Dolomites Travel Guide
The Dolomites are a massive mountain range 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 142,000 hectares.
The Italian Dolomites are without a question one of the most dramatic alpine destinations in the world. Each mountain group is uniquely shaped. So, when you spend enough time in the region, you know each mountain by its name and appreciate every vantage point, trail, and mountain pass that yields a different view of that mountain.
Beyond the sculpturesque shapes, it’s the unique coloration of the Dolomites that captivate. The light and time of day reveal different shades of crimson, peach, rose, white, and violet in the rock.
Nestled between the cliffs, you’ll find high alpine pastures and meadows dotted with rifugios (mountain huts), cows, and horses. During the summer high season, rifugios serve food and drink. So, when you’re hiking in the Dolomites, you don’t need to pack a lunch, as there’s usually a delicious meal waiting for you on the mountain.
Where to Stay in the Italian 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 in summer and early Fall: Val Gardena, Alta Badia, Cortina d’Ampezzo, San Martino di Castrozza, Val di Funes, and Eggental.
Learn More: Best Places to Stay in the Dolomites