What to do in the Dolomites?
We hope you packed a sturdy pair of shoes. This section of Northern Italy is exactly where you should head if you need a long stroll with fresh mountain air, beautiful fields of flowers, and to stare in awe as people BASE jump off of the jagged cliffs.
Or, ya know, if you just want to chill in a spa resort and watch the snowfall.
Here’s a quick travel guide to the Dolomites, including how to get there from Milan, where to stay, and what to do besides hiking.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Roberto Moiola / Sysaworld. Image Location: Malga Caseril, Funes, Italy.
Where are the Dolomites?
The Dolomites are a strikingly beautiful mountain range in northeastern Italy, hanging out beneath the Austrian border. Major cities nearby include Innsbruck in Austria, and Venice, Verona, and Milan in Italy.
How do you get to the Dolomites?
Getting to the Dolomites is easy by train, especially when you download the Trainline app. You can purchase etickets for routes like Venice to Cortina d’Ampezzo, and Milan to Bolzano, which take as little as three hours. From these towns, you can take buses or ski lifts to your resort.
See also: how to get to the Dolomites by train from Italy's major cities
Image Credit: Getty Images, Ziga Plahutar. Image Location: Dolomites, Italy.
What’s the weather like in the Dolomites?
Weather in the Dolomites is similar to other mountain ranges. June to September are the driest months and the heat rarely crosses 75℉. In the winter, expect lows creeping close to single digits, but don’t assume it’s always a winter wonderland. The Dolomites get rays-on-rays of sunshine, so snow may not accumulate until December.
When is the best time to go to the Dolomites?
The best time to go to the Dolomites depends entirely on what you want to do and how much money you want to spend. All mountain towns will be cheaper in the off season while peak seasons for skiing and hiking will have higher rates. Summer is mild and ideal for unwinding in nature. Winter means playtime on the slopes. Spring is rainy, but oh what a sight it is to see the flowers bloom. Autumn’s chill may have a bite, but if you time it right, late summer’s pleasant temperature and low crowds make it the best time to visit the Dolomites.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Achim Thomae. Image Location: Val di Funes, Dolomite Alps, South Tyrol, Italy.
Where to stay in the Dolomites?
In style, of course. The best place to stay in the Dolomites is one of its many luxurious hotels. Imagine swimming in an infinity pool that leads to spectacular views year-round (Hotel Hubertus). Convince yourself that a spa day is necessary in a quiet mountain retreat (Adler Spa Resort Dolomiti) or that visiting one of the best design hotels in the Dolomites (Alpina Dolomites) is the best way to inspire your next home renovation.
How many days is enough for the Dolomites?
You can do a day trip to the Dolomites from Verona, but we’d recommend staying at least two to three days. You can have an exceptional weekend away with two nights at a spa hotel just as easily as you can fill a full week making your way from town to town, testing out the cable cars and finding the best strudel, soup, and strauben in the area.
What are the best places for hiking in the Dolomites?
Gosh, just step outside of your hotel and walk down the road: that alone will leave you in awe. For a proper hike, though, the Tre Cime di Lavaredo circuit is a popular loop trail that takes about three hours. Croda del Becco is a tough one that only highly experienced hikers should try, but you’ll be rewarded with amazing views. Alternatively, San Candido has a lot of low-impact high-altitude walking that’s better suited for those who want to keep their socks from swelling.
Image Credit: Getty Images, e55evu. Image Location: Chiusa, Province of Bolzano, Trentino Alto Adige, Italy.
5 things to do in the Dolomites, Italy (besides the obvious)
Discover a different Italian wine region
You didn’t come all the way to Italy not to drink wine. The Trentino-Alto Adige wine region is yours to uncork, particularly near Bressanone and Bolzano, for white wines like Kerner and reds like Lagrein.
Shop at a Christmas Market
If you find yourself in the Dolomites in December, a stop at a Christmas market is a must. San Candido, Dobbiaco, Brunico, and villages throughout Val Gardena pop up their wooden stalls to sell artisan gifts and treats in celebration of the season.
Explore the Messner Mountain Museum
Italy was made for museum hopping and the Dolomites are no exception. The Messner Mountain Museum is a cool series of six museums, with one location in the Dolomites. Housed in a restored fort, it’s a unique attraction with 360-degree views of the Dolomites.
Image Credit: Getty Images, RobertBreitpaul. Image Location: Lago di Braies, Dolomites, Italy.
Make it a Michelin meal
South Tyrol’s chefs plucked a few stars from the sky and brought them down to the Dolomites. There aren’t any three-star seats available, but you’ve got a handful of one and two-star options like In Viaggio - Claudio Melis, which is a great meal to have in Bolzano before catching the train home.
Visit the Sanctuary of Madonna della Corona
Trying to meet your step goal but not keen on a hike? The Sanctuary of Madonna della Corona can help. Walk the 1540 steps up to this 1600s church built into a mountain and watch your Fitbit celebrate.
Download the Trainline app today to buy your tickets.
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, Pawe Sucho. Image Location: Val Badia, Dolomites, Italy.