Best Places to Visit in the Dolomites (2023)

Looking to visit the Dolomites? Don’t miss these best places in Dolomites when planning your trip!

Nestled amidst the majestic Dolomite mountains, these breathtaking natural wonders beckon you to embark on an unforgettable adventure. Much like the enchanting Cinque Terre Towns, the Dolomites exude their own unique charm. Pronounced “do-loh-mee-tees” with a melodic Italian twist, these towering peaks and alpine landscapes offer a sensory experience like no other. Once a geological marvel, they have become a playground for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.

Today, the Dolomites are a harmonious blend of rugged beauty, world-class skiing, and pristine hiking trails that stretch as high as the eye can see. Spend a week or easily longer immersing yourself in this UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its dramatic landscapes and charming mountain villages.

Looking for the best places in the Dolomites? While the region boasts a whole host of stunning sights and activities, read on for our top 5 things you must see and do in the Dolomites. From the best hiking in the Dolomites to the most incredible lakes, nestled between the looming mountains.

Lake Carezza (Karersee) – Best place in Dolomites

If you’re looking for incredible views without the effort then Lake Carezza (Karersee) is the perfect option. It’s one of the most picturesque lakes in the Dolomites and one of the top things to do in Dolomites. Plus, it’s also one of the easiest to visit with a car park (€2 for one hour) and restaurant just 5 minutes away from the lake.

Surrounded by the Latemar mountain range this alpine lake is simply incredible. Bright blue and set within the Dolomite mountain range.

The lake takes around 30 minutes to walk around or you can simply relax and enjoy the incredible views. But, because of this, it does mean that it can get very busy with tourists, young and old. To enjoy it with fewer people then visit here early in the morning, this is also when the reflections are at their best. So, set that alarm and get ready for a beautiful morning!

Lake Sorapis

Lake Sorapis is one of the best places to visit in the Dolomites (we know, we’ve said that about all of them. But, the Dolomites truly is one of the most incredible places that we have ever visited). Lake Sorapis is famous for its intense colour, in hues ranging from light blue to turquoise.

Packed full of some of the best hiking in the Dolomites Lake Sorapis really is a must-see. Whilst this alpine lake might not be as famous as Lago di Braies or Lago di Carezza it is an equally unique and breathtaking lake that’s absolutely just as worthy of your visit: the milky blue waters of Lago di Sorapis will blow you away, just be prepared to have to hike for the best views.

How to hike Lake Sorapis

There are two main hiking trails through the Parco Naturale Delle Dolomiti D’Ampezzo that will take you to Lago di Sorapis: Route 215 and Route 217. 

Trail 215 leaves from the Passo Tre Croci car park and while the official info board states 215 requires ferrata gear, this is actually the easier and more common route (though some scrambling using chains is required). 
Route 217 avoids these, but actually begins lower (at Albergo Cristallo) and involves a much longer and steeper ascent best suited to fitter, more experienced hikers. So the choice really is yours.

Lake Braies

Arguably the best place in the Dolomites.

No trip to the Dolomites in South Tyrol Italy is complete without a stop at Lago di Braies. When you picture the Dolomites, Lake Braies is one of those places that always springs to mind. If you’re looking for the best place in the Dolomites, this might just be it.

Nestled in the heart of the Dolomites this picture-perfect lake makes you feel as if you’ve stepped into a fairytale. Complete with crystal clear reflections of the rugged mountains and looming trees that surround it. It’s a beautiful place to spend the day.

When you visit you can opt to hike around it (which takes approx 1.5 hours), relax on one of the small pebbled beaches or hire a rowing boat and explore the blue waters (this costs €15 for a shared one or €50 for a private).

It’s another incredible spot that doesn’t involve much hiking, the car park is around a 5-minute walk from the lake, just be mindful that you have to book the car park online and it costs €40 per car with reservation (Parking P2, 800m from the lake, open daily 8 am-6 pm; P3-P4 by the lake, 7 am-8 pm).

The ticket, however, includes a €20 voucher to be used at the restaurant and shops by the lake. We brought 2 drinks and 2 incredible apple strudels with ours – well worth the €20.

Top tip: Visit early in the morning to witness the sunrise over the peaks, and have the lake to yourself or come during autumn to witness a kaleidoscope of colours as the leaves change.

Seiser Alm

Seiser Alm/ Alpe di Siusi is another iconic spot that you just can’t miss when you’re visiting the Dolomites, it is also Europe’s largest mountain plateau. It is truly one of the best places in the Dolomites. Picture a vast alpine meadow, gentle hills meandering towards distant mountain spires and huts dotted It also has some of the best hiking in the Dolomites.

Unfortunately, when we visited it was right in the middle of a thunderstorm so we weren’t able to enjoy any of the hiking trails (we weren’t brave enough to venture out in the rain). But, if you have more luck with the weather than we did, then here are some of the best hikes in the Dolomites.

Alpe di Siusi Hiking Trails – best hiking Dolomites

• Hans and Paula Steger Trail – Takes around 4.5 hours and is rated easy
• Compaccio – Rifugio Bolzano – Rifugio Alpe di Tires Loop – Takes 8 hours and is rated moderately difficult
• Compaccio to Rifugio Alpe di Tires – takes 5 – 6 hours and is rated moderately difficult

Val di Funes

Another iconic spot in the Dolomites that you really can’t miss! Val di Funes is not only one of the best things to do in the Dolomites but, also has some of the best hiking in the Dolomites. It is a mountain valley known for being the most iconic postcard view of the Dolomites.

If you are looking for the best hike in the Dolomites don’t miss The Aldolf Munkel trail. This hiking trail leaves from San Giovanni Church and climbs up directly under the jagged peaks of Odle-Geisler. With dramatic scenery and hospitable alpine farms, it’s one of the best hikes in the Dolomites. This hike in Italy, Dolomites takes around 3 hours. If hiking isn’t your thing then instead you can reach the beautiful Geisler Alm which is just a short hike from the car park.

There are several more hiking paths in the area, including Panoramaweg and Sunnseitenweg trails near Santa Maddalena.

Also, don’t forget to visit the iconic white church, possibly the most famous view in Val di Funes.

Looking for the best hotel in the Dolomites?

Hotel Loewenhof is centrally located in South Tyrol and is complete with camping, apartments and newly refurbished hotel rooms. When we visited The Dolomites we opted to stay in an apartment at Hotel Loewenhof. The apartment had everything we needed and more (think, a sauna off the bedroom!), a balcony and a swimming pool at the hotel opposite. It is certainly one of the best hotels in the Dolomites.