Bolzano (Bozen) is a beautiful city often referred to as the “Gateway to the Dolomites”, which is comprised of a lovely mixture of cultural displays, open air markets, restaurants and high end shops.

The city of Bolzano (Bozen) is widely considered the primary gateway and the closest major urban center to the heart of the Dolomites. Located in the South Tyrol province of Italy, Bolzano sits right at the foothills of the mountains and offers easy access via the Great Dolomites Road. Other significant gateway cities include Bressanone (Brixen) to the north and Belluno to the south. If you are flying into the region, Venice (Marco Polo) and Innsbruck, Austria, are the most common international entry points; both are about a 2-to-2.5-hour drive or train ride away. For those wanting to stay inside the mountain range, the town of Cortina d'Ampezzo serves as the "Pearl of the Dolomites," though it is a smaller alpine town rather than a large metropolitan city like Bolzano.