The Very Best Places To Stay In Dolomites Italy

Immerse yourself in the local alpine charm of the Dolomites and enjoy a range of outdoor adventures in this breathtaking region.
Written By: Andrea Spallanzani
Reviewed by: Rick Orford
How & Why We Created This Article

This article has been written, reviewed, and fact-checked by Rick and I. We live in Italy and travel throughout the country to help you make the best choices for your trip. We wrote this piece to help you have the best trip possible on your next trip to Italy. Portions of this article have been written using assistive AI tools to help with tasks like research, spell-checking, grammar, and translation.

Last Updated March 22, 2024

In this article, you'll learn how:

  • The Dolomites in northeast Italy offer a diverse range of activities, from skiing and hiking in winter to mountain biking and rock climbing in sum.
  • The Dolomites have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2009, and they are known for their distinctive limestone and dolomite rock formations.
  • Major points of interest in the Dolomites include Val Fiscalina, Lake Prags, Puez-Odle Park, Lake Braies, Seceda, Val di Funes, Lago Federa, and Tre Cime di Lavaredo.

Looking for a place to stay in the Dolomites? The Dolomites are mountains located in northeast Italy. You could also call it a region. The area is made up of limestone and dolomite rock, which results in their distinctive appearance.

The Dolomites are a popular tourist destination. Andrea and I love visiting – usually in winter. Around 4 million skiers, hikers, and climbers visit every year to make the most of the activities available in the area. 

In the summer, you can enjoy mountain biking, rock climbing, and white water rafting. Driving conditions are also usually above average, so you can also explore many famous mountain towns (I.e., Cortina) that offer a taste of Italian culture.

The Dolomites stretch from the Trentino-Alto Adige region (historically known as South Tyrol) to the Northern Veneto region. Like many places in Italy, the Dolomites have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2009.

Not only that, the Dolomites are easy to get to. Suppose you’re staying in Venice – in this case, it’s just a 2-hour drive in normal circumstances.

italian dolomites

Major Points of Interest In The Dolomites

Let’s explore together some of the main points of interest in the Dolomites.

PlaceActivitiesBest Time to VisitHotel RecommendationLocation
Val FiscalinaCross-country skiing, Hiking, DiningWinter for skiing, Summer for hikingHotel Garni RobertaRocca Pietore, Belluno
Lake Prags (Wildsee)Hiking, Boating, Scenic ViewsLate summer or fallDolomites Lifestyle Hotel MarmoladaAlta Badia, Bolzano
Puez-Odle ParkHiking, Scenic ViewsSpring to FallResidence PanoramaPiè Falcade, Belluno
Lake BraiesScenic Views, Hiking, BoatingSpring to FallHotel San MarcoMoena, Trento
Tre Cime di LavaredoHiking, Scenic ViewsSpring to FallHotel La PerlaCanazei, Trento

Val Fiscalina

Val Fiscalina is a valley in the Dolomites mountain range that you’ll find in Italy. At just 4.5 km in length, this hiking trail may be short but it is extremely popular for good reason. Both hikers and winter sports lovers flock here to take in the spectacular scenery of the Dolomites mountains in all their magnificence. The valley is particularly popular with European tourists. The area is also home to several Italian restaurants, coffee shops, and local hotels.

On our last tour of Val Fiscalina, we walked towards the stunning peaks of the Dolomites. We started our walk in the cute village of Sesto. The walk was incredibly beautiful on a winter sunny day. We saw many people cross-country skiing with the amazing background of the Dolomites and the Cime di Lavaredo park.

Stunning Dolomites Cross Country Skiing

Lake Prags

Lake Prags (aka Pragser Wildsee) is a Dolomites lake popular with German and other European tourists. It is located in the municipality of Prags (Brunico), in the province of South Tyrol, at an elevation of 1,546 meters (5,078 ft). The lake has a surface area of 0.22 square kilometers (0.087 sq mi).

dolomites unesco world heritage sign

Glaciers formed Pragser Wildsee during the last ice age. Today, the lake’s shape is due to erosion by the Drau River.

You can also rent a boat to visit the area or hike around any of the several trails.The best time to visit Pragser Wildsee is at the end of summer or fall.

Puez-Odle Park

Puez-Odle Park is another popular tourist destination in the Dolomites. It covers an area of approximately 35,000 acres. Like other areas, you’ll find lakes, waterfalls, and glaciers here.

Lake Braies


This stunning pristine lake is nested between some impressive Dolomites peaks.

Lake Braies in the winter

The lake is magnificent in every season. We visited in the spring, and the lake it was still frozen.

Lake Braies frozen

The lake is located in the Sud Tyrol region, about 15km from the town of Dobbiaco. It is connected to Dobbiaco by bus (Bus number 422). The bus ride takes approximately 35 minutes. Lake Braies can also be reached by car. From Dobbiaco, take the SS49 towards Bressanone and turn left at the Braies roundabout, following the signs for the lake. There are several paid parking by the lake. Keep in mind that in the summer and during the peak holiday season, lake Braies is really busy, and the parking lots get full very quickly.

The little church by Lake Braies

Seceda

Seceda mountain is a 5-star tourist destination. At an elevation of 2,519 meters above sea level, it offers visitors stunning views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. You can visit the area by car or cable from the town of Ortisei, located in the Val Gardena Valley.

Now, if you’re in good shape, you can hike up the mountain in approximately 3 hours – well worth the effort if you want to make the most of your trip.

Val di Funes

Val di Funes is another valley located in the heart of the Dolomites, Italy. Famously rugged mountains and luxurious hiking trails occur in this area. The valley is well-known for its artisanal products, such as cheese, Speck, and white wine. Several restaurants and bars in the area also serve traditional Italian cuisine (which I call mountain food), which is absolutely delicious!

One of the most famous landmark in the Val di Funes is the little church of Saint John’s. this very picturesque little church is located just at the bottom of some majestic dolomites peaks.

Church of Saint John's in the Val di Funes

Reaching the church of Saint John’s is not easy and it requires driving but oncer you reach this place it is simply magical. From Milan, Florence or Rome you will have to take the A22 highway and exit at Chiusa. From there take the SS for 2.5km then change for the Val di Funes road for abour 13km until you reach the parking lot for the church.

Lake Federa

Lake (lago) Federa is another hotspot in the Dolomites. Glaciers and snowmelt feed the lake. The area is famous for its dramatic landscapes, which have been captured in paintings and photographs by some of the world’s greatest artists. 

You can get to Lago Federa from the nearby villages of Arabba, Marmolada, and Canazei, The most convenient way to get to Lago Federa is to drive up the SS48 that take you through the mountains.

Tre Cime di Lavaredo

These three peaks are probably the most iconic in the Dolomites – but be warned: it can be busy if you want to visit! The Tre Cime di Lavaredo is located between Alto Adige and Veneto. The SS51 can reach them from the town of Dobbiaco in South Tyrol or from Cortina driving north. Andrea and I last drove here on the 2nd weekend of January 2023 and found that because it was “peak season,” we could only see the Tre Cime from Misolina – a little lake town just below.

Tre Cime di Lavaredo

Hotels To Stay In The Dolomites Italy

Hotel Garni Roberta (Rocca Pietore, Belluno)

The Hotel Garni Roberta is in Rocca Pietore. It’s a small (but charming) hotel that offers guests a typical mountain experience. The hotel has been family-owned and operated since 1968.

Today, the hotel has been renovated to provide the best amenities for guests – but still follows the traditions of a typical alpine lodge. Some features guests can enjoy at the Hotel Garni Roberta include An on-site bar, Free Wi-Fi, Ski storage and A sun terrace with stunning views of the Dolomites.

The Hotel Garni Roberta has located just a short walk from the ski slopes and is right next to the chairlift. Surrounded by the Dolomites, this hotel is less than 6 km from the Museum Marmolada Great War 3000 M and 7 km from Fedaia Lake.

Dolomites Lifestyle Hotel Marmolada (Alta Badia, Bolzano)

The Dolomites Lifestyle Hotel Marmolada is a hotel in the heart of the Dolomites that offers guests a unique experience. The hotel offers modern amenities while retaining its traditional charm and guests can enjoy various skiing, hiking, biking, and climbing activities. We love the fact that this hotel has an on-site spa where we can relax after a day of exploring the area. 

Residence Panorama (Piè Falcade, Belluno)

The Residence Panorama Hotel is located in the heart of the ski resort of Falcade BL, a short distance from the departure of the lifts and close to all amenities.

The residence offers studios and apartments with kitchenette, living room with sofa bed, bedroom, and bathroom. All accommodations have a balcony or terrace. This relaxed, ski-in/ski-out apartment hotel is 8 km from the San Pellegrino Pass and 42 km from the Marmolada Glacier.

Hotel San Marco (Moena, Trento)

Constructed in the late 1800s, Hotel San Marco is a historic landmark in Moena, TN. This boutique hotel offers typical alpine rooms with lots of wood features. Visitors can enjoy a delicious breakfast in the hotel’s dining room or relax in the library with a book from the on-site collection.

The San Marco is ideally located close to the town’s main square, making exploring all that Moena has to offer easy.

Hotel La Perla (Canazei, Trento)

The Hotel La Perla is a 5-star hotel in Canazei that offers wellness and beauty treatments. The hotel has a spa that provides a variety of treatments, including massages. After your massage, we recommend visiting the area around Trento, as there are endless things to see and do.

Hotel Stella Alpina (Piè Falcade, Belluno):

The Hotel Stella Alpina in Alba-Penia is a luxurious hotel perfect for a relaxing vacation. The Hotel Stella Alpina is located in the center of the Alps and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Visitors can enjoy various activities such as skiing, hiking, and biking. The hotel also has an on-site spa where guests can relax and rejuvenate.

Set on a hillside, this warm hotel surrounded by mountains is 15 km from Pordoi Pass and 12 km from the Marmolada Glacier. Also, the Penia Alta bus stop is a 4-minute walk away.

Final Thoughts

The Dolomites are a beautiful, unique part of Italy that everyone should see at least once. They also offer near-endless options for where to stay. Wherever you end up, you’ll find a local alpine charm and friendly people no matter your budget. And hey, if you visit at the right time, you might even bump into us!