The Perfect Dolomites, Italy Itinerary

There's more to Italy than just historic cities, delicious cuisine, and romantic canal journeys. Those are all great in and of themselves - but plenty of people who visit Italy are looking to explore the best of the great outdoors, from stunning peaks to sparkling lakes. And, the best spot to head to as an adventurous traveler is the Dolomites - a mountain range in the north-east of Italy that's home to spectacular hiking, mountain climbing, and even skiing experiences.

Building the perfect Dolomites Italy itinerary isn't easy if you're completely new to the idea of an adventure holiday. Therefore, we've put our heads together to create a fantastic guide on how to make the most of this stunning corner of the world with a few itinerary ideas, some templates for you to follow, and routes to help you make the most of the scenic drives, hiking trails, and more besides.

Before you jump in, of course, we always recommend that anyone visiting the region take up an eSIM for Italy to make sure that they are covered for any mobile data they use while they travel.

Dolomites Italy itinerary overview

It's easy to get a bit overwhelmed by the idea of an adventure holiday, particularly with a range as broad as the Dolomites - and, knowing where to travel for the best, and what routes, isn't always easy. The itinerary examples we've put together for you a little further down are based around ease of travel, though you can always add and remove elements as you see fit.

Generally, the best way to travel around the region will be with a rental car. However, you'll need to make sure that whoever is the designated driver is comfortable tackling off-road tracks and rocky trails! It's all worth it for the incredible views and breathtaking scenery, of course - there are few road trips elsewhere in Italy, maybe even in Europe, that come close to matching the majesty possible up in the Dolomites.

As you're likely to be getting out and about quite a lot on any kind of vacation or adventure up here, we recommend packing plenty of layers, considering damp weather (yes, even in Italy), and comfortable walking or hiking boots with grips. Getting here isn't as complicated as you might think, either, as you can travel from Venice elsewhere in the north-east. Just be prepared to take to the road for two to three hours outside of the airport.

It's also easy to assume that all you'll do up here is scale mountains, take photos of landscapes, and go on off-road drives. While that might make up a considerable chunk of your trip if you wish, there are plenty of town and village escapes for you to explore, with quaint cafes, restaurants, bars, and shops. In fact, you'll also find a few upmarket resorts across the region, particularly as the area has grown ever more popular with tourists over the past decade or so.

And, you might want to extend a trip into Italy with an adventure in the Dolomites purely being the icing on the cake. In which case, we suggest checking out our Italy itinerary guide, too, which breaks down the best places to visit nationwide.

Best places to see in the Dolomites

If you thought the Dolomites made up a relatively small corner of the Italian landscape, think again - there's lots to see and do out here, and of these, we recommend checking out Cortina d'Ampezzo, Val Gardena, Alpe di Siusi, and Tre Cime di Lavaredo. Naturally, you can visit these spots in any order you like - but for now, let's start with our must-visit pick.

Cortina d’Ampezzo

Cortina d'Ampezzo is a fantastic base for any holiday up in the Dolomites; however, it's particularly noteworthy for being a superb site for skiers who want access to the Croda da Lago, Tofane, and Cristallo groups of mountains. We'd certainly recommend it as the place you establish a “home” when you arrive. It's also great for high-end accommodation, shops, and restaurants.

Val Gardena

Val Gardena is another premier ski resort up in the Dolomites, famous for offering access to around 175km of slopes that only the bravest winter sports fans dare tackle. However, you'll also find delightful village scenes out here, too, such as the areas of Selva and Santa Cristina, both of which are famous for their local cuisine, wood carvings, and hospitality.

Alpe di Siusi

Alpe di Siusi is a truly incredible natural behemoth, offering the tallest pastures in the European alpines. Therefore, as you'd expect, it's an absolute must-visit for photographers and nature lovers, as well as being a high-octane cycling and hiking trail. You'll be able to sample different trails and routes to hunt out local food and hospitality, too.

Tre Cime di Lavaredo

Sometimes known as “the three peaks”, the Sesto Dolomites offer up this trio of majestic mountains, which will usually take around three hours to traverse on a climb at a reasonable pace. This famous area even has a few mountain huts you can pop into and stay overnight - a great experience if you're looking to get closer to nature and don't mind sacrificing everyday hotel breaks! 

Dolomites itineraries based on the length of your trip

It's entirely possible to spend more than 14 days in the Dolomites and still find fun and interesting things to do. However, based on the top places to visit listed above, here are some rough templates you may wish to follow and add to as you go. 

Dolomites itinerary for 7 days

• Days 1-2: Start in Cortina, explore the villages, and establish a base here
• Days 3-4: Head to Val Gardena and check into towns like Ortisei
• Days 5-6: Brace yourself for some high-octane skiing at Alpe di Siusi
• Day 7: Spend a day exploring and taking photos at the stunning Tre Cime di Lavaredo

Dolomites itinerary for 10 days

• Days 1-3: As before, start in Cortina, but check out the local sights at Selva di Cadore and Lago di Sorapis, too
• Days 4-5: Head up towards Tre Cime di Lavaredo, circling around Lago di Braies and heading back to Cortina on both days
• Days 6-8: Venture further West and check out the Falzarego Pass, stopping and setting a base at Val Gardena if you wish
• Days 9-10: Continue exploring the area around Val Gardena and trying some skiing at Alpe di Siusi

Dolomites itinerary for 14 days

• Days 1-4: Set your base at Cortina, and travel a circle around to explore Selva di Cadore, Falzarego Pass, and Lago di Sorapis
• Days 5-7: Head East and North towards Tre Cime di Lavaredo, then back around through Dobbiaco and Lago di Braies
• Days 8-10: Check out the Puez Odie Nature Park and head towards Alpe di Siusi
• Days 11-14: Set your final base for the adventure at Val Gardena, and head out on trips towards Sciliar Catinaccio and Marmolada

Best time to visit the Dolomites

The best time of year to visit the Dolomites often depends on what you'd like to do here. The area tends to get fairly busy as the summer rolls on, but by early fall, the weather plateaus, and the crowds tend to drop off a little. 

The later in the year you go, however, the more likely it is that the best trails and experiences will be closed off. Some even stay closed well into the spring, meaning if there are specific trails you'd like to check out, it makes sense to look at opening and closing times.

Generally, however, the area tends to look its most spectacular during the summer and into early fall - meaning if you're more about the photography and less about the physical activity, be sure to book around then.

That said, if you want to ski, you'll need to head here in the winter - that much should be obvious!

In the meantime, regardless of when you aim to travel here, always make sure you have an eSIM for Europe ready to go, so that you're covered for any data you use, regardless of where you are on the continent. We hope this Dolomites Italy itinerary has given you some food for thought!