10 Things to Know Before Traveling to the Dolomites
The Dolomites aren’t just one destination - they’re a feeling. A misty morning in a mountain village, a speck and cheese platter at a sun-drenched rifugio, the sound of cowbells echoing through alpine meadows. You catch our drift.
If you're craving a trip that blends awe-inspiring nature with European charm, The Dolomites could be an amazing option for you but there a few things we think every modern traveler should know before they go.
PLANNING A TRIP TO ITALY
?
Our team of experts offer concierge-style travel planning services, custom itineraries and curated guides for busy, sophisticated travelers.
Check out our Services to learn how we can help you plan your perfect trip to Greece!
01.
The Dolomites aren’t one place - they are a region of valleys and villages.
A lot of travelers think of the “Dolomites” as a single town. The Dolomites are actually a sprawling alpine region that spans several valleys, with each valley offering its own unique culture, scenery and style. You’ll find postcard-perfect towns like Ortisei, with its colorful facades and charming pedestrian center, quieter hamlets like San Cassiano, home to some of the region’s best hotels and restaurants and famous ski hubs like Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Choosing a home base depends on your travel personality. Want walkability and local shops? Head to Ortisei. Prefer stillness and spa time? Opt for a secluded chalet or wellness hotel tucked into one of the quieter areas.
02.
It’s a place made for slow days and big views.
Unlike Rome or Florence, there aren’t museums or monuments to tick off or race through. The Dolomites are about slow travel - breathing the fresh air, sipping your espresso with a view, letting that leisurely lunch linger a little bit longer. It’s an ideal escape for those who want a break from the hustle, whether that means forest walks, mountaintop yoga or simply reading in a lounge chair overlooking the valley.
This is your sign to resist overpacking your itinerary. The magic of the Dolomites reveals itself in the in-between moments.
0.3
Hotels in The Dolomites are highly seasonal.
Unlike many Italian cities, the Dolomites operate on a seasonal calendar. Many hotels (especially in the mountains) close from late September to early December, when they reopen for the start of winter ski season.
Spring is another off period (too late to ski and too early to hike) so in high summer and fall, hotels books up months in advance - especially for boutique and luxury properties.
Planning ahead is key if you want your first choice of hotel or the best guide for a day hike or tasting experience.
0.4
September is a sweet spot.
If you can travel in mid-to-late September, do it. The summer crowds thin, the air turns crisp and the larch trees begin their golden transformation. Most lifts and rifugios are still open through late September and hotel rates often dip slightly compared to peak summer.
Bonus: This is also when local food festivals begin to pop up - ideal for travelers chasing culture and cuisine.
0.5
It’s a blend of Italian, Austrian and Ladin culture.
The Dolomites offer a cultural blend you won’t find anywhere else. Yes, they are part of Italy, but the experience is a unique intersection of Italian, Austrian, and Ladin influences. You’ll see trilingual signage and menus, eat schnitzel one night and tagliatelle the next and sleep under pitched wooden roofs that feel more Bavaria than Bologna.
It’s a region with its own distinct rhythm and flavor.
0.6
The cuisine in the Dolomites is unique.
The cultural blend we just mentioned affects the food scene as well - it’s a mix of Austrian, Hungarian and Italian food. Fine dining does exist but overall the cuisine in these parts is hearty and rustic.
In the Alta Badia region, you’ll find Michelin-starred restaurants and fine dining like St. Hubertus whereas elsewhere, more likely to find alpine taverns serving speck, canederli (bread dumplings), and house-made strudel.
Wine lovers should seek out local varietals like Lagrein and Gewürztraminer - uniquely suited to the alpine terroir. And please don’t skip lunch (or at least an apertif) at a rifugio, a Dolomiti alpine lodge, where it’s as much about the view as the food.
0.7
The hotel stays range from cozy to luxe.
The region’s accommodations are incredibly varied - cozy, family-run B&Bs, sleek ski chalets, five-star spa resorts and Relais & Châteaux-level dining lodges. Many luxury hotels are tucked into more secluded areas and perfect for deep rest and wellness, while others sit right in town for easy strolls to aperitivo or a morning bakery run.
Whether you're seeking a romantic chalet with a hot tub, a design-forward retreat with a view, or a family-friendly stay with charm and character, the Dolomites deliver.
P.S. We’re here to help guide you to the right spot, let’s chat on an intro call here!
0.8
Driving is scenic but not always stress-free.
Driving through the Dolomites is like flipping through a storybook. Jagged peaks, flower-filled fields, pine forests - and the occasional herd of sheep crossing the road. But the routes are steep, narrow, and winding, especially near passes like Gardena or Sella.
Confident drivers will love the adventure, but if tight turns stress you out, opt for private transfers or stick to fewer transitions between towns. Trust us: one stunning valley is enough to fill your soul.
09.
It can be fabulous without the hiking.
The Dolomites are a dream for serious trekkers with options like the Tre Cime di Lavaredo circuit, Lago di Braies loop and the Adolf Munkel Trail. But the Dolomites are also remarkably accessible to anyone with a sense of adventure and good walking shoes.
A well-connected network of cable cars and chair lifts can whisk you to panoramic peaks when you’re in the mood to do the least. Many of the scenic rifugios are reachable by gentle walks (or even by car) and serve everything from pasta to wine with cinematic views.
There are also relaxed nature trails, flower-dotted meadows, and scenic drives that deliver the drama without the sweat.
10.
It’s one of the best spots in Europe for slow luxury.
The Dolomites are where light luxury meets alpine ease. You won’t find as much glitz or flash but what you get in return is thoughtful design, pristine nature and an unhurried elegance that’s harder to come by in more trodden destinations.
If your idea of luxury is a glass of wine on a quiet terrace after a walk through wildflower meadows, this region is calling your name.
Ready to Explore the Dolomites?
Whether you’re craving a design-forward hotel with spa views, an aperitif with a view or simply a place to exhale - this is a destination that rewards slow travel.
Let’s plan your next alpine escape - start planning your dream trip here.
