Most lists of things to do in the Dolomites hand you a pile of pretty lakes and leave out the part that decides your day: what costs money, what needs a booking and what has already closed for the season. We've built this one around that part. Every price, date and rule below was checked against official sources (lift operators, toll-road operators, museums, tourism boards) on 29 October 2026.
Some of it will surprise you. The Tre Cime road needs an online reservation. Lago di Braies has a summer car permit. Several of the biggest Dolomites lifts shut this week.
This is desk research, done carefully, for first-timers planning from the US. It isn't a trip report, and we don't claim a visit to any spot below.
Updated October 2026. Lift seasons and access rules change every year, so check the operator's page before you go.
Short on Time? The Top Things to Do in the Dolomites
- Best for the view: the Seceda ridge from Ortisei (item 1), €74 return.
- Best hike for most people: the Tre Cime di Lavaredo loop with a local guide from Misurina, rated 4.98 from 34 reviews when we checked.
- Best Dolomites lake: Lago di Braies (item 14), free to see, but summer car access has to be booked.
- Best if you only have Venice: this Dolomites day trip with Cortina and two lakes, rated 4.87 from more than 1,100 reviews.
- Best first base in the Dolomites: Hotel Angelo Engel in Ortisei, rated 9.5 on Booking.com from 274 reviews.
If you're new to the region, start with our Dolomites travel guide for how the valleys fit together. This page is the item-by-item list.
Things to Do in Val Gardena and the Alpe di Siusi
1. Walk the Seceda Ridge (Skip the Wrong Lift)
The ridge on every Dolomites poster.
Seceda is a green ridge that ends in a row of jagged peaks, and it's the view most people mean when they say they want to see the Dolomites. You reach it from Ortisei in two lifts, via Furnes.
The return ticket costs €74 for adults (€37 for ages 8 to 15; under 8 free with an adult) in summer 2026. The lifts run from 22 May to 2 November, 8:30 to 17:00, and the operator uses time slots, so book online and don't count on turning up.
Two things catch people out.
The Dolomiti Supersummer card isn't valid on the Seceda lifts, so a day pass won't get you up there. And near the famous photo spot, local landowners charge €5 at a turnstile. Its legal status is under review, so check locally before you go. The ridge is wide, and you can walk a long way without paying anything.
If €74 feels steep, the Col Raiser lift from Santa Cristina is the alternative start. It was running until 1 November this year, though we couldn't find a published 2026 price, so check the fare before you plan around it. The Col Raiser to Seceda loop is about 9.7 kilometers and takes roughly 3 to 3.5 hours at a medium level. Our Seceda guide goes deeper.
Cost: €74 return (summer 2026). Open: until 2 November (2026 season). Getting there: Ortisei valley station, Str. Val d'Anna 2; use the bus to Piazza S. Antonio and walk about 6 minutes, because parking in town is limited.
2. Spend a Morning on the Alpe di Siusi
A huge high meadow where the walking is mostly flat.
The Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm) is a huge high plateau of meadows. Walking is mostly flat, so it's the best big view for anyone who doesn't want to hike hard. The cable car from Siusi (Seis) takes about 15 minutes.
It costs €30 return for adults. It runs from 22 May to early November, 8:00 to 18:00, with later evening runs in mid-summer.
The road is the catch.
Private cars can't drive up between 9:00 and 17:00 while the cable car is running, so you either ride the lift or drive up before 9:00 and come down after 17:00.
If you need the car park at Compatsch (P2), you must book online (from 29 June 2026, up to 6 days ahead) at €30 a day for a car, and you have to enter by 9:30. There's no refund or change on that booking.
The panoramic chairlift is €12.50 return, but it closed on 11 October.
The Ortisei to Alpe di Siusi gondola was due to run until 2 November. Read more in the Alpe di Siusi guide.
If you want to sleep up there, COMO Alpina Dolomites at Compatsch is rated 9.7 from 158 reviews. It's the standout, and it's priced like one.
Cost: €30 return by cable car. Getting there: cable car from Seis, or bus and then the Compatsch lift link. Tip: go early, and check the car rule before you commit to driving.
3. Drive the Passes: Gardena, Sella and Pordoi
The classic Dolomites road trip, and it's still open to everyone.
Passo Gardena, Passo Sella, Passo Pordoi and Passo Campolongo make the loop known as the Sellaronda when you drive it. In 2026 there are no traffic restrictions or permits on Passo Gardena: a planned limit was dropped. A seasonal limited-traffic zone has been proposed for summer 2027, but it isn't confirmed, so check again before you book a 2027 trip.
It's a fun drive through the heart of the Dolomites.
It's also hairpins, cyclists and motorbikes, so allow far more time than the map says, and we'd save it for a clear day. Our driving in Italy guide covers the rental basics, and you can compare prices on DiscoverCars.
If you don't want to drive, the Sass Pordoi cable car goes up from Passo Pordoi to the plateau. Listings put it at about €32 return, running to roughly 1 November, but the operator's page didn't confirm the year, so check before you go.
4. Stop at Lago di Carezza (Karersee)
A small mountain lake that's famous for its color. The tourism board lists no entry fee, the viewing path is open around the clock, and the visitor center is open 9:00 to 18:00. Swimming and stepping over the barriers are both banned.
It's a 20-minute stop, not a day out.
Bus 180 runs from Bolzano to the stop "Nova Levante, Lago di Carezza", and parking at the lake is paid. Pair it with the Dolomites pass drive above.
5. See the Val di Funes Churches Early
Val di Funes is the valley of the little Santa Maddalena church, a postcard view that has also become a traffic problem. In 2026, cars are restricted on the last stretch to the church, so expect to park lower down and walk. Rules changed this year and we couldn't confirm the current parking fee, so check locally.
The better-known photo spot near San Giovanni in Ranui charges a small turnstile fee, reported at about €4, which covers the meadow. The church itself is closed to the public.
Go early. Buses run from Bressanone, but we couldn't confirm a current timetable. It fits neatly into a trip that also takes in the Dolomites itinerary.
Things to Do Around Alta Badia and Passo Falzarego
6. Walk Through the WWI Tunnels at Lagazuoi
A mountain with a First World War tunnel system inside it.
Lagazuoi is a Dolomites summit at Passo Falzarego where soldiers dug tunnels through the rock in the First World War. The cable car rises from 2,105 meters to about 2,732 meters in under three minutes. From the top station it's about a 10-minute walk to the start of the tunnels. The main tunnel is around 3 kilometers long, and one source recommends a helmet as well as a headlamp. We'd bring both.
It's closed for the summer. The 2026 season ran from 6 June to 18 October, and the Cortina lifts page lists the winter 2026/27 opening as 23 December to 4 April, subject to weather and snow. We couldn't verify a fare, so check the operator's page.
7. Hike the Cinque Torri, Cross Passo Giau
The Cinque Torri are five rock towers, with a free open-air trench and bunker loop from the same war just beside them. The chairlift ran from 6 June to 11 October 2026, so it's closed now. The official price sits in a PDF we couldn't open, and blogs disagree, so check 5torri.it. Card payments get 5% off, and children up to 8 ride free with a parent.
Passo Giau, at 2,236 meters, is another high Dolomites pass. Winter avalanches regularly block exposed stretches.
8. Spend a Night in a Rifugio
A mountain hut is the most Dolomites thing you can do, and it's also the one most likely to be shut when you want it. Many huts close when the lifts stop, so check each hut before you plan around it. A digital booking system now covers Alpine Club huts, so reserve ahead for overnight stays.
Plan the evening around dinner at the hut, not around a long walk after it. We link our full hut-to-hut hiking guide and the classic Alta Via 1 for a multi-day version.
Things to Do Around Cortina d'Ampezzo and the Tre Cime
9. Walk the Tre Cime di Lavaredo Loop
Three giant towers and a path any fit walker can finish.
The Tre Cime are the three limestone towers on the cover of half the Dolomites guidebooks.
The loop is about 10 kilometers and takes 3 to 4 hours at an easy to moderate level, and it starts at Rifugio Auronzo.
Getting to the start takes planning.
The toll road from Misurina costs €40 per car (€26 for a motorbike), and you must reserve online with a date and time slot. The ticket is valid for 12 hours from your chosen arrival time, and you can add your plate until 23:59 the day before, which helps with rental cars. The road normally runs from late May to late October.
No car? A shuttle runs from Misurina to the rifugio (€10 for a day ticket in 2026), and line 444 runs from Dobbiaco with online booking. We couldn't find that fare.
If you'd rather leave the logistics to someone else, this small-group tour of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo from Misurina is rated 4.98 from 34 reviews. Our Tre Cime guide covers the full loop.
Cost: €40 per car, €10 shuttle. Tip: book your slot before you set off.
10. Add the Cadini di Misurina Viewpoint
A short side trip from Rifugio Auronzo. It's about 3 kilometers return and takes one to two hours, with views over the Cadini peaks. One blog reports an exposed section, which isn't confirmed elsewhere, so check conditions with the rifugio.
11. See Lago di Misurina
The lake at the foot of the Tre Cime road is one of the easiest Dolomites stops, with paddle boats, restaurants and a chairlift. We found no entry fee. It's a convenient place to stop on the way up or down, not a destination on its own.
12. Hike to Lago di Sorapis (Check First)
The turquoise Sorapis lake is a popular Dolomites hike. The trail starts at Passo Tre Croci and runs about 6 kilometers each way, roughly 1 hour 45 minutes up, rated as an ordinary hiking trail. A loop via Forcella Marcuòira is a longer route rated for experienced hikers, with an exposed ledge secured by cable.
We couldn't find an official 2026 status for the trail, and the tourism office says routes may change after natural events. Check with Cortina tourism before you go. Parking at the pass fills early in July and August, and swimming is banned.
13. Walk Cortina d'Ampezzo
Cortina is the one true town in the eastern Dolomites, with shops and bars. It also hosted events at the 2026 Winter Olympics. The Olympic Ice Stadium offers year-round public skating, according to the IOC (2024 report), but check the opening times.
The Tofana cable car (Freccia nel Cielo) rises from behind the stadium. The operator lists summer fares from about €25 return to Col Druscié, but says 2026 prices were still to be posted, so treat that as a guide. It's closed for the summer now. Our Cortina d'Ampezzo travel guide covers the town in full.
To stay: Ancora Cortina is on Corso Italia and rated 9.6, though from only 42 reviews. Grand Hotel Savoia is larger, rated 9.4 from 394 reviews.
Things to Do in the Puster Valley and Around Kronplatz
14. See Lago di Braies (Mind the Summer Rules)
The lake on a thousand postcards, with a permit system.
Lago di Braies (Pragser Wildsee) is free to visit, but between 1 July and 15 September, cars may enter only between 9:00 and 16:00 with a reservation or transit permit, or you arrive by public transport, bike or on foot. The €44 combination ticket is a full-day transit permit with a guaranteed parking space and a €22 restaurant or shop voucher. It's sold online only.
Bus 442 runs from Dobbiaco and Villabassa in about 30 minutes.
In the restricted period you must pre-book and prepay, and the Mobilcard and Guest Pass aren't valid. From 16 September no booking is needed and the Mobilcard works. There's no fare we could confirm.
Rowboats cost €20 per person for a shared boat, or €55 for a private boat for 45 minutes. They run 20 June to 6 September.
Don't arrive at 11:00 in August without a booking.
Out of season, the lake trail stays open, and the rules fall away entirely. Snow usually starts in early December. The Alta Via 1 starts at the lake's southeastern end. Our Lago di Braies guide has more.
Sleeping nearby? Hotel Lago di Braies on Via San Vito in Braies is rated 8.9 from more than 1,000 reviews.
15. Walk Around Lago di Dobbiaco
An easy lake loop in the Puster Valley of about 3 kilometers, doable in under an hour. It's reached by train or bus to Dobbiaco. We couldn't confirm the current parking or boat prices, so check on arrival.
16. Take the Easy Walk up Val Fiscalina
One of the easiest Dolomites walks on this list: a flat, buggy-friendly path to the Talschlusshütte, about 12.6 kilometers return, 3 hours 20 minutes, with 227 meters of gain. Parking is limited and always paid. Bus 446 runs from Dobbiaco, with extra buses in high season, and the South Tyrol pass is valid. It's open all year.
Naturhotel Leitlhof in San Candido is rated 9.3 from 683 reviews if you want a base nearby.
17. Ride Up Kronplatz to the Messner Mountain Museum
Kronplatz is the mountain above Brunico, with a museum on its summit. The summer cable car from Brunico (Kronplatz 2000) costs €36 return, €25 one way. It runs daily from 16 May to 8 November 2026.
The Messner Mountain Museum Corones is open daily 10:00 to 16:00 (last entry 15:30). Adults pay €14, or €22 with the Lumen museum. You can't reach it by car, only by lift. The winter season starts on 28 November 2026.
Prefer adrenaline? A tandem paragliding flight from Kronplatz is rated 4.93 from 100 reviews, and the San Vigilio zipline is rated 4.82 from 173.
Things to Do in Bolzano and on Guided Adventures
18. See Ötzi the Iceman in Bolzano
The South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology holds Ötzi, the mummy more than 5,000 years old, and it's the best rainy-day plan in the Dolomites region. Adults pay €13, a family ticket is €26, and a reduced ticket is €10. It's open Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 18:00 (last entry 17:30), closed Mondays except in July and August, and on 1 January, 1 May and 25 December. Book online. Our Bolzano travel guide has the rest of the city.
19. Ride the Ritten Cable Car to Oberbozen
The cable car from Bolzano to Oberbozen rises 850 meters in 12 minutes. Expect about €13 return, with slightly different fares on different official pages. From the top, the earth pyramids are a walk of about two hours. No fee was mentioned.
20. Try a Guided Via Ferrata
Fixed cables and ladders let non-climbers reach exposed ledges in the Dolomites. Go with a guide the first time. One operator in the Cortina area listed a guided day at about €150 per person with equipment included, for experienced hikers, though that's one listing and not a typical rate. A small-group Dolomites via ferrata experience from Cortina is rated 5.0 from 81 reviews.
21. Take a Dolomites Day Trip (If You Must)
From Venice, Verona or Lake Garda, it's possible. It's also a very long day with a lot of road. If you only have a day, pick one of these:
- Venice: the Dolomites, Cortina and two lakes day trip (4.87 from 1,176 reviews) or the Lago di Braies and Tre Cime version (4.84 from 630).
- Verona: a full-day Dolomites tour rated 4.76 from 151 reviews.
- Lake Garda: a Dolomites day from the lake, rated 4.67 from 784 reviews.
There's also a coach from Venice airport to Cortina rated 4.38 from 38 reviews. If you can, stay two nights. Our Venice to the Dolomites guide compares the routes, and day trips from Venice has the alternatives.
Winter Things to Do in the Dolomites
22. Ski the Dolomiti Superski Network
Much of the Dolomites skis on one lift-pass network. For 2026/27, a one-day adult pass is €89 in high season. The season starts in late November. Our Dolomites skiing guide covers resorts and passes.
23. Visit a South Tyrol Christmas Market
The South Tyrol Christmas markets run from 27 November 2026 to 6 January 2027. Check opening hours for 24, 25 and 26 December on the day.
24. Go Snowshoeing and Sledding Near Bolzano
For non-skiers, the Bolzano winter hiking and sledding tour with snowshoes is rated 5.0, but from only 16 reviews.
How Many Days Do You Need in the Dolomites?
Four to five days is the sweet spot for a first visit to the Dolomites.
That gives you two bases (one in South Tyrol, one around Cortina), a spare day for bad weather, and time to ride the lifts instead of racing between them. With three days, stay in one base. Our Dolomites itinerary lays out day-by-day plans.
Getting Around the Dolomites Without a Car
You can do much of this Dolomites list without driving, as long as you pick one base and accept some bus time.
Many South Tyrol hotels give you a free Südtirol Guest Pass. It covers regional trains and buses and some cable cars, but it excludes long-distance trains and the Nightliner. In Val Gardena, the Val Gardena Guest Pass covers the valley buses but not the Alpe di Siusi lines. The Seceda and Alpe di Siusi lifts aren't on the list of included lifts.
Coming from Verona, Omio's Verona to Bolzano page shows trains and fares. Want a driver at arrivals? Welcome Pickups does airport transfers. Our how to get to the Dolomites page covers every route.
Best Time for Things to Do in the Dolomites
Late June to mid-September has everything in the Dolomites open, and it's the busiest. Here's what we verified for 2026:
| Where | 2026 season | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Seceda lifts | 22 May–2 Nov | Supersummer card not valid |
| Alpe di Siusi cable car | 22 May–early Nov | P2 car park must be booked |
| Kronplatz 2000 | 16 May–8 Nov | MMM Corones also winter from 28 Nov |
| Cinque Torri chairlift | 6 Jun–11 Oct | Closed now |
| Lagazuoi cable car | 6 Jun–18 Oct | Winter opening planned 23 Dec |
| Lago di Braies car rule | 1 Jul–15 Sep | Booking needed 9:00–16:00 |
| Tre Cime toll road | Late May–late Oct | Online reservation required |
See best time to visit the Dolomites for month-by-month advice.
What to Do in the Dolomites When It Rains
Bolzano's Ötzi museum (item 18) is the obvious pick. The MMM Corones museum (item 17) works if the cable car is running. Spa days at the bigger hotels are the other standard answer, and the Dolomites tours page lists indoor and guided options.
Where to Stay for These Things to Do
Pick a Dolomites base by what you'll do most. Where to stay in the Dolomites goes deeper, and best hotels in the Dolomites has the full list.
- Val Gardena (Ortisei): Gardena Grödnerhof is rated 9.8 from 116 reviews. ADLER Dolomiti is rated 9.6 from 343.
- Alta Badia: Kolfuschgerhof Mountain Resort in Colfosco is rated 9.5 from 519 reviews.
- Alpe di Siusi: Sporthotel Sonne is rated 9.3, but from only 40 reviews.
- Cortina: see item 13.
Plan Your Dolomites Trip
- Hotels: book first, because summer fills early. Start with the picks above.
- Reservations: book the Tre Cime toll road and Lago di Braies as soon as your dates are set.
- Car: compare on DiscoverCars and bring an International Driving Permit.
- Tours: see the Dolomites tours roundup.
- eSIM: download maps offline too. We link Yesim; our Italy eSIM guide compares options.
- Insurance: get cover that includes mountain rescue, such as Visitors Coverage.
Seeing more of Italy than the Dolomites? The Italy map and Lake Garda travel guide pair well with this trip, and Dolomites vs the Alps compares the mountains.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best thing to do in the Dolomites for a first visit?
Walk the Seceda ridge from Ortisei if you only have one day. It costs €74 return by lift in summer 2026 and runs until 2 November. If you prefer a walking day, the Tre Cime di Lavaredo loop is about 10 kilometers and takes 3 to 4 hours, but the toll road needs an online booking.
How many days do you need in the Dolomites?
Four to five days works for a first visit. That gives you two bases, one in South Tyrol and one around Cortina, plus a spare day for weather. With only three days, stay in one base and pick two or three highlights rather than driving between valleys.
What is there to do in the Dolomites if you don't hike?
Plenty. Ride the Seceda or Alpe di Siusi cable cars, drive the Gardena and Sella passes, visit the Ötzi museum in Bolzano (€13) or the Messner Mountain Museum Corones (€14), or try a guided via ferrata. Check season dates first, because many cable cars close in early November.
Can you see the Dolomites without a car?
Yes, if you base yourself in one valley. Many South Tyrol hotels include a free Südtirol Guest Pass for regional buses and trains. It excludes long-distance trains, and the Seceda and Alpe di Siusi lifts are not on its list. Lago di Braies buses must be booked in summer, and Guest Passes are not valid on them.
What is open in the Dolomites in winter?
Ski lifts on the Dolomiti Superski network open in late November, and a one-day adult pass costs €89 in 2026/27 high season. The South Tyrol Christmas markets run from 27 November to 6 January. The Messner Mountain Museum Corones reopens on 28 November, and Lagazuoi plans a winter opening from 23 December.
What should you do in the Dolomites when it rains?
Go indoors in Bolzano. The South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology, home of Ötzi, costs €13 and is open Tuesday to Sunday. The Messner Mountain Museum Corones on Kronplatz costs €14 and is reached by cable car. Spa hotels are the other standard wet-weather choice.
Do you need to book anything in advance in the Dolomites?
Yes, in summer. The Tre Cime toll road (€40 per car) needs an online reservation, Lago di Braies needs a car permit or a booked bus from 1 July to 15 September, and the P2 car park on the Alpe di Siusi must be booked at €30 a day. Seceda lift tickets use time slots, so book those online too.
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