Dolomites Travel Guide - Free Web & App

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Dolomites
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Dolomites, Italy: explore UNESCO-listed limestone peaks, alpine valleys, scenic passes, Ladin villages, hiking trails, skiing and mountain culture.

A Mountain Landscape of Rare Character

The Dolomites rise across north-eastern Italy in a chain of pale, sculptural ranges, deep valleys and high plateaux shaped from distinctive sedimentary rock. Their most recognisable forms include the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, the Marmolada, the Sella Group, the Tofane and the Pale di San Martino. The landscape shifts quickly from spruce and larch forests to flower-rich meadows, scree slopes and sheer limestone walls, creating a destination with a remarkably varied vertical geography. Much of the area is protected through regional and provincial parks, while nine component mountain systems form the UNESCO Dolomites World Heritage property.
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Valleys, Villages and Cultural Borders

The Dolomites are not a single compact park but a wide mountain region spread across South Tyrol, Trentino and Veneto, with neighbouring areas extending towards Friuli Venezia Giulia. Visitor bases include Cortina d'Ampezzo, Canazei, Ortisei, Selva di Val Gardena, Corvara, San Martino di Castrozza, Arabba, Auronzo di Cadore and many smaller valley communities. German, Italian and Ladin identities meet here, especially in the valleys of Val Gardena, Alta Badia and Val di Fassa. Ladin, a Rhaeto-Romance language, remains an important expression of local heritage alongside Alpine farming, woodcarving, mountain architecture and regional cuisine.

Outdoor Life Through the Seasons

Summer brings hiking, via ferrata routes, climbing, road cycling and cable-car access to high viewpoints, although conditions and permissions vary by route. Winter transforms many valleys into established ski areas, while snowshoeing and cross-country activities are available in suitable locations. The destination also rewards slower exploration: historic passes, First World War remains, village churches, mountain refuges and local food traditions reveal how communities have adapted to a demanding environment. Weather changes rapidly, and the scale of the ranges means that travelling between valleys can take considerably longer than a map suggests.

When is the best time to visit Dolomites?

Best: June–August · 23–25°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January340
February440
March750
April1460
May1970
June (best)2370
July (best)2560
August (best)2460
September2050
October1450
November940
December540

Getting to and around Dolomites

How to get there

The Dolomites are reached through several gateways rather than one central entrance. Bolzano and Trento are important regional access points, while Belluno, Brunico, Bressanone and Pieve di Cadore serve different mountain sectors. Rail services connect several of these towns with larger Italian and Austrian networks, after which regional buses, taxis or hire cars are generally needed for the valleys. Airports at Venice, Treviso, Verona, Innsbruck and Bolzano may be useful depending on the chosen base, although onward public transport varies by valley and season. Reaching Cortina d'Ampezzo, Val Gardena, Alta Badia or Val di Fassa involves mountain roads, so allow generously for transfers and changing weather.

Transportation

A car provides the greatest flexibility across this extensive region, but driving involves narrow roads, steep gradients, tunnels, hairpin bends and changing conditions over high passes. In summer and winter, traffic can be heavy on popular routes, and some passes may be affected by snow or temporary restrictions. Regional bus networks connect many valley settlements with larger towns, and local ski buses or seasonal services operate in some resort areas, but coverage is not uniform. Cable cars and lifts provide access to many hiking and ski zones, subject to weather and seasonal operation. Walking or cycling works well within individual valleys, whereas crossing between distant areas usually requires road transport.

Best attractions in Dolomites

The Dolomites' principal attractions are its mountain groups and the contrasting valleys between them. The Tre Cime di Lavaredo are among the region's most recognisable formations, while the Tofane and Cinque Torri overlook the Cortina area and combine dramatic scenery with climbing and First World War associations. The Sella Group, Sassolungo and Marmolada dominate the central valleys around Val Gardena, Alta Badia and Val di Fassa, with viewpoints reached by foot, road or lift depending on the location and season. In the west, the pale towers of the Pale di San Martino rise above San Martino di Castrozza and Primiero; farther south, the Brenta Dolomites form a distinct mountain group near Madonna di Campiglio. Villages such as Ortisei, Corvara, Canazei and Cortina add churches, traditional architecture, museums and local cultural life to the natural attractions.

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Best landmarks in Dolomites

The Dolomites' defining landmarks are geological as much as architectural. The Tre Cime di Lavaredo form a three-part skyline of near-vertical limestone towers, while the Marmolada is the highest summit in the Dolomite range and includes the region's principal remaining glacier. The pale walls of the Tofane, the serrated Sassolungo, the Sella Group and the towers of the Pale di San Martino create distinct identities for their surrounding valleys. Passes such as Falzarego, Pordoi, Sella and Gardena are landmarks in their own right, linking communities across high terrain and revealing the scale of the mountain system. Historic trenches, tunnels and defensive remains around areas including Lagazuoi and the Marmolada testify to the First World War, while Ladin churches, farmsteads and village centres express the enduring cultural character of the valleys.

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Explore Dolomites on the map

Plan your trip on one map. See where the top attractions, landmarks, restaurants and hotels are, and book hotels and experiences in a few clicks.

Best restaurants in Dolomites

Food in the Dolomites reflects the meeting of Italian, Tyrolean and Ladin traditions, with menus varying noticeably between provinces and valleys. South Tyrolean cooking commonly features speck, rye bread, dumplings, apple-based dishes and mountain cheeses, while Ladin specialities include hearty soups, filled pasta and barley or potato-based dishes. In Trentino and Veneto, visitors may encounter polenta, canederli, game, mushrooms and regional cheeses alongside Italian pasta and alpine desserts. Restaurants, cafés, bakeries and traditional inns are concentrated in towns such as Cortina d'Ampezzo, Ortisei, Corvara, Canazei and San Martino di Castrozza, while mountain refuges provide simpler meals on established routes when open. Farm shops and local producers offer opportunities to buy cheese, cured meats, bread, honey and drinks, although supplies and opening patterns are more limited in small villages and remote valleys.

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Best bars in Dolomites

Evenings in the Dolomites are generally centred on village hospitality rather than large-scale nightlife. Traditional stube, wine bars, cafés and hotel lounges provide places to meet in resort towns such as Cortina d'Ampezzo, Ortisei, Canazei and Corvara, with après-ski activity more noticeable during the winter season. Some larger resorts host cultural programmes, concerts or seasonal events, but schedules vary and should be checked locally rather than assumed. In smaller villages, the choice may be limited to a handful of inns, bars and restaurants, while mountain refuges offer an early and sociable evening atmosphere when operating. The region is better suited to a meal, local wine or beer and an evening walk through an illuminated settlement than to a dependable clubbing circuit.

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Best nightclubs in Dolomites

Evenings in the Dolomites are generally centred on village hospitality rather than large-scale nightlife. Traditional stube, wine bars, cafés and hotel lounges provide places to meet in resort towns such as Cortina d'Ampezzo, Ortisei, Canazei and Corvara, with après-ski activity more noticeable during the winter season. Some larger resorts host cultural programmes, concerts or seasonal events, but schedules vary and should be checked locally rather than assumed. In smaller villages, the choice may be limited to a handful of inns, bars and restaurants, while mountain refuges offer an early and sociable evening atmosphere when operating. The region is better suited to a meal, local wine or beer and an evening walk through an illuminated settlement than to a dependable clubbing circuit.

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Best shops in Dolomites

Shopping is concentrated in the Dolomite towns and valley centres rather than in the mountains themselves. Ortisei and other Val Gardena communities are associated with woodcarving and traditional sculpture, while shops across South Tyrol, Trentino and Veneto sell regional textiles, ceramics, leather goods, local artwork and practical outdoor equipment. Food shopping is often more rewarding than conventional retail, with bakeries, farm shops and specialist producers offering speck, cheeses, rye bread, honey, preserves, mountain herbs and regional spirits. Cortina d'Ampezzo has the broadest resort-style retail selection in the eastern Dolomites, while Corvara, Canazei, San Martino di Castrozza and smaller valley towns provide more localised shopping. In remote villages, opening hours and choice can be limited, so larger purchases are best planned around the principal settlement serving the chosen valley.

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Dolomites essentials

Currency and Payment
The currency is the euro (EUR). Cards and contactless payments are widely used in hotels, ski facilities, restaurants and larger shops, while cash remains useful for mountain refuges, small rural businesses, local buses and occasional access points. Cash machines are available in the principal towns and many valley centres, but they should not be assumed in remote hamlets or at high-altitude trailheads. Visitors travelling between South Tyrol, Trentino and Veneto remain within the euro area, although local languages and administrative arrangements change across provincial boundaries. Carrying some small notes and coins is sensible for rural purchases and transport.
Safety
Mountain conditions can change quickly, even in summer, with thunderstorms, poor visibility, cold temperatures and wet or icy ground at altitude. Routes may include steep, exposed or uneven terrain, and a path suitable for experienced hikers may not suit visitors without appropriate equipment. Check forecasts and local route information, use marked trails and allow time for the descent rather than relying solely on lift access. Via ferrata routes and climbing require suitable skills and equipment. Winter travel brings avalanche, snow and ice considerations, while road conditions can deteriorate rapidly. Keep away from cliff edges and unstable slopes, and do not approach wildlife or livestock.
Emergency Situations
Call 112, the European emergency number used in Italy, for police, fire and medical assistance; explain that you are in a mountain area and provide the nearest valley, trail, refuge, lift station, road marker or GPS location. Mobile coverage can be intermittent in deep valleys and remote terrain, so tell someone your planned route before departure and do not rely exclusively on a phone battery. For serious incidents, follow instructions from emergency services and avoid moving an injured person unless remaining in place creates greater danger. Carry identification and relevant medical information, and check local guidance for mountain rescue arrangements before undertaking demanding routes.
Do's and Don'ts
Stay on marked paths where required, close gates, keep dogs controlled near livestock and never disturb alpine plants, wildlife or geological formations. Take litter away with you and use refuges, toilets and water points responsibly. Do not enter military tunnels, cliffs, caves or restricted works without clear permission, and do not assume that camping, fires, drones, swimming or off-piste travel is allowed in every area. Give local farm vehicles and mountain rescue operations priority on narrow roads, park only in designated places and keep noise low in villages and refuges. Respect Ladin, German- and Italian-speaking communities as well as local religious sites and customs.
Local Tips
Select one principal valley for a short visit rather than trying to cover the whole Dolomites region, and use a map to understand the real distances between passes and resorts. Cortina is a practical base for the eastern ranges, while Val Gardena, Alta Badia, Val di Fassa and San Martino di Castrozza offer access to different mountain groups and cultural landscapes. Early starts help with parking, lift connections and summer weather, but high routes should never be attempted solely to beat crowds. Ask tourist offices about current path, lift and road conditions, and remember that many alpine refuges require advance planning and may have limited services.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloCiao[chow]
GoodbyeArrivederci[ah-ree-veh-dehr-chee]
YesSì[see]
NoNo[noh]
Please/You're welcomePer favore/Prego[pehr fah-voh-reh/preh-goh]
Thank youGrazie[grah-tsyeh]
Excuse me/SorryMi scusi/Scusa[mee skoo-zee/skoo-sah]
How are you?Come stai?[koh-meh stah-ee]
Fine. And you?Bene. E tu?[beh-neh. eh too?]
Do you speak English?Parli inglese?[pahr-lee een-gleh-zeh]
I don't understandNon capisco[nohn kah-pee-skoh]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseVorrei vedere il menu, per favore[vohr-ray veh-deh-reh eel meh-noo, pehr fah-voh-reh]
I don't eat meatNon mangio carne[nohn mahn-joh kahr-neh]
Cheers!Salute![sah-loo-teh]
I would like to pay, pleaseVorrei pagare, per favore[vohr-ray pah-gah-reh, pehr fah-voh-reh]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Aiuto![ah-yoo-toh]
Go away!Vai via![vah-ee vyah]
Call the Police!Chiamate la polizia![kyah-mah-teh lah poh-lee-tsyah]
Call a doctor!Chiamate un medico![kyah-mah-teh oon meh-dee-koh]
I'm lostMi sono perso/a[mee soh-noh pehr-soh/ah]
I'm illSto male[stoh mah-leh]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Vorrei comprare...[vohr-ray kohm-prah-reh]
I'm just lookingSto solo guardando[stoh soh-loh gwar-dahn-doh]
How much is it?Quanto costa?[kwahn-toh koh-stah]
That's too expensiveÈ troppo caro[eh troh-poh kah-roh]
Can you lower the price?Può abbassare il prezzo?[pwoh ahb-bah-sah-reh eel preh-tsoh]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Che ora è?[keh oh-rah eh]
It's one o'clockÈ l'una[eh loo-nah]
Half past (10)Sono le dieci e mezza[soh-noh leh dyeh-chee eh meh-tzah]
MorningMattina[maht-tee-nah]
AfternoonPomeriggio[poh-meh-ree-joh]
EveningSera[seh-rah]
YesterdayIeri[yeh-ree]
TodayOggi[oh-jee]
TomorrowDomani[doh-mah-nee]
1Uno[oo-noh]
2Due[doo-eh]
3Tre[treh]
4Quattro[kwah-troh]
5Cinque[cheen-kweh]
6Sei[say]
7Sette[seht-teh]
8Otto[oh-toh]
9Nove[noh-veh]
10Dieci[dyeh-chee]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Dov'è...?[doh-veh]
What's the address?Qual è l'indirizzo?[kwahl eh leen-dee-ree-tsoh]
Can you show me (on the map)?Può mostrarmi (sulla mappa)?[pwoh mohs-trar-mee (sool-lah mahp-pah)]
When's the next (bus)?Quando passa il prossimo (autobus)?[kwahn-doh pahs-sah eel prohs-see-moh (ow-toh-boo-s)]
A ticket (to ....)Un biglietto (per ....)[oon beel-lyeh-toh (pehr)]

History of Dolomites

A Sea Transformed into Mountains

The Dolomites were formed from marine carbonate deposits laid down in the ancient Tethys Sea, later uplifted and shaped through geological processes over millions of years. Their pale rock is particularly associated with dolomite, a mineral named after the eighteenth-century French geologist Déodat de Dolomieu, whose observations helped establish the distinction between dolomite and limestone. Erosion, faulting and glacial activity subsequently carved towers, pinnacles, terraces and broad valleys. This geological history explains the region's unusually dramatic profiles and the contrasts between pale cliffs, dark forests and green alpine pasture.

Early Communities and Alpine Land Use

Human settlement developed in the valleys and on lower slopes, where communities combined livestock raising, haymaking, forestry and small-scale cultivation. The Ladin valleys preserve a particularly distinctive cultural identity rooted in the descendants of Romance-speaking communities surrounded by German- and Italian-speaking areas. Traditional farmsteads, seasonal pasture use and mountain paths reflect an economy that depended on careful adaptation to altitude, snow and limited arable land. Local customs, language and building traditions evolved differently from valley to valley, helping give the Dolomites their varied regional character.

Passes, Trade and Changing Borders

Mountain passes linked the Dolomite valleys with South Tyrol, Trentino, Veneto and the wider Alpine world. Routes over the Gardena, Sella, Falzarego, Pordoi and Rolle passes carried travellers, goods and military movements, while settlements developed around farming, craft production and seasonal trade. Political boundaries changed repeatedly, particularly as the Habsburg lands and Italian states interacted across the Alps. The modern border between the Italian provinces and autonomous areas does not erase these older connections: German, Italian and Ladin cultural influences remain visible in place names, food, architecture and local institutions.

Climbing and the First World War

Nineteenth-century Alpine exploration brought mountaineers and guide networks to peaks that had previously been known chiefly to local communities. Early ascents and the development of climbing routes established the Dolomites as a major centre of Alpine mountaineering. During the First World War, the front crossed parts of the mountain region, especially around the Marmolada, Lagazuoi and nearby passes. Soldiers occupied tunnels, galleries and high positions in an extreme environment, and remnants of this mountain war can still be encountered on selected historic routes and at associated museums or memorial sites.

Tourism, Skiing and Conservation

Tourism expanded during the twentieth century as roads, hotels, cable cars and organised ski areas made more valleys accessible to visitors. Cortina d'Ampezzo became an internationally recognised winter and mountain resort, while other valleys developed their own combinations of skiing, hiking and cultural tourism. Growing awareness of landscape protection led to the creation of parks and other protected areas, including the regions covered by the UNESCO World Heritage listing of the Dolomites in 2009. Contemporary management balances recreation, transport, settlement and tourism with the conservation of fragile alpine habitats and geological landscapes.

Dolomites in Photos

Browse through our photo collection highlighting the charm and character of the destination.

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Dolomites, Italy

Discover the best of Dolomites with Evendo, a 100% free app-based travel guide covering attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more. Plan and book effortlessly!

  • Comprehensive information on attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities
  • Rich descriptions, images, local tips, maps, and contact details
  • Easy booking for hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences
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Explore the breathtaking Dolomites with Evendo, your comprehensive and free travel guide app. Find attractions, book experiences, and navigate like a local with ease.

  • History of Dolomites and travel essentials
  • Curated local tips for an authentic experience
  • User-friendly navigation and 'Near Me' feature
  • 100% free with no in-app purchases

Welcome to Evendo, your ultimate travel guide to the enchanting Dolomites, Italy. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or visiting for the first time, Evendo ensures you make the most of your trip. Our app is packed with detailed information on the best attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities that Dolomites has to offer.

Imagine exploring the majestic peaks of Tre Cime di Lavaredo, the serene beauty of Lago di Braies, or the historic charm of Bolzano. With Evendo, you have access to rich descriptions, stunning images, local tips, maps, and contact details, making it easy to plan and organize your itinerary. Discover hidden gems like the charming village of Ortisei or the bustling markets in Cortina d'Ampezzo.

Foodies will love our curated recommendations for top restaurants, including the Michelin-starred St. Hubertus and the cozy Baita Fraina. Night owls can explore the vibrant nightlife scene with our guide to the best bars and nightclubs. And for those looking to immerse themselves in local culture, our app offers information on unique tours and experiences.

Booking your stay, tours, and tickets has never been easier. With just a few taps, you can secure your hotel, reserve a spot on a guided tour, or purchase tickets for local attractions, all within the app. Say goodbye to the hassle of searching multiple websites for information and bookings; Evendo has it all in one place.

Don't miss out on experiencing Dolomites like a local. Download Evendo today and start your unforgettable journey!

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