If you are looking for the most beautiful places in the Dolomites from dramatic mountain views to deep blue lakes, then this is the exact guide you need, featuring the best places to visit in the Dolomites. Bonus: map of 15 more bucket list places in the Dolomites!

Out of all the places I’ve visited in 45+ countries, the Dolomites easily stand out as having some of the most beautiful vistas in the entire world. Breathtaking views, epic hikes, deep blue lakes, and more – the Dolomites should absolutely be on your bucket list. You may never see such dramatic, jagged peaks anywhere else on the planet!

And if you are unfamiliar – the Dolomites are a mountain range, part of the Southern Limestone Alps, located in northeast Italy. The best places to visit in the Dolomites generally lie in the Northern Italian provinces of South Tyrol, Trentino and Belluno. South Tyrol was once part of the Austro-Hungarian empire, until this area was annexed by Italy in 1918, which means yes, you will actually hear a lot of German in addition to some Italian being spoken! It is a hugely popular area for tourism; summer sees a high number of hikers, bikers, and outdoor adventurers, while winter sees skiers and winter adventurers.

In this guide, I’ve compiled the 15 most beautiful places in Dolomites to visit during the spring, summer, and fall months, from epic mountain views to clear blue lakes, so you can plan the ultimate trip to this stunning corner of Italy. I’ve included many suggestions for things to do in the Dolomites as well, so you won’t miss out on any adventures. I’ll also be sharing helpful information about how to get around in the Dolomites, where to stay, when to visit the Dolomites, a map of the most beautiful places in Dolomites, and a BONUS map with 15 more (30 total!) of the best places to visit in the Dolomites! 

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One of the best places to visit in the Dolomites is Alpe De Siusi. It is the largest high-elevation alpine meadow in Europe, and there are over 450 km (280 miles) of trails. It is fantastic for walking and biking, and I’d definitely recommend you explore some of the trails. To reach this stunning meadow, you can take a cable car from Siusi or from Ortisei, by bus from Siusi or Castelrotto, or by car before 9 am or after 5 pm. After your adventuring, enjoy breakfast or lunch at Sanon Hut!

St. Valentin Church is located just a short walk above the village of Siusi, not overly far from Bolzano. It was built in the 13th century and makes for an idyllic place to watch the sunset. Note: there is now a private, fenced property that edges right up to the church so it’s a little difficult to view for sunset; hike alongside the fence with it on your left, and you’ll be able to turn around and still get to see the stunning mountain backdrop while staying on trail.

Seceda is easily one of the most beautiful places in the Dolomites. From the popular Seceda viewpoint you can take in the breathtaking view of the jagged Fermeda Towers pinnacles. If you have limited time, take the gondola from Ortisei to Funres and then a cable car to Seceda car to reach the top. If you have more time, hike up to the ridgeline (about 1.5-2 hours) to fully enjoy this incredible mountainous area. At the top, there are multiple scenic trails of the Puez-Odle Nature Park to explore as well, and you might even see paragliders flying!

If you’re coming from Venice or Milan en route to the Dolomites, do not miss a stop at Madonna Della Corona! It is technically outside of the Dolomites, but it is so stunning that I had to include it on this list (plus it really is great to break up the drive). This incredible church was constructed in 1625 and it’s built RIGHT into the mountainside (!) – it almost seems to float! There is a short but steep downhill walk to reach the church, but if you are struggling with incline there is a free shuttle bus you can ride back to the top.

Val Di Funes is an alpine valley in the heart of South Tyrol that looks like it came right out of a storybook. Its pastoral allure is undeniable; with farmsteads, churches, and pastures lying beneath grandiose mountains. One of the top photographed places is the Santa Maddalena Church – there is a great viewpoint you can access with just a 20-minute walk up the road from the town – I’d highly recommend checking it out!

The Church of St Johann is famous for its unforgettable location in front of the Geisler peaks, nestled amid a green meadow. This baroque chapel has a copper-domed bell tower and is definitely one of the most beautiful places in the Dolomites. There are a few small parking lots in town; and the closest is just under a 5-minute walk from the viewpoint where you can photograph this church.

Passo Gardena is one of the stunning mountain passes in the Dolomites that separates the western and eastern halves of the Dolomites. If you’re exploring a lot in the area, you’ll likely drive through this pass, but I’d recommend making a stop here for at least a little while! At the very top of the pass, there is a parking lot with trail access. Walk along the trails to take in views of the Sella mountains, and if you want to see another lovely church, you can also hike up to the Gardena Pass Chapel.

Lago Di Braies, or Lake Braies, is a breathtaking crystal blue lake and one of the top visited places in the Dolomites – for a good reason! There are several hiking trails from the lake, and if you are looking for even more things to do in the Dolomites, you can even rent a boat to paddle on this picturesque lake. Note: during peak tourist season (around mid-July to mid-September), the road leading to Lago Di Braies is closed to private vehicles from 9 am – 4 pm; at which point you’ll need to use public transportation to reach the lake instead. If you are arriving before 9am or after 4pm with your personal car, you’ll still need to pay a parking fee as well.

Lago di Sorapis lies in the Sorapiss mountain range, not too far from Cortina d’Ampezzo. If you’re looking for another high-altitude glacial-blue lake, you absolutely must hike up to Lago di Sorapis! This hike is challenging, but the payoff views are so worth it! These waters are blue from glacial runoff, and please note: despite what images you see online, swimming in this lake is not allowed.

Tre Cime Di Lavaredo will always make the list of the best places to visit in the Dolomites. These three iconic peaks are one of the best-known mountain groups in the Alps, and around the peaks is one of the most incredible hiking areas in the Dolomites – so if you can only fit in one hike, do it here! From the parking area at Refugio Auronzo there is an incredible loop hike with non-stop views. You can also grab lunch at the rifugio after your hike! Note: the road leading up to Tre Cime Di Lavaredo is a toll road, so be prepared to pay upwards of €30.

Along the road to Tre Cime Di Lavaredo is Lago Di Antorno, a glacial lake with amazing mountain views. From the shores of this lake, you can see the Tre Cime Di Lavaredo; although the three peaks appear as one, and you will also be treated to views of Cristallo mountains as well. This lake is unique in that it is a biodiverse sanctuary for a lot of local flora and fauna; you’re very likely to see ducks swimming across the lake as alpine flowers and grasses sway in the breeze.

Passo Giau, or the Giau Pass, is a mountain pass in the Dolomites that connects Cortina d’Ampezzo with Selva di Cadore and Val Fiorentina. Once you reach the pass, there are multiple hiking options through the mountain pastures that you can take, depending on how adventurous you are feeling. If you walk the short path up beyond the rifugio to the top of the hill, there is a 360 degree view of the mountains. The drive up alone is VERY beautiful, but it’s definitely windy so drive slow and cautiously!

Take a walk along the stunning shoreline of Lago di Dobbiaco – it’s one of the easier trails in the Dolomites and it’s a very relaxing way to enjoy this beautiful lake. This is another lake you can rent and take a boat ride out (and helpful tip – it’s a LOT cheaper than renting a boat at Lago Di Braies).

Lago Di Landro, or the Durrensee, is an emerald green lake in the Dolomites – with some of the most beautiful reflections I’ve seen! It rests at the top of the Landro Valley and is surrounded by the Cristallo mountains. There is a hike around the lake as well; this one is longer than Lago di Dobbiaco but is just as easy, so it’s a great one for those who want to skip some of the steeper Dolomites hikes.

In case you’re looking for even more of the best places to visit in the Dolomites, I created a special Google map of these 15 + 15 BONUS locations – 30 total! – of every spot I recommend you visit in the Dolomites. Tap the button below to gain access!

• The Dolomites in general are VERY expensive to visit; so budget accordingly. Food, transportation, and accommodation are generally costly in pretty much any season.
• Book your accommodation WELL in advance; the Dolomites are a hugely popular tourist area and there are limited places to stay, which means accommodations book out quickly.
• Make sure to check the opening days, times, and seasonality of the rifugios, gondolas, and cable cars, as most close during the late fall and winter months and have set opening hours.
• Much of the driving in the Dolomites is along twisting, narrow mountain roads, and includes mountain passes with hairpin turns. If you are prone to motion sickness, bringing Dramamine or another anti-nausea medication might help. In certain places, you’ll also be sharing the road with cyclists, so drive with caution.
• Hiking trails in the Dolomites are generally well-signed, but I always recommend you download offline maps with AllTrails, especially if you are a solo traveler. Note: for the offline feature, you need to purchase an AllTrails Pro Plan, but trust me, it’s well worth it for this alone!
• Some destinations have cut-off entry times. A notable example: you cannot enter Alpe di Siusi by car from 9 am to 5 pm. During this time frame, you must take a bus, cable car, and/or hike in. 
• Note: there are sometimes two names for the same area. Because of the blend of Italian and Austrian history and influences, some places have both a German and an Italian name, such as Lago di Braies (Italian) versus Pragser Wildsee (German), and Alpe di Siusi (Italian) versus Seiser Alm (German).

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