Dolomites Travel Guide
The Dolomites are one of the most breathtaking mountain destinations in Europe. Jagged pinnacles of rock soar into the sky, mountain huts and cabins dot the green, rolling hills, cable cars whisk hikers and skiers to the highest mountain peaks, and hiking trails connect small hamlets and towns.
We’ve spent 12 days exploring the Dolomites across multiple trips, hiking iconic trails like Tre Cime di Lavaredo and the Puez-Odle Altopiano, riding cable cars to Seceda and Marmolada, driving the mountain passes, and road-tripping between Cortina d’Ampezzo and Val Gardena. Each visit has only made us want to come back for more.
This Dolomites Travel Guide is your starting point for planning an unforgettable trip. Below you’ll find the best things to do, our favorite hikes, itinerary ideas for 3 to 10 days, where to stay, when to visit, and practical tips to help you organize your perfect Dolomites adventure.
Start Here: Planning Your Dolomites Trip
New to the Dolomites? Start with these essential guides:
- Want an overview on what to do? → Here are the best things to do in the Dolomites
- Want a complete day-by-day plan? → Read our Dolomites Itinerary
- Interested in hitting the trails? → Here are the best hikes in the Dolomites
- Plan your perfect visit → Here are the things we wished we knew before visiting the Dolomites
Why Visit the Dolomites?
For many visitors, ourselves included, this region is the highlight of a trip to Italy. The beautiful landscapes, the charming towns, and the long list of incredible hiking trails create a magical travel destination.
What truly makes the Dolomites special is how accessible these landscapes are. You don’t need to be an expert mountaineer to experience them. Cable cars lift you high into the mountains, well-marked hiking trails connect rifugios and viewpoints, and scenic drives like Passo Giau and the Sella Pass deliver breathtaking views straight from your car window.
And while there are many ways to experience the Dolomites, hiking is what truly makes this region special.
Hiking in the Dolomites
The Dolomites are one of the best places in the world to go hiking. From short scenic walks to high-alpine summit climbs, there’s something here for every ability level.
Iconic Bucket List Hikes
Tre Cime di Lavaredo. The triple peaks of Tre Cime di Lavaredo are the symbol of the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage Site. On this hike, walk the loop around the peaks…it’s an essential hike in the Dolomites.
Cadini di Misurina. The main reason for doing this hike is to reach the viewpoint of the Cadini di Misurina but you also get a very unique view of Tre Cime di Lavaredo.
Lago di Sorapis. Lago di Sorapis attracts hundreds of hikers every day in the summer. It’s a beautiful lake but be prepared for big crowds. For the best experience, add on the trail to Forcella Marcuoira to venture high in the mountains and get a unique view of Lago di Sorapis.
Short & Easy Hikes (Big Views, Minimal Effort)
Cinque Torri. The Cinque Torri is one of the most recognizable rock formations in the Dolomites. It’s also a very short hike and perfect for all ages and ability levels.
Cinque Torri + Rifugios Averau and Nuvolau. Hike the Cinque Torri and add on rifugios Averau and Nuvolau for one of the best all-around hiking experiences in the Dolomites.
Seceda. Seceda is a famous viewpoint in the Dolomites and it’s just a short hike to get here, since a cable car whisks you high into the mountains, eliminating what would be a massive climb.
Adolf Munkel Weg. The Adolf Munkel Weg runs along the base of the Odle/Geisler mountain group in Val di Funes. On this walk, the views are very nice but having lunch at one of mountain huts is the highlight of the experience.
Challenging Hikes & Summit Hikes
Croda da Lago Circuit. This hike loops around the Croda da Lago mountain group. On the way, you will visit the lovely Lago Federa and climb up to Forcella Ambrizzola and Forcella Rossa for more panoramic views of the Dolomites.
Puez-Odle Altopiano. With jaw-dropping views of the Dolomites, fields of wildflowers, and some of the best alpine views in Italy, this is our favorite hike in the Dolomites.
Piz Boè. Piz Boè is considered to be one of the easiest summits over 3,000 meters (10,000 feet) in the Dolomites. From the peak, you have 360° views over the Dolomites that will take your breath away.
15 Best Hikes in the Dolomites (Easy to Challenging)
In this guide, we list 15 of the best hikes in the Dolomites…15 wonderful adventures to add to your trip to this beautiful corner of Italy.
Dolomites Trail Guides
Hiking the Amazing Puez-Odle Altopiano in the Dolomites
The Puez-Odle Altopiano trail is a 17 km (10.6 mile) hike along some of the highest mountain peaks in the Dolomites. We hiked this lesser-known trail on our first trip to the Dolomites and it is a spectacular hike from start to finish. With jaw-dropping views of the Dolomites, fields of wildflowers, and endless alpine […]
Tre Cime di Lavaredo Hike: Step-By-Step Trail Guide, Parking & Map
The Tre Cime di Lavaredo trail is one of the most iconic hikes in the Italian Dolomites, featuring a scenic loop trail that circles three dramatic limestone peaks. We’ve hiked Tre Cime on multiple trips to the Dolomites, including peak summer season when parking restrictions were in place. The first time we did this hike, […]
Exactly How to Hike to the Cadini di Misurina Viewpoint
The hike to the Cadini di Misurina viewpoint is one of our favorite short hikes in the Dolomites. This is a gorgeous hike every step of the way, with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, a unique view of the “backside” of Tre Cime di Lavaredo, and of course, an awesome view of the Cadini […]
Cinque Torri Hike: One of the Best Short Hikes in the Dolomites
If you are looking for a short, scenic, easy hike, it’s tough to beat the Cinque Torri. We’ve hiked the most iconic trails in the Dolomites on several trips, and this is one of the best hikes in the Dolomites. What makes it even better is the option to add on two mountain huts for […]
Hiking the WWI Frontline Trail From Lagazuoi to Passo Falzarego
The Lagazuoi to Passo Falzarego Trail is an easy, downhill hike in the Dolomites that combines stunning alpine views with World War I history. It’s a great hike for families and those looking for a short, sweet hike combined with a thrilling cable car ride. This was the very first hike that we did in […]
How to Hike the Adolf Munkel Weg to Geisler Alm
The Adolf Munkel Weg is a point-to-point hiking trail that runs along the Odle/Geisler mountain group in Val di Funes. This hike is on the longer side (13 km) and since it is point-to-point, you will have to use public transportation or do some extra hiking to get back to the starting point. We didn’t […]
Croda da Lago Circuit Hike (+ Lago Federa & Forcella Ambrizzola)
The Croda da Lago Circuit is one of the most underrated hikes that we did in the Dolomites. We’ve explored this region on multiple trips and hiked many of its classic trails, and this loop still stands out for its variety: soaring limestone peaks, quiet alpine meadows, and the impossibly photogenic Lago Federa tucked beneath […]
How to Hike Rifugios Averau & Nuvolau for Stunning Dolomites Views
Although we hadn’t intended to hike to Rifugio Averau or Rifugio Nuvolau, seeing them in the distance while hiking the Cinque Torri changed everything. The views from both huts were spectacular, turning a spontaneous decision into one of our most unforgettable experiences in the Dolomites. Rifugios Averau and Nuvolau are two of the most scenic, […]
Piz Boè Hiking Guide: Map, Hiking Stats, Trail Guide & Photos
Piz Boè is considered to be one of the easiest summits over 3,000 meters (10,000 feet) in the Dolomites. This is largely because you have the option to take a cable car to skip the majority of the exhausting climb. We hiked Piz Boè on our second trip to the Dolomites. Our day started in […]
Top Experiences in the Dolomites (Beyond Hiking)
Ride the cable cars to the tops of the tallest peaks, visit the alpine lakes, and explore the towns and valleys.
15 Surprising Things to Do in the Dolomites That Aren’t Hiking
The Dolomites are one of the best places in the world to go hiking. But what if you don’t want to go hiking. Is it still worth visiting the Dolomites if you never plan to set foot on a hiking trail? Yes!! In this guide, we cover the best things to do in the Dolomites that involve little to no hiking.
Ride the Cable Car to Cima Tofana. From the mountain station, you have 360° views of the Dolomites. In our opinion, it’s even better than the more popular Marmolada.
Marmolada. Ride the cable car to the top of Marmolada, the highest peak in the Dolomites.
Drive the Mountain Passes. There is a long list of scenic mountain passes to drive in the Dolomites. Our favorites are Passo Pordoi, the Sella Pass, Passo Giau, and the Sella Pass.
Visit the Lovely Lakes. There are a handful of beautiful lakes you can visit, including Lago di Braies, Lago Federa, Lago di Misurina, and Lago di Carezza.
Seceda. Ride the cable car to Seceda for one of the most iconic views in the Dolomites.
Dine in a Rifugio. To hike to mountain hut, have a meal, all while gazing out across some the most magnificent landscapes in Europe, is a must-have experience in the Dolomites.
Ride the Cable Car to Lagazuoi. From Falzarego Pass, ride the cable car to Lagazuoi, enjoy the view, and you can even hike back down to the pass.
Visit Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm). This is the highest alpine meadow in Europe and a great place to go hiking and mountain biking in the summer and skiing in the winter.
Visit Val di Funes. Val di Funes is one of the most picturesque areas of the Dolomites. From these green rolling hills, you get a jaw-dropping view of the Odle/Geisler Group and Santa Maddalena Church.
Go skiing. In the winter months, the Dolomites are a fantastic place in Europe to go skiing.
Best Way to Visit Seceda (with Little to No Hiking)
The ridgeline of Seceda looks almost unreal — a dramatic wall of jagged peaks rising above the green pastures of Val Gardena. It’s one of those views that stops you in your tracks, the kind you’ve seen in photos of the Dolomites and wondered, Is it really that beautiful in person? (Yes. It is.) And […]
Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm) in Summer: Things to Do, Photos & Tips
Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm in German) is the highest alpine meadow in Europe. This lush, green meadow is located in the Dolomites of Italy. Cabins, rifugios, and hotels dot the landscape. Hiking trails and biking trails run along the hillsides, connecting the small villages. And Sassolungo, with its jagged, rocky peaks, looms over the […]
Tofana di Mezzo & Cima Tofana: The Freccia nel Cielo Cable Car
There are many fantastic cable car rides in the Dolomites. Most visitors head straight to Seceda or Marmolada and miss this. Cima Tofana delivers jaw-dropping views with a fraction of the crowds, plus you have the option to add on a very short but thrilling hike. We rode the Freccia nel Cielo cable car to […]
Exactly How to Visit Lago di Braies in 2026 (Photos & Helpful Tips)
Lago di Braies (Pragser Wildsee) is one of the most beautiful lakes in the Dolomites, but visiting it requires planning. In this guide, you’ll learn the best time to go, how parking and access restrictions work in 2026, how to avoid the worst crowds, and whether Lago di Braies is actually worth visiting. This crystal-clear […]
Is Marmolada Worth It? Visiting the Highest Peak in the Dolomites
We visited Marmolada while road tripping through the Dolomites, driving from Cortina d’Ampezzo to Val Gardena. Since it is the highest peak in the Dolomites, it had long been on our list of places to visit, and adding it as a stop along this scenic drive made perfect sense. After hiking many of the region’s […]
How Many Days Do You Need in the Dolomites?
If you simply want to drive through the Dolomites and visit a few highlights, two to three days is all you need.
If you love hiking, spend as much time here as you can. I recommend five days at a minimum. So far, we spent 12 very busy days in the Dolomites and still have more that we want to come back and do. So, if you have the time in your schedule, you could easily spend 7 to 10 days hiking in the Dolomites.
Dolomites Itinerary Ideas
Dolomites Itinerary: Mix-and-Match Daily Plans for 3 to 10 Days
In this guide, we share with you the top experiences in the Dolomites, how to organize them day-by-day, and then how to put this all together to create your perfect Dolomites itinerary, whether you have 3 days, 5 days, or more.
Best Time to Visit the Dolomites
If you are planning a trip to the Dolomites to go hiking, June through September is the best time to visit the Dolomites.
In May and even into early June in some years, snow can linger on the trails. The earliest I recommend planning a hiking trip is early June. You can still visit the Dolomites in May, but you might be limited in what hikes you can do.
In October, once the snow begins to fall, the trails close. It varies from year to year, but the hiking trails are typically closed by the end of October into very early November. If the snows come early, this could happen by mid-October.
If skiing is your thing, visit the Dolomites from December through March, although some ski resorts will open sooner than this or close later than this.
Where to Stay
If you look at the Dolomites on a map, it doesn’t look all that big. But the narrow winding roads and multiple mountain passes make it slow going when driving through the Dolomites.
If you have three or more days in the Dolomites, consider staying in two different places, one in the eastern Dolomites and one in the western Dolomites. This will save you some time since you will have shorter drives to the hiking trails and viewpoints.
If you just have a few days and want one hotel, pick out what you want to do, and then choose the location closest to those activities.
To make things easy, you could book a hotel in Cortina d’Ampezzo and spend a few days here. Some of our favorite things to do in the Dolomites are near here, including Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Cinque Torri, the Croda da Lago Circuit, and Lago di Braies.
Where to Stay in the Dolomites (2026 Guide to the Best Towns & Hotels)
In this guide, we share with you the best places to stay in the Dolomites, organized by location and travel style.
Practical Planning Tips
What We Wish We Knew Before Visiting the Dolomites
Here is a list of important tips, things we wished we knew before visiting the Dolomites the first time, including what it is like to rent a car and drive through the Dolomites and how to choose the best home base.
Italy Itinerary with the Dolomites
The Perfect 10 Day Northern Italy Itinerary (Dolomites, Venice & Lake Como)
In this 10-Day Northern Italy Itinerary, visit Venice, the Dolomites, Verona, Milan, and Lake Como. You will spend four days in the Dolomites on this itinerary.
Dolomites Photos
More Information About Italy & Europe
Here are a few more articles about things to do in and around the Dolomites.
10 Days in Italy Itinerary: 5 Amazing Ideas for Your Trip to Italy
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25 BEST Places to Visit in Italy
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Venice Bucket List: 20 Amazing Things to Do in Venice, Italy
Venice is one of our favorite spots in Italy. With its winding canals, stunning architecture, and rich history, Venice is one of the most enchanting cities in the world. It is also small and compact, perfect to be explored with just a few days’ time. In this guide, we’ll take you through the absolute best things […]
12 Best Things to Do in Verona, Italy (+ One Day Itinerary)
From ancient Roman ruins to pastel streets made for evening strolls, Verona feels like stepping into a storybook. Here are the best things to do in Verona, plus how to plan the perfect one-day visit. Have you ever visited a new place and instantly fallen in love with it? For us, that was Verona. On […]
Best Hikes in Europe: Our 20 Favorite Day Hikes
Europe is one of our favorite places to go hiking. There’s no better way to explore the dramatic and varied landscapes here, from the snow-capped Alps to coastal trails to the remote, volcanic interior of Iceland. In this guide we list 20 of the best hikes in Europe, 20 amazing ways to explore this beautiful […]
Lake Garda Bucket List: 25 Things to Do in Lake Garda, Italy
Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy. With brightly colored towns, castles and Roman ruins, beaches and vineyards, amusement parks and historical sites, there is plenty here to keep you busy for days. The list of things to do in Lake Garda is long and we cover the top sights in this guide. Our […]
Italy Travel Guide: How to Plan a Trip to Italy
We have TONS more information about Italy in our Italy Travel Guide, including Rome, Florence, Venice, Tuscany, the Amalfi Coast, the Cinque Terre, and Puglia.
