Peaks, Passes & Pasta: A 9-Day Dolomites Itinerary Through Val Gardena and Cortina
From the sawtooth ridge of Seceda to the turquoise hush of Lago di Sorapis, this nine-day road trip strings together the Dolomites' most jaw-dropping peaks, lakes, and rifugi across two perfectly placed mountain bases.
The Dolomites are a paradox carved in stone: pale limestone towers that glow rose-gold at dawn and dusk (a phenomenon locals call the enrosadira), rising straight out of impossibly green alpine meadows. Once an ancient coral reef beneath a tropical sea, then a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2009, this corner of northern Italy sits at the crossroads of Italian, Austrian, and Ladin cultures. You will order an espresso and a plate of canederli in the same breath, and find Tyrolean church spires beneath jagged Italian peaks.
This itinerary uses two of the range's best bases. Ortisei, in the Ladin-speaking Val Gardena, opens the door to Seceda, the Alpe di Siusi (Europe's largest high-altitude meadow), and the storybook Val di Funes. Cortina d'Ampezzo, the glamorous host of the 2026 Winter Olympics, puts the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Lago di Sorapis, and Lago di Braies within easy reach. A rental car is essential; cable cars and the network of mountain huts (rifugi) do the rest of the heavy lifting.
Come between mid-June and late September, when cable cars run, trails are clear of snow, and rifugi are serving. July and August are busiest (and warmest); June and September are quieter and gorgeous, though some lifts open or close on the shoulders of the season. Pack layers, proper shoes, and cash for the smaller huts, and reserve popular parking and lake access well ahead, as the most famous spots now cap visitor numbers in peak summer.
At a Glance
1
Days 1-5 (4 nights)Ortisei, Val Gardena
2
Days 5-9 (4 nights)Cortina d'Ampezzo
Ortisei
Ortisei (St. Ulrich in German, Urtijei in Ladin) is the polished heart of Val Gardena, a pedestrianized valley town famous for centuries of woodcarving and for the three cable cars that fan out from its edges toward Seceda, Alpe di Siusi, and Rasciesa. The center is a postcard of pastel facades, baroque church towers, and shop windows full of hand-carved saints, while the surrounding peaks of the Odle/Geisler group form one of the most photographed skylines on earth. It is comfortable without being stuffy, central to the valley's best hikes, and ringed by rifugi where a long lunch with a view is the whole point.
Getting there by carFly into Venice (VCE) or Innsbruck (INN) and pick up a rental car; it is roughly a 3 to 3.5 hour drive to Ortisei via the A22 Brenner motorway and Val Gardena. Verona (VRN) and Bolzano are other good airport options.View on Omio
Day 1
Arrival in Val Gardena and a First Walk Through Ortisei
Collect your car, wind up into Val Gardena, and check into Ortisei. Shake off the drive with an easy stroll through the pedestrian center, where carved wooden saints fill the shop windows and the Odle peaks loom at the end of the street.
Streda Rezia and Chiesa di Sant'Antonio Google
4.5 · 69 reviews · Ortisei center
Ortisei's car-free main street is the place to find your feet: pastel houses, woodcarving ateliers, and the small baroque church of Sant'Antonio. A gentle 30-45 minute amble to orient yourself and pick up trail snacks for tomorrow.
If you arrive with energy to spare and the weather is clear, ride the Rasciesa funicular straight up from town for a high, quiet ridge with sweeping views back over the valley, far less crowded than Seceda. Check the last-descent time before you go up.
Dinner
Ease into South Tyrolean cooking, where Italian and Austrian traditions share a plate. Expect canederli (bread dumplings), speck, and house-made pasta alongside excellent local wines.
Restaurant Concordia Google
4.3 · 218 reviews · Ortisei center
A long-running Ortisei institution in a wood-paneled stube, known for hearty regional classics like venison, dumplings, and strudel done properly. Cozy and welcoming after a travel day; book ahead in summer.
An atmospheric cellar restaurant with vaulted ceilings and a menu that swings from Tyrolean comfort food to good pizza and pasta. Relaxed and reliable for a first night.
Good to know · A rental car is effectively required to follow this itinerary; valley buses exist but cannot reach the trailheads and lakes on the schedule below. Reserve your car for the full trip. (book 1-2 months ahead in summer) · Many Val Gardena and Cortina hotels offer half-board and require a minimum stay of 3-7 nights in peak summer; check stay requirements when booking. (book 2-4 months ahead)
Day 2
Seceda: The Dolomites' Most Famous Ridge
Breakfast
Fuel up before the lift. Hotel breakfasts here are lavish, but if you want a proper espresso and a pastry in town, Ortisei delivers.
Cafe Demetz
Ortisei center
A central Ortisei cafe-pasticceria for a quick cappuccino and a fresh croissant or apple strudel before the cable car. Friendly and fast.
Your hotel breakfast buffet
Ortisei
Val Gardena hotels lay out generous spreads of speck, cheeses, eggs, breads, and fruit. Load up; lunch will be earned the hard way at altitude.
Morning
Ride the Seceda gondola from the edge of Ortisei up to roughly 2,500 meters, where the Odle/Geisler peaks fall away in a tilted, knife-edge ridge that is one of the most photographed sights in the Alps. Go early for soft light and thinner crowds.
Seceda cable car and ridge viewpoint
Seceda
The two-stage Ortisei-Furnes-Seceda lift drops you minutes from the iconic tilted ridgeline. Walk the easy paths along the crest for the classic panorama; even non-hikers can reach jaw-dropping views within 15 minutes of the top station.
Lunch
This is rifugi country, and lunch with a 360-degree view is the highlight of the day. Settle in at a high hut and order something local.
Rifugio Firenze (Regensburger Hütte) Google
4.5 · 1,611 reviews · Seceda
A classic mountain hut on the high plateau beneath the Odle, reached by a gentle walk from the Seceda area. Hearty barley soup, dumplings, and gulasch on a sunny terrace with the peaks overhead.
A welcoming hut with a panoramic deck, popular for kaiserschmarrn and homestyle Tyrolean plates. A good lunch stop if you are doing the shorter loops near the top station.
Spend the afternoon hiking the high meadows below the ridge before descending. Trails here are well marked and mostly gentle, with the scenery doing all the work.
Seceda to Col Raiser hike
Seceda
A scenic, mostly downhill traverse beneath the Odle from Seceda toward the Col Raiser gondola, passing rifugi and wildflower meadows (roughly 2-3 hours). Ride the Col Raiser lift down to Santa Cristina and bus or taxi back to Ortisei.
Easy ridge loops near the top station
Seceda
Short, near-level paths around the summit area let you linger at the viewpoints without committing to a big hike, then ride the same gondola back down to Ortisei. Ideal if the weather is shifting.
Dinner
Back in town, celebrate the first full day with a memorable meal, from refined tasting menus to honest valley cooking.
Anna Stuben Google
4.6 · 170 reviews · Ortisei center
The Michelin-starred dining room inside the Gardena Grodnerhof, serving creative, beautifully plated takes on Alpine ingredients in an elegant carved-wood stube. The splurge dinner of the trip; reserve ahead.
Good to know · Check the operating dates and daily hours of the Seceda and Col Raiser cable cars before you go; in June and late September lifts may run shorter days or close for maintenance. (check a few days ahead)
An early start pays off on the Alpe di Siusi, where morning light across the rolling pastures (with Sassolungo and Sciliar as a backdrop) is unforgettable.
Hotel breakfast, then the Mont Sëuc cable car
Ortisei
Eat early at your hotel, then walk to the Mont Sëuc lift at the edge of Ortisei, which carries you straight up onto the meadow. Driving up is restricted during the day, so the cable car is the easy, scenic way in.
Morning
The Seiser Alm (Alpe di Siusi) is the largest high-altitude meadow in Europe, a vast green tableland of wooden huts and wildflowers ringed by pale peaks. Spend the morning walking its gentle, signposted paths.
Compatsch to Saltria meadow walk
Alpe di Siusi
From the top of the Mont Sëuc lift, follow the broad, near-level trails across the plateau toward Saltria, with constant views of Sassolungo and the Sciliar massif. Flat enough for almost anyone, and you can shorten it with the meadow's small shuttle buses.
Sciliar / Sassolungo viewpoint loops
Alpe di Siusi
Several well-marked loops from Compatsch deliver the meadow's best panoramas in 2-3 hours, weaving between mountain farms and grazing cows. Pick your distance based on energy and weather.
Lunch
The Alpe is dotted with malghe (mountain dairies) serving farm food, and lunch here is a destination in itself.
Gostner Schwaige Google
4.4 · 1,033 reviews · Alpe di Siusi
A celebrated hut famous for its hay soup served inside a hollowed bread loaf and its elderflower specialties, all from the farm's own produce. Worth the walk; sunny terrace with peak views.
Rifugio Tirler / Tirler Dolomites Living Hotel Google
4.6 · 1,679 reviews · Alpe di Siusi
A polished hut-restaurant in the heart of the meadow with excellent regional cooking and a wide terrace. A more refined lunch option than the simplest malghe.
Keep ambling across the plateau or angle toward the foot of Sassolungo before riding back down. The light softens through the afternoon and the crowds thin.
Walk toward the Sassolungo group
Alpe di Siusi
Continue east across the meadow for closer views of the Sassolungo and Sassopiatto towers, then loop back to a shuttle stop or the lift. Easy underfoot, big on scenery.
Relaxed return and Ortisei spa time
Ortisei
If your legs are done, drift back to the Mont Sëuc station and descend early to enjoy your hotel's pool or sauna. The Dolomites reward an occasional slow afternoon.
Dinner
Tonight, keep it convivial and classic in Ortisei or just up the valley.
Pizzeria Rusticus Google
4.6 · 2,357 reviews · Ortisei
A lively, casual spot for wood-fired pizza and pasta when you want something easygoing after a long day on the meadow. Family-friendly and good value.
A romantic old farmhouse restaurant with carved-wood rooms and a garden, serving updated South Tyrolean dishes. A lovely, atmospheric choice; book in summer.
Good to know · Private cars are banned from driving up onto the Alpe di Siusi during daytime hours (roughly 9am-5pm) in season; use the Mont Sëuc/Compatsch cable cars instead, which is also more scenic. (good to know)
Day 4
Val di Funes and the Storybook Geisler Peaks
Breakfast
Today you leave the valley for the most photogenic church-and-mountain scene in the Alps. Grab coffee and go.
Quick espresso in Ortisei
Ortisei center
Pick up a cappuccino and pastry in the center before the 45-minute drive over to Val di Funes (Villnoss). The route crosses a high pass with pretty stops of its own.
Morning
Val di Funes is a quieter, pastoral valley dominated by the saw-toothed Odle/Geisler peaks. Two tiny churches here are world-famous photo subjects, and the hiking under the peaks is sublime.
Church of San Giovanni in Ranui Google
3.9 · 1,979 reviews · Val di Funes
The lone baroque chapel set in a green field beneath the Geisler spires is one of the Dolomites' signature images. View it from the marked photo platform (small fee); go early for the best light and fewest people.
The hamlet's slender-spired church framed by the full Odle ridge is the other iconic Funes shot, best from the meadow path on the hillside opposite. A short, easy walk leads to the classic vantage.
Hike up to a mountain hut at the foot of the Odle and let lunch be your turnaround point.
Geisler Alm (Rifugio delle Odle) Google
4.5 · 3,467 reviews · Val di Funes
Reached on the gentle Adolf Munkel Trail beneath the towering Geisler peaks, this beloved hut serves dumplings, soups, and kaiserschmarrn on a deck directly under the spires. The walk in is half the reward.
Walk the famous Adolf Munkel Trail beneath the Geisler before driving back. It is mostly easy and astonishingly scenic.
Adolf Munkel Trail (Sentiero delle Odle)
Val di Funes
A relatively level path that hugs the base of the Odle/Geisler wall through forest and meadow, linking several huts (around 2-3 hours for the popular section). The single best walk for getting close to these peaks without a hard climb.
Return via Lago di Carezza
Carezza
If you would rather drive than hike, swing back toward an emerald lake. The mirror-still Lago di Carezza, with the Latemar reflected in it, is a quick, easy stop on the scenic road and a fine photo finish to the day.
Dinner
Your last night in Val Gardena. Toast it with a final stube dinner or a glass of local wine.
Stua dl Vin (Hotel Nives) Google
4.8 · 68 reviews · Selva di Val Gardena
A contemporary restaurant and wine bar in Selva, a short drive up-valley, with a deep cellar and creative regional plates. Stylish and a notch more modern than the classic stuben.
Good to know · Parking at the San Giovanni in Ranui church and the Zannes/Zans trailhead in Val di Funes is limited and fills fast on summer mornings; arrive early or come later in the afternoon. (good to know)
Where to Stay
Base yourself in central Ortisei to walk to the Seceda and Alpe di Siusi lifts, restaurants, and the pedestrian Streda Rezia. Santa Cristina and Selva di Val Gardena, a few minutes up-valley, are slightly quieter and even closer to the Sella passes and Sassolungo if you prefer easy hiking access over town buzz.
Hotel Genziana
midrange Google
4.7 · 405 reviews
A friendly, well-run hotel right in the pedestrian center of Ortisei, steps from cafes and the Alpe di Siusi lift. Comfortable rooms, a small spa, and a generous breakfast make it a reliable mid-range pick.
A tidy, family-run guesthouse a short walk above the center with mountain views and excellent value, ideal if you would rather spend your money on cable cars and rifugi lunches than on a big hotel.
One of Europe's best-known family resorts, with a huge kids' water world, all-day childcare, and family suites right in the center of Ortisei. Pricey but purpose-built for traveling with children.
The grande dame of Ortisei: a sprawling spa resort with indoor-outdoor pools, mountain-view treatment rooms, and half-board dining, set right in the center. The splurge choice if you want a full wellness base.
Self-catering apartments are plentiful across Ortisei, Santa Cristina, and Selva, a smart choice for families or longer stays who want a kitchen and more space near the lifts.
Cortina d'Ampezzo, the self-styled Queen of the Dolomites, is an alpine resort with Italian flair: a stylish pedestrian corso, a slender bell tower, and a ring of monumental peaks (the Tofane, Cristallo, Sorapis, and Pomagagnon) that turn fiery at sunset. Host of the 1956 Winter Olympics and a co-host of the 2026 Games, it pairs glamorous shopping and excellent restaurants with immediate access to some of the most spectacular hikes and lakes in the entire range. From here you can stand beneath the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, walk to the unreal blue of Lago di Sorapis, and reach the rowboats of Lago di Braies in under an hour.
Getting there by carDrive from Ortisei to Cortina in about 2 to 2.5 hours over the Sella and Falzarego passes, one of the most beautiful mountain drives in Europe, with photo-stops and a rifugi en route.
Day 5
Scenic Pass Drive to Cortina via Lagazuoi and Cinque Torri
Check out of Ortisei and breakfast with a plan: today's drive is short in distance but long in temptation, with a string of high passes to enjoy.
Hotel breakfast and an early departure
Ortisei
Eat well, load the car, and aim to leave by mid-morning. The Sella and Falzarego passes are at their best before afternoon clouds build.
Morning
Drive the legendary pass roads from Val Gardena toward Cortina, over the Gardena, Pordoi, and Falzarego passes. Switchbacks, hairpins, and grandstand peak views the whole way.
Sella and Pordoi pass drive
Sella passes
Climb out of Selva over Passo Gardena and Passo Pordoi, encircling the Sella massif on a road beloved by drivers and cyclists. Stop at the pass-top viewpoints for the Sassolungo and Marmolada (Italy's highest Dolomite) panoramas.
Lunch
Time your arrival at Passo Falzarego for a high-altitude lunch, ideally at the top of a cable car with one of the great views in the Dolomites.
Rifugio Lagazuoi Google
4.5 · 4,516 reviews · Passo Falzarego
Ride the Lagazuoi cable car from Passo Falzarego to nearly 2,800 meters and lunch on the terrace of this famous hut, with a wraparound panorama over half the range. The WWI front-line tunnels honeycomb the mountain just outside.
A short walk from the Cinque Torri chairlift, Averau is renowned for some of the best food of any rifugio in the area, from handmade pasta to alpine classics. A worthy lunch if you head to Cinque Torri first.
Explore one of the open-air WWI sites near the pass before dropping into Cortina to check in.
Lagazuoi WWI tunnels and viewpoint
Passo Falzarego
From the top of the Lagazuoi lift, walk the panoramic terraces or descend a stretch of the restored Great War tunnels carved into the cliff (bring a headlamp and good shoes). History and scenery in one stop.
Cinque Torri open-air museum
Cinque Torri
A short chairlift and easy loop lead among the Five Towers and a network of restored WWI trenches and gun positions, with interpretive signs. Gentle, fascinating, and ringed by big views.
Dinner
Settle into Cortina and head out onto Corso Italia for your first dinner in the Queen of the Dolomites.
Birreria Cortina Google
4.3 · 827 reviews · Cortina center
A buzzy brewpub in the center serving its own beers alongside pizza, pasta, and grilled plates. Easygoing and good value for a first night after a travel day.
Good to know · Cable cars on the high passes (Lagazuoi, Cinque Torri chairlift) run seasonally; confirm they are operating in late June 2026 and check daily hours, especially the last ride down. (check a few days ahead)
Day 6
Tre Cime di Lavaredo: The Dolomites' Defining Hike
The signature day of the trip demands an early alarm: the toll road to the trailhead fills quickly, and the morning light on the three peaks is unmatched.
Early grab-and-go coffee
Cortina center
Take coffee and something portable from your hotel or a Corso Italia bar and drive out toward Misurina before the crowds. You will eat properly at a rifugio on the loop.
Morning
Drive past Lago di Misurina and up the toll road to Rifugio Auronzo, the trailhead beneath the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, the three sheer towers that are the symbol of the Dolomites. Begin the classic loop.
Tre Cime di Lavaredo circuit
Tre Cime di Lavaredo
The roughly 10 km loop around the three peaks (about 3-4 hours) is mostly moderate, well-trodden, and relentlessly beautiful, passing rifugi and the famous north-face panorama from Rifugio Locatelli. The single most iconic walk in the range.
Out-and-back to Rifugio Locatelli
Tre Cime di Lavaredo
Short on time or energy? Walk the easier stretch from Rifugio Auronzo to Rifugio Lavaredo and on to the classic Tre Cime viewpoint, then return the same way. You still get the money shot of the three faces.
Lunch
Lunch on the loop at one of the rifugi is part of the experience; the terraces here have arguably the best seats in the Dolomites.
Rifugio Locatelli (Dreizinnenhütte) Google
4.2 · 3,130 reviews · Tre Cime di Lavaredo
The hut directly opposite the three north faces, with a terrace built for the view and hearty mountain food. The highlight refreshment stop of the circuit.
Finish the loop and descend the toll road, with a possible lakeside pause on the way back to town.
Lago di Misurina stroll
Misurina
On the drive down, stop at this serene lake reflecting Sorapis and the surrounding peaks, with an easy flat path around the shore and gelato at the kiosks. A gentle wind-down after the big hike.
Cortina spa and corso time
Cortina center
Head back to relax: many Cortina hotels have saunas and pools, and the Corso Italia is made for an early-evening passeggiata and a spritz.
Dinner
Reward the legs with one of Cortina's best tables tonight.
SanBrite Google
4.7 · 431 reviews · Cortina d'Ampezzo
A Michelin-starred farm restaurant just outside town built on the family's own dairy and produce (the name means clean/healthy alm), with inventive, deeply local tasting menus. The standout fine-dining experience here; reserve well ahead.
A wood-clad family restaurant and inn above town with a serious wine cellar and excellent Ampezzo cooking. Warm, scenic, and a local favorite; booking advised.
Good to know · The Tre Cime toll road to Rifugio Auronzo charges roughly 30 euros per car and the parking fills by mid-morning in summer; arrive early or use the public bus from Cortina/Misurina. In peak season access can close once full. (arrive early; check current toll and bus times) · Top Cortina restaurants like SanBrite and Tivoli book up days to weeks ahead in summer; reserve as soon as your dates are set. (book 1-3 weeks ahead)
Another lake, another early start. Today's reward is a milky-turquoise glacial lake reached on one of the area's most beloved hikes.
Pasticceria Lovat
Cortina center
A historic Cortina pasticceria for a top-notch cappuccino and a pastry before driving up to Passo Tre Croci. Grab extra strudel for the trail.
Morning
From Passo Tre Croci, hike Trail 215 to Lago di Sorapis, whose surreal pale-blue water sits in a cirque beneath the Sorapis peaks. It is a moderate walk with a couple of short exposed (cabled) sections near the end.
Lago di Sorapis via Trail 215
Passo Tre Croci
About 6-7 km each way (roughly 4 hours round trip) on a scenic path that traverses forest and rock before the lake reveals its glacial color. Wear proper shoes; the final stretch has fixed cables and can be busy.
Lunch
There is a hut right at the lake, so plan lunch around the turnaround point.
Rifugio Vandelli Google
4.2 · 1,325 reviews · Lago di Sorapis
The hut perched beside Lago di Sorapis, serving soups, pasta, and dumplings with the unreal blue water just below. Simple food, peerless setting; cash is handy.
Retrace the trail back to the pass, then take it easy in Cortina, where you have earned a slow afternoon.
Return hike and Cortina passeggiata
Cortina center
Walk back to Passo Tre Croci and drive down to town for a shower and a stroll along Corso Italia, browsing the boutiques and stopping for a spritz on a terrace.
Tofana di Mezzo cable car (Freccia nel Cielo)
Cortina d'Ampezzo
Still energetic? Ride the multi-stage cable car from the edge of town toward the top of Tofana di Mezzo, above 3,200 meters, for an enormous summit panorama. Check operating status and last descent.
Dinner
Keep tonight relaxed and central after a cable-free, leg-powered day.
Ristorante 5 Torri Google
4.1 · 2,796 reviews · Cortina center
A reliable central spot for pizza, pasta, and Ampezzo classics with friendly service. Easygoing and well placed on the corso.
Good to know · The Lago di Sorapis trail (215) includes short exposed sections protected by fixed cables and is not ideal for very young children or anyone uneasy with heights or drop-offs. Wear hiking shoes and start early, as parking at Passo Tre Croci is limited. (good to know)
Day 8
Lago di Braies and an Afternoon at Cinque Torri
Breakfast
Save the most famous lake for an early, crowd-beating visit. Coffee first, then a 50-minute drive north.
Quick coffee, then drive to Braies
Cortina center
Take an espresso to go and aim to reach Lago di Braies (Pragser Wildsee) early, before the tour buses and the summer access limits kick in. The light on the water is best in the morning calm.
Morning
Lago di Braies is the emerald jewel of the Dolomites: a deep-green lake backed by the sheer Croda del Becco, with a wooden boathouse that may be the most photographed structure in the range. Walk the shore and, if you like, row out onto the water.
Lago di Braies shoreline loop
Lago di Braies
An easy, near-level 3.5 km path circles the lake in about 1.5 hours, with constantly changing reflections and quiet coves away from the boathouse. Do it clockwise to save the best views for last.
Rent a rowboat
Lago di Braies
The classic wooden rowboats (seasonal, weather permitting) let you glide out beneath the cliffs for the iconic photo from the water. Go early; the boat line grows long by late morning.
Lunch
Eat near the lake or on the drive back toward Cortina before the afternoon's outing.
Restaurant at Hotel Lago di Braies Google
4.4 · 3,763 reviews · Lago di Braies
The historic lakeside hotel has a restaurant and terrace right on the water, handy for a regional lunch without leaving the view. Simple to pricey depending on what you order.
Back near Cortina, head to Cinque Torri for an easy, scenic finale among the Five Towers and the open-air WWI museum, with one of the best rifugio terraces in the area nearby.
Cinque Torri chairlift and loop
Cinque Torri
A short chairlift and gentle loop walk wind among the dramatic rock towers and restored Great War trenches, with interpretive signs and huge views. Easy enough for almost anyone and endlessly photogenic.
Drink at Rifugio Scoiattoli
Cinque Torri
Cap the afternoon with a spritz or a slice of cake on the sunny terrace of Rifugio Scoiattoli, right beneath the towers. A perfect golden-hour pause before driving down.
Dinner
Your last full night in Cortina deserves something memorable.
Ristorante Tivoli Google
4.7 · 442 reviews · Cortina d'Ampezzo
A Michelin-starred dining room just above town pairing refined, ingredient-led cooking with sweeping valley views. The elegant farewell dinner of the trip; reserve well ahead.
If you missed it earlier, this hillside family restaurant delivers heartfelt Ampezzo cuisine and a serious wine list in a snug wooden setting. A warm, classic send-off.
Good to know · In peak summer (roughly mid-July to early September) access to Lago di Braies is restricted: the approach road may require a pre-booked time slot or a paid parking reservation, and driving in is limited during the day. Check the official Prags/Braies booking system before you go, or arrive very early. (book in advance for July-August)
Slow down for your final morning. One last great coffee in the center before the drive to the airport.
Caffe Embassy
Cortina center
An elegant Corso Italia cafe for a proper Italian cappuccino and a pastry while you watch Cortina wake up. A fitting last sit-down.
Pasticceria Lovat
Cortina center
If you have not been yet, this beloved pasticceria is the spot for a final strudel or torta to fuel the road. Grab something for the journey too.
Morning
Take a gentle walk around the center and pick up any last gifts before you leave, no big hikes today.
Corso Italia and the bell tower Google
4.6 · 48 reviews · Cortina center
Stroll the pedestrian heart of Cortina beneath its landmark campanile, browsing the boutiques and the parish church. An easy, pretty way to close out the trip.
Catch any morning market stalls, or drive a few minutes up toward Pocol for a final wide-angle photo of Cortina ringed by its peaks before heading out.
Lunch
Have an early, easy lunch, then point the car toward the airport. Allow plenty of time, as the mountain roads are slow and scenic.
Light lunch on Corso Italia Google
4.4 · 3,729 reviews · Cortina center
Grab a quick panino, salad, or plate of pasta on the corso before departure. Keep it simple so you can hit the road with time to spare.
Alternatively, drive down out of the mountains and stop at a trattoria or autogrill on the way to Venice (about 2-2.5 hours) for an unhurried final meal. Build in buffer for traffic near the coast.
Good to know · Cortina has no airport; budget roughly 2 to 2.5 hours to drive to Venice (VCE) and a bit more to Treviso, Verona, or Innsbruck. Factor in summer traffic and rental-car return time. (plan departure timing)
Where to Stay
Stay in or just around Cortina's center to walk to Corso Italia's restaurants and shops and to reach the area's trailheads quickly by car. The town spreads across a wide basin, so any of the close-in neighborhoods works; if you want quiet and views, hamlets just outside the center (toward Pocol or along the Falzarego road) are scenic and only minutes away.
Hotel de Len
boutique Google
4.6 · 224 reviews
A design-forward, sustainability-minded hotel near the center with warm wood interiors, a rooftop with mountain views, and a strong restaurant and bar. The most characterful mid-range-to-upper choice in town.
A cozy, stylish small hotel right on the pedestrian Corso Italia, perfectly placed for restaurants and evening strolls. Individually decorated rooms and a central location make it a top mid-range pick.
A simple, friendly, long-running hotel in the heart of Cortina at fair prices, a rarity in this pricey town. Clean rooms and an unbeatable central location for exploring on foot.
Apartments and chalets around Cortina suit families and groups who want a kitchen, more space, and parking for the early starts to Tre Cime and the lakes.
Cortina's landmark grand hotel, a turreted palace above town with a full spa, pools, and sweeping Dolomites views. The iconic splurge if you want old-world glamour.
Over nine days this route delivers the Dolomites at their best: the tilted ridge of Seceda and the wildflower vastness of the Alpe di Siusi from Ortisei, then the three towers of Lavaredo, the glacial blue of Sorapis, and the rowboats of Braies from Cortina, all linked by some of Europe's most thrilling mountain roads and long lunches on rifugi terraces. Pace yourself between big hikes and slow valley afternoons, eat the dumplings and the strudel, and let the peaks turn pink at dusk. It is a trip that rewards early starts and lingering meals in equal measure.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need in the Dolomites?
Five to seven days lets you see the highlights of one or two valleys, but nine days is ideal because it allows two well-placed bases (such as Val Gardena and Cortina d'Ampezzo) without rushing, with time for the marquee hikes, the famous lakes, and a few slower afternoons.
What is the best base for first-time visitors to the Dolomites?
Most first-timers split their time between Ortisei in Val Gardena, which reaches Seceda, the Alpe di Siusi, and Val di Funes, and Cortina d'Ampezzo, which reaches the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Lago di Sorapis, and Lago di Braies. Using two bases minimizes long daily drives and covers the range's most iconic scenery.
Do you need a car to visit the Dolomites?
Yes, a rental car is strongly recommended. While cable cars and seasonal buses serve some areas, a car is the only practical way to reach the scattered trailheads, mountain passes, and lakes on a flexible schedule, especially for early starts at popular spots like Tre Cime and Lago di Braies.
What is the best time of year to visit the Dolomites for hiking?
Mid-June through late September is the prime hiking window, when cable cars run, trails are snow-free, and mountain huts are open and serving. July and August are warmest and busiest, while June and September are quieter and beautiful, though a few lifts may operate shorter seasons on the shoulders.
How do you get to the Dolomites?
Fly into Venice, Verona, Innsbruck, or Treviso and drive; Venice to Ortisei or Cortina is roughly 2.5 to 3.5 hours. There is no airport in the heart of the range, so picking up a rental car at the airport is the standard approach.
Are the Dolomites expensive to visit?
The Dolomites are one of Italy's pricier regions, with high-season hotels, cable cars, and toll roads (such as the roughly 30-euro Tre Cime road) adding up. You can manage costs by choosing guesthouses or apartments, eating hearty lunches at rifugi, and traveling in June or September when rates ease.
