The Dolomites, Italy

Dolomites Travel Guide

The Dolomites are a massive mountain range in the Italian Alps in northeastern Italy, stretching across the regions of Trentino-Alto Adige, Veneto, and Friuli Venezia Giulia. In 2009, these mountains were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site covering a total area of 141,903 hectares.

The Italian Dolomites are without a question one of the most dramatic alpine destinations in the world. Whether you’re out driving, cycling, skiing, or hiking, you’ll be captivated by the sheer cliffs, vertical walls, craggy pinnacles, karst plateaus, idyllic valleys, and alpine pastures that define the unique landscape of the Dolomiti.

Here, mountain peaks slash the sky and light up in fiery shades of crimson and violet (Enrosadira). Below the soaring pinnacles, cattle graze on undulating alpine pastures, dotted with huts. This dazzling contrast between rocky mountains and silky meadows is what makes the Dolomites so cinematic.

For the active traveler, this corner of Italy is heaven on earth. In summer, you can go via ferrata climbing, hut to hut hiking, mountain biking, and paragliding. In winter, you can ski in the largest ski resort in the world, Dolomiti Superski.

What makes the Dolomites the most premier alpine destination in Europe is the quality of the accommodation and the cuisine (especially in South Tyrol).

In this Dolomites Travel Guide, you’ll learn about where to go, where to stay, what to see and do, and so much more. If you have any Dolomites travel questions, don’t hesitate to DM us on Instagram @moonhoneytravelers.

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Dolomites Travel Guide Overview

Dolomites Map: Where to Go in the Dolomites
Best Time to Visit the Dolomites
Languages Spoken in the Dolomites
Dolomites Accommodation
How to get to the Dolomites
What to Experience in the Dolomites
Where to Hike in the Dolomites
What to Eat & Drink in the Dolomites

Dolomites Itinerary

7-Day Dolomites Road Trip Itinerary

Plan your trip to the Dolomites

Hike in the Dolomites

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Dolomites Map

Where to Go in the Dolomites

On the map below, we’ve plotted all the must-see attractions across the Dolomites. We’ve summarized all our favorite destinations in Best Places to Visit in the Dolomites.

Dolomites Destinations

Sella Group and Cir Peaks, Val Gardena Dolomites

Best Time to Visit the Dolomites

Best Time for Hiking in the Dolomites

The best time to hike in the Dolomites is from the end of June until the end of September.

That’s when most trails are free of snow. It’s also when mountain huts (hütte, rifugio) are open and seasonal buses and cableways are operating. Many hikes in the Dolomites begin or end with an aerial cableway (chairlift, gondola, etc…). And, if you’re planning on getting around by bus, there are more connections and buses running during high season.

Read Best Time to Visit the Dolomites for Hiking for an overview of what it’s like to visit in May, June, July, August, September, October, and November.

August in the Dolomites

August is a very busy month in the Dolomites. Italians are on vacation, roads are congested, and trails are crowded. Weather is generally excellent with the occasional thunderstorm.

September in the Dolomites

September is a wonderful month to hike in the Dolomites. It’s still busy, but not as packed as August. With the exception of a rogue snow storm, the weather is very stable throughout the month.

Mountain huts are open, cable cars are running, and busses are frequent.

Learn More: Hiking in the Dolomites in September

October in the Dolomites

October is also a promising month to travel to the Dolomites, especially for fall colors. If you decide to travel to the Dolomites in October, we recommend renting a car. Many mountain huts will already be closed for the season, though not all. And, many chairlifts and gondolas will also be closed (by end of September). So, October promises quiet trails, beautiful colors, but with less convenience.

Learn More: Hiking in the Dolomites in October

Best Time for Skiing in the Dolomites

If your aim is to ski, the Dolomites winter season begins in mid-December and ends in early April. In November 2019, the ski slopes already opened up in Alta Badia. However, if you’re planning an international trip, stick to January and February to be safe.

When You Shouldn’t Travel to the Dolomites

Early Spring. Traveling to the Dolomites in May is hit or miss since the weather is unpredictable. It can still snow, but it’s not “ski season.” Because the region’s many chairlifts aren’t in operation, hiking is limited. Also, many hotels and restaurants are closed, making it difficult to find places to eat.

Late Fall. While early Fall can be a splendid time to visit the Dolomites, you should avoid visiting the Dolomites in November. The hiking season is over and the skiing season has yet to begin.

Hiking from Seceda to Col Raiser, Val Gardena Dolomites

What Languages are Spoken in the Dolomites

The Dolomites are located in 5 different provinces (within 3 regions) in Northeastern Italy. One province, South Tyrol (in German: Südtirol; in Italian: Alto Adige), was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire prior to World War I.

German continues to be the primary language spoken in this region. When traveling and hiking through South Tyrol, every street, advertisement, natural area, mountain hut, etc… is written in both German and Italian.

Another language that you may encounter is Ladin, a romance language spoken in the provinces of South Tyrol, Trentino, and Belluno, by the Ladin people. In Alta Badia, you’ll see signage and names (e.g. towns, mountain huts) in three languages: Ladin, German, and Italian.

Best Places to Stay in the Dolomites

The Dolomites stretch across three Italian regions. This is a huge alpine region. When you start to plan your Dolomites trip, it can quickly get overwhelming. After several independent trips to the Dolomites, we’ve narrowed down the best places to stay:

Val Gardena, South Tyrol
Alta Badia, South Tyrol
Alta Pusteria, South Tyrol
Val di Funes, South Tyrol
Alpe di Siusi, South Tyrol
San Martino di Castrozza, Trentino
Cortina d’Ampezzo, Belluno
Val d’Ega, South Tyrol

Learn More: Best Places to Stay in the Dolomites

Hotel Ciasa Soleil Indoor Pool, La Villa, Alta Badia, Dolomites

Dolomites Accommodation

farm stays, hotels, mountain huts

There are many ways to experience the Dolomites. For those that want to experience the culture of the valleys and the towns, we recommend staying in farm stays. For those seeking a luxurious getaway, look no further than the region’s 5-star spa hotels. And for hikers who want to traverse long distances, we recommend sleeping in mountain huts (Rifugi, Hütten). Read our Dolomites accommodation guide to find the perfect place to stay.

Roter Hahn Farm Stays

Roter Hahn (Red Rooster) is a trademark given to farmhouses in South Tyrol that provide quality holiday accommodations. There are 1,600 Roter Hahn farms in the region. The goal of Roter Hahn is to put people in touch with the rural world of South Tyrol. Another objective is to help farmers establish another occupation and stream of income.

We stayed in three Roter Hahn Farms and had outstanding experiences each time. The hosts were hospitable, the rooms were clean, and overall the prices were cheaper than other accommodation options.

To look for farm stays, use the Roter Hahn website. There’s a form, next to each farmhouse page, that lets you reach out and request a reservation. If the farmhouse has availability for the date(s) given, they’ll reach out to you via email.

Luxury Wellness Hotels

If farm stays sound too rustic, and you’re in the mood for a real treat, check out some of these superb wellness hotels:

Naturhotel Leitlhof in San Candido/Innichen, Alta Pusteria
Romantik Hotel Cappella in Colfosco, Alta Badia
Hotel Fanes in San Cassiano, Alta Badia
Forestis Dolomites in Bressanone/Brixen
Bad Moos Dolomites Spa Resort in Val Fiscalina, Sesto
Alpina Dolomites on Alpe di Siusi
Hotel Cristallo in La Villa, Alta Badia

Read Next: Best Hotels in the Dolomites

Rifugi

A Rifugio is a high-elevation mountain hut, accessible by foot.

One of the best things about hiking in the Dolomites is that you can go on a multi-day hike, overnighting in Rifugi (Hütten) along the way. These mountain refuges are located directly on hiking trails and enable you to spend the night deep in the mountains, without having to carry camping gear.

Whether you want to break up a longer trek, or simply wake up in the Dolomites, sleeping in a charming Rifugio/Hütte is a rewarding experience. The Dolomites have a vast network of rifugios, which allow you to hike from one hut to another. It’s important to make reservations in advance. Here are some hut to hut itineraries for inspiration:

3 Day Trek around Tre Cime di Lavaredo
3 Day Rosengarten Trek
Alta Via 1 (4 -10 days)

Learn More: Hut to Hut Hiking in the Dolomites

Good to Know: the plural of Rifugio in Italian is Rifugi, but English speakers commonly say Rifugios. In German-speaking South Tyrol, a Rifugio is called a Hütte.

Hotel Rodella, Selva di Val Gardena, Dolomites

How to Get to the Dolomites

Where to Fly in and out

Getting to the Italian Dolomites usually requires a multi-leg journey, as there are no airports in the Dolomites. The closest airports to the Dolomites are:

Marco Polo International Airport, Venice, Italy
Valerio Catullo Airport, Verona, Italy
Malpensa Airport, Milan, Italy
Munich International Airport, Germany
Innsbruck Airport, Austria

Traveling to the Dolomites with a Car

International travelers typically fly to the Venice Airport, pick up their rental car, and drive to the Dolomites.

Depending on where you land, it can take anywhere from 2 to 5 hours to reach the Dolomites by car. Here’s how long it takes to drive from the following airports to Cortina d’Ampezzo, a central destination in the Dolomites.

Venice, Italy to the Dolomites: 2 hours
Verona, Italy to the Dolomites: 3:10 hours
Milan, Italy to the Dolomites: 5 hours
Munich, Germany to the Dolomites: 4:30 hours
Innsbruck Austria, to the Dolomites: 2:40 hours

Traveling to the Dolomites without a Car

We’ve traveled to the Dolomites with and without a car. A car affords more flexibility, but you can definitely travel to the Dolomites without renting a car.

If you’re flying to Venice Airport, take the Express Bus from the airport to Cortina D’Ampezzo. From here, you can rely on buses (high season only) to get to major Dolomites destinations like Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Cinque Torri, Alta Badia, etc…

If you’re traveling to the Dolomites from neighboring countries, you should take a train to Bolzano (Bozen). From Bolzano, it’s really easy to get to Eggental and Val Gardena with public transit. Use these sites to help plan your trip:

Dolomiti Bus – transit schedules for the province of Belluno (Veneto Region)
SAD bus site – transit schedules for South Tyrol (Alto Adige)

Cadini di Misurina, Sesto Dolomites, Italy

What to See and Do in the Dolomites

Below, we’ve highlighted some of our favorite destinations and things to do in the Dolomites. For a complete guide to what to do in the Dolomites, read Unforgettable Things to Do in the Dolomites.

Rifugio Auronzo, Cadini di Misurina, Sesto Dolomites, Italy — Rifugio Auronzo

Stay in a Rifugio

One of the best things about hiking in the Dolomites is that you can sleep in a mountain refuge (Hütte, Rifugio).

Sleeping in a mountain hut, surrounded by breathtaking scenery, is a wonderful experience in and of itself. However, it’s also very practical, if you want to break up a longer trek like this 3 Day Rosengarten Trek or the Alta Via 1.

We love the atmosphere of Rifugi in the Dolomites. People play cards, read books, examine trail maps, and drink Schnaps. And because you’re seated with other hikers at dinner, you get to connect with new people and share your experiences.

Another benefit of staying in a hut is seeing how the colors of the mountains change with the time of day. When we arrived at Rifugio Alpe di Tires/Tierser Alpl in the late afternoon, the mountains looked purple. In the morning, they looked yellow.

Read Next: Hut to Hut Hiking in the Dolomites

Hiking the Loop Trail around Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Sesto Dolomites — Tre Cime di Lavaredo

Hike the Loop Trail around Tre Cime di Lavaredo

This day hike upstages all others. The views are mind-blowing. You might even think that you don’t deserve them, after barely breaking a sweat on the trail. Well, you deserve them. And, we hope you go.

In a nutshell, the hike circumnavigates the iconic Three Peaks (Drei Zinnen in German, Tre Cime di Lavaredo in Italian). It takes about 4 hours to do the whole loop, which is 9.7 km in length.

The most impressive view of the peaks is from Rifugio Locatelli/Dreizinnenhütte, which is a mountain hut facing the north side of Tre Cime di Lavaredo. It’s also a great place to have lunch.

To start this hike, you’ll need to drive, or take the bus to Rifugio Auronzo in Belluno via the Auronzo – Tre Cime di Lavaredo toll road.

Learn More: Tre Cime di Lavaredo Day Hike

Insider Tip: After completing the circuit, hike 30 minutes to the famous Cadini di Misurina viewpoint.

Alternatively, you can hike to Tre Cime di Lavaredo from Val Fiscalina/Fischleintal in South Tyrol. We wrote about this scenic ascent route in our Sexten Hiking Guide.

If you want to combine the Val Fiscalina ascent with the circuit trail, check out our 3-day Tre Cime di Lavaredo hut-to-hut route.

Hotel Ciasa Soleil outdoor jacuzzi, La Villa, Alta Badia — Hotel Ciasa Soleil outdoor jacuzzi

Discover the Meaning of Wellness in Alta Badia

Nestled between the Puez Mountains, Fanes Group, Sella Group, Mount Sassongher, and the Cir peaks, Alta Badia is one of the best destinations in the Dolomites. This charming region in South Tyrol delights with its idyllic scenery, numerous hiking trails, and stellar hotels.

When it comes to wellness and spa hotels, Alta Badia is the reigning queen of the Dolomites. These hotels pamper guests with their extensive wellness and sauna facilities, gourmet half-board menus, alpine-chic design, and scenic locations.

Hotel Cristallo in La Villa, Alta Badia
Hotel Kolfuschgerhof in Colfosco, Alta Badia
Romantik Hotel Cappella in Colfosco, Alta Badia
Hotel Fanes in San Cassiano, Alta Badia
Lagació Hotel Mountain Residence in San Cassiano, Alta Badia
Hotel Col Alto in Corvara, Alta Badia

Photo: Hotel Ciasa Soleil in La Villa, Alta Badia

Learn More: Alta Badia Summer Guide

Marvel at the Seceda Ridgeline and Hike around Val Gardena

Val Gardena/Grödnertal is a valley in South Tyrol that encompasses the towns Ortisei/St. Ulrich, Santa Cristina/St. Christina, and Selva di Val Gardena/Wolkenstein. From these towns, you can hop on an aerial cableway to various plateaus and summits in the Val Gardena Dolomites.

One of the most thrilling focal points in the region is the Seceda summit in Puez-Odle Nature Park. From the Seceda ridgeline, the jagged Odle/Geisler peaks look like a Swiss Army Knife, eternally stabbing the sky.

There are many ways to reach the Seceda summit.

The fastest ascent route to Seceda is via the Ortisei-Furnes-Seceda cableways. From the mountain station, it’s a mere 10-minute hike to the Seceda summit viewpoint. We highly recommend following the ridge trail to the Forcella Pana/Panascharte gap, and then continuing to the Pieralongia mountain pasture and ultimately to Rifugio Firenze/Regensburgerhütte. This circuit hike is 8.9 km and takes 3:30 hours to complete (without breaks). We wrote about this hike in detail in our Seceda hiking guide.

More Seceda Ascent Routes

Difficult Hike: Resciesa to Seceda
Moderately Difficult Hike: Cristauta/Praplan Parking Lot to Seceda

Learn More: Best Hiking Trails in Val Gardena

Visit Lago di Braies: The Pearl of the Dolomites

Lago di Braies (Pragser Wildsee in German) is an alpine lake in Braies Valley (Valle di Braies in Italian, Pragser Tal in German), a side valley of Upper Puster Valley (Alta Pusteria, Hochpustertal) in South Tyrol.

Braies Lake lies at the foot of the north face of Croda del Becco (Seekofel in German, Sass dla Porta in Ladin), a towering massif (2,810m), which creates the jaw-dropping, picture-perfect backdrop of Lago di Braies. There’s a reason it’s called the Peal of the Dolomites. And like any declared “pearls,” Lago di Braies is not a secret.

You won’t be alone when visiting Lake Braies…not at 5 am and not at 5 pm. Everyone wants to visit this iconic sight. However, very few people who visit, know that you can hike from the lake to Hochalpensee (2254 m), Hochalpenkopf (2542 m), Croda delle Becco/Seekofel (2810 m), and Herrnstein (2447 m).

As of Summer 2021, there are new regulations regarding lake access during the high season (July 10 – September 10). To protect the sensitive ecosystem of the lake, local authorities are curtailing personal vehicle traffic. If you visit between July 10 – September 10, you must pre-book and pre-pay your transit to the lake as well as parking.

Learn More: Lago di Braies Guide

Geisleralm, Adolf Munkel Trail, Dolomites, Italy — Geisleralm

Hike at the foot of the Geisler Peaks

The Adolf Munkel Trail in Val di Funes (Vilnöss Valley) is an easy 9.2 km hike that takes you to the foot of the Geisler Peaks. As you ascend along a small stream to the peaks, you’ll quickly understand why the Dolomites are called the Pale Mountains.

After hiking beneath these impressive Dolomite pinnacles, the trail leads you to a high alpine pasture. Cows, donkeys, and horses might greet you as you hike to the mountain hut Gschnagenhardt Alm (Malga Casnago), elevation 2,006 meters. You can relax outside, order lunch, drink a beer, and interact with the animals.

Learn More: Hiking the Adolf Munkel Trail

Forcella Pian di Cengia to Rifugio Pian di Cengia Hiking Trail, Sesto Dolomites

Discover World War I Trails and Tunnels

During World War I, the front between Austria-Hungary and Italy ran through the Dolomites. A bitter mountain war was waged between the opposing sides from 1915 to 1917. Both armies built tunnels, trails, and trenches to secure the border and protect themselves. The reason why there is such a great network of trails today is due to the efforts of these WWI soldiers.

During the course of the war, the greatest threat to both armies was the extreme weather. In December 1916, avalanches buried 10,000 Italian and Austrian troops in just two days.

Though it’s impossible to imagine how a war could be fought in such unforgiving terrain, there is plenty of evidence pointing to this region’s inglorious past.

To see trenches, tunnels and trails from the war, visit the open-air museum at Cinque Torri, Lagazuoi Tunnels, and Monte Piana, near Cortina d’Ampezzo.

Lago di Sorapis, Dolomites Travel, Italy — Lago di Sorapiss

Hike to Lago di Sorapis

Lago di Sorapis is a glacial lake in the Sorapiss Group in the Ampezzo Dolomites.

Set in a natural natural amphitheater and ringed by forest and rock, Lago di Sorapis bewitches with its milky-blue hue and rugged mountain backdrop. You might think you’re looking at an enchantress’ pool filled with a magic potion.

Lake Sorapis is only accessible by foot. Starting at Passo Tre Croci mountain pass, which is about halfway between Cortina d’Ampezzo and Lake Misurina, it only takes 2 hours to reach the lake. Follow trail 215 in the direction of Rifugio Vandelli.

Experienced hikers should consider the return route to Passo Tre Croci via Forcella Marcuoira saddle.

Learn More: Lago di Sorapis Circuit Hike

Sciliar-Catinaccio/Schlern-Rosengarten Nature Park, Dolomites

What to Eat & Drink in the Dolomites

Italian Custom: Coperto

Coperto means cover charge. It’s the fee you pay to sit at a table in a restaurant. Generally, the fee is somewhere between 1 EUR and 5 EUR. This may, or may not be advertised on the menu.

What to Eat in the Dolomites

Contrary to what most believe, the food in the Dolomites isn’t homogenous. As you explore the many regions of the Dolomites, you’ll encounter Italian, Tirolean (Austrian), and Ladin cuisine.

Brettljause: A snack board with Speck (dried ham), sausage, cheese, bread, and butter.
Knödel: large breadcrumb dumplings made with either Speck (ham), Käse (cheese), or Spinat (spinach). Knödel is often served in a soup, or as a side dish. You can also order the Knödel-Trilogie (Tris di Canederli in Italian), which is three dumplings (ham, spinach, cheese), garnished with butter and parmesan.
Schlutzkrapfen (Mezzelune in Italian): half-moon-shaped stuffed pasta, similar to ravioli. Traditionally, Schlutzkrapfen is filled with curd cheese and spinach. Our favorite type is stuffed with Eierschwammerl (chanterelle mushrooms).
Südtiroler Naturjoghurt mit Preiselbeeren: Natural Yogurt with cranberries.
Polenta: Boiled cornmeal. Polenta is commonly served with mushrooms, meaty stews, sausages, and fried cheese.

What to Drink in the Dolomites

White Wine: South Tyrol is a major wine producer. And, 60% of their total harvest is white wine. They make excellent Gewürztraminer, Weissburgunder, and Chardonnays.
Schnaps: Ein Schnapserl in Ehren kann niemand verwehren!” Translation: “No One can refuse a cherished schnaps.” This toast perfectly captures the culture of South Tyrol. After dinner, many people opt for a Schnapps, as opposed to espresso, as a digestif.