
Since then, we have driven this pass multiple times, in different weather, and it remains one of my personal favorite scenic drives in the Dolomites.
Gardena Pass isn’t nearly as difficult to negotiate as most other mountain passes in the region, it’s usually not as busy, and the landscapes are breathtaking. Furthermore, it’s the quickest route between Val Gardena and Lago di Braies – two of the most popular places in the Dolomites.
So even if you only have limited time in the region and have to be very selective about where to go, I highly recommend driving the Gardena Pass.
8. Passo Pordoi & Piz Boè
With 2,239 m (7,346 ft) altitude, Passo Pordoi is the highest road in the Dolomites. With its 28 hairpin bends, this is one of the roads that will definitely make your head turn! The roads in this part of the Dolomites are absolutely insane and driving here is an experience in itself. It’s not the best road to take if you are just passing by and are in a hurry….
Probably the most touristy of all the mountain passes in the Dolomites, Passo Pordoi is more than just a road with nice scenery. It’s one of the most popular Dolomites destinations, with many people coming here to enjoy the views from Forcella Pordoi and hike to the nearby Piz Boè.
With 3,152 m (10,341 ft), Piz Boè is one of the highest mountain peaks that you can hike to in the Dolomites. It’s quite a serious climb if you start at Passo Pordoi, but you can also take Sass Pordoi cable car for the biggest part of the journey. It will still be a serious uphill walk and there are some exposed sections and ladders, but it’s doable for most people, and that’s what makes it quite popular.
Good to know: Wear good hiking shoes and layers of clothing. A rain jacket and a sweater are a must when hiking at this altitude. If you can, visit on a sunny day, and definitely avoid stormy afternoons!
9. Passo Giau
Giau Pass is just one of the many stunning mountain passes in the Dolomites. Be prepared for some sharp hairpin turns when driving here, but it’s well worth it. The scenery around Passo Giau is extraordinary!
But what makes a visit here really worthwhile is the beautiful landscapes at the pass itself and the fact that you don’t even have to walk far from the car to see some jaw-dropping scenery. One of the best views – see the picture below – can be found right at the main car park/ bus stop at Passo di Giau.
If you do hike, there are some fantastic hikes that start here. Some of the best options are hiking north in the direction of Falzarego Pass / Cinque Torri or to the east in the direction of Lago Federa/ Cortina d’Ampezzo (more about these places further below).
We did this hike from Passo di Giau to Lago Federa, but even if you just opt to walk a small part of any trail and back, the scenery is amazing and it will be well worth it.
10. Cortina d’Ampezzo
Cortina d’Ampezzo is probably the most popular mountain resort of the Italian Dolomites (the other place is the earlier-mentioned Val Gardena). Cortina is a small town surrounded by some of the best mountain scenery and offering easy access to some of the most beautiful places in the region.
Cortina is one of the most popular places to stay in the Dolomites, with countless hotels, holiday homes, shops, and restaurants. It’s also one of the most expensive places and you won’t find many locals staying here. That being said, the location is great for sightseeing and various day trips, without spending hours and hours in the car, and we found it worth the price.
The majority of Cortina d’Ampezzo attractions are actually not in town but in the surrounding mountains. However, the town itself is worth checking out as well – even if just for a leisurely stroll through the main pedestrian street, some (window) shopping, or a nice dinner in the evening. We recently spent more than a week in Cortina and we loved the atmosphere in town in the evenings. We heard that Cortina really comes to life in winter – it’s one of the most popular places for skiing in the Dolomites.
Good to know: There are several cable cars in town that bring you to different sides of the mountains from Cortina. If you don’t have much time and/or don’t hike, this might be a great way to see some of the nicest mountain scenery in the area. The best views can be found at the top of Tondi di Faloria and also Tofana di Mezzo.
TIP: Families with kids or teens will love Parco Avventura, the adventure park with some fun and challenging routes in the trees. We spent quite some time here and – as far as our kids are concerned – this is one of the absolute best things to do in the Dolomites! 🙂
11. Cinque Torri
Cinque Torri (aka the Five Towers) is another popular mountain destination that you’ll often see mentioned among the best places to see in the Dolomites. But nobody tells you what it’s really about…
When researching information for our trips, we saw many pictures of the 5 towers and some recommendations to visit. But while it looked very beautiful, it just didn’t seem to have that ‘extra’ something that would make it worth visiting more than the other popular Dolomites destinations. And who has the time for all these places anyway… So we never made it here during our first trip.
However, on our second visit, we were staying in the nearby Cortina for a longer time, and so one day we decided to check it out. And we were so glad we did – Cinque Torri is so much more than its famous towers that you see in all the pictures!
The scenery here is absolutely AMAZING, with jaw-dropping views that will leave you speechless. In addition, there is a sort of an open-air museum, where you can walk through a series of restored WWI trenches and bunkers, which makes this place even more interesting and well worth visiting.
I’m not really a history fan, but this unique combination of war history and some of the most beautiful mountain scenery you can imagine, makes Cinque Torri one of my personal favorite places in the Dolomites! It’s also very easy and simple to visit, with minimal hiking if you don’t want to, but also plenty of hiking possibilities if you do have some extra time and energy. Highly recommended!
LEARN MORE: How to Visit Cinque Torri + The Best Short Hike
12. Passo di Falzarego / Mt Lagazuoi / Forte Tre Sassi
Falzarego Pass is another special place that is well worth visiting in the Dolomites. Also here, you’ll find some of the most beautiful mountain scenery, but also WWI history. So whether you are into nature and hiking, war sites and history, or both – it’s well worth coming here.
There are several places you can visit at Falzarego Pass and many ways to do it. The easiest to visit is the Forte Tre Sassi Museum which is located just next to the road, between Falzarego Pass and Armentarola. It’s open from mid-June to the end of September and is a great place to learn more about the gruels of the Great War and the history of the Italian Dolomites. For more information, please see the museum website.
Another popular place to visit are the Lagazuoi tunnels. You can reach them by taking a cable car from Passo di Falzarego and then hiking on top. Be sure to bring a flashlight! There are various hiking routes here.
Also if you don’t care about war sites, you can just come here for the scenery. The views from and around Rifugio Lagazuoi (at the top of the cable car) are unbelievable! You can also hike to Lago di Lagazuoi, and there are many more hikes here.
TIP: If you are looking for a short easy hike in this area, consider Lago di Limides.
13. Lago di Misurina
Lake Misurina is one of the most beautiful lakes of the Dolomites and it’s also a place that you can easily visit when touring the region. The scenery here is wonderful and the views are great in any direction. When there is little wind, you also have beautiful reflections on the lake – picture-perfect!
In summer, you can walk all around the lake (count about 45 minutes if you do the entire loop), but there is also a nice boardwalk where you can just explore one side of the lake. You can also rent paddle boats at Lake Misurina. There are several hotels, restaurants, and a very good supermarket here as well.
Located just next to the road and very close to the famous Tre Cime di Lavaredo, there is really no excuse not to stop at Lake Misurina. And while you won’t be alone here, every time we visited, it was unbelievably quiet here comparing to Tre Cime… Furthermore, Lake Misurina is also one of the nicest places in the Dolomites that you can visit at any time of the year.
TIP: This would be a great place to stay for a night or two. Not only can you easily get to Tre Cime di Lavaredo from here (and beat the crowds by going very early in the morning), but it’s also a beautiful place to be in the evening when all the day tourists have left.
Check out the iconic Grand Hotel Misurina (it’s like sleeping inside a postcard!). Hotel Sorapiss and Hotel Miralago are also located here (overlooking the postcard view) and offer good value for the price/location.
14. Passo Sella
Passo Sella is a mountain pass that connects Val Gardena with Val di Fassa (Canazei town) and is another of the must-do scenic drives in the Dolomites. Here, you have great views over the Sella group, Sasso Lungo, and Marmolada.
This road is very popular with cyclists and motorbikes, furthermore, there are lots of local and tour buses, camper vans, and cars… Let’s just say, you won’t be able to drive fast here most of the time. But this gives you plenty of time to enjoy the scenery (if not for the driver, then at least for the passengers).
There are lots of gondolas here and countless hiking trails. Sella Pass is also the perfect starting point if you want to explore the area around the famous Sassolungo (aka Langkofel) peaks.
15. Lago di Carezza
If you are looking for fantastic views with little effort, check out the tiny mountain lake Lago di Carezza (aka Karersee or Lake of Caress). It’s one of the most picturesque lakes in the Italian Dolomites, and also one of the easiest to visit, so well worth a quick stop if you find yourself in this part of the Dolomites.
Because this lake is located right next to the road, has easy parking, and it only takes about 30 minutes to walk all around it (if you choose to), it’s a very popular spot attracting lots of people. For the best experience, visit here early in the morning – that’s also when the reflections are usually at their best.
Good to know: Swimming is not allowed in Lago di Carezza.
16. Lago di Federa
If you just can’t get enough of the beautiful mountain lakes in the Dolomites, you may also want to check out Lago di Federa. Located between Cortina and Falzarego Pass, this tiny lake is also a very popular place to visit in this part of the Dolomites.
I have to say, however, that this is one of those places that look better in the pictures than in reality. Furthermore, it’s not an easy visit as you can only get here by hiking… So I was a bit hesitant whether to include it in this list of the best places to see in the Dolomites or not…
The reason I decided to mention it is because of the amazing scenery of the area. So if you can visit Lago di Federa in combination with Forcella Ambrizola and also the area around Forcella Giau – Passo Giau, then it’s absolutely worth it!
However, if you are short on time and have to be more selective with how many places you can squeeze into your itinerary, then I wouldn’t come here just for this lake. The earlier-mentioned Lake Misurina, Lake Carezza, Lake Limides, and also Lake Dobbiaco are so much easier and simpler to visit and – in my opinion – are worth your time more.
If you decide to visit here, check out our guide to the amazingly beautiful hike we did in the Lago di Federa area! It’s a wonderful hike, not too busy, and well worth it if you are looking to do something a bit less touristy than most other places mentioned on this list.
LEARN MORE: Lago di Federa Hike from Passo Giau
So, this is our selection of some of the best things to do and must-see places in the Dolomites, Italy. And no, this is in no way a complete guide to ALL the best places in the Italian Dolomites – you would need several months for that… But if you are visiting for the first time and want to experience the very best that this stunning region has to offer, then this list should give you a good idea of where to go and what’s worth your time the most.
If you are looking for even more travel inspiration, be sure to check out our guide to the most beautiful lakes in the Dolomites.
TIP: If you are wondering how to best plan a trip covering as many of these places as possible, please see our Dolomites itinerary suggestions. This guide contains sample itineraries for any trip from 1 day up to a week and more. Check it out!
Below, you can also find some frequently asked questions to help you plan your visit to the Dolomites. Check it out!
Dolomites FAQ
- Where exactly are the Dolomites? The Dolomites is a very big mountain region in Northern Italy, stretching through three Italian regions: Veneto, Trentino-Alto Adige (South Tyrol), and Friuli Venezia Giulia. The Dolomites region is about 2 hours drive north of Venice or from Lake Garda, and about 1.5 hours south of Innsbruck (Austria).
- How to get to the Dolomites? The easiest way to get to the Dolomites is by car, by bus from Venice, or by arranging a private shuttle. Some areas also have good connections by public transport, but it really depends on where exactly you are traveling to/from. You can also visit the Dolomites with an organized day tour from Venice, Lake Garda, or Bolzano.
- Do you need a car for sightseeing in the Dolomites? To make the most of a trip to the Dolomites, you’ll definitely need a car. While in high season there are buses between some of the major tourist areas in the Dolomites, they usually only run a few times a day and aren’t always very reliable. Public transport is doable for some places, but if you want to explore the Dolomites to the fullest, it’s best to visit by car. You can easily rent a car at any bigger city or airport. We use this website to find the best deals for car hire for our trips.
- How much time do you need in the Dolomites? While you can visit some of the nicest places in the Dolomites in one or two days, you should really plan at least 5-6 days if you want to explore the region somewhat deeper. This will allow you to quickly see most of the Dolomites best places mentioned in this list and do a few of the best hikes. If you want to drive all the scenic roads, do all the hikes, and visit all the places mentioned in this article, you’ll need at least 2 weeks and they will be packed. My advice is not to try to see ‘everything’, but to choose a few places and take your time to enjoy the scenery!
- What is the best time to visit the Dolomites in Italy? The best time to visit the Dolomites depends on your interests. Summer months (June – September) are best for hiking, amazing scenery, and to be able to access all the best places in the mountains. Whereas winter is a wonderful time for skiing and other winter activities. The shoulder season (Oct-Nov and April – early May) is the least good time to visit the Italian Dolomites.
- Which airport is closest to the Dolomites? There are many airports where you can fly to for the Dolomites. The closest airports are Venice Treviso, Venice Marco Polo, and Bolzano regional airport. Also Innsbruck airport (Austria) is not that far and even Milan or Munich (Germany) can be good options with good intercontinental connections as well.
- What is the best place to stay in the Dolomites? The best place to stay depends on what you want to see. If you plan to visit all the top destinations featured in this guide, I recommend splitting your stay between Val Gardena and Cortina d’Ampezzo for a few nights each. Don’t be misled by seemingly short distances—mountain roads here are winding, narrow, and often so busy that it can take hours to get somewhere. If you want to explore all the top places in the Dolomites without spending hours in a car each day, plan your accommodations strategically.
LEARN MORE: Where to Stay in the Dolomites
More inspiration for visiting Italy:
- Best Cities to See in Italy
- Best Places to Visit in Italy
- Italy Itinerary for 2 Weeks
- Best of Lake Como
- Best of Lake Garda
VENICE:
- Best Things to Do in Venice
- Where to Stay in Venice
- 1 Day in Venice
- 3 Days in Venice
- How to Visit Venice by Car
- Tips for Venice Gondola Ride
- Doge’s Palace
- Venice with Young Kids
ROME:
- Best Things to Do in Rome
- Best Area to Stay in Rome
- Hidden Gems of Rome
- Colosseum Levels & Tickets Explained
- 1 Day in Rome
- 2 Days in Rome
- 4 Days in Rome
- Tips for Visiting Rome
- Rome Airport Transfers
- Rome Street Food Tour
…For more travel inspiration and info on a wide variety of popular destinations all over the country, please see our Italy travel guide.
If you found this post helpful, don’t forget to bookmark it and share it with your friends. Are you on Pinterest? Pin these images!
We took a month-long road trip in mostly Italy and Switzerland last May-June and drove from Venice to Lake Braies, where we spent 3 nights in the beautiful Hotel Lago di Braies. We have done many road trips, and the drive was one of the most beautiful we have ever done. Unfortunately, the afternoon before we left Venice, I twisted my ankle in the top of the San Giorgio Bell Tower; I thought it was sprained, so I “powered through it” for the remaining 18 days of our trip with a little help from Ibuprophen. It turns out that what I had thought was a sprain was actually a break. I hobbled and wasn’t up to much of the hike around the lake. Lake Braies is stunning, one of the most beautiful places we’ve ever been to! We’re going back for 3 more nights this year and I plan to make it around the lake (camera in hand!) this time. Our current plan is to next go to Riva del Garda for 3 nights before our flight home from Milan, but we’re seriously considering spending those 3 nights in the Dolomites instead and will use this guide to help us decide.
So sorry to hear about your ankle! But I guess it makes a good travel story…
Hope your next trip is less adventurous and that you can explore more. That said, you don’t really need 3 nights at Lake Braies – there is so much more to see in the area. If you are starting in Venice, you could stay in Cortina for a few nights, then go Lake Braies for a night, after that consider spending a few nights in the Val Gardena area. But Lake Garda is amazing too! So it all depends on your preferences and how much time you have. You may want to check out these guides as well:
– Dolomites Itinerary
– Lake Garda Itinerary
Whatever you decide, I’m sure you will have a wonderful trip! Northern Italy is stunning.
This is the best and most useful Dolomites resource I’ve found online. It has really helped with planning my trip. Your list is very inspiring, we can’t wait to visit the Dolomites! Thank you!
Thank you for your kind feedback, Sarah. Have a great trip to the Dolomites!
What if I only can be in the Dolomites for three day…where do I stay? Do I hit your 1-3 suggestions?
As I am rereading this, I think I’m all set. I see your suggestions for Cortena and then Val Gardena. Wonderful blog!
Hi Amy, glad that you found the answers. Be sure to also check our article with the Dolomites itinerary suggestions if you haven’t seen it yet. Also our guide on where to stay in the Dolomites can be useful if you are looking for accommodation.
Have a great trip!
Hello!
I’ve been studying your blog for a family trip I am planning this summer (my kids are college aged).
We are either going to go to Switzerland and see the areas around Interlaken for a few days and then a few days hikes in the Apenzell area.
However, the Dolomites look beautiful too and I’m struggling at deciding which to visit. We want to hike (nothing very intense) but we are good for average hikes. We don’t want to camp and would prefer an airbnb or hotel.
I’d love your opinion on which you would choose if you only went to one.
Thanks,
Kathy
Hi Katherine, both are really beautiful destinations and you really can’t go wrong with either. The scenery is amazing in both areas, but in Switzerland, you have more snowy peaks and green Alpine pastures, whereas in the Dolomites, the mountains are ‘rockier’. Summer will be very busy at both destinations.
There are a few major differences though:
First, in Switzerland, you can usually get a ticket for a train/gondola to the mountains and hike around at the top or hike downhill. Whereas in the Dolomites, for most places, you just arrive and start to hike. Some areas have gondolas, but not that many. So depending on which hikes you choose, it can be easier or tougher. Also, even if you have to take gondolas in the Dolomites, it’s incomparably cheaper than in Switzerland.
That being said, in Switzerland, if you stay in one area for a few days, you can usually get regional cards which make it much more affordable compared to buying day tickets. Still, it will be much more expensive than anything you do in the Dolomites.
And finally, accommodation costs can be quite expensive in both places, but food and transportation is also much cheaper in Italy.
Hope this helps a bit. Whatever you choose, I’m sure you’ll love it!
PS If you are looking for some inspiration for hiking around Interlaken, check out Schynige Platte. It’s stunning! Also Oeschinensee is a wonderful place to hike. For the Dolomites, check out this guide to our favorite hikes.
This is such an incredible, thoughtful resource as I plan my first trip to the Dolomites. I especially appreciate how you’ve tagged all the photos with the spot they were each taken. Thank you so much!
Glad to help, Eki. Have a great trip!
hello! we’re planning a trip this summer, will probably stay in val gardena area for a few days using one of your itinerary. i’m not sure if i will be comfortable to drive. do you think we can still see some amazing places w/out a car?
Hi Preyta, Val Gardena has a bus service (free with a card that you get when staying in most of the local hotels) that can bring you to some nice places nearby.
You won’t be able to see a lot of the Dolomites that way, but you can see most of the Val Gardena region, and the scenery there is stunning. You could spend a few weeks there and have a great time even without a car.
But if you want to visit most of the places mentioned in this article, then you’ll definitely need to rent a car (and ideally not stay in Val Gardena all the time, but spend a few days in the area around Cortina d’Ampezzo).
Hope this helps!
hello! im going to do the 3 day itinerary that you created – but am wondering about the best area to stay in for those 3 days – what village would you suggest that would be most convenient?
thanks for your help!
Hi Sarah, did you read the 3-day Dolomites itinerary in detail? See Dolomites itinerary article. We already included this info.
Basically, the first night in Cortina and the next one or two nights – in Val Gardena.
Have a great trip!
Hi Jurga, thank you for you comprehensive guide to the Dolomites. We are planning a trip to EU in 2023. Have you been to the Sesto area for hiking? How would this compare to Cortina or Val Gardena in terms of proximity and convenience. We plan on staying in the region around 1 week.
Hi Tania, unfortunately, I cannot help you much since we haven’t been to that corner of the Dolomites yet. If you check driving times and distances to the places you want to see (try Google Maps), you’ll get a better idea of how convenient it is. You can definitely easily visit Lago di Braies and Lago Dobbiacho from there, and the Tre Cime area and Misruna Lake are not that far away. So it really depends on what you plan to see and do.
Awesome guide, thank you so much! We want to go and see all of these places!
How much time would you say we’d need to see all of them? We will be there end of June and will have about 4-5 days. Would you say that’s enough or would we have to pick what to visit? We love hiking and would love to do a few hikes too – which would you say are the best hikes?
Thank you!
Hi Etela, even if you have exceptionally good weather and even if you start your days early and keep on going until the dark, it would be very difficult to visit ALL these places in 4-5 days. And you wouldn’t enjoy it much either, especially if you also want to do a few of the best hikes too… Not even to mention the slow driving, potentially unstable weather, etc.
We have an article with a few suggested Dolomites itineraries for different trip durations, also for 4 and 5 days. It also includes the best hikes – check it out! It won’t bring you to all these places, but the nicest ones that you can comfortably visit in this time frame while still keeping it enjoyable and not too rushed. Also, keep in mind that you might need to adjust your plans if the weather doesn’t cooperate.
Hope this helps.
@Jurga, thank you so much, this is excellent. We will check out the itineraries you shared. You spoke to the biggest concern we had; we don’t want to just rush though these beautiful places and want to allow enough time to truly experience them. We are also considering finding a good 2 day hiking loop and spending a night at a hut. The weather is an excellent point to keep in mind too. Thank you so much for your time and tips!
We will be in Tuscany late May for a wedding. We’ve been to Rome/Tuscany/Venice before so would like to do something different. Is is too cold to really enjoy Dolomites late May? Thanks for all of your wonderful information!!
Hi Monette, while it will be too early for some hikes in late May, I think you’ll find that it’s still well worth a trip. And so much depends on the weather and how the spring will be.
Even if there would still be snow at the higher altitudes, quite a few of the best places in the Dolomites don’t even require a hike. You could visit many of the nicest lakes and quite a few cable cars already open for the summer season at the end of May as well. You can always just see how the weather is at that moment before deciding which places to visit on which day. But yes, I think it’s worth it.
And if you rather ‘play it safe’, you can also opt to visit places like Lake Garda or Lake Como – both should be amazing at that time of the year. Of course, you never know how the weather will be, but there are plenty of places to see and things to do that you could enjoy it either way. In general late May is a wonderful time to visit anywhere in Italy.
Have a great trip!
@Jurga, thank you!
@Monette, Ok. Have a little more info. We will be driving from Tuscany and plan to stop along the way for lunch. We will arrive in Cortina d’Ampezzo in the afternoon and will be there for 2 whole days. Thinking of hiking the cinque Torri one day. What do you recommend for the second day? We will have a car so can drive-but don’t want to spend all day in car. We realize this isn’t much time, but we figured we can always come back if we want! Thank you for your help!!
Hi Monette, depending on the weather and your hiking abilities, consider visiting Tre Cime (even if you don’t hike the whole loop, it’s amazing) and/or Lake Sorapis. Cinque Torri can be a good alternative if you don’t hike much since the nicest areas don’t require much hiking at all. But you really don’t need the whole day for Cinque Torri – just a few hours. Nearby, you could also take the Lagzauoi cable car at Falzarego Pass – the views are amazing! So these two places could be easily done on the same day.
If the weather isn’t great, head to the lakes, especially Lago di Braies is worth a visit, but also Lago Dobbiaco is along the same way. Also Lago Misurina on the way to Tre Cime is worth a quick stop.
Good luck with the planning!
@Monette, Thank you so much!
Thank you so much for all of the helpful information! With only one day to spend in the Dolomites, where would you recommend to stay and hike? We are trying to fit as much into one day as possible!
Hi Jules, please take a look at this article with Dolomites itineraries – we have some different suggestions for how to spend a day in the Dolomites depending on your interests (hiking or just best views). Hope this helps.
Have a great trip!
Thank you so much for this article, it was very useful for us! Based on your advices we have spent a wonderful week in Dolomites and will be back for sure!
Glad to hear that, Olga! A week is just enough to scratch the surface of this beautiful region, isn’t it? Every time we go, our list of places to visit and hikes to do just gets longer and longer :).
Happy travels!