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There are countless outdoor adventures and amazing things to do in the Dolomites! Located in the South Tyrol region of northeastern Italy, the Dolomites mountain range is one of the best places to visit in Italy and arguably one of the most beautiful regions in Europe.
With mystical lakes, dramatic mountains, hikes for every skill level and views that look like paintings, the Dolomites are heaven on earth for nature lovers around the world.
We spent 5 days with our jaws on the ground absolutely in awe of this region! We’re excited to share the best things to do in the Dolomites and all the tips we gathered during our journey in order to help you plan the most epic adventures in the Italian Alps. We know you’ll fall in love with this place too!
Note: the Dolomites are a bi-lingual region due to location and history, so most places have both Italian and German names as you’ll notice below.
Best things to do in the Dolomites
1. Lago di Braies (Pragser Wildsee)
Lago di Braies, or “Pragser Wildsee” in German, is one of the most beautiful lakes in Italy. This lake has become quite famous from its deep blue color, unique row-boat formation, towering mountains and misty mornings. It’s also become quite a popular Instagram spot in the past few years.
If you’re up for a walk, you can take an easy 1.5-2 hour hike around the lake. You can also spend time on the water in a row boat, which are available to rent at 9 am. It’s a really popular sunrise spot, too, and we can definitely attest to the moody and magical show this place put on as the sun came up.
After witnessing unique beauty that photos can’t adequately describe, visiting Lago di Braies became one of our favorite things to do in the Dolomites.
>> Read before you go: Lago di Braies – how to get there & everything you need to know!
2. Tre Cime di Lavaredo
The Tre Cime di Lavaredo are a group of mountains in the Dolomites that are well-known for their three massive and distinct peaks.
The beautiful hike around the three peaks consists of an easy loop trail where you’re surrounded by incredible views and beautiful wildflowers along the way. The full loop hike is 10 km (6 miles) and can take up to 4 hours, though you can make it as short as you want if you turn around before the halfway point.
We were a little skeptical that hiking ‘just to see three rocks’ would be worth our while, but we were absolutely proven wrong! Hiking Tre Cime di Lavaredo is definitely an iconic thing to do in the Dolomites and we now can’t imagine our time in the Dolomites without this amazing place.
>> Read before you go: complete guide for Hiking Tre Cime di Lavaredo here!
3. Lago di Carezza (Karersee)
Lago di Carezza (or Karersee in German) is a small but stunning alpine lake in the Dolomites. This spot is known for its colorful nature, crystal clear reflections and panoramic backdrop of the Latemar mountains.
While it’s not permitted to go in the lake, you can take a nice stroll around the perimeter and admire the beauty from all angles. The full walking loop only takes 20 minutes and is flat, so it’s certainly an easy and accessible hike in the Dolomites.
Tip: entrance to Lago di Carezza is free. There is a paid parking lot near the entrance here which is 1 euro per hour, and there is free overflow parking up the road near (46.411633, 11.579796).
4. Seceda 2500m, Val Gardena
Certainly visiting this mountain, Seceda, is one of the top things to do in the Dolomites. To our surprise, however, it really wasn’t crowded at all.
Seceda is found in the Val Gardena region of the Dolomites and can be accessed from the town of St. Ulrich (Ortisei). St. Ulrich is a super cute town so definitely save some time to explore it after you visit the mountain.
Because the mountain is at an altitude of 2500m above sea level, it gets the name “Seceda 2500m.” The Seceda 2500m experience starts here with a breathtaking gondola ride halfway up the mountain, and then a ride in a larger cable car above the tree line, through the clouds and to the top of the mountain.
Once you reach the summit, not too far from the cableway station you’ll come across spectacular views of the striking jagged-edge peak. The sharp sword-like rock is such a unique contrast to the bright green pastures on the side of the peak. Most of the time we were up here it was hiding in the clouds, but when it came out for a moment it was magnificent.
Beyond taking in the views you can take different trails and hike as little or as much as you want. There are also beautiful wildflowers to admire, alpine huts to eat and drink and chair lifts to take you to different areas of the mountain. Certainly you could spend a whole day here with so many things to do at the summit.
Tips:
- The gondola opens at 9 am and costs 32 euro round-trip. Make sure you purchase the ticket that goes to the top!
- There is parking next to the gondola for 8 euro a day or 1.50 euro per hour.
5. Seiser Alm (Alpe di Siusi)
Seiser Alm (Alpe di Siusi) is the largest alpine pasture in Europe and is an official UNESCO World Heritage Site. Year-round it’s known as one of the most gorgeous regions in the Dolomites.
In the summer there are tons of trails where you can take a nice walk through the pastures and enjoy the wildflowers, along with places to hike and bike. In the winter there are snow sports of all sorts!
There are also many adorable mountain huts here where you can grab a beer or a full meal with a side of breathtaking views. Our favorite hut was Malga Sanon, primarily because of the swing they have that feels like you’re swinging into the sky with the mountains.
Tips:
- Seiser Alm is a very large area, and we recommend starting at Compatsch.
- You aren’t allowed to drive on the road to Seiser Alm between 9 am and 5 pm, so the only way to access the area during those times is via bus or cable car. Read more about the traffic regulations of the area here.
6. Val di Funes
Val di Funes, or Villnöß, has got to be one of the most stunning and serene places in the world. This gorgeous valley in the Dolomites is most known for its unbelievable backdrop of the Odle/Geisler mountains.
Here you can take some trails through the rolling hills, visit the St Johann Church or simply just be still and take in the beauty. With one-of-a-kind views, this place is a photographer’s dream and a must-see in the Dolomites.
Tip: for the best views follow the road SP163 up above the towns.
7. Lago di Dobbiaco (Toblacher See)
Lago di Dobbiaco (Toblacher See) is a bright turquoise lake in the Dolomites that is a perfect place to spend a relaxing day in nature. It’s a great spot to rent a row or paddle boat and enjoy being on the water. You can also take an easy but beautiful 3 km nature walk around the lake.
If you visit in the spring or fall, this place is also well-known for birdwatching. There is even an observation deck to where you can spot rare-species of birds. Toblacher See is also a great place to camp in the area with easy access to Tre Cime di Lavaredo.
8. Lago di Landro (Durrensee)
With striking Tiffany-blue water, we couldn’t help but stop at Lago di Landro. It’s on the main road and you’ll certainly come across it if you drive to Tre Cime di Lavaredo.
There isn’t an abundance of activities at this lake, but the scenery is definitely worth a quick stop. This lake is very accessible since there is a row of parking spots along the main road in front of the lake. While you’re in the area make sure to try Restaurant Dürrensee across the street from the lake which serves delicious and authentic German food. We had the best meal there after hiking Tre Cime di Lavaredo!
Map of the must-see places in the Dolomites
Below is a map of the 8 must-see places in the Dolomites that we covered above. You can use this for relative location of the different things to do and to plan your route!
Where to stay in the Dolomites
Bolzano, Corvara and Cortina d’Ampezzo are all great areas to stay in the Dolomites. Because the area is so large and spread out, finding a relatively central location (like one of these three) and using it as a base is your best option.
We stayed in Bolzano and while most places were east of this, it served us well as a base. The furthest we had to drive for anywhere we went was 2.5 hours to Tre Cime di Lavaredo.
Note: the Dolomites are a popular destination during both Summer and Winter, so book your accommodation in advance.
How to get to the Dolomites
The best airports to fly into to access the Dolomites are Innsbruck, Venice, Bologna, and Munich. From there you can rent a car and drive to the Dolomites. We highly recommend renting a car because it’s the easiest way to get around the Dolomiti region. Otherwise you can book a train or bus to Bolzano from any of those cities on Omio.com.
Below are the travel times between these cities and Bolzano, Italy.
- Bologna, Italy to Bolzano, Italy – 3hr drive or 4.5hr bus/train
- Venice, Italy to Bolzano, Italy – 2h 45 min drive or 3-4hr train
- Innsbruck, Austria to Bolzano, Italy – 1.5hr drive or 1.5 hour bus
- Munich, Germany to Bolzano, Italy – 3.5hr drive or 4 hour bus/train
One quick note for driving to the Dolomites. Italy does not require a Vignette Pass for the highways like many of the European countries do. However, the highways in Italy have tolls based on the distance you drive. The toll booths do accept credit card.
If you plan to use bus/train to get around the Dolomites, you can use this website to book your trips.
Planning to travel more throughout Italy? Make sure to check out our other Italy Travel Blogs!
- Can’t-miss places in Italy
- Epic 14 day Italy Itinerary
- Best things to do in Cinque Terre
- Guide to the Magical FREE Hot Springs in Saturnia
- 12 BEST things to do in Positano, Amalfi Coast
- Most photo-worthy spots on the Amalfi Coast
- Best things to do in Florence
- Incredible Day Trips from Florence
- Best photo spots in Florence
Enjoy your trip!
Kylie & Scott
(If you liked this article or have any questions, please comment below! And make sure to follow along on Instagram @LoveHardTravelOften)
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