12 Best Things to Do in the Dolomites

When to Visit the Dolomites

As I mentioned, you need to think hard about when you'll plan your trip to the Dolomites because when you visit will greatly impact what you're able to do.

Only you can decide when is the best time to visit the Dolomites but if I had to pinpoint my favorite months here, I'd say January/February for winter sports and July/August for hiking and biking.

I typically love traveling in the shoulder season (the months coming off of peak season) since those usually still bring good weather but lower prices and less crowds. The Dolomites are the rare exception that I'd think twice on, especially if you have big plans for outdoor adventures.

April, May, and June are usually too warm for skiing but there is still too much snow on the trails for hiking or biking.

October and November might be great for hitting the trails but it's not unusual for it to start snowing by then, leaving the trails impassable but not enough coverage for skiing. Most ski resorts open mid-December.

Now that you have a little overview of the weather and what you can expect from each month, let's dive into the reason you're really here: to discover the best things to do in the Dolomites, divided by season.

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Things to Do in the Dolomites in Winter

I adore winter in the Dolomites and if you're chasing a winter wonderland with plenty of winter sports to choose from, you'll love it, too.

It definitely snows in Italy, and the Dolomites receive the brunt of it. It's really picture-perfect with the snow-capped peaks, cozy mountain huts, and plenty of people outside enjoying the fun.

If you're visiting the Dolomites in the winter (December, January, February), these are the best things to do:

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Go Skiing or Snowboarding

The Dolomites are a dream come true for most skiers and snowboarders. I've had the lucky chance to snowboard in the US, South Korea, Serbia, Bosnia, and now Italy. The Italian Dolomites are the best slopes I've come across thus far.

A really cool thing about skiing in the Dolomites is that if you buy the Dolomiti Superski Pass, you'll have access to every single slope in the area. Most slopes are interconnected, meaning you could never go down the same run in a weekend trip if you didn't want to.

It can be confusing your first day on the mountain as you try to make sense of this but once you get the hang of it, it's really a lot of fun.

There are 1000s of runs in the Dolomites but a few of my favorite places to go skiing are:

• Cinque Torri
• Cortina d'Ampezzo
• Val Gardena Region

Want more on each of these ski resorts and a few others in Northern Italy? Read our full guide on skiing in Italy.

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Enjoy the Christmas Markets

Although the Christmas Markets in Italy aren't quite as lavish as the markets in nearby Austria, Switzerland, and France, Italy still gets into the holiday spirit.

And that's especially true in South Tyrol, the province that most of the Dolomites are part of. Up until the end of World War I, this province (and Trentino) were part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. They're semi-autonomous in Italy and still retain a lot of their Austrian culture and language.

If winter sports aren't really your thing and you'd rather enjoy a great Christmas market and drink your fair share of mulled wine, I recommend you instead visit Bolzano, the capital of South Tyrol and known as the Gateway to the Dolomites, or Merano, a town a short train ride away from Bolzano.

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Try Other Winter Sports

Although Italy is a great place to learn how to ski or snowboard, if you're not up for the challenge or trying something else, the Dolomites offer a number of other winter sports to choose from.

The most popular are:

• Sledding
• Snowshoeing
• Cross-country skiing
• Ice skating

You'll be able to find these activities at most ski resorts throughout the region. Most towns and cities throughout Italy also set up ice skating rinks in the center of town during winter as well.

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Things to Do in the Dolomites in Spring

As I mentioned above, spring can be a tricky time to visit the Dolomites. Although some years the ski resorts might stay open in March, April, and even May, from our experience I wouldn't rely on it.

You'll hopefully be able to enjoy the slopes in March but April and May are much riskier and will really depend on the year.

Most cable cars and mountain huts close down during those months, closing the trails along with them. It's not a great time for those that are dreaming of outdoor adventures.

That said, there are still some things to do in the Dolomites in the spring that you might enjoy:

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Go On Scenic Drives

Although spring isn't the best time to visit for hiking or skiing, it is a great time to enjoy scenic drives with less traffic on the road. You'll likely get to take breaks at the best view points, without having to fight others for a parking spot.

I'll talk about this more in the last section on where to base yourself during your trip to the Dolomites, but in general, I don't recommend you try and cover too much ground while in the region and instead you pick a small area and really get to know it.

The exception to that rule would be in spring when most outdoor activities aren't possible.

Taking in the views on a drive is a great way to get to know the mountains without hopping on dangerous trails.

The Val Gardena Pass is a short and jaw-droppingly scenic drive but honestly, most roads in the region are actually stunning mountain passes so don't stress too much when choosing the roads to take.

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Enjoy the Spa Culture

The Italian Dolomites have a strong spa culture. Most hotels, resorts, and some vacation rental homes have a spa for guests to use.

Most spas offer a variety of different rooms in one area: a sauna, infrared chairs, steam room, hot tubs, a lounge area, etc. If this is your first time at a spa in Europe, be aware that oftentimes clothing is not allowed in them, even swimsuits. You can use a towel or robe but most guests will be nude. In our experience, the saunas have both men and women in them and are not separated.

Each sauna will have their own rules but from our experience with hotels in the Dolomites, this has been the norm.

They really are quite relaxing and a nice addition to your room price but if you're shy, they can take some time to get used to. Luckily, in the spring, you shouldn't have to share the space with too many people.

If this amenity is important to you, I would double check with the hotel that their spa will be open during the time you plan on booking. If the hotel really is at minimum capacity, they might close it.

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Enjoy Lower Prices & Less Crowds

In general, the best thing to do in the Dolomites during the spring is to enjoy the fact that you're getting to see this stunning region at a lower price and with far less people than usual.

There are some cons to this but if you're not very interested in sports and are here more for the views, this will be a great time to visit to really feel as though you have the area to yourself.

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Things to Do in the Dolomites in Summer

The summer months are really fantastic in Northern Italy. You'll enjoy long days, usually sunny weather, and mountain views that will really blow you away. The temperature in the mountains are also much cooler than you'll face in other Italian cities.

June is the only exception to this rule as many of the higher elevation hiking trails will still be closed due to snow still on the ground. Again, this can change year-to-year but it is something you should keep in mind if you're planning a big hiking trip in June.

July and August are much "safer" months to plan your trip here if you're chasing outdoor adventures. Just to be clear though, the mountains do have a mind of their own and you can still see snow and hail during these months.

Last August I went on a fantastic high elevation hike and faced 4 seasons in one day. While it didn't snow, it hailed pretty heavily. Late August that same year the mountains saw a huge dump of fresh snow. While it melted pretty quickly and isn't the norm, it does happen!

Anyways! The best things to do in the Dolomites in the summer are:

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Go Hiking or Biking

July and August are when the hiking trails and mountain biking trails are at their peak capacity. If you dream of doing one of the most famous trails to the most iconic destinations, like Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Lago di Braies, Lago di Sorapis, or Val Gardena Pass, know that you'll be sharing these trails with plenty of others.

That said, there are 1000s of trails in the Dolomites and all offer something unique. If you enjoy quieter trails, I recommend skipping the most famous destinations and choosing a different hike or bike path instead.

Even if you want to see these icons, there is usually more than one trail to get to them. For example, to see Tre Cime di Lavaredo, there is one famous trail but in reality, there are 10, if not 20, other trails that'll take you to the same viewpoint, just on a quieter path. Some might be more challenging though so I recommend using AllTrails to see what kind of hike you're up for.

I promise you, the alpine meadows, jagged peaks, and green rolling hills don't just exist on a few trails. The entire mountain range is full of them.

Instead of going after the famous trails, look at trails near your accommodation. You'll have too many to choose from and based on reviews and user uploaded photos, you'll be able to find something incredible and quiet.

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Visit One of the Many Alpine Lakes

I already mentioned a few of the most famous alpine lakes in the above section but I want to hone in on them here.

Summer is the perfect time to see these lakes in all of their glory but know that this isn't a unique idea. Just like with the famous hiking trails, most of the famous lakes in the region also get more than their fair share of visitors in the summer months.

A few of the most beautiful alpine lakes to visit in the Dolomites are (lago means lake in Italian):

• Lago di Braies
• Lago di Sorapis
• Lago di Misurina
• Lago di Carezza

From this list, I've only been to Lago di Braies, and yes, it is as beautiful as it looks online. This isn't one of those Instagram vs. reality moments. The picture I've uploaded here hasn't been edited and was taken with my phone.

Just know, you're not the only one with the idea of visiting the picturesque lakes on your trip to the Dolomites. You can expect a lot of other people to have the same idea. If you go to Lago di Braies, I highly recommend you do the entire loop trail to find some quiet spaces in between the crowds that just show up for the picture at the entrance.

The other lakes require a hike to get to them, so make sure you're physically able to make it and if you have some other trails to choose from that aren't the most popular paths, I'd consider going the road less followed.

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Dine at a Number of Mountain Huts

I'm a huge fan of the rifugio culture in the Dolomites. Rifugio is the Italian word for mountain hut and is a good one to look out for on Google Maps if you're eyeing a good place to eat.

In general, the mountain huts you'll want to visit will be on a trail. In the summer, pretty much all mountain huts will be open, making it the perfect time to indulge. In winter, all mountain huts that are on ski slopes will also be open.

Many of the huts are only accessible by trail or by cable car. Most of them you won't be able to access by car. Even if you're not physically able to take on a trail, look for one at the top of a cable car and you'll be able to go door-to-door without a walk and still enjoy the views from the top.

Although many towns have great restaurants, I far prefer the food at the refugi (plural for refugio). Maybe it's the stunning scenery that makes the food taste better but either way, I'm in.

This also makes life easier on a long hike so you don't have to pack a meal. Just be sure the mountain huts you'll be passing on your trail are actually open before relying on them.

Pro Tip: Most trials have a mountain hut. Don't let social media fool you into thinking there is only one or two to choose from, there are hundreds.

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Things to Do in the Dolomites in Fall

The fall in the Dolomites is really fantastic...if you get lucky with the weather. Since it's the shoulder season, like spring, it can be pretty hit or miss.

If you have great weather, you'll enjoy quieter trails, stunning fall colors, and likely lower costs than you'd face in summer. But, there is a chance that snow will close off the trails early.

Most mountain huts will be closed by October so if you dream of long hikes with pit stops along the way or taking the cable cars up for a great meal, you'll have limited options in the fall.

Keeping all that in mind, here are my ideas of the best things to do in the Dolomites in the fall:

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Rinse & Repeat the Summer Activities

If the weather is good and the trails are clear, you can do all the summer activities in the fall. Many mountain huts will start to close during these months though. From my experience, they'll still be open in September but will start to close in October.

A huge perk about enjoying outdoor activities in the fall is that you'll enjoy quieter trails, which brings me to my next point...

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Visit the Famous Destinations

If you're really driven by the famous destinations and iconic viewpoints in the Dolomites, you'll likely prefer visiting in the fall since you'll get to see these hot spots with far less crowds.

Just know there is a chance some of the trails will be closed because of snow but if you're up for the gamble, the payoff could really be worth it.

If trails start to close, I recommend taking advantage of some scenic drives. The roads should likely have less people on them and if you're here for the changing of the leaves, you can expect some really beautiful scenery even from the road.

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Enjoy Some Tranquility

Since fall is shoulder season in Northern Italy, this is a great time to visit the mountains to get some tranquility. Although some things will be closed, it's the perfect time to book a cozy place, curl up with a book, and enjoy the mountain serenity from your window.

If you're craving some peace and quiet and stunning mountains, you'll love visiting the Dolomites in the fall.

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Where to Base Yourself in the Dolomites

The Dolomites is actually a pretty large area, stretching east from Bolzano and north from Belluno to the border with Austria. Although on a map the region might look small, when you're actually trying to get from one side to the other, it can take hours.

There are a few highways in the Dolomites but for the most part, you'll face winding mountain roads that can take much longer to traverse, even if they're incredibly stunning.

That said, I highly recommend you pick an area and hang around there instead of trying to see the entire mountain range in just a few days.

Pick a few activities that you have to do and then pick a base central to those. Or, if you prefer, pick a central location and then choose your activities based on what's near.

I wrote an entire article on where to stay in the Dolomites but for the quick version, I recommend:

• San Cassiano for a quieter trip
• Cortina d'Ampezzo for a bougier trip
• Val Gardena Region for a centrally located trip
• Sesto for quick access to some of the most iconic locations
• And St. Magdalena for a quieter trip but still in the heart of famous Alpe di Siusi

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What Will You Do on Your Trip to the Dolomites?

With so many great things to do in the Dolomites, it can be really hard to narrow down what to do on your trip.

My biggest piece of advice is to first decide when you'll be visiting the Dolomites, then narrow down the activities based on what's possible during that time of the year.

Although you'll be tempted to check off the famous spots social media has said are the "must visit," after nearly 10 trips to the Dolomites, I can say with confidence that the entire region is full of great hiking trails, incredible roads for biking, and scenic views at every corner.

Go for the nature and you won't be disappointed no matter what you choose to do.