We recommend a combination of cash (in Euros) and credit/debit cards. ATMs are the easiest way to withdraw money, but you should never rely solely on them – always have a back-up of cash.
People Also Ask
THE DOLOMITES ARE EXPENSIVE BUT ALSO AFFORDABLE WITH THESE TIPS. We're not going to lie, the Dolomites can be very expensive, and for many travellers, prohibitively so. Accommodation, especially in popular areas, can exceed €200 per night and will likely be your largest cost.
There's no best time to visit the Dolomites; the region delights all year. While the rest of Italy sizzles Jul-Sep, temperatures here rarely top 25°C, with the odd thundery downpour – perfect for an active summer break. To avoid the crowds, visit in May, June or autumn, when it's cool and settled.
If you simply want to drive through the Dolomites and visit a few highlights, two to three days is all you need. If you love hiking, spend as much time here as you can. I recommend five days at a minimum. So far, we spent 12 very busy days in the Dolomites and still have more that we want to come back and do.
Cortina d'Ampezzo is the best place to stay in the Dolomites if you want a vibrant town atmosphere along with access to some of the most celebrated Ampezzo Dolomites attractions.
Roads in the Dolomites vary from excellent condition to dirt roads, but most will be narrow and winding. Don't worry if people will honk at you for driving too slowly – safety is important and if you feel comfortable driving slower, then that's what you should do.
Basic safety in the DolomitesNever go alone into the backcountry in winter alone. Guided tours with UIAGM or IFMGA Professional Mountain Guides are a great option, but even if you choose not to participate in a guided tour, you should always hike with another person for safety's sake.
The dolomites are a major tourist destination so, as with all tourist destinations in Italy in August, they get crowded and expensive. If you can't do July, try end of June or the beginning of September.
The little villages in the bernese oberland valley are charming and certainly worth experiencing. We found the Dolomites to be less touristy as compared to BO/swiss alps. You will find tons of tourists in July Switzerland. And the Dolomites will be cheaper as compared to BO.
A 4x4 rental is most suitable for driving in The Dolomites, given the mountainous nature of the region. This is especially true if you're visiting areas like Passo Gardena and Passo Falzarego. However, it does not mean that it is the only rental you can acquire since most roads are in good condition.
Located in the Dolomites, Cortina d'Ampezzo is renowned as a luxurious ski resort. Properties with panoramic views of the mountains and in close proximity to the main shopping street Corso Italia and the ski slopes are particularly sought after. Apartments in the city centre cost up to 14,000 euros per square metre.
Cortina d'AmpezzoThis town makes an excellent home base to explore the Dolomites, with a great location near Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Lago di Sorapis, the Croda da Lago Circuit, and Lagazuoi. While in Cortina d'Ampezzo, take a stroll along Corso Italia, the pedestrian street that runs through the city center.
The easiest way to get to the Dolomites is to fly to a nearby airport (Bolzano, Venice, Treviso, Verona, Innsbruck, Milan, or Munich), rent a car, and drive to your base in the Dolomites. Depending on your point of arrival, it may take anywhere between 1 and 4 hours to drive to the Dolomites.