Is it cold in the Dolomites in August?

Dolomite summers are mild with average monthly maximum temperatures in July and August rarely much over 25°C (77°F) and averages of around 20°C (68°F) in June, September and October.



While August is the peak of summer, it is not "hot" in the Dolomites in the way it is in Rome or Florence; rather, the weather is characterized by warm days and cool, crisp nights. At lower elevations in the valleys (like Cortina or Ortisei), daytime temperatures typically range from 20°C to 25°C, which is perfect for hiking. However, once you ascend the peaks or stay in high-altitude mountain huts (rifugi), the temperature can drop significantly. It is common for night-time temperatures at high altitudes to hover around 5°C to 10°C, even in August. Furthermore, the Dolomites are prone to sudden, violent afternoon thunderstorms, which can cause the temperature to plummet by 10 degrees in a matter of minutes. In 2026, the "pro" advice for August travelers is to always pack "layers"—a light t-shirt for the ascent and a windproof or down jacket for the summit and the evening. While you won't experience "winter cold," the mountain air is always fresh, making it a popular escape for those looking to flee the intense heat of the Italian lowlands.

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The winter skiing season runs from mid-December until early April. We've personally visited the Dolomites in May, June, July, August, September, and October. The best time of year to visit the Dolomites is mid/late June, early July, and September.

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Can you get altitude sickness in the Dolomites? Yes, but it's not likely. Altitude sickness usually starts to kick in above 2,500 meters and can present itself (at these mild altitudes) with shortness of breath or an accelerated heartbeat.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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PRO TIP: Hiking is NOT all difficult in the Dolomites. There are plenty of trails that are rated easy and medium on the challenge scale, and everything is very well marked. In fact, some of the most iconic views from the Dolomites can be accessed by an easy hike!

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Even if you regularly hike in tennis shoes or sandals, you'll want hiking boots with good ankle support for hiking in the Dolomites. The Dolomite rock is slippery, the trails can be muddy, and the stones are loose and tend to slide around. You need the ankle support and extra grip of a proper hiking boot!

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PRO TIP: Hiking is NOT all difficult in the Dolomites. There are plenty of trails that are rated easy and medium on the challenge scale, and everything is very well marked. In fact, some of the most iconic views from the Dolomites can be accessed by an easy hike!

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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.

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The main international airports closer to the Dolomites are the one in Venice (160km) and the one in Munich (Germany). There also are smaller airports in the region, in Treviso, Verona and Innsbruk (Austria). We recommend flying to Venice (Marco Polo) as a first choice.

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