Alps Travel Blog
Best Things to Do in the Dolomites
The Dolomites are Italy's most dramatic mountain theatre — pale spires, rifugio lunches, and ski circuits that link multiple valleys in a single day. This guide covers the experiences worth building a trip around, where to base yourself, and how to book hotels and tours without overpaying in peak season.
Dolomites overview · Hotels in the Dolomites · Tours in the Dolomites · Car rental in the Dolomites
Check hotel prices · Book your tour · Rent a car here (see live prices for the Dolomites)
Start from the Dolomites region hub, then use the inline links below whenever you want live partner rates. AlpsBooking keeps hotels, tours, and car rental woven through each guide so you never hunt for the next step.
Top things to do in the Dolomites
Drive or ski the Sella Ronda
This linked lift circuit wraps around the Sella massif through four Ladin valleys. In winter it is one of Europe's great ski days; in summer the same roads and lifts access hiking and e-bike routes. Start early in peak weeks and check wind holds on exposed lifts.
Hike Tre Cime di Lavaredo
The three-peak amphitheatre is the Dolomites' postcard view. The classic loop from Rifugio Auronzo is manageable for fit hikers; arrive at dawn for parking and softer light. Cloud inversions can hide the towers — build a weather buffer day.
Explore Cortina d'Ampezzo
Olympic heritage, upscale shopping, and quick access to Faloria, Tofana, and the Cinque Torri. Cortina works as a luxury base or a cultural pause between harder hiking days. Book restaurants in August when Italian holiday traffic peaks.
Val Gardena and Alpe di Siusi
Val Gardena delivers World Cup slopes and Ladin craft culture. Alpe di Siusi is Europe's largest high alpine meadow — superb for family walks and photography when lifts open. Restricted traffic rules apply; use valley shuttles where required.
Try a via ferrata
Protected climbing routes like Punta Anna or Tridentina bridge steel cables with exposure. Hire a guide if you are new to kit and route-finding. Summer afternoons bring thunderstorms; start early and watch cumulus build-up.
Taste Alto Adige wine and Tyrolean food
Mountain refugios serve speck, canederli, and strudel; valleys below add Lagrein and Gewürztraminer tastings. Half-board hotels can beat à la carte if you plan early dinners after long hikes.
Where to stay in the Dolomites
Cortina suits shoppers and skiers who want a polished town. Val Gardena villages (Selva, Ortisei, Santa Cristina) put you inside the Sella Ronda with strong lift links. Alta Badia is quieter and gourmet-focused — excellent for food-led trips.
Bolzano works for train-first travellers who day-trip to valleys. Smaller towns like Dobbiaco or San Candido ease access to Tre Cime and quieter trails. Compare parking rules before you book — some hotels include garage space, others do not.
- Book Christmas, Carnival, and August two to four months ahead in Cortina and Val Gardena.
- Check lift pass bundles if you ski more than four days — regional cards often beat daily tickets.
- Ask about ski bus stops or hiker shuttle timetables before choosing a rural agriturismo.
Ready to compare rooms? Browse hotels in the Dolomites, then check hotel prices for live availability. You can still widen the search on our main Alps hotels hub if you want cross region ideas.
Best tours and activities
Guided via ferrata, e-bike tours, and day trips from Venice or Innsbruck help when you do not want to drive mountain passes yourself.
- Dolomites panorama day tours from Venice or Verona
- Guided via ferrata with equipment rental
- Alpe di Siusi sunrise photography walks
- Wine tasting in Alto Adige with valley transfers
- Winter snowshoe evenings with rifugio dinner
Open the Dolomites tours hub on AlpsBooking, then book your tour with meeting points and small group options that fit your dates.
Getting there and getting around
Fly into Venice (VCE), Verona (VRN), or Innsbruck (INN). Trains reach Bolzano and Bressanone; buses and hire cars complete the climb to valleys. Winter tyre rules apply on passes — confirm rental equipment.
The Dolomiti Bus network links major valleys in summer. Driving gives flexibility for trailheads but parking at popular hikes fills by mid-morning in July and August.
Need a vehicle for part of the trip? Review Dolomites car rental options, then rent a car here when the quote and insurance details look right for alpine roads.
Best time to visit the Dolomites
December–March for skiing the Sella Ronda and resort villages. June–September for hiking and via ferrata; July–August is busiest. Late September offers golden larch colour and thinner crowds on lifts.
Shoulder weeks in June and early October balance weather risk with quieter rifugios and better hotel rates.
Practical travel tips
- Carry a headlamp for rifugio late returns and tunnel sections on trails.
- Download offline maps — mobile signal drops in deep valleys.
- Respect trail closures during livestock grazing and wildlife protection zones.
- Book timed parking for Tre Cime and popular trailheads in summer.
Book your trip
Compare Dolomites hotels for your dates, add a guided tour for via ferrata or lake trips, and rent a car only for the valleys trains do not reach efficiently.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do I need in the Dolomites?+
Five to seven days lets you ski or hike two valleys without rushing. Add two more if you want Cortina, Val Gardena, and Alta Badia at a relaxed pace.
Do I need a car in the Dolomites?+
Helpful but not mandatory. Buses connect major towns in summer; skiers often use hotel shuttles. Cars help for dawn hikes and remote trailheads.
Are the Dolomites good for beginners?+
Yes — Alpe di Siusi, gentle Val Gardena slopes, and guided walks suit newcomers. Via ferrata and exposed ridges need experience or a guide.
When should I book Dolomites hotels?+
Reserve peak ski weeks and August hiking season early. Shoulder months offer more last-minute availability and softer rates.