Roadtripping through the Dolomites is one of my favorite trips to date! Driving past stunning, jagged peaks will make your jaw drop at every hairpin turn. And the hikes here are truly world class, with something for everyone at any fitness level! This is a region in Italy that is absolutely not to be missed. Here are my top tips for visiting the Dolomites!
1. Italian and German are the main languages
While the Dolomites have been a part of Italy since the end of WWI, prior to that they were part of the Austro-Hungarian empire for centuries. Because of this long history, you’ll still see a lot of Austrian influence in the region, with German being one of the predominant languages spoken. In other regions of Italy, I’m very used to English being the second most-common language. However in this region, it is more like the third. For the most part, I had no problem communicating in English, but I definitely had to use the Google Translate app more than usual!
2. A rental car is basically a necessity
While visiting the Dolomites, can you get around without a car? Yes. Will having a rental car make your trip exponentially easier? Also yes. I found rental car rates to be pretty affordable, even visiting in the late summer. Parking was never really a huge issue, just expect to pay a few Euros each time. Having the freedom to cover a lot of ground on your own schedule is worth the expense! If you do want to attempt visiting the Dolomites car-free, click here to get more information about the Dolomiti bus system including routes, rates, and timetables.
Read More: 8 Tips for Renting a Car in Italy
3. Book the popular hikes ahead of time
When planning your trip, it’s imparative to book some of the more popular hikes ahead of time! Tre Cime di Lavaredo and Cadini di Misurina are two of the most popular hikes in the Dolomites (and both are absolutely stunning- don’t miss them!). To manage crowds, you must book parking ahead of time by clicking here and then clicking Book. It’s a little steep at €40 per vehicle, but it allows you to park at the top right by the trailheads. Worth it to avoid long lines for shuttles at the base! Your parking reservation is good for 12 hours on the date selected. I’d recommend arriving as early in the morning as you can!
Seceda is another popular attraction (also not to be missed). Book your round-trip gondola and cable car ticket up to Seceda by clicking here. The good news is that Seceda tickets are good for any day during the season, meaning you can keep and eye on the weather forecast and visit when it makes the most sense. Lago di Braies requires parking reservations in the peak months (click here). However, you you can also avoid this if you arrive very early (think 6:00 – 7:00 am) and leave by 9:00 am.
Read More: 5 Tips for Visiting Seceda in the Dolomites, Italy
4. Book central accommodations
When booking accommodations, it’s best to book something as central as possible to the things and hikes you want to do! And when looking up the distance between two places, don’t just look at the mileage. You’ll want to look at the estimated drive time. While destinations will only be 10-15 miles away, don’t be surprised for this drive to take upwards of an hour! I’d recommend pinning your activities on a map and then choosing your home base from there. I stayed at the Hotel Sassongher in Corvara. Corvara was a good home base for me since I only had a few days in the Dolomites. If you are going on a longer trip, I’d recommend breaking up your trip and staying a few nights near the town of Ortisei and a few nights over in Cortina.
5. Layers, layers, layers!
As with any mountain destination, the weather can change quickly! Be prepared by always having different clothing options handy. When I visited in early September, I found the mornings to be cool and crisp. At higher altitudes, I needed a warm ear band, sweatshirt, and jacket (and honestly wished I had gloves too!). But by afternoon, the sun would be shining and I would be really warm! Especially on clear days where the sun is direct, you’ll want to be prepared to shed layers by the late morning. Then during the evening and night, it would get really cool again. I slept with my hotel window open and actually had to shut it in the middle of the night when I woke up shivering!
6. Visit in the shoulder season
June-August is peak season in the Dolomites, so visiting instead in the late spring or early fall will be a key to success! You’ll find fewer crowds, cheaper accommodations, and pleasant weather. I visited in early September and thought it was absolutely perfect. Everything was still open from the summer, but the crowds and prices for everything felt very reasonable, and the weather couldn’t have been better. By early October, some of the lifts may close to prepare for the ski season and you may find snow in higher altitudes.
7. Take time to relax!
This was one of the most active trips I’ve ever been on, with hikes almost every single day. After a few days, it all started to catch up to me and my body would be in desperate need of some relaxation! Definitely make an effort to factor this into your itinerary! I spent most nights relaxing in the hotel hot tub and sauna. If your hotel doesn’t offer these amenities, consider booking a spa day at a nearby resort and treat yourself for an afternoon. Your body will thank you!
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