The Dolomites in Italy in a nutshell
The Dolomites are a mountain range in north-east Italy, part of the Italian Alps, spread over South Tyrol, Trentino and the province of Belluno in the Veneto. In the Dolomites of South Tyrol, German is widely spoken alongside Italian. They have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 26 June 2009. In five valleys people still speak Ladin, which is the third official language in South Tyrol after German and Italian.
For visitors that means three regions, three sets of rules and place names in up to three languages: Ortisei is also St. Ulrich, Lago di Braies (Braies Lake) is the Pragser Wildsee. This guide uses the Italian names first and gives the German ones where they help.
2026: book before you go
The most famous places now limit cars or sell timed tickets in summer, so Dolomites tickets for cable cars and toll roads are best booked ahead. Older guides do not mention this.
Seceda
Since 22 May 2026 the cable car from Ortisei sells online tickets in 30-minute slots, €74 return. Tickets cannot be refunded or changed. A private turnstile on the path to the famous viewpoint charges €5.
Seceda guide →Tre Cime di Lavaredo
The toll road to Rifugio Auronzo only opens with an online reservation: €40 per car, valid 12 hours, parking included. The loop around the three peaks is about 9 to 10 kilometres and one of the classic Dolomites day hikes.
Tre Cime guide →Lago di Braies
From 1 July to 15 September, between 9 am and 4 pm, the valley is only open to cars with a booking (combined ticket €44), by bus with a reservation, on foot or by bike. Access to the lake itself is free.
Lago di Braies guide →Alpe di Siusi
While the cable car runs, the road is closed to private cars from 9 am to 5 pm. Since 29 June 2026 parking up top must be booked: €30 per car and day. The cable car from Siusi costs €30 return.
Alpe di Siusi guide →Our picks: Dolomites tours
A day trip from Venice, a small minivan to Lago di Braies and a guided Tre Cime hike.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Guided hike around the Tre Cime di Lavaredo
Includes the toll road to Rifugio Auronzo and a guide who explains geology, First World War history and wildlife.
Check availability →
Lago di Braies and Tre Cime from Venice by minivan
A driver-guide in a Mercedes minivan for up to eight, with Wi-Fi.
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Best of the Dolomites day trip from Venice
A coach with an English-speaking guide from Tronchetto. Chairlift tickets are not included.
Check availability →Dolomites tours and day trips
Day trips from Venice and Bolzano, guided hikes and photo tours, with live prices and availability.
Plan your trip
Where to go, when, and how to get there without a car.
Things to do in the Dolomites
The lakes, viewpoints and valleys worth the drive, and which ones need a booking.
Dolomites hiking
Ten trails from easy lake walks to the Tre Cime loop, with distances and times.
Venice to the Dolomites
Bus to Cortina in about two hours, by car, or on a day trip.
Best time to visit
Lift seasons, the quiet months in between and when the access rules apply.
Where to stay
Ortisei, Cortina, Selva or Bolzano: which base suits which trip.
Tours compared
Day trips from Venice and Bolzano, and when a tour beats driving yourself.
Hotels in the Italian Dolomites
Your base decides your trip. Ortisei is within walking distance of the Seceda cable car, Selva is the entry point to the Sella Ronda, Cortina is the hub for the Veneto lifts and Bolzano suits arrivals by train or plane.
Autumn 2026: what is still open
A Dolomites summer in Italy is short for lifts: most close between late September and early November. On 19 October 2026 the Seceda cable car and the Alpe di Siusi cable car still run until 2 November, the Lago di Carezza lifts until 1 November. The Lagazuoi cable car closed on 18 October and the Tofana lifts in Cortina on 27 September.
The Tre Cime shuttle bus 444 from Dobbiaco stopped on 11 October and, according to the operator, returns in summer 2027. Ski areas open between late November and early December, depending on snow.
Lakes and valleys
The places most people come for: the lakes of the Dolomites in Italy and the valleys around them.
Lago di Braies
The emerald lake below the Seekofel, with rowing boats and free access to the shore.
Lago di Carezza
The small rainbow lake below the Latemar, reached by bus 180 from Bolzano.
Val Gardena and Ortisei
The valley below Seceda and the Sassolungo, with lifts in every village.
Val di Funes
Santa Maddalena and the little church of St. Johann in Ranui below the Odle peaks.
Cortina d'Ampezzo
The first winter after the 2026 Olympics, and the lifts and lakes around the town.
Dolomites skiing
The Sella Ronda and the Dolomiti Superski area.
Dolomites: frequently asked questions
Do I need to book Seceda in advance?
In summer 2026 the cable car from Ortisei sold tickets in fixed 30-minute slots, online and at the desk for slots not yet sold out. Online tickets cannot be refunded or changed. Booking ahead is the safer option in high season.
How much is the Tre Cime toll road?
In 2026 it costs €40 per car, €26 per motorbike and €60 per camper, and only with an online reservation. The ticket is valid for 12 hours and includes parking at Rifugio Auronzo.
Can I drive to Lago di Braies?
From 1 July to 15 September 2026 only with a booking between 9 am and 4 pm. Outside those hours and from 16 September there are no traffic restrictions. Parking is paid; access to the lake is free.
How do I get from Venice to the Dolomites?
The Cortina Express bus runs daily from Venice airport to Cortina d'Ampezzo in about two hours and ten minutes. By car the drive takes a similar time, and many tour operators run day trips.
Are the Dolomites in Italy or Austria?
In Italy. Part of the range lies in South Tyrol, where German is widely spoken, which is why many places have both an Italian and a German name.