Tre Cime di Lavaredo Hike
Three vertical limestone towers that define the Dolomites on every postcard. The classic loop around their base is the single most rewarding half-day walk in the range, and a guided version removes the logistics.
Italy
The Dolomites
Jagged pale peaks that glow pink at sunset, meadows that roll out like green oceans, lakes the color of jade, and villages where Italian, German and Ladin are all spoken over the same plate of dumplings.
The Dolomites reward travelers who plan a little and wander a lot. This guide covers the headline sights, from the Tre Cime di Lavaredo loop and the Seceda ridge to Lago di Braies and the Alpe di Siusi, together with the cities and spa towns that make good bases: Bolzano with its Otzi museum, Merano with its promenades and thermal baths, Cortina with its Olympic heritage, and Trento at the southern gateway. Guided hikes, e-bike days, via ferrata mornings, ski safaris and tastings sit beside free viewpoints and walks, and hotels across the main valleys are linked for easy comparison.
Don't miss
Tre Cime di Lavaredo Hike
Three vertical limestone towers that define the Dolomites on every postcard. The classic loop around their base is the single most rewarding half-day walk in the range, and a guided version removes the logistics.
Lago di Braies Day Trip
The emerald lake with the wooden boathouses that anchors every Dolomites photo feed. Walk the shore, row a boat, and learn how to beat the crowds.
Seceda Ridgeline from Ortisei
A cable-car ride from Ortisei lifts you to a knife-edge ridge above emerald meadows and the jagged Odle peaks. Walk it at your own pace, free of guided obligations.
Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm) E-Bike Tour
Europe's largest high-altitude meadow, framed by the Sciliar massif and the Sassolungo group. An e-bike makes the rolling plateau effortless and leads to a classic mountain hut.
Things to do in The Dolomites
Hand-picked: every experience here has strong traveler reviews and a verified booking link.
Lago di Braies Day Trip
The emerald lake with the wooden boathouses that anchors every Dolomites photo feed. Walk the shore, row a boat, and learn how to beat the crowds.
Seceda Ridgeline from Ortisei
A cable-car ride from Ortisei lifts you to a knife-edge ridge above emerald meadows and the jagged Odle peaks. Walk it at your own pace, free of guided obligations.
Private Seceda and Col Raiser Tour from Val Gardena
A private guide, a flexible schedule and no driving stress. This is the premium way to see Seceda and the gentler Col Raiser plateau on one day.
Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm) E-Bike Tour
Europe's largest high-altitude meadow, framed by the Sciliar massif and the Sassolungo group. An e-bike makes the rolling plateau effortless and leads to a classic mountain hut.
Val Gardena and Ortisei Hiking
A Ladin-speaking valley of woodcarvers, ski lifts and dramatic peaks. A guided hiking day links Ortisei, the Alpe di Siusi side and the Rosengarten views.
Cortina d Ampezzo Olympic Town Walk
A self-guided walk through the Queen of the Dolomites, from the pedestrian center and bell tower to Olympic-era landmarks and mountain views at every turn.
Merano Old Town and Promenades Audio Tour
A spa town with palm trees, arcades and riverside promenades on the sunny side of the Alps. Audio guidance turns an easy walk into a lively portrait of the place.
South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology and Otzi the Iceman
Home of Otzi, the 5,300-year-old glacier mummy found in the Alps. A compact, thoughtful museum that makes the Copper Age feel startlingly personal.
Bolzano Old Town Walking Tour
A guided stroll through Bolzano's arcades, cathedral and market squares, where Italian and Austrian worlds meet at the foot of the Dolomites.
Bolzano Street Food Tour
A small-group tasting walk through Bolzano's markets and delis: speck, cheese, dumplings, pastry and wine from two culinary cultures.
Winery Tour and Tasting at the Skywine Pavilion in Bolzano
A guided winery visit with tasting right at Bolzano's doorstep, introducing the native reds and crisp whites that grow beneath the Dolomites.
Where to stay
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
Grand Hotel Savoia
Cortina centre
A grand mountain hotel in the heart of Cortina, with a spa, formal public rooms and a walk to Corso Italia. The classic address for a polished Dolomites stay.
Check rates →Hotel de la Poste
Cortina centre, Piazza Roma
A historic hotel on Cortina's main square, long a meeting place for visitors and locals, with traditional rooms and an unbeatable position.
Check rates →Alpin Garden Luxury Maison and Spa
Santa Cristina, Val Gardena
A wellness-focused hotel in Santa Cristina in Val Gardena, with views toward the Sassolungo and easy access to lifts, trails and the Sellaronda.
Check rates →Gardena Grodnerhof Hotel and Spa
Ortisei, Val Gardena
A family-style spa hotel in Ortisei, close to the lifts for Seceda and Alpe di Siusi and a short walk from the village center.
Check rates →Classic Hotel am Stetteneck
Ortisei, Val Gardena
A traditional, family-run style hotel in Ortisei with mountain views, hearty breakfasts and good value for a Val Gardena base.
Check rates →Hotel La Perla
Corvara, Alta Badia
A celebrated luxury hotel in Corvara, Alta Badia, known for its restaurant, wine cellar and direct access to the Sellaronda ski circuit.
Check rates →Hotel Sassongher
Corvara, Alta Badia
A friendly, family-feel hotel in Corvara, named for the peak above the village, with easy ski access and cozy alpine rooms.
Check rates →Parkhotel Laurin
Bolzano centre
A landmark hotel in central Bolzano with a garden, an art-filled interior and a famous bar, a short walk from the old town and the Otzi museum.
Check rates →Hotel Therme Meran
Merano centre
A hotel connected to Merano's thermal baths, with easy access to pools and saunas and a short walk to the promenades and old town.
Check rates →Castel Fragsburg
Hillside above Merano
A hilltop castle hotel above Merano with garden terraces, valley views and a quiet, romantic atmosphere away from the town bustle.
Check rates →Parc Hotel Florian
Castelrotto area
A comfortable hotel in the Castelrotto area, in the green hills beneath the Sciliar and a short hop from the Alpe di Siusi lifts.
Check rates →Sensoria Dolomites Hotel
Castelrotto area
A stylish Castelrotto-area hotel with a food-and-comfort focus, a short ride from the Alpe di Siusi and the Sciliar.
Check rates →Tour + stay
Ready-made pairings: a top sight and a hotel that suits it. Add both to your trip and book each when you are ready.
Do
Tre Cime di Lavaredo HikeStay
Grand Hotel SavoiaCortina centre
Do
Lago di Braies Day TripStay
Alpin Garden Luxury Maison and SpaSanta Cristina, Val Gardena
Do
Seceda Ridgeline from OrtiseiStay
Gardena Grodnerhof Hotel and SpaOrtisei, Val Gardena
The Dolomites guides
The Dolomites for First-Timers: Where to Go, How to Get Around and What to Book
The essentials for a first trip: how the region is divided, which bases suit which trips, how to move around with or without a car, and the handful of experiences worth planning ahead.
Where to Stay in the Dolomites: Bolzano, Val Gardena, Cortina, Alta Badia and Merano Compared
A clear comparison of the main bases, with who each suits, what it offers in each season and which hotels to look at first.
The Dolomites in Five Days: A Practical Itinerary with Big Views and Slow Evenings
A five-day route from Bolzano through Val Gardena to Cortina, balancing headline sights, easy days and weather backups.
Eating and Drinking in the Dolomites: Speck, Dumplings, Strudel and South Tyrolean Wine
What to order in huts and restaurants, how Austrian and Italian cooking meet, and which wines to look for.
When to Visit the Dolomites: Summer Trails, Autumn Colors, Winter Snow and the Quiet Seasons
A season-by-season guide to weather, crowds, lifts and what to do, so you can pick the right month for your trip.
Hiking, Mountain Huts and Via Ferrata in the Dolomites: A Practical Primer
How to choose trails, use rifugi, handle cable cars and try a via ferrata safely, with etiquette and gear tips.
