15 things to do in the Dolomites
The list mixes the famous viewpoints with quieter valleys, a few cable cars and one winter classic. Treat it as a Dolomites must see list with the booking rule attached. The Dolomite mountains in Italy span three regions: South Tyrol, the province of Belluno in the Veneto and Trentino. The rules differ from one side to the other, and the activities in the Dolomites vary just as much, from a ridge walk to a zipline.
Today is 19 October 2026. The summer season is ending, so we note for each entry whether the lift or road is still running. Prices are adult prices from summer 2026. Summer 2027 rules and prices were mostly not published yet.
Which of the 15 need a booking?
The four busiest places had access rules in summer 2026. Lago di Carezza had none.
| Place | 2026 rule | Status on 19 October 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Seceda | Online ticket in a 30-minute slot, €74 return | Cable cars run until 2 November |
| Tre Cime | Toll road with online reservation, €40 per car | Road normally open until the end of October |
| Lago di Braies | Combined ticket €44, 1 July to 15 September, 9 am to 4 pm | Rule ended on 15 September |
| Alpe di Siusi | Parking booking €30 a day, road closed 9 am to 5 pm | Cable car runs until 2 November |
| Lago di Carezza | No booking; parking by the hour | Lifts run until 1 November |
The four biggest Dolomite attractions
The places most visitors put first.
1. Seceda ridge (Ortisei)
The 2,519 m ridge above Ortisei (St. Ulrich) is the best-known Dolomites view. Two cable cars lead up from the village. In 2026 the return fare was €74, sold online in fixed 30-minute slots, not refundable. A private turnstile on the way to the famous viewpoint charges €5.
Seceda guide →2. Tre Cime di Lavaredo loop
The walk around the three peaks is about 9 to 10 km and takes 3 to 4 hours, with roughly 400 m of climbing. The toll road to Rifugio Auronzo (about 2,330 m) needs an online reservation, €40 per car in 2026, valid for 12 hours. The huts open from June to September.
Tre Cime guide →3. Lago di Braies
Entry to the lake is free, parking is not. From 1 July to 15 September 2026 the valley was only open between 9 am and 4 pm with a booking. Since 16 September there are no restrictions. Rowing boats run until 1 November 2026 on a first come, first served basis.
Lago di Braies guide →4. Alpe di Siusi
The meadow plateau is reached from Siusi (Seis am Schlern) by a cable car of about 15 minutes: €30 return, €21 one way in 2026. While it runs, the road is closed to private cars from 9 am to 5 pm. Since 29 June 2026 parking at the top must be booked, €30 per car and day.
Alpe di Siusi guide →Our picks: things to do
A guided hike, an e-bike tour and a zipline.
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 e-bike tour on the Alpe di Siusi
E-bike and helmet hire with a certified local guide. Insurance is not included.
Check availability →
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 →
Zipline in San Vigilio di Marebbe
Helmet, harness and the transfer up by lift or van. Not available in winter.
Check availability →Dolomites tours and day trips
Day trips from Venice and Bolzano, guided hikes and photo tours, with live prices and availability.
Lakes, valleys and viewpoints
Entries 5 to 7: further places to visit in the Dolomites, from a small lake to a hike.
5. Lago di Carezza
A small lake at 1,520 m below the Latemar. Reach it by bus 180 from Bolzano (Guest Pass and Mobilcard are valid), by lift or on foot. The car park next to the lake has 270 spaces that cannot be reserved: €5 for the first hour, €30 for 24 hours. The lifts run until 1 November 2026.
Lago di Carezza guide →6. Val di Funes
The little church of St. Johann in Ranui, founded in 1744, stands on private land. Access costs roughly €4 to 5, the exact amount is set on site, and the church itself stays closed. Do not walk on the meadows. The church of St. Magdalena is a walk of about 30 minutes from the car park at Putzen. The road to it is closed to cars.
Val di Funes guide →7. Lago di Sorapis
A hike from Passo Tre Croci of 10.5 km return, about 4 hours and 434 m of climbing. The official description rates it for experts, with ladders and cable-secured exposed sections. There is a hut at the lake. Parking at the pass is free but small and often full early in high summer. The hiking season is roughly June to October.
Hiking guide →Cortina and the lifts
Entries 8 to 11. All of these lie in the Veneto.
8. Cortina d'Ampezzo
The town sits at 1,224 m and is the base for the lifts below. The Cortina Express bus from Venice airport takes about 2 hours 10 minutes. The town advertises its first winter after the 2026 Olympics, with a new ten-person gondola from Lacedel to Socrepes. First lift openings are expected from late November to early December 2026.
Cortina guide →9. Faloria cable car
The cable car from Cortina via Mandres to Faloria climbs from 1,224 m to 2,120 m. In summer 2026 it ran from 8:30 am to 4:20 pm, with a last descent at 5 pm. A single ticket cost €21 and a return €27. The 2026 closing date was not confirmed, so check with the operator.
10. Lagazuoi cable car
The cable car from Passo Falzarego to Lagazuoi ran daily from 9 am to 5 pm and closed for the season on 18 October 2026. Its 2026 prices were not confirmed.
11. Cinque Torri
The chairlift to the Cinque Torri rock towers ran from 6 June to 11 October 2026 and is closed now. Plan it for next summer, together with Lagazuoi, as both lie near Passo Falzarego.
Passes, skiing and Ladin valleys
Entries 12 to 15.
12. The Dolomites passes
Drive or ride over Passo Pordoi (2,239 m), Passo Giau (2,236 m), Passo Falzarego (2,105 m) or Passo Gardena (about 2,121 m). Sources differ by a few metres on some heights. In 2026 several passes were closed for cycling events. Winter closures were not confirmed.
13. Sellaronda on skis
The ski circuit round the Sella massif crosses four passes on one lift pass, about 40 to 44 km long, of which roughly half is on skis. Orange signs mark the clockwise direction, green the counter-clockwise one. For 2026/27 the Dolomiti Superski day pass costs up to €89 in high season. Areas open between late November and early December.
Skiing guide →14. Ladin valleys
Ladin, a Romance language, is spoken in five valleys: Val Gardena, Val Badia, Val di Fassa, Livinallongo and Ampezzo. It has been the third official language in South Tyrol since 1989 and is taught in Val Gardena and Val Badia. In Italian the range is called Dolomiti, and village names appear in up to three languages.
Val Gardena guide →15. Sellaronda Bike Day
On two days in 2026, 6 June and 12 September, the four Sella passes were closed to motor traffic during the day, from about 9 am to 4 pm. A secondary source gives 5 June 2027 for next year. Confirm the date before you plan around it.
Plan the rest of your trip
Turn the list into days, or choose where to sleep.
5 days by car or bus
A day-by-day plan that links Cortina, Tre Cime, Braies, Seceda and Siusi.
Where to stay
Ortisei, Selva, Corvara, Cortina, Canazei or Bolzano compared.
Tours compared
Day trips from Venice and Bolzano, guided hikes and photo tours.
Venice to the Dolomites
The bus to Cortina and other ways to arrive.
Things to do in the Dolomites: frequently asked questions
What should I see first on a short visit?
Most visitors start with Seceda, the Tre Cime loop and Lago di Braies. All three had booking or access rules in summer 2026, so check the table above and reserve before you travel.
Which of these are still open on 19 October 2026?
The Seceda and Alpe di Siusi cable cars run until 2 November, the Lago di Carezza lifts until 1 November and the Tre Cime toll road is normally open until the end of October. Lagazuoi, Cinque Torri and the Tofana lifts have closed for the season.
Can I do these without a car?
Many, yes. Seceda, Alpe di Siusi, Carezza (bus 180) and Val di Funes (bus to Ranui) have public transport. The Tre Cime shuttle bus 444 from Toblach stopped on 11 October 2026 and is announced to return in summer 2027.
Is anything free?
The lake at Braies has free entry and so does the hike to Lago di Sorapis, but parking is paid or limited. Seceda, Ranui and the Tre Cime road all charge a fee or toll.
Are the rules the same in 2027?
Not necessarily. The operator of the Braies valley says the traffic rule will return in summer 2027, with details in spring 2027. Most other 2027 prices and times were not published when we checked.