Mountains that glow at sunset. Lakes like glass. Trails that make you feel tiny, and free, and exactly where you’re meant to be. Visiting the Dolomites isn’t just a trip — it’s a love story waiting to happen. Here’s the Dolomites guide I wish I’d had for my first visit.
Updated: April 2025

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There are places you visit because they’re on “Best Of” lists. And then there are places like the Dolomites — the kind that speak to your soul.
I spent months wandering these valleys, chasing sunrises, missing trail markers, and figuring out the best (and worst) ways to experience them — so you don’t have to.

In this guide, I’ll show you how to plan a Dolomites trip you’ll still be talking about years from now.
➔ How to get there without the drama.
➔ Where to stay to make the most of your time.
➔ The best seasons, the must-do hikes, the photo spots that will ruin you for everywhere else.
➔ And all the local tips I wish someone had told me before I packed my boots and hoped for the best.

Whether you’re dreaming about quiet lakes at sunrise or just trying to figure out how not to accidentally hike 25km your first day (yes, I’m that person), you’re in the right place.

Let’s get you to the good part.

The features in this post were hand-selected by an obsessive travel nerd with strong opinions who doesn’t gatekeep good shit (hi, that’s me). Some of them are affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting my work and the occasional wine along the way – Cat.

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Where Exactly Are the Dolomites (And Why You’ll Love Them)

You’ll find the Dolomites tucked into the northern tip of Italy, right up near the Austrian border — close enough that the signs flip between Italian and German before you’ve finished your coffee.
One of my favourite hikes in the Dolomites, Olperehütte, is actually reached from Austria rather than Italy!

Part of the Southern Limestone Alps, this UNESCO World Heritage site is famous for its jagged peaks, lush valleys, turquoise lakes, and old-world villages. Think: Sound of Music vibes meets Italian wine country — but with better hiking boots.

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The Dolomites span several provinces, but the most popular areas are in South Tyrol, Trentino, and Belluno. You’ll want a rental car if you plan to explore properly — the magic here isn’t just at the postcard spots. It’s in the valleys, the quiet sunrise trails, the tucked-away rifugi that you only find if you can go your own way.

Planning A Dolomites trip? Here are some useful posts for you:
⤷ How to Get to the Dolomites | Airports, cars, trains and bus tips
⤷ Hire a Car | How to Rent a Car in Bolzano Without Losing your Deposit
⤷ Where to Stay | Pick the perfect Dolomites Base for your visit
⤷ When to Come | Month-by-month guide so you time it right

What Makes the Dolomites So Special

I fling the word “breathtaking” around a lot when it comes to visiting the Dolomites, but when you visit, you’ll see why.
These aren’t just beautiful mountains — they’re a 250-million-year-old masterpiece.

Once the floor of a prehistoric tropical sea, the Dolomites were slowly sculpted by time into the razor-edged peaks you see today. Fossils are still etched into the pale rock faces, and history runs just as deep — from ancient legends to World War I battles fought through the snow.

It’s this mix of natural drama, human history, and cultural collision (Italian, Austrian, and Ladin traditions all alive here) that makes the Dolomites feel different. Wilder. More personal. More alive.

Standing here, it’s not just the views that stop you — it’s the weight of all the stories beneath your boots.

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TIP | The Dolomites are spread across several provinces. Save yourself endless Googling by thinking in terms of regions like Val Gardena, Alta Badia, and Tre Cime di Lavaredo when planning your trip.

How to Get to the Dolomites

The Dolomites might look remote — all wild peaks and whispering forests — but getting here is surprisingly easy.

Most travellers fly into a major city like Venice, Verona, or even Innsbruck in Austria, rent a car, and drive straight into mountain magic.

➔ TIP | There’s no such thing as a “Dolomites Airport” — you’ll need to plan a little road time to get to the good stuff.

Closest Airports for Visiting the Dolomites

Here’s a rough idea of how long it’ll take you to hit the mountains once you land:

➔ Venice Marco Polo Airport (Italy) | 2 hours
➔ Verona Airport (Italy) | 2 hours
➔ Innsbruck Airport (Austria) | 1.5 hours
➔ Milan Malpensa Airport (Italy) | 4 hours
➔ Munich Airport (Germany) | 4 hours

✖️ Florence, Rome, or Naples are too far unless you’re planning a longer Italy trip with the Dolomites tacked on.

Need step-by-step instructions for flying and driving to the Dolomites?
⤷ COMING SOON | How to Get to the Dolomites: Airports, Routes + Tips

Should You Rent a Car?

Short answer? ✔️ YES.

Public transport does exist, but the best hikes, lakes, and hidden valleys aren’t always easy to reach by bus or train — especially outside high summer.

If you want to catch a sunrise over a glassy lake or trailhead-hop without memorising bus schedules, a rental car is pure freedom.

⤷ READ THIS | Plan your own Road Trip Adventure in the Dolomites

Can You Get to the Dolomites Without a Car?

✔️ It’s possible — especially if you’re basing yourself in bigger hubs like Bolzano, Cortina d’Ampezzo, or Ortisei.

The bus and cable car networks are solid in summer, but routes scale back or close in winter and shoulder seasons. Be ready for longer travel times, less flexibility, and the occasional game of “find the mystery bus stop.”

➔ TIP | If you’re using buses or trains, consider basing yourself near a cable car station — it’ll make life 1000x easier.

Planning a car-free adventure?
⤷ COMING SOON | How to Explore the Dolomites Without a Car

When Is the Best Time to Visit the Dolomites?

If you want the Dolomites at their best, you’ve got to time it right — because these mountains know how to change moods.

The short version?
✔️ Summer is peak hiking season.
✔️ Autumn is for fiery larches and quieter trails.
✔️ Winter turns everything into a snow-covered wonderland.
✔️ Spring… is mostly mud, closed trails, and a very confused suitcase.

Here’s what you need to know to pick your perfect moment:

Summer (June–September) ➔ High season for a reason

This is when the Dolomites hit their full hiking, biking, lake-picnicking glory.

Expect:
➔ Longer days, open lifts, open rifugi.
➔ Crowds at hotspots like Tre Cime and Lago di Braies (but still plenty of quieter trails if you know where to look).
➔ Higher prices and limited accommodation if you don’t book early.

If hiking is your dream, summer’s your season — just plan ahead. And maybe try to avoid the hell that is August Europe-wide school holidays…

Autumn (late September–October) ➔ Chef’s kiss season

If you want the Dolomites at their fiery best — without elbowing your way through crowds — autumn is where the magic happens.
Fewer people, golden larch trees setting the valleys on fire, crisp mornings, and the kind of sunsets you’ll think about on boring Tuesday afternoons forever.

CAT’S TOP TIP | Some rifugi close in early October, so you’ll want to double-check what’s open if you’re planning hut-to-hut adventures.

When I visited Croda da Lago in autumn, I hit the jackpot: perfect golden trees, clear skies, and a magical hike around Lago di Federa.
But — full disclosure — a few photographers I met there said that just three years earlier, the same week had been snow-covered, with the larches still stubbornly green.

Some years autumn comes early, and some years it doesn’t come at all — mountains gonna mountain.

Typically, mid-October is your best bet for peak autumn colour, and the weather is often settled and crisp… but come prepared for anything.

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TIP | Snow can arrive at any time in autumn, and once you get into late October, you’ll find many chairlifts, hiking trails, and accommodations starting to close for the winter season. If you want the full hiking experience, aim for late September to mid-October.

Winter (December–March) ➔ Snow globe vibes

The Dolomites in winter are absurdly beautiful — all powdered peaks and fairy tale villages.
➔ Perfect if you want to ski, snowboard, snowshoe, or drink mulled wine under a giant Christmas tree.
➔ Hiking trails, however, are under thick snow and not accessible without serious gear or guides.

Spring (April–May) ➔ Muddy and closed

You’d think it would be dreamy — wildflowers, fewer crowds — but in reality, most of the Dolomites are still thawing out! Spring doesn’t get springy here until June.
Many trails are snow-covered or closed for safety, and most rifugi (mountain huts) don’t open until some time in June.
➔ I’d skip it unless you’re just road-tripping or visiting towns at lower elevations for the epic spa and wellness scene.

Where to Stay in the Dolomites

The Dolomites aren’t a one-town show — they’re a whole mood spread across valleys, peaks, and tiny villages you’ll wish you could move into immediately.

The secret? Pick two or three good bases and explore from there.
It’ll save you hours of frustrating backtracking — and give you a real taste of how wildly different each part of the mountains can feel.
Here’s where to start:

➔ Val Gardena | Best for first-timers who want access to iconic hikes like Seceda, Sassolungo, and Sella Pass.
⤷ Stay in Ortisei, Selva di Val Gardena, or Santa Cristina

➔ Alpe di Siusi | Gentle trails, dreamy sunrises, soft girl mountain magic.
⤷ Stay in Castelrotto, Siusi, or right on the meadow.

➔ Val di Funes | Tiny villages, Insta-famous churches, and wild, breathtaking hikes.
⤷ Stay in Santa Maddalena or San Pietro.

➔ Alta Badia | Rugged peaks, Ladin culture, Michelin-starred mountain huts.
⤷ Stay in Corvara, La Villa, or Badia.

➔ Eastern Dolomites | Tre Cime, Cadini di Misurina, and those iconic lakes.
⤷ Stay in Cortina, Sesto, San Candido, Dobbiaco, or Misurina.

CAT’S TIP | Distances look short on the map — but those mountain roads will humble you. Plan to switch bases once or twice rather than spending half your trip white-knuckling your steering wheel.

My advice for you first trip?
Ortisei for 4–5 days, then Cortina for 2–3 days.
➔ Best of both worlds. No frantic hotel-hopping. No burnout.

Want my curated list of the best hotels, rifugi, and dream stays across the Dolomites?
⤷ Where to Stay in the Dolomites: My Top Regions and Hotel Picks

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Unmissable Experiences in the Dolomites: First Time Highlights

If you think the Dolomites are only about hiking, buckle up.
This is a land of sunrise meadows, mountain feasts, hairpin road trips — and more magic than your camera roll can handle.

You could spend years exploring the Dolomites and still barely scratch the surface. But for your first trip? Here’s the kind of magic you don’t want to miss:

Catch a Sunrise at Alpe di Siusi

Golden light, mist spilling over the meadows, and silence so pure you can hear your own heartbeat.
Drag yourself out of bed before dawn — it’ll be the best decision you make all trip.
⤷ Visit Alpe di Siusi for that sunrise magic

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Make your Hiking Boots Earn Their Keep

The real soul of the Dolomites isn’t found on the roads — it’s waiting for you on the trails.
From gentle meadow strolls to full-blown mountain epics, this is hiker heaven.
If you only lace up for one trail, make it the Tre Cime di Lavaredo loop: iconic for a reason.

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MY TOP 3 DOLOMITES DAY HIKES
➔ Best for Autumn | Croda da Lago (golden larches and dream lakes)
➔ Best for Beginners | Tre Cime di Lavaredo (iconic views, easy logistics)
➔ Best for Adventure-Seekers | Lago di Sorapis (that turquoise water is worth the climb)
⤷ Find more stunning Dolomites hikes here
⤷ What to wear hiking in the Dolomites (no Euro-dad vibes)

Chase the Light on a Road Trip

Want the kind of mountain views that stop you in your tracks? Sometimes, all you need is four wheels and an open map.
Driving the Dolomites means sunset over mountain passes, misty valleys before breakfast, and the pure freedom to stop wherever the light tells you to.
⤷ Build Your Own Dolomites Road Trip

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Stay Overnight in a Mountain Rifugio

There’s wild. And then there’s sleeping high in the Dolomites, where the stars feel so close you could pluck them down.
Book a bunk, eat the world’s most deserved pasta, and wake up in a dream.
⤷ [Coming soon | My guide to rifugio stays in the Dolomites]

Hunt Down the Best Photo Spots

Sure, you’ll see Lago di Braies on every Instagram feed. But the real magic?
It’s the side trails. The lakes that glow at sunset. The moments you stumble into because you chose to wander a little further.
⤷ Coming soon | My guide to the most magical photo spots in the Dolomites

Conquer Your First Via Ferrata

Clip in, hold your breath, and climb your way to a view you had to earn.
The Dolomites invented these “iron paths” — and there’s no better place to say you did one.
⤷ First time? Try this awesome guided via Ferrata tour!

Float Between Peaks on a Paragliding Flight

If walking up a mountain isn’t thrilling enough… try flying off one.
Paragliding here is pure magic — all peaks, valleys, and holy shit this is amazing moments.
⤷ Book your phenomenal paragliding experience in the Dolomites with Gardenafly

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Settle into a Spa with a View

Think saunas overlooking snow-capped peaks, infinity pools steaming in the cold air, and massages that fix what life broke.
You haven’t truly relaxed until you’ve spa-ed in the Dolomites.
⤷ [Coming soon | Best spa hotels in the Dolomites]

Ski Fairy-Tale Slopes

Come winter, the Dolomites trade hiking boots for ski boots — and it’s just as spellbinding.
The Dolomites in snow are pure fairy tale — and Cortina d’Ampezzo is just the beginning.
⤷ My winter guide is coming soon!

Need more inspo?
⤷ READ THIS | The Best Things to Do in the Dolomites

Planning Your First Dolomites Itinerary

The Dolomites aren’t the kind of place you can “do” in a checklist weekend — and honestly? You wouldn’t want them to be.
This is a place made for lingering. For late morning coffees, longer hikes, and just letting the mountains get under your skin.

Don’t worry — you don’t need to have it all figured out yet. Here’s how to build a trip that feels as magical as it deserves to:

First, how long should you spend in the Dolomites?

➔ 5–7 days is the sweet spot for first-timers.
It’s enough to get a real taste of the different regions without feeling rushed — and to mix a few bigger adventures with slower days for spa time or lazy lunches.

➔ only have 3–4 days?
Focus on one region — like Val Gardena, Cortina d’Ampezzo, or Alta Badia — and skip the temptation to zigzag all over the map.
You’ll have a much richer trip (and fewer hours behind the wheel).

➔ 7+ days?
Lucky you. You’ll be able to road trip between valleys, add in some bigger hikes, and discover corners most visitors miss.

Should you move bases or stay in one place?

➔ If you’re visiting for more than 4 days, move once.
Start in Ortisei (Val Gardena) or La Villa (Alta Badia) for western highlights, then head east to Cortina or Dobbiaco for places like Tre Cime and Lago di Braies.

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➔ If you’re short on time?
Pick one base with great access to a few different areas. Val Gardena and Cortina are both brilliant all-rounders.

How full should you plan your days?

➔ Mountains are allergic to micromanagement.
Plan for one major thing per day — a hike, a scenic drive, a big sunrise shoot — and leave space around it.

➔ Always build in “magic margins.”
The best moments often happen between the plans. That unexpected viewpoint. That tiny rifugio you find when you’re “just stretching your legs.” That second spritz you weren’t going to have (but obviously did).

My best first-timer tip?

➔ Don’t fall into the “must-see-everything” trap.
The Dolomites aren’t a checklist destination — they’re a slow burn. Give yourself time to feel it.
You’ll leave already planning your return. I know this because I am the Queen of “just one more trip to the Dolomites and I’ll be done” (spoiler alert: I am never done).

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Practical Tips for Visiting the Dolomites

The Dolomites aren’t tricky to travel — but there are a few things you’ll want to know before you lace up your boots and hit the road.

Here’s what I wish someone had told me my first time:

Driving is half the adventure.
➔ Winding mountain roads are the norm here. Add 30% to any Google Maps estimate and pack your patience (and your travel sickness tablets if you’re prone).

Planning to drive?
⤷ Here are my top tips for driving in the Dolomites

Public transport exists… but it’s not the easy option.
➔ You can explore the Dolomites by train and bus, but it’ll limit your flexibility, especially for sunrise hikes or hidden valleys. If you can drive, do.

Need wheels?
⤷ Read my guide to renting a car in Bolzano without losing your deposit

You’ll need cash.
➔ Lots of rifugi, small hotels, and car parks still run on cash (especially coins for parking meters). ATMs are rare outside towns — stock up when you can.

Book your accommodation early.
➔ Seriously. Summer and early autumn book out months ahead, especially in places like Val Gardena and Cortina. Don’t leave it to chance unless you want to end up sleeping in your car (romantic in theory, awful in reality).

Weather changes fast.
➔ It’s not unusual to wake up to sun, hike through mist, and get snowed on all before lunch. Always carry layers, a rain jacket, and enough snacks to wait out a storm if you need to.

Parking isn’t free (or fun).
➔ Expect to pay for parking at trailheads, towns, and most scenic spots. Some places take cards, many don’t — see above re: cash.

Respect the trails (and the cows).
➔ Stay on marked paths, shut gates behind you, and for the love of all that’s holy, don’t approach the cows. They’re not Disney characters — they’re huge, moody animals who will absolutely flatten you if annoyed.

Language? You’ll survive.
➔ Most people in the Dolomites speak at least a little English, especially in tourist areas. But learning a few words of Italian (or German!) goes a long way for smiles, better service, and general good karma.

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What to Pack for the Dolomites

Packing for the Dolomites is a fine art: a little hiking gear, a little “spritz at sunset” energy… and a healthy respect for weather that changes its mind hourly.

Here’s what you actually need:

➔ Layers, layers, layers
Mornings can feel like winter, afternoons like summer. Bring a mix of short sleeves, warm layers (hello, fleece or merino), and a decent waterproof jacket.

➔ Good hiking shoes
Even if you’re not planning huge hikes, you’ll want something grippy and comfy. Trails here are rocky, uneven, and sometimes steeper than expected.

➔ A small daypack
To carry water, snacks, a rain jacket, and your camera.

➔ Sun protection
Yes, even in autumn and winter. You’re higher up = the sun is stronger. Think sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, and maybe a mild respect for your own nose.

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➔ Cash and coins
For parking meters, coffee stops, and rifugios that pretend they “accept cards” but whose machines mysteriously never work.

➔ Offline maps
Phone service can be patchy once you leave town. Download Google Maps offline, and if you’re hiking, consider a proper GPS app (like Gaia) or an old-school paper map too.

➔ Power bank
Between photo-taking, map-checking, and posting smug mountain selfies, your phone battery will not survive a full Dolomites day without backup.

➔ Optional but wise: trekking poles, a lightweight puffer jacket, a swimsuit if you’re planning a spa day, and enough memory cards to rival a small newsroom.

FAQs about Visiting the Dolomites

Final Thoughts on Planning Your First Dolomites Trip

There’s no wrong way to fall in love with the Dolomites.

You’ll miss a viewpoint, take the wrong trail, or stop for “just one photo” and end up standing in awe for an hour — and it’ll still be perfect.

Plan just enough to open the doors. Then let the mountains do the rest.

And if you’re anything like me? This won’t be your last Dolomites adventure. It’ll just be the first page of a very long, very beautiful love story.

This trip’s not going to plan itself. Save this guide, send it to your chaos-enabling bestie, or just bookmark it for that inevitable “fuck it, I’m booking a flight” moment.

Already plotting? Come scream your Dolomites dreams at me in the comments — or find me in the DMs. I love a good mountain manifesting session.

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