Rifugio Locatelli (Dreizinnenhütte)
Restaurant · Tre Cime loop
A mountain hut with the classic face-on view of the Tre Cime.
Best for: lunch on the Tre Cime hike
Best time: lunch
Where to actually go in Dolomites
Where to eat, drink and go out in Dolomites: 20 picks for study-abroad students, with student-vetted picks marked and prices in dollars.
Eat & drink in Dolomites
Sights & days out in Dolomites
Seceda
Viewpoint · above Ortisei (Val Gardena)
A grassy ridge that drops off into a row of jagged peaks; the most famous view in the Dolomites.
Best for: the iconic photo, ridge walks
Booking: The cable car from Ortisei needs a pre-booked time slot since 2026.
Best time: morning
Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm)
Walk · above Ortisei
Europe's largest high alpine meadow, with easy trails and huts under the peaks.
Best for: easy scenic hiking, winter sledging
Best time: full day
Heads up: The road is closed to private cars during the day; take the cable car.
Tre Cime di Lavaredo loop
Walk · near Misurina
A roughly 10 km loop around three huge rock towers; the best-known hike in the range.
Best for: a big day hike
Price: $$ — roughly $46 per car for the toll road
Booking: Book the toll road and parking slot online at auronzo.info.
Best time: full day
Lago di Braies
Sight · Val Pusteria
An emerald lake under a sheer cliff, with wooden rowing boats.
Best for: the famous lake photo
Best time: early morning
Heads up: Summer road restrictions in the day (roughly July to mid-September): book or arrive early or late.
Lago di Sorapis
Walk · near Cortina
A milky-turquoise lake under a rock spire, reached by a roughly 2-hour trail.
Best for: a rewarding half-day hike
Best time: full morning
Heads up: Exposed sections with cables; not for vertigo.
Cinque Torri
Sight · near Cortina
Five rock towers with WWI open-air trenches, reached by chairlift.
Best for: easy hiking with history
Best time: full day
Lagazuoi
Viewpoint · Passo Falzarego
A cable car to a summit hut with WWI tunnels dug into the mountain.
Best for: a big view and tunnel walk
Best time: full day
Passo Giau
Viewpoint · near Cortina
A high mountain pass with a sweeping view of peaks; a favourite sunset spot.
Best for: sunset photos
Best time: sunset
Cortina d'Ampezzo
Area · Cortina d'Ampezzo
The glamorous ski town of the Dolomites, with a pedestrian main street and the 2026 Winter Olympics venues.
Best for: a base, an evening stroll
Best time: evening
Ortisei
Area · Val Gardena
A pretty mountain town of wood carvers, the easiest base for Seceda and Alpe di Siusi.
Best for: a base
Best time: evening
Santa Maddalena church view (Val di Funes)
Viewpoint · Val di Funes
A little church in green meadows in front of the jagged Odle peaks.
Best for: the postcard photo
Best time: morning
Adolf Munkel Trail
Walk · Val di Funes
A forest trail along the base of the Odle peaks with huts for lunch.
Best for: a moderate hike
Best time: full morning
Lago di Carezza
Sight · near Bolzano
A small rainbow-coloured lake reflecting the Latemar peaks.
Best for: a short photo stop
Best time: morning
Lago di Misurina
Sight · Misurina
A wide lake on the way to Tre Cime, flat and easy to walk around.
Best for: a stop on the Tre Cime day
Best time: any time
Sella Ronda ski circuit
Activity · around the Sella massif
A famous ski loop around a single mountain massif through four valleys.
Best for: a ski day
Booking: Buy a Dolomiti Superski pass.
Best time: full day (winter)
Via ferrata with a guide
Activity · various
Climbing routes with fixed cables and ladders, many built in WWI.
Best for: an adventure day
Booking: Go with a mountain guide and rented kit.
Best time: full day (summer)
Heads up: Never try without the right kit and experience.
Bolzano and the Ötzi museum
Museum · Bolzano
The South Tyrol capital, home to the 5,300-year-old Iceman found in the Alps.
Best for: a rainy-day plan, the gateway city
Best time: afternoon
Bressanone (Brixen)
Area · Isarco valley
A small Alpine cathedral town with arcaded streets and a winter market.
Best for: a relaxed town visit
Best time: afternoon
A night in a rifugio
Activity · mountain huts across the range
Bunk rooms and big dinners in a mountain hut, waking up above the clouds.
Best for: the most memorable night of the trip
Booking: Book months ahead for summer.
Best time: overnight (summer)