A favorite destination of nature lovers, the Dolomites, or Dolomiti in Italian, is a mountainous region that is part of the Northern Italian Alps. This afternoon, you can relax at your hotel or ride the cable car to Cima Tofana, if you havent done that yet, and the skies are clear. From here, if you still have energy, walk the downhill trail back to the Falzarego Pass (4 km/2.5 miles). Autumn is a popular time for photographers when the landscape is in fantastic colors. PRO TRAVEL TIP: A rifugio (also called a htte) is a mountain hut. For the full list, and more information about each activity, take a look at our article Best Things to Do in the Dolomites. Val Gardenawas where Ive lodged a few times, and is ideal for Ortisei town, Alpe di Suisi, Seceda peaks, Sella Massif, Gran Cir, and Passo Gardena. Cinque Torri | How to plan a trip to the Dolomites. This cable car station is located in Cortina dAmpezzo and from the mountain station you have jaw-dropping views of the Dolomites. Visit Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm). How do they get the food to the rifugios and why dont we have this in the USA? From Cortina dAmpezzo, it takes over 2 hours to drive to Alpe di Siusi and 2 hours to get to Val di Funes. On our second visit, we had 9 days in the Dolomites. Its one of the most beautiful lakes in the Dolomites and it will be a short detour on your drive. Ultimately, each season brings its own different experience, so here are a few data points to consider regarding weather and things to do in the Dolomites before deciding whats best for you. So, if you have the time in your schedule, you could easily spend 7 to 10 days hiking in the Dolomites. Croda da Lago Circuit Hike (+ Lago Federa & Forcella Ambrizzola), How to Plan a Trip to the Dolomites: Things to Know Before You Go, Where to Stay in the Dolomites 2023: Best Locations & Hotels, Best Things to Do in the Dolomites (With Little to No Hiking). Croda da Lago Circuit | Dolomites Itinerary. If you are traveling on a budget, get our money saving tips for the Cinque Terre. We rode the Freccia nel Cielo cable car in the afternoon because the weather was perfect. Cortina dAmpezzois ideal for Cortina town, Lago di Sorapis, Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Lago di Misurina, Cinque Torri, Croda da Lago. If you leave at 9 am, you will be in the Dolomites by 11:30 am. Visit the Lovely Lakes. Average temperature during the summer: 18 C . From early July through early September, between the hours of 9:30 am and 4 pm, you are not permitted to drive through the Pragser Tal Valley and park at Lago di Braies (see our Lago di Braies guide for more details). We shortened this walk to visit the church and the main viewpoint. This mountain range spans three regions of Italy (Veneto, Trentino-Alto Adige/Sdtirol, and Friuli Venezia Giulia). The 360 views are amazing and we ate grilled sandwiches that were superb. one of the most iconic views in the Dolomites. The downside of the high summer is, of course, the larger numbers of . Cadini di Misurina viewpoint | Dolomites Itinerary. This town makes an excellent home base to explore the Dolomites, with a great location near Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Lago di Sorapis, the Croda da Lago Circuit, and Lagazuoi. Once in Alpe di Siusi, spend the day hiking or mountain biking. We had just hiked for several hours and then there, sitting high in the mountains, was a rifugio. Rather than listing one 3, 5, or 7-day Dolomites itinerary, we list multiple daily itineraries. Once at Lago di Braies, rent a rowboat and/or walk the loop trail around the lake (3.7 km/2.3 miles). Beer and an awesome view at Rifugio Nuvolau | How to plan a trip to the Dolomites. Eat Your Way through the Dolomites. The entire hike is about 10km and took us around 4 hours, mainly because I was wearing All Stars ( don't do that :p) and because . Ride the cable car to the top of Marmolada, the highest mountain in the Dolomites. Depending on your starting point, you will arrive in the Dolomites from late morning to early afternoon. LAKE GARDA: Plan your visit with our article Best Things to Do in Lake Garda. Its also one of the most popular places to visit and there are now cut-off times for when you can drive to the lake. If you are prone to motion sickness, pack your Dramamine or anything else you use to minimize your symptoms. Lago Federa | How to plan a trip to the Dolomites. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. The best time to hike and trek the Italian Dolomites is when the European Alps summer hiking season officially starts, which is in the second weekend of June and ends on the second last weekend in September. If you are short on time and cant spend several days in the Dolomites, here are a few tours that day trip into the Dolomites, so you can at least get a taste of what this place is like. A big task, I will bravely attempt to break down what each of the 4 seasons brings to the table with regards to weather and things to do, ultimately outlining when the best time to visit the Dolomites really is, and why. ITALY ITINERARY WITH THE DOLOMITES: In our 10-Day Northern Italy Itinerary, visit the Dolomites, Venice, Verona, Milan, and Lake Como. Here are the driving distances and times from other nearby destinations to Cortina dAmpezzo: Val di Funes | How to plan a trip to the Dolomites. In this guide, we let you know how to visit Seceda, how to get to the best photo spot of Seceda, and how to have the best experience, if you have limited time and/or no desire to go hiking. Yes, anytime you travel outside of your country, you need to cover your bum. Rifugio Averau. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Tre Cime di Lavaredo Hike | Dolomites Itinerary. For us, and a lot of other people we have spoken to, its like that in the Dolomites. Because the Summer and Fall seasons between July and September have the sunniest and warmest days, these months are ideal for all of the activities and awe-inspiring views of the Dolomites. Best months for hut-to-hut hiking: July, August, early-mid September. Summer is an ideal time to visit the Dolomites, and outdoor enthusiasts in particular will enjoy exploring the region in temperatures that are much cooler than southern and lowland Italy. You could easily spend a day here, hiking or biking the trails. View of Tre Cime on the hike to the Cadini di Misurina viewpoint. Summer in the Dolomites will also be the most expensive because its the middle of peak tourist season. The Dolomites are a mountain range in northeastern Italy. The Dolomites are made up of many mountain groups, such as the Sella Group, the Odle/Geisler Group, and the Croda da Lago group, that rise up from the valleys. 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. During this time, you will have to use public transportation, walk, or bike to Lago di Braies. You can click the check marks to hide or show layers. So far, we spent 12 very busy days in the Dolomites and still have more that we want to come back and do. For recommendations on where to stay, read our article Best Places to Stay in the Dolomites. 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. I want to do a one day visit to dolomites in next few days from Venice with no hiking plan as I have a toddler and parents with me. You also have the option to add on the Freccia nel Cielo cable car in the afternoon, which is another one of our favorite experiences in the Dolomites. That, of course, would be unfortunate. Three Peaksis ideal for seeing Lago di Braies, Lago di Dobbiaco, and Tre Cime di Lavaredo, which was one of my favorite hiking areas. I dont recommend staying here, since it will be a long drive to get to everything, but there is a train station here, making it a gateway into the Dolomites. With its green rolling hills, view of the Odle/Geisler group, iconic view of the Santa Maddalena church, and hiking trails, this is another great spot to add onto your Dolomites itinerary. Day One: Day # 1 Arrive from Venice, Milan, or Verona. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. On our most recent trip to the Dolomites (July 2022), we did not have any paper maps, even though I know they are recommended by other travel websites. Its also well worth it to add on the hike to Rifugios Averau and Nuvolau (4 km/2.5 miles), for one of the best viewpoints and dining experiences in the Dolomites. The view from Cima Tofana (get here by riding the Freccia nel Cielo cable car from Cortina dAmpezzo). From here, you will ride a series of cable cars to Punta Rocca. I wouldnt let it discourage you. 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. What is It Like Driving in the Dolomites? Lago di Sorapis (Lake Sorapis) is one of the most popular hikes to do in the Dolomites. Its quite cheap and offers protection in case of emergencies because shit happens. We stayed in Selva di Cadore. To really start exploring the mountains, especially for the first time, youll need at least 5 days. Both are beautiful drives. Croda da Lago Circuit & Lago Federa. Remember, there are operating costs for these little huts, and so if theres not enough demand, they cant afford open too early in the summer. In the Dolomites, the food is a wonderful blend of Italian, Austrian, and German cuisine. LUXURY: Grand Hotel Savoia. Cheers, Julie, Your email address will not be published. Croda da Lago Circuit | How to plan a trip to the Dolomites. It loops around the triple peaks of Tre Cime di Lavaredo and is a beautiful hike every step of the way. How Much Does it Cost to Visit the Dolomites? SudTirol Mobilityis the best resource to navigate and book tickets to trains and buses around the Dolomites. If you will be staying in Val Gardena, take your pick from days 8, 9, or 10. Prepare yourself for a winter wonderland, sunny days, and white snow-capped mountains and forests. 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. As you hike or ride the cable cars into the mountains, it will get much colder than this (as low as 7C/45F). In October, once the snow begins to fall, the trails close. Marmolada is the highest mountain in the Dolomites and you can get to the top by riding a series of cable cars. And the foodits amazing! The destination is worth visiting year-round, depending on your interests. If you stay in two towns, are there worthwhile hikes relatively close or do you need to spend an hour or two in the car each day? On our most recent trip, we spent 9 days here and had warm weather and sunny skies for the majority of the time. In May and even into early June in some years, snow can linger on the trails. The shoulder season (Oct-Nov and April-beginning of May) is probably the least good time to . Hello, We are planning to visit the dolomites with our 18 months old and 7 year old. Because the Summer and Fall seasons between July and September have the sunniest and warmest days, these months are ideal for all of the activities and awe-inspiring views of the Dolomites. WHERE TO STAY: For recommendations on where to stay, check out our guide Best Places to Stay in the Dolomites. In high summer temperatures are really comfortable in the mountains and sit around 20 degrees - the perfect temperature, in my opinion, for hiking and active holidays. Located in northeast Italy, the Dolomites are one of the most beautiful places to visit in Europe. That would be a great business opportunity for someone. From Cortina dAmpezzo, it takes 10 to 15 minutes to drive to the trailhead parking lots. This 9.2 km (5.7 miles) loop takes 2 to 3 hours, but youll want to add some additional time to have lunch at one of the rifugios. Or, be prepared to take the bus. Cortina dAmpezzo | How to plan a trip to the Dolomites. You can buy a 1, 3, and 5-day pass at tourist info spots or any hotel. Cinque Torri. This hike loops around the Croda da Lago mountain group. Our trip was in late July. If you return the car to the same city, you will avoid the drop fee which can help keep your rental car cost low. 10 Best Places to Visit in the Dolomites in 2023 A Travel Guide For First-Timers Home Destinations Europe Southern Europe Italy By Pete R. Updated On July 11, 2023 | Comment Nestled in the heart of the Italian Alps, the Dolomites are one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the world unlike any other. Jokes aside, the fall season in the Dolomites is spectacular in its own right. These two towns are located in Val Gardena, not far from the Puez-Odle Nature Park. This article has a long list of things to do that dont require hiking. This is one of the best places to stay in the Dolomites. However, as visitation to the Dolomites increases, you may want to make your reservations as early as January or February for the summer months. HELPFUL TIPS: We cover important things to know before you go and travel tips in our article How to Plan a Trip to the Dolomites. But if you are a hiker, this is one of top hiking destinations in the world. This is another place where there are morning cut-off times for driving to the parking lot. Enjoy the views from the upper cable car station and on the journey back down the mountain, stop off at Serauta, visit the Museum of the Great War, and do the short, optional hike to the Sacred Monumental Area. The rental car is a big expense, but it gives you more freedom to move around the Dolomites, which can save you some time, which is extremely valuable, especially on a quick trip to the Dolomites. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Learn where to get the best views of Venice in our article 12 Beautiful Views of Venice. BEST OF ITALY: In our Guide to the Best Places to Visit in Italy, we list 25 beautiful destinations to consider for your next trip to Italy. I mean, can you imagine spending the Christmas holidays here?! Coming in 3rd in the contest of Best Times to Visit the Dolomites, winter will not be outdone by the other season. For recommendations on how to put all of this together, below we list sample multi-day itineraries, putting together the daily itineraries listed above. We have visited the Dolomites twice, both times in July. NOTE: Planning a trip to the Dolomites is a bit tough. Its not ideal to travel here using public transportation and so this is the season when you need to rent a car to move around. And there are very few straight sections of road in the Dolomites. We have TONS more information about Italy in our Italy Travel Guide, including the Amalfi Coast, Florence, Tuscany, Rome, Puglia, and the Cinque Terre. HIKES IN THE DOLOMITES: And if you want to go hiking, in our article Best Hikes in the Dolomites, we cover 15 epic trails in the Dolomites. Yea, its a no-brainer on the travel insurance get you some. From here, we would spend 1 day at Sienna, and do 1 day road trips to San Gimignano, Volterra, Val d . Option #1: Getting to the Dolomites from Venice. This aquamarine lake attracts hundreds of hikers every day. This gives you the freedom to explore the towns, drive the passes, and get to the lakes and trailheads on your own schedule. Absolutely. If you can only choose one or the other, look at what you can do from each area and then make your choice based on these activities. You can rent a car for just this portion of your trip to Italy, doing so from the last major town you visit before entering the Dolomites. That depends on what you want to do. More Information for Your Trip to the Dolomites. From Bolzano, you can pick up a rental car for a few days and then road trip through the Dolomites. Most of the Mountain Huts (Rifugios) in the Dolomites are the property of the Italian Alpine Club (CAI), and are manned by The Club, offering food, lodging, and showers to hikers at about $50-80 a night. The jagged peaks of the Dolomites span the provinces of Trentino and Alto Adige, jutting into neighbouring Veneto. PRO TIP: Hiking is NOT all difficult in the Dolomites. Seceda | How to plan a trip to the Dolomites. Tre Cime di Lavaredo. This is the jewel of the ski scene in the Trentino region, and one of the best places to visit in Northern Italy. Day Three: Choose another day near your hotel. Republishing this articleand/orany of its contents (text, photography, etc. Alternatively, if you are staying in Selva di Val Gardena, it will take two hours to get the parking lot for Tre Cime di Lavaredo and an hour and 45 minutes to get to Lago di Braies. We wore shorts and T-shirts most of the time and brought a light jacket or rain jacket for the cool mornings. Jokes aside, the best time to visit the Dolomites depends a lot on the weather. Another view from the Puez-Odle Altopiano hiking trail. I was thinking is it possible to just visit cortina and do day trips to lake di . Its raw out here, ie. To plan your Dolomites itinerary, take your pick from the daily itineraries listed above. You can drive to Alpe di Siusi before 9 am and after 5 pm. The mountains glow pink in the setting sun, the hills are painted shades of gold from the larch trees, and the skies are powder-puff blue. Location: Cortina d'Ampezzo. Puez-Odle Nature Park. To drive from Venice to Cortina dAmpezzo, it is a 160 km drive that takes just over two hours. I recommend five days at a minimum. The Dolomites. From Cortina dAmpezzo, head west towards Marmolada. We loved the wooden lounge chairs with views of the Odle/Geisler group. South Tyrol was once part of the Austro-Hungarian empire. I can plan a custom itinerary for you suggest lodging and iconic hikes, and answer any questions. Youll also have to drive from wherever you pick up the rental car (Venice, Milan etc) to get to that town. BELLAGIO: Plan your perfect visit with our article Best Things to Do in Bellagio. You can spend the rest of the day relaxing at your hotel. Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Arm) is the highest alpine meadow in Europe. For many visitors, ourselves included, this region is the highlight of a trip to Italy. A malga (also called an alm or baita) is an alpine pasture hut. Below, we are highlighting a few of the larger ones that make a great home base for exploring the area. It has a wellness center, indoor pool, outdoor summer bar, and a restaurant. MORE INFORMATION: For all of our articles about the Dolomites, take a look at our Dolomites Travel Guide. . BEST OF ITALY: In our Guide to the Best Places to Visit in Italy, we list 20 beautiful destinations to consider for your next trip to Italy. For example, you cannot enter Alpe di Siusi by car between the hours of 9 am and 5 pm. A visit to Marmolada lasts about 2 hours. Visit Val di Funes. You can still visit the Dolomites in May, but you might be limited in what hikes you can do. Geisler Alm/Rifugio delle Odle. Lago di Braies is one of the prettiest lakes in the Dolomites. In the Eastern Dolomites you will find Cortina dAmpezzo, Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Lago di Braies, Lago di Misurina, the Cinque Torri, Croda da Lago and Lago Federa, and Selva di Cadore. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Earth Trekkers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to Amazon.com. Here are some of my favorite hikes that can be done in 1 week in the Dolomites. Lago di Sorapis. How to Use This Map: Click the tab in the top left hand corner of the map to view the layers (places to go in the eastern and western Dolomites). Location: Western Dolomites Where to Stay: Val Gardena (Selva di Val Gardena or Ortisei). Two hikes if theyre close to each other or short enough. We experienced this ourselves, in both Tuscany and Amalfi, where buses did not run on schedule, sometimes leaving us stranded for up to 3 hours. An hour and a half is fine at the lake, especially if you dont plan to do a lot of walking/hiking, but you can still get beautiful views of the lake. Here, the region's Austrian history survives in a warm . TRAIN. Note, it can also be done in the opposite direction, if traveling from Val Gardena to Cortina dAmpezzo. But DO expect that your reservation will be honored. Seceda. Our website uses cookies. Summer. In Trentino-South Tyrol, we frequently saw buses running. one of the most beautiful places to visit in Europe. From these green rolling hills, you get a jaw-dropping view of the Odle/Geisler Group and Santa Maddalena Church. Hiking around the Cinque Torri is one of the easiest and most beautiful hikes that we did in the Dolomites. You can get here by riding the cable car to the rifugio and from here, hike the Cinque Torri and/or to Rifugios Averau and Nuvolau. And hiking trails are very well signed so I dont think it is necessary to purchase a Tabacco map (the Dolomites trail maps) unless you are going hut-to-hut or hiking on a lesser-known trail. We recommend getting to the lake by 9 am. Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm) | How to plan a trip to the Dolomites. The Best Time to Visit the Dolomites. One of the highest rifugios we visited. And to help you plan your time, take a look at our one day in Venice itinerary and two days in Venice itinerary. These drives over the mountain passes are beautiful, but they can also be stressful and nauseating. Learn how to plan your visit in our Guide to Alpe di Siusi. Some Destinations Have a Morning Cut-Off Entry Time, The Dolomites Feel More Austrian than Italian, There are Two Names for Almost Everything. Ortisei (Urtiji) is another great option near Slva. So, after reading all these goodies, what is the best time to visit the Dolomites? If you are planning your Dolomites itinerary, there is an overwhelming amount of information to processboth on the internet and in guidebooks.