A Travel Guide to the Dolomites
- Carol Lam
- Jul 4
- 11 min read
The Dolomites are home to some of the most recognizable mountain peaks in the world. Located in the Italian Alps, this mountain range is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it's easy to see why. The Dolomites are incredibly scenic—mountain peaks that feel otherworldly, alpine lakes framed by towering mountains, centuries-old towns nestled in rolling green hills, sweeping valleys and meadows, and more.
In June 2025, Kevin and I visited the Dolomites for the first time. The landscapes felt like something out of a storybook—there were a number of times when we could not believe what we were seeing. But what stood out to me the most was the sheer size of the mountains, some of which were so unbelievably colossal that words and photos can not fully capture the scale of them.
To help plan your own visit to the Dolomites, keep reading for our detailed guide and itinerary—and watch my YouTube video. This guide is intended for those looking to explore the Dolomites without committing to hut-to-hut treks (though I'd love to return in the future for this) and is based on our own experience doing day trips throughout the region.
Table of Contents
Skip ahead to specific sections in this guide!
When to Visit the Dolomites
Below you’ll find a breakdown of what weather to generally expect during each season, but be prepared for microclimates as the weather in the Dolomites can vary depending on location and elevation. Pack layers and build buffer days into your itinerary in case inclement weather shifts your plans, especially if you're planning your visit in advance. And while you're there, be sure to check the local forecast daily—the forecast the week before our visit predicted rain almost every day, but we only ended up with one day of intermittent rain.
• Summer (June—August): Expect warm weather during the day and cool weather at night. Summer is considered peak season in the Dolomites with access to hiking trails and services that were previously closed due to snow. Not only is the weather at its warmest, but the region also sees longer daylight hours. Keep in mind that snow can linger on trails even in early summer—trails were clear when we visited during the second week of June, but AllTrails reviews reported snow just a week before.
• Fall (September—November): Expect cool days and chilly nights. Fall is considered shoulder season in the Dolomites. September is often recommended as one of the best times to visit with mild weather and fewer crowds. The Dolomites also becomes draped in fall colors during this season, but keep in mind that the transition to winter can begin as early as October with trails and services becoming inaccessible.
• Winter (December—March): Expect snowy and cold weather. Winter can be considered another busy season as winter activities become accessible in parts of the Dolomites. Several ski resorts and winter trails in the region draw visitors from around the world for skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing.
• Spring (April—May): Expect chilly to cold weather. Spring is considered another shoulder season in the Dolomites. This is one of the quietest seasons as winter activities begin to wind down, and most hiking trails and services typically remain inaccessible due to snow—even into late spring.
Where to Stay in the Dolomites
Below you'll find types of accommodations to expect in the Dolomites. The Dolomites are vast with plenty of accommodation options. If you're interested, I listed the places we stayed at in our itinerary here.
• Airbnbs: While planning our visit, I found several Airbnb options spread across different towns in the Dolomites. We only stayed at Airbnbs during our visit—they were more affordable than hotels, gave us a glimpse into local living, and included kitchens which allowed us to cook some of our own meals. • Hotels: In the more developed areas of the Dolomites, there are lodges and hotels ranging from budget-friendly to luxury stays. Most of these accommodations are located in town centers, as well as near hiking trails and ski lifts.
• Campgrounds: While wild camping is generally not allowed in the Dolomites, there are a number of designated campgrounds available. Most of these campgrounds are well-established with restrooms, showers, laundry services, restaurants, stores, and more. • Rifugios: Most rifugios (mountain huts) cater to hikers and backpackers, but there are a handful that can be accessed by car. Rifugios are highly sought after as they're often surrounded by scenic landscapes, so be sure to make a reservation in advance.
Getting Around in the Dolomites
Below you'll find recommendations on how to get to, from, and around the Dolomites.
Getting to and from the Dolomites: Because there is not a major airport in the Dolomites, the most popular way to travel in and out is by renting a car from a nearby city. Major cities like Venice, Verona, and Milan are only a few hours' drive from the Dolomites and offer a wide selection of rental car options. Alternatively, you can take a train to the Dolomites where a few towns offer rental car options—however, note that the selection may be more limited and costly.
We booked our rental car through Avis. The entire experience from booking to picking up and dropping off the car was seamless. We picked up our car at Venice Marco Polo Airport and dropped it off at Verona Villafranca Airport, which worked well with the direction of our route through the Dolomites.
Getting around in the Dolomites: My recommendation for getting around in the Dolomites is by car. While there are buses and shuttles that run through parts of the Dolomites, having a car allowed us to explore on our own schedule, access places buses and shuttles do not reach, and make spontaneous stops. Alternatively, we met a group of friends who were traveling with a rental campervan from Roadsurfer and highly recommended it. While we did not rent a campervan ourselves, we saw a ton of them in the Dolomites and wish we had gone this route instead!
What to know when renting a car for the Dolomites: Below you'll find bits of information that you might want to know if you plan to rent a car for the Dolomites.
• If you're visiting from abroad, you might need an international driving permit. You will need an international driving permit if you’re a United States citizen. We got ours from a local AAA office.
• When booking your rental car online, make sure to select whether you want a manual or automatic car. If you're not comfortable driving a manual car, make sure to book an automatic car in advance. All of the rental car websites that we looked at had a filter to narrow results by transmission type.
• In Italy, you'll drive on the right side of the road. If you're from the States, driving in the Dolomites should be easy as they also follow right-hand traffic. I recommend familiarizing yourself with common road signs in Italy before your visit—while most are intuitive, it’s helpful to know what to expect. • If you're driving in from a nearby city, you'll likely encounter toll roads. Unlike in some parts of the States where tolls are billed by mail, in Italy you'll take a ticket when entering the toll road and pay at a toll booth when exiting—either by card or cash.
Travel Tips for the Dolomites
Below you'll find extra bits of information that you might want to know before your visit to the Dolomites.
• Are there international entry requirements that I should be aware of? As of June 2025, United States citizens only need a valid passport to enter Italy. However, entry requirements can change so make sure to check the most up-to-date requirements here before your visit.
• Do I need a reservation to visit the Dolomites? While you don’t need a reservation to visit the Dolomites themselves, certain locations do require reservations—especially during peak season. Be sure to check locations on your itinerary for reservation requirements in advance. You can refer to our itinerary here for some locations that require reservations.
• What currency should I bring? While you should plan to bring euros, credit cards were widely accepted throughout our visit—even at small, local stores. • Which eSIM should I get? I purchased this eSIM from Airalo, which worked reliably throughout our visit. However, as you might expect, coverage is minimal to nonexistent once you're in more remote areas so be sure to download offline apps like navigation maps, trail maps, and translation tools ahead of time. If you plan to purchase an eSIM from Airalo, you can use my referral code for $3 off your first purchase: CAROL5123.
• Which plug type do I need? You’ll need a Type C plug.
Our 4-Day Itinerary in the Dolomites
Below you'll find our 4-day itinerary in the Dolomites. This itinerary is what worked best for our schedule and is not meant to cover all the sights in the region. However, I hope to return in the future and will continue to update this list with additional places and trails as I visit them.
Day 1:
Airbnb in Pozzale di Cadore: After a 1.5-hour drive from Venice, we checked into our Airbnb in Pozzale di Cadore. In this small town, you'll find narrow, winding streets lined with traditional alpine homes, as well as views of the neighboring mountains. I loved how still it was here, with only the sound of birds chirping and church bells ringing. It was easy to see why our host has lived here her whole life—I wouldn’t want to leave either.
Lago di Cadore: Located alongside the towns in the Cadore region, Lago di Cadore is a well-known spot among locals. This lake offers a quieter experience compared to other lakes in the Dolomites, and is surrounded by forests and mountains. Here you can go hiking, biking, fishing, picnicking, and more.
Cadore: We spent the rest of the day driving through the Cadore region, passing through one picturesque town after another. Each town felt idyllic with timeless buildings filling quiet streets, surrounded by mountain peaks and forested hills. I couldn't believe that this was just a part of daily life for those who call it home.
While you're in Cadore, be sure to stop by here for a panoramic view of the town below.
Day 2:
Lago di Santa Caterina: Lago di Santa Caterina looks like something out of a postcard. Stop by the viewpoint here which overlooks the town of Auronzo sitting next to the turquoise lake, framed by towering mountains. If it's overcast (which it was the morning we visited), be sure to wait until the sun peeks out as the turquoise lake becomes incredibly vibrant.
Lago di Misurina: Lago di Misurina is stunning—a sharp mountain peak towers behind the lake at the north end, and massive, snow-capped mountains frame the lake at the south end. With restaurants and stores by the lake, this is the perfect spot to enjoy lunch with a view.
Vista Panoramica Tre Cime di Lavaredo: Vista Panoramica Tre Cime di Lavaredo offers a view of the iconic peaks in the distance behind a deep, forested valley. During the time of year we visited, there was a meadow brimming with yellow wildflowers in the area.
Lago di Dobbiaco: Lago di Dobbiaco is framed by mountain peaks that appear to mirror each other, creating a sense of symmetry in the landscape. A scenic walking path winds around the shoreline, offering several viewpoints to see the lake. With a few restaurants by the lake, this was the perfect place for us to enjoy an afternoon coffee with a view.
Lago di Braies: Lago di Braies is a deep turquoise lake nestled beneath imposing mountains that rise dramatically behind. I had only ever seen this lake in photos before our visit—the mountains were significantly bigger in person than I anticipated. It's no surprise that this is one of the most popular lakes in the Dolomites.
I highly recommend walking the 2.3-mile loop trail that wraps around the lake as it offers views of the lake and its surrounding landscape. Rowboats are also available to rent, but keep in mind that they can only be booked onsite on a first-come, first-served basis.
Parking reservations are required during peak season. Click here for more details.
Airbnb in Bruneck: After the day exploring, we checked into our Airbnb in Bruneck. This Airbnb is conveniently located in the center of town, where there are several restaurants and stores nearby. I highly recommend this place if you plan to stay in the area.
Der Keller Pizzeria: For dinner, we walked over to Der Keller Pizzeria for pizza and wine. This popular restaurant in town is known for their extensive selection of pizzas.
Day 3:
Tre Cime di Lavaredo: The 6.2-mile loop trail to Tre Cime di Lavaredo is incredibly scenic, with views at nearly every turn. From colossal mountains and sweeping valleys to craggy peaks and alpine lakes, the landscapes feel otherworldly. Tre Cime di Lavaredo itself is beyond words—its imposing rock faces are so massive that no photo can really capture their scale. I cannot recommend this hike enough.
Parking reservations are required. Click here for more details.
Restaurant Bar Rienz: We had a late lunch at Restaurant Bar Rienz, which was easily one of the most memorable meals during our visit. This restaurant specializes in South Tyrolean cuisine, which has strong Austrian and German influences as this part of Italy used to be part of Austria. In fact, you'll notice that most locals in South Tyrol can speak both German and Italian (which we didn't know until we were there).
While you're here, be sure to try their roast beef with potatoes as well as their apple strudel with vanilla ice cream—both were fantastic.
Airbnb in Brixen: After our meal, we checked into our Airbnb in Brixen. This cozy Airbnb has a balcony with seating that overlooks the nearby mountains—I loved starting and ending the day here, especially with the sound of birds chirping in all the trees around.
Day 4:
Seceda: Seceda is known for its distinct, jagged ridgeline that looks like something out of a fantasy film. To reach Seceda, you’ll take two connecting cable cars from the town of Ortisei. At the summit, there are panoramic views in every direction—including snow-capped mountains rising behind alpine towns nestled deep within the valleys below.
Cable car tickets can be purchased online in advance or in person. Click here for more details.
Ortisei: After returning from Seceda, be sure to spend some time in Ortisei. In this picturesque town, you'll find pastel-colored buildings surrounded by snow-capped and forested mountains.
Val di Funes: Small villages are quietly nestled among rolling green hills and beneath craggy peaks in Val di Funes—it is unbelievably beautiful here. Despite being a popular place to visit in the Dolomites, Val di Funes feels untouched. I recommend walking through the village of St. Magdalena where you'll pass by traditional alpine homes.
Be sure to stop by here for a view of Church of St. John perched on a hill beneath the jagged peaks.
Hubenbauer: We ended our day with dinner at Hubenbauer, a family-run restaurant specializing in South Tyrolean cuisine made with homegrown ingredients. They even brew their own beer! There’s plenty of outdoor seating with views of the surrounding hills—it's the perfect spot to unwind.
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