What is the best hub in the Dolomites?

Posh Cortina Cortina d'Ampezzo is the perfect hub to wander and discover the Dolomites uniquely beautiful world of immense vertical walls, spires and pinnacles, green valleys, high mountain pastures and alpine lakes.



The "best" hub in the Dolomites depends on your focus, but Cortina d’Ampezzo and Ortisei are the two primary contenders. Cortina is the most famous and well-rounded base, offering a "vibrant town" atmosphere with luxury shopping, fine dining, and easy access to iconic sites like Tre Cime di Lavaredo and Lago di Sorapis. It is the best choice for first-time visitors who want a mix of adventure and upscale amenities. Ortisei, located in the Val Gardena, is arguably the "prettier" and more traditional alpine choice. It serves as the ultimate hub for hikers and photographers, providing direct cable car access to the spectacular Seceda ridgeline and the Alpe di Siusi plateau. For those looking to avoid the "glitz" of Cortina, Ortisei offers a more intimate, wood-carving heritage and a centrally located pedestrian zone that makes it a favorite for families and serious mountain enthusiasts seeking an authentic South Tyrolean experience.

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Belluno & the National Park of the Belluno Dolomites The ancient town of Belluno, with 37,000 inhabitants, is the most important town in the eastern Dolomites.

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The city of Bolzano (Bozen in German) — blending Austrian tidiness with an Italian love for life — is the gateway to the Dolomites. And the village of Castelrotto (a.k.a. Kastelruth) is a good home base for your exploration of the Alpe di Siusi (a.k.a. Seiser Alm), Europe's largest alpine meadow.

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Finding out where to stay in the Dolomites is the most important decision when planning a trip to this region of Northern Italy. The best places to stay in the Dolomites are Val Gardena, Alta Badia, Cortina d'Ampezzo, San Martino di Castrozza, Alta Pusteria, and Val di Funes.

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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.

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Canazei Canazei is a small town located in the Fassa Valley region of the Dolomites. It's surrounded by beautiful mountain peaks and is a great base for climbing trips. There are plenty of accommodation options in Canazei, including hotels, B&Bs, and apartments.

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Considered the gateway to the Dolomites, Bolzano (which also appears as Bozen on maps and road signs) is easily reachable by train or car from Italy's major cities. If you're planning to hike or bike the region, arriving to Bolzano by train makes the most sense.

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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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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 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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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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The most famous, fashionable and expensive Italian ski resort, Cortina is nicknamed la Regina delle Dolomiti - the Queen of the Dolomites.

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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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Venice is one of the closest major cities in Italy to the Dolomites. If you're flying in, I suggest Venice's Marco Polo or Treviso Airports. And you can reach the popular Cortina d'Ampezzo ski area in less than 2 hours by train from Venice.

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