Lago di Carezza, Italy: How to Visit the Dolomites’ Most Beautiful Lake
Planning a trip to the Dolomites in Northern Italy? Lago di Carezza (Lake Carezza or Karersee) is one of the most beautiful alpine lakes in the region, and this travel guide covers everything you need to know before visiting.
Nestled in the heart of the Italian Dolomites, Lago di Carezza is one of the most incredible places in Europe, not the world. It’s a natural wonder you don’t want to miss. This enchanting lake is known for its brilliant emerald and turquoise waters, reflecting the surrounding peaks of the Dolomites.
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What makes it even more amazing is that this lake is free to visit (you just need to pay to park opposite). You can spend as long as you like here walking around and admiring the view, and it’s seriously stunning surroundings.
It’s one of our favourite places we’ve visited, and we’re already planning another trip back. It absolutely blew us away and I’m sure that it will you as well.
We dare you to find us a more picturesque setting than Lago di Carezza…
This guide to visiting Lago di Carezza (also known as Lake Carezza) covers everything from how to get there, to the best times to visit this incredible spot in the Dolomites and where exactly it is located.
In a hurry? Here is our quick guide on visiting Lago di Carezza, Italy:
How to get here: The nearest airport is Bolzano, however, it’s a small, regional airport. Verona, Venice, Milan Bergamo are all near The Dolomites.
What language is spoken? Italian
What currency is used? The Euro
Where to stay: LAKE & RIVER Hotel is very highly rated and right next to the lake!
When to visit: Really any time from May – September is lovely!
A complete guide to planning a visit to Lago di Carezza
About Lago Carezza
Lago di Carezza is just 1.5km long and 0.5km wide and sits at an altitude of 1520 meters (4987 feet) above sea level. The beautiful rainbow lake can be reached via winding mountain roads that offer incredible views in every direction.
Where is Lake of Carezza?
Lake Carezza, more commonly known as Lago di Carezza in Italian, is located in the Trentino-Alto Adige region of northern Italy. It’s nestled in the Val d’Ega valley within the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its stunning alpine scenery.
The lake is situated near the small village of Carezza, making it easily accessible from popular tourist destinations like Bolzano and Merano. Its central location within the Dolomites makes it a convenient stop for those exploring this mountainous paradise.
How to Get to Lago di Carezza (By Car, Bus or Tour)
Getting to Lake Carezza is generally a straightforward journey, which only makes the desire to visit here even stronger.
If you have a car whilst in the Dolomites (which we recommend) then read on…
Can you drive to Lago di Carezza?
Yes! Lago Carezza is one of the easiest destinations to reach in the Dolomites by car. The lake is just 16 miles (26 km) southeast of Bolzano (Bozen) along the Great Dolomites Road (a beautiful drive). There is then a car park around a 5-minute walk from the lake, just across the road.
Lago di Carezza Parking Tips & Costs (2025 Update)
Parking at Lago di Carezza (Karersee) in 2025 typically costs €2 per hour for cars. If you are parking for longer, the cost is €4 per hour for 2 hours. Alternatively, you can walk from the Karerpass which takes around 45 minutes.
I recommend hiring a car before travelling so that you’re ready to go when you arrive and don’t waste any time. This is what we did (and drove from Venice), having the flexibility, especially when you’re visiting such beautiful spots as this, is unbeatable.
How to reach Lago di Carezza via car
To reach Lago di Carezza you’ll typically start from Bolzano, a nearby city located in the South Tyrol area.
Take the SS241 road for a scenic drive, and you’ll arrive in about 30-40 minutes. This route treats you to stunning mountain views. If you’re coming from Merano or Trento, it’s still quite accessible and the drive should take you around 1 hour.
If you are flying in, then Bolzano Airport is the closest major airport. You can rent a car or take a taxi from there to reach Lake Carezza.
How to reach Lago di Carezza via bus
For those without a car, there are bus connections to the lake from nearby towns. South Tyrol has a great public transport network, and this makes it possible to reach Lago di Carezza by bus.
Jump on the 180.1 bus from Bolzano to Pera di Fassa (via Nova Levante and Carezza) and you’ll be there in about 40 minutes. The bus runs rather frequently and costs 4.50 euros per journey. Check the bus timetable before planning your journey to ensure that you don’t miss a bus.
We visited Lake Carezza on our way from Venice to South Tyrol, and the journey and views (minus the summer thunderstorm) were incredible the whole way.
How to reach Lago di Carezza via tour
If you don’t want to hire a car or use public transport then you can also visit Lago di Carezza via a tour. This will save you any of the effort of planning or navigating your way through the Dolomites roads.
You can visit the best Instagram-worthy spots in the Dolomites of Bolzano on a private car tour or via a private tour. You can also combine your visit to the lake with stops off at other spots in the Dolomites from nearby spots such as Venice or from around South Tyrol and Bolzano.
Lago di Carezza Parking: Where to Park + Costs
Conveniently, there’s a car park just on the other side of the road to Lake Carezza. The car park costs 2 Euros per hour and is capped at 4 euros so is reasonably priced especially compared to some others in the Dolomites. You can pay using most major credit/ debit cards. Just be mindful that it can get fairly busy, especially during peak times so just keep this in mind when visiting Lago di Carezza.
When is the best time to visit Lake Carezza?
The best time to visit Lake Carezza largely depends on your preferences and what you hope to experience. Summer, from June to September, is the most popular season for tourists. During this time, the weather is generally pleasant, and the lake’s surroundings are covered in colourful wildflowers. It’s ideal for hiking, boating, and picnicking. The water also reflects the incredible emerald and turquoise hues most vividly during these months.
As with most places in the Dolomites and South Tyrol areas, Lake Carezza is super popular with tourists over the summer months. It’s an incredibly beautiful area, just don’t expect to have it all to yourself if you’re visiting Lake Carezza during the summer months.
If you prefer a quieter and more peaceful experience, consider visiting during shoulder season, in the spring or autumn. Spring brings the renewal of nature, with blossoming flowers and greenery. In the autumn, you’ll witness the Dolomites’ beautiful colours, a picturesque time for photographers. The lake’s charm remains, and you can still enjoy outdoor activities with fewer crowd.
Can You Visit Lago di Carezza in Winter?
Winter, on the other hand, transforms Lago di Carezza into a snowy wonderland, so you can definitely (and should) visit during the winter! It’s high on our bucket lists to return and see it covered in snow. Also, keep in mind that the water levels of the lake during the winter are far lower. Karersee is still incredibly beautiful, just in a very different way.
If you’re worried about the weather, the Dolomites and other mountain areas have handy webcams that you can use to check the weather before you visit. You can check the Lago di Carezza webcam here.
Lago di Carezza at sunrise vs sunset: when to go
If you’re looking to have the lake all to yourself, then sunrise is always the best time to visit. You’ll have the lake all (or practically all) to yourself. You’ll be able to take in a few quiet moments before the hordes of tourists arrive.
Alternatively, sunset is another great time to visit. There will naturally be more people around, but the light is also excellent for around an hour before (and just after) the sun sets for that soft golden hour glow.
However, if you are planning to visit during the day, then don’t worry, we visited mid-morning (around 10 am) and didn’t find it too busy, and there were still gorgeous reflections of the mountains in the lakes. Of course, there were others around. But we still managed to find a few moments of calm and Karersee.
How long should I spend at Lago di Carezza?
The amount of time you’ll want to spend at Lago di Carezza largely depends on whether you choose to relax or hike one of the nearby trails. We recommend spending around 3 hours here to give you enough time to explore and take in the gorgeous views.
However, if you’re after a bit more of a challenging hike, then could easily spend a half-day or a full day here exploring one of the many trails.
What to expect when you visit Lago di Carezza
The best thing to do here really is just to take a leisurely stroll around the lake, there’s a path built around (that you can see above). Keep in mind that it can get busy during peak times. But, it really is the best way to see the lake from many different angles.
Bring a picnic with you and relax. There’s a small walking circuit around Karersee that takes about 20 minutes, winding through the beautiful Spruce forest that surrounds the lake. It’s a pretty flat and easy trail that is packed with lookout spots to admire the view of the lake
Frequently Asked Questions about Visiting Lago di Carezza
Yes! If you’re visiting The Dolomites then visiting Karersee is certainly worth it. It’s a beautiful alpine lake with incredible views and reflections. It is, in our opinions, one of the most beautiful spots in the whole of Italy. If you’re visiting from Trentino or South Tyrol, exploring the Dolomites, then Lake Carezza is most definitely worth a visit. During your trip you can also visit spots like Geisler Alm or all of the other wonderful spots that can be found in The Dolomites during your trip.
However, if you are not planning a trip to The Dolomites and instead, are visiting spots such as Venice, Milan, Florence or Cinque Terre then it might not be worth going out of your way to only visit Lago di Carezza. It is quite far from these spots and would make a long day just to see the wonderful Lago di Carezza.
Yes, there’s a restaurant and a cafe serving food, drinks and coffee all for fairly reasonable prices. There’s also a little shop selling souvenirs and outdoor clothes in case you weren’t prepared enough. There are also public toilets available in the tunnel linking the car park to the lake.
No, you cannot swim in Lago di Carezza. It has a fence all around it so you also can’t get close to it, or go swimming in it. There is however, a trail around the outside of the lake which you can follow. The trail provides beautiful views from different angles of the lake so is well worth a walk around if you have the time.
Final thoughts on visiting Lago Carezza
The ultimate guide to visiting Lago di Carezza, or Karersee Lake, in Italy!
The natural beauty of this alpine lake is absolutely gorgeous. The shimmering waters of Lago di Carezza, with its misty spruce forests and jutting mountains behind it will leave you speechless. We hope that you have an amazing time visiting Lago Carezza. We hope that this guide has helped you to plan your visit. Have you been to the Dolomites before? Or, are you planning a visit? We would love to know in the comments below!
