Six bases for the Dolomites
The Dolomites cover three regions, and the base you choose decides which rules and tickets apply to you, so the best area to stay in the Dolomites depends on your plans. Ortisei, Selva and Corvara are in South Tyrol, Cortina d'Ampezzo is in the Veneto, Canazei is in Trentino, and Bolzano is the valley city with the rail and air links. This page compares the six by what you can reach from the door, not by hotel. It names no hotels and gives no room prices.
Place names come in several languages. Ortisei is also St. Ulrich, Selva is Wolkenstein and Santa Cristina is St. Christina. Ladin, the local Romance language, is spoken in Val Gardena, Alta Badia, Val di Fassa and Cortina.
Dolomites bases compared
Where to stay when visiting the Dolomites: region, strengths and how you get around.
| Base | Region | Best for | Getting around |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ortisei (St. Ulrich) | South Tyrol | Seceda, Val Gardena, summer walks | Seceda cable car 6 min on foot from the bus hub |
| Selva (Wolkenstein) | South Tyrol | Sellaronda skiing, Sella passes | Gondola Dantercëpies to the Gardena Pass area |
| Corvara | South Tyrol | Alta Badia, the Sella circuit | On the Sella Ronda |
| Cortina d'Ampezzo | Veneto | Faloria, Tofana, Lagazuoi, Sorapis | Cortina Express from Venice airport in about 2 h 10 min |
| Canazei | Trentino | Sellaronda skiing, Val di Fassa | Sellaronda village; ask your host about local buses |
| Bolzano | South Tyrol | First or last night, rail and air links, Lago di Carezza | Station, airport, bus 180 to Lago di Carezza |
Dolomites tours and day trips
Day trips from Venice and Bolzano, guided hikes and photo tours, so you can see more than your base.
Places to stay in the Dolomites in detail
What you can do from each one.
Ortisei (St. Ulrich)
If you are wondering where to stay in Val Gardena, Ortisei is the best base for Seceda. The cable car station is a 6-minute walk from the bus stop at Piazza S. Antonio, using the escalators of La Curta. Parking in Ortisei is limited, so arrive by bus if you can. From 5 July 2026 buses ran every 8 minutes between Selva and Ortisei, according to a local host notice. Cable cars run until 2 November 2026.
Val Gardena guide →Selva (Wolkenstein)
The village at the head of Val Gardena, with the entry to the Sellaronda and the Dantercëpies gondola towards Passo Gardena (about 2,121 m). It suits skiers and drivers who want to cross the Sella passes. In 2026 a planned traffic ban on Passo Gardena was not put in place and a digital test phase started instead.
Corvara
A village at 1,568 m in Alta Badia (Gadertal), on the Sella Ronda. It works for a ski week on the Sella circuit. Check local lift dates and prices with the operators.
Skiing guide →Cortina d'Ampezzo
The Veneto town at 1,224 m has the Faloria and Tofana lifts, the road to Passo Falzarego and Lagazuoi, and the bus terminal for the Cortina Express (the stop moved to Piazzale Revis on 1 October 2026). The nearest railway station is Calalzo di Cadore, about 35 km away. In winter 2026/27 the town expects its first season after the Olympics, with openings from late November.
Cortina guide →Canazei
The main village of Val di Fassa in Trentino and one of the Sellaronda villages. It lies in a different province from Ortisei and Corvara, so South Tyrol cards and rules do not automatically apply. Check the transport pass that your host offers.
Bolzano
The valley city has a railway station, with direct EC trains from Munich, and a regional airport with flights by SkyAlps. Bus 180 runs to Lago di Carezza. It is a logical first or last night, less so for early starts in the high mountains.
Getting there →Best places to stay in the Dolomites for each trip
Summer walks and photography: Ortisei, because Seceda and Val Gardena are on the doorstep.
Skiing: Selva, Corvara or Canazei for the Sellaronda. Cortina for the Tofana area. The Dolomiti Superski day pass costs up to €89 in high season 2026/27, and areas open between late November and early December.
No car: Bolzano or Ortisei. In South Tyrol the Guest Pass is free at participating accommodation for guests aged 6 and over. Ask your host before you book. If your accommodation has none, use the Mobilcard.
Falzarego lifts and Sorapis: Cortina. Passo Tre Croci, the start of the Sorapis hike, lies in the Cortina area.
Best town to stay in the Dolomites
There is no single best town. For a first summer visit without a car, Ortisei and Bolzano are the easiest, because both have bus access and Ortisei has the Seceda cable car within walking distance of its bus hub.
Plan the rest of your trip
Connect your base to places and days.
5 days by car or bus
A plan with two bases, Cortina and Ortisei, that you can copy.
15 best experiences
What to see near each base and what needs a booking.
Best time to visit
Lift seasons and the dates the rules apply.
Tours compared
Day trips from Venice and Bolzano to the places a base cannot reach.
Where to stay in the Dolomites: frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to stay in the Dolomites?
There is no single best base. Ortisei suits Seceda and summer walks, Selva and Corvara suit the Sellaronda, Cortina suits the Tofana lifts and Sorapis, and Bolzano suits rail and air links.
Do I need a car if I stay in Ortisei?
No. Parking is limited, buses run to the Piazza S. Antonio stop and the cable car is a short walk from there. In South Tyrol the Guest Pass or a Mobilcard covers most buses.
How do I reach Cortina without a car?
The Cortina Express runs daily from Venice airport and takes about 2 hours 10 minutes. The nearest station, Calalzo di Cadore, is about 35 km away.
Is it better to stay in one place or move?
For a week, two bases usually cut driving, for example Cortina for the east and Ortisei for the west. Mountain passes can be closed for events such as the Maratona dles Dolomites on 5 July 2026.
Does the region I stay in change my transport pass?
Yes. The Guest Pass and Mobilcard belong to the South Tyrol network. Cortina is in the Veneto and Canazei in Trentino, so a South Tyrol card may not work on buses there.