Dolomites
3
Day Itinerary •
Italy
The Dolomites are the most dramatic mountain landscape in Europe. The extraordinary vertical rock towers of pink and white dolomite, rising thousands of metres from green meadows and dark forests, look entirely unlike any other mountains on earth. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2009, they contain some of the finest walking and skiing in the Alps and a unique dual Italian-Austrian culture that makes the food and wine as extraordinary as the scenery. This 3-day route covers the hidden Dolomites. The Tre Cime di Lavaredo, the most iconic mountain landscape in Italy. The extraordinary Alpe di Siusi, Europe's largest high-altitude meadow with extraordinary views of the Sassolungo and Sciliar massifs. The extraordinary city of Bolzano with its extraordinary Otzi the Iceman museum and the finest South Tyrolean food culture in Italy.
Best Time To Visit
June to September or December to March
Getting There
Fly into Venice (VCE) or Innsbruck then drive into the Dolomites
Getting Around
Rental car essential throughout
Budget Per Day
Approx 100 to 170 euros per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, walking and driving
DAY 1
TRE CIME AND CORTINA
MORNING
TRE CIME DI LAVAREDO, THE MOST ICONIC MOUNTAIN IN ITALY
The Tre Cime di Lavaredo, three extraordinary vertical rock towers rising 2,999 metres above the surrounding plateau, are the most photographed mountain landscape in Italy. The 10km circular trail around the base of the towers takes 3 to 4 hours and passes through extraordinary mountain scenery with views of the towers from every angle. Start early to avoid the summer crowds. The Rifugio Auronzo at the start charges a road toll of approx 30 euros per car in summer. The walk itself is free. Drive: 30 min drive to Misurina
MIDDAY
LAGO DI MISURINA AND THE HIDDEN VALLEY VIEWS
Lago di Misurina at 1,756 metres is the highest lake in the Dolomites and one of the finest. The extraordinary mirror reflection of the surrounding peaks in the lake is extraordinary on still mornings. The lakeside walk is 2km and free. The Sanatorium di Misurina, a famous lung clinic for children with breathing difficulties, has operated here since 1901 using the extraordinary mountain air. Drive: 30 min drive to Cortina
AFTERNOON
CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, THE QUEEN OF THE DOLOMITES
Cortina d'Ampezzo is the most glamorous ski resort in Italy, host of the 1956 Winter Olympics and the 2026 Winter Olympics. The extraordinary bell tower of the Basilica dei Santi Filippo e Giacomo dominates the main Corso Italia. The extraordinary cable cars to the Tofana di Mezzo (3,244 metres) give the finest panoramic views in the Dolomites. The town itself is extraordinary for walking, shopping and people watching.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Cinque Torri near Cortina are five extraordinary isolated rock towers rising from a mountain meadow above the treeline. The Great War trenches dug into the rock around the towers in 1915 to 1918 are preserved as an extraordinary open-air museum. The chairlift to the towers costs approx 15 euros return.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Rifugio Auronzo Coffee at the mountain hut before the Tre Cime circuit. Extraordinary views from the terrace. | Lunch: Rifugio Lavaredo Outstanding mountain hut lunch during the circuit walk. Local speck, canederli and Moretti beer. | Dinner: Ristorante El Zoco, Cortina Outstanding traditional Cortina restaurant. Local venison, canederli and South Tyrolean wines.
DAY 2
ALPE DI SIUSI
MORNING
ALPE DI SIUSI, EUROPE'S LARGEST HIGH-ALTITUDE MEADOW
The Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm) is a vast plateau of extraordinary alpine meadows at 1,800 to 2,350 metres, the largest high-altitude meadow in Europe. The views of the Sassolungo and Sciliar massifs rising vertically from the green meadow are extraordinary and unlike any other mountain landscape in the Alps. Cars are restricted from April to November. Take the gondola from Ortisei or the cable car from Siusi. A summer hiking pass for the lifts costs approx 35 euros per day. Drive: 30 min gondola down to valley
MIDDAY
CASTELROTTO, THE FINEST VILLAGE IN THE DOLOMITES
Castelrotto (Kastelruth) in the valley below the Alpe di Siusi is the finest and most authentic village in the South Tyrol. The extraordinary Baroque bell tower of the parish church dominates the extraordinary Piazza Kraus below. The village maintains extraordinary traditional Tyrolean culture including the extraordinary Kastelruther Spatzen folk music festival in October. Walk the village streets and find the extraordinary painted facades and traditional Tyrolean craft shops. Drive: 30 min drive to Sciliar
AFTERNOON
SUNSET ON THE SCILIAR, THE SACRED MOUNTAIN OF THE DOLOMITES
The Sciliar (Schlern) massif above Castelrotto is the most sacred mountain in South Tyrolean culture, a vast flat-topped fortress of dolomite associated with Frau Holle, the Germanic goddess of the mountain. The walk from Compatsch on the Alpe di Siusi to the summit (2,563 metres) takes 2 hours. The view at sunset from the cliff edge over the South Tyrolean valley below is one of the finest in the Dolomites.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Val Gardena (Groednertal) below the Alpe di Siusi is the wood-carving capital of the world. The extraordinary Ladin-speaking minority of the valley has carved religious figures and nativity scenes since the 17th century. The workshops in Ortisei and Santa Cristina are extraordinary. Buy directly from the carvers.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Rifugio on the Alpe di Siusi Coffee and apple strudel at a mountain rifugio on the plateau. Views of the Sassolungo at breakfast. | Lunch: Malga Sanon, Alpe di Siusi Working alpine dairy farm serving fresh cheese, speck and extraordinary mountain views. | Dinner: Restaurant Zum Turm, Castelrotto Most beloved traditional restaurant in Castelrotto. Local speck, schlutzkrapfen pasta and Vernatsch wine.
DAY 3
BOLZANO AND MERANO
MORNING
BOLZANO, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY CITY IN THE ALPS
Bolzano (Bozen) is the most extraordinary and undervisited city in the Italian Alps. The old town is a perfect fusion of Italian and Austrian culture, with arcaded Gothic streets, a magnificent Gothic cathedral and the finest fruit and vegetable market in northern Italy in the Piazza delle Erbe. The city is also home to the most extraordinary museum exhibit in Europe: Otzi the Iceman in the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology. Drive: 15 min walk to Otzi
MIDDAY
OTZI THE ICEMAN, THE 5,300-YEAR-OLD MAN
The South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology contains Otzi the Iceman, a 5,300-year-old naturally mummified prehistoric man found in the Alps in 1991 and one of the most extraordinary archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. His body, equipment, clothing and last meal have been analysed in extraordinary detail. He was murdered by an arrow in the back. The museum reconstructions and the body itself (kept at -6 degrees Celsius) are extraordinary. Entry approx 13 euros. Drive: 30 min drive to Merano
AFTERNOON
MERANO, THE EXTRAORDINARY ALPINE SPA CITY
Merano (Meran) is one of the finest and most extraordinary spa cities in Europe, a Belle Epoque resort developed in the 19th century when the mild microclimate attracted Empress Elisabeth of Austria and the European aristocracy. The extraordinary Terme di Merano, a modern spa complex with indoor and outdoor pools fed by natural spring water, is one of the finest in the Alps. Day entry approx 30 euros. The extraordinary Tappeiner promenade above the town gives views over the entire Merano basin.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Castel Tirolo above Merano is the extraordinary medieval castle from which the entire County of Tyrol takes its name, a fortress of extraordinary historical significance. The museum inside tells the story of Tyrolean history with extraordinary objects. Entry approx 8 euros and the views over the Merano basin are extraordinary.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Caffe Bonetti, Bolzano The finest traditional cafe in Bolzano's extraordinary arcaded old town. | Lunch: Vogele, Bolzano The most beloved traditional restaurant in Bolzano since 1790. Local canederli, speck and Gewurztraminer. | Dinner: Ristorante Sissi, Merano Outstanding modern South Tyrolean cuisine in the spa city. Local venison and extraordinary wine list.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Cortina d'Ampezzo, Night 1 Hotel de la Poste, the historic heart of Cortina since 1835. Approx 150 to 280 euros per night. Castelrotto, Night 2 Hotel Cavallino d'Oro, a beautiful traditional Tyrolean hotel. Approx 100 to 160 euros per night. Budget Option Mountain rifugios from approx 40 euros half board. Bolzano: Stadt Hotel from approx 80 euros.
Top Tips
1. Tre Cime road opens at 6am. Arrive before 8am to avoid the queues and the 30 euro road toll crush.
2. Alpe di Siusi at sunrise is extraordinary. Stay on the plateau the night before for the best light.
3. Book rifugios along walking routes well ahead in July and August. They fill up entirely.
4. The Otzi museum in Bolzano is one of the finest exhibits in Europe. Allow 2 hours minimum.
5. South Tyrolean speck is cured ham of extraordinary quality. Buy it directly from producers in the valleys.
6. The Dolomites in October have golden larch forests that rival any autumn colour in Europe.
Total Budget
85 to 140 euros/day