If you are looking for information on where to stay in the Dolomites, you have come to the right place! In this post we are going to share with you all the information and recommendations that we would have liked to have had when we started to organize the trip and had to spend hours and hours to find the best villages to sleep in the Dolomites.
And we cannot forget that, although the Dolomites may seem a small area on the map, being a mountainous area, the routes of a few kilometers are longer, making the trips to and from the base where you stay, may force you to invest more time than expected. That is why we have already told you that, after our experience, the recommendation is to look for several places to stay so that you can enjoy the trip to the fullest.
Of course, this is not an absolute truth and there are many travelers who choose to stay in only one or two bases to do the whole trip and enjoy it very much. In the end, choosing one or the other option should be based on your tastes and needs. Of course, the key to a balanced route is to look for strategic places to stay in the Dolomites.
Don’t worry because in this post we are going to tell you about the best options, with their pros and cons, so you can choose the one or ones that best suit your route. In addition, in each of them we will include a list of the highlights that are nearby, to make your choice as easy and comfortable as possible.
Based on our route through the Dolomites, during which we stayed in several locations, we tell you all the information about where to stay in the Dolomites. Let’s get started!
Best places to stay in the Dolomites
With natural wonders that will not leave even the most experienced traveler indifferent, the Dolomites are a set of mountain ranges in the Italian Eastern Alps, extending through Belluno, Bolzano, Trento, Udine and Pordenone.
Something to consider when looking for accommodation in the Dolomites is the distance from that point to the places of interest you want to visit. As we mentioned earlier, being a mountain destination and although the roads are incredible and pass through wonderful landscapes, the premise should be that the investment of time in transfers is reduced to the maximum to be able to devote all the time to enjoy the visits.
In addition to this, we want to emphasize that there are many accommodation options in the Dolomites, some of them located in the middle of nature, far from the main tourist centers. In this case, we will focus on those that we consider most suitable, both for proximity and value for money, so that this post is as practical as possible and does not become an endless selection of recommendations that in the end, end up being of little use to the traveler who wants to go to the practical.
In summary, these are the places we recommend to stay in the Dolomites. They are the ones we use and the ones that, after our experience, we believe are the most suitable to enjoy most of the routes in the Dolomites.
- Cortina d’Ampezzo
- Ortisei (Val Gardena)
- Braies Lake
- Misurina Lake
- Compatsch (Alpe di Siusi)
- Allegue
Don’t worry because in the next points we will talk more extensively about each of the places, so that you have all the information as well as recommendations of hotels in the Dolomites.
Which is the best town to stay in the Dolomites?
If you are going to do a 5-7 day route, we will tell you that we would choose to stay each night in a different place to make the most of the locations and do the visits that are closer to each of them.
In case you only want to have one base, we would probably choose Cortina d’Ampezzo and, if you want to have two bases, Cortina d’Ampezzo and Ortisei would be ideal.
Remember that these recommendations are based on our experience. To see if they fit you or not, ideally you should put the places you want to visit on a map as well as the bases you want to use to clearly see the kilometers between them and the time it will take you to travel them.
As we mentioned before, the roads are mountain roads and, although they are beautiful, the travel times are considerably longer.
We think this is something to take into account, especially in a destination like this where you will probably end up tired after the days of hiking.
In addition to this, if you are traveling in high season (summer), we recommend that you book as far in advance as possible since availability is usually quite limited and prices become much more expensive as the season approaches.
Cortina d’Ampezzo, the best place to stay in the Dolomites
Located in the Ampezzo Valley, this small and well-known town is surrounded by an impressive mountain range, among which the impressive Pomagagnon Group, the Farolia, the Tofane and the Cristallino as well as the Five Towers and the Becco di Mezzodi stand out.
In addition to its idyllic location, which is practically unbeatable, this town is also known for its sporting history, especially in 1956, when it hosted the Winter Olympics.
From that moment on, Cortina d’Ampezzo became a tourist destination for many and began to develop into what it is today: a center of international tourism, with extensive hotel and restaurant infrastructures and a paradise for sports lovers.
Besides this, the village is really charming, revolving around a beautiful baroque church and a historic center that is characterized by being dotted with dozens of art galleries, cafes, restaurants and small clothing stores that for sure, are a great pastime after a long day of hiking in the Dolomites.
We believe that there is little more we can add to all these advantages to highlight that Cortina d’Ampezzo is one of the best options to stay in the Dolomites.
The price of accommodation in Cortina d’Ampezzo is usually around 200 euros (high season). In low season you can easily find double rooms for around 100 euros per night. Keep in mind that many hotels in Cortina d’Ampezzo include breakfast so this makes the price actually a little tighter. In addition, being a town with a lot of infrastructure, prices are usually more competitive than in other areas with less supply of hotels in the Dolomites.
Points of interest near Cortina d’Ampezzo:
- Start Trekking Tre Cime di Lavaredo (22 km – 30 minutes)
- Lago di Misurina (15 kilometers – 25 minutes)
- Start trekking to Sorapis Lake (11 kilometers – 24 minutes)
- Cinque Torri (15 kilometers – 30 minutes)
- Lago di Braies (47 kilometers – 1 hour)
The other points of interest that we include in the proposed routes through the Dolomites and not mentioned in this list, are more than 1 hour away so we believe, it would not be the most appropriate to stay in this town to visit them. That is, staying in Corina d’Ampezzo as the only base for touring the Dolomites, is not something we would do unless you only want to sleep in one place or you are going to make a short route through the area. We only recommend it to visit these places.
- Pros: the town is in a privileged environment, close to many of the points of interest of the Dolomites. In addition, being a relatively large town, it has a wide range of hotels and restaurants as well as a historic center perfect for strolling around after a day of sightseeing.
- Cons: In high season, prices are usually quite high.
As you can see, there are more pros than cons, making Cortina d’Ampezzo one of the most recommended places to stay in the Dolomites.
Remember that to avoid paying commissions and to always have the current exchange rate we recommend you to use the Revolut card and the N26 card, which are the ones we use, are free and will save you a lot of money.
You can find more information in this article about the best cards for commission-free travel.
Ortisei (Val Gardena), another of the best places to sleep in the Dolomites.
Val Gardena, famous worldwide thanks to the production of handcrafted wooden objects, is one of the four Ladin valleys together with Val di Fassa, Livinnalongo and Val Badia. In this valley, the main towns are Ortisei, Santa Cristina and Selva Gardena, the first being the best known of all and undoubtedly the second base that we recommend to sleep in the Dolomites.
The area around Ortisei is particularly well known for ski tourism since numerous competitions are held here, as well as some stages of the Alpine skiing World Cup. In addition to being a perfect place to stay in summer, thanks to its location and its wide range of hotels and restaurants, it is also highly recommended in winter thanks to its more than 175 kilometers of downhill slopes, its more than 80 ski lifts and 115 kilometers of cross-country slopes.
As in the previous case, we believe that we have little more to add to these characteristics. Undoubtedly, Ortisei is the other base we would choose to sleep in the Dolomites and visit the other points of interest that are further away from Cortina d’Ampezzo. It is also a town with a lot of charm, perfect for a walk after a day of hiking and sightseeing.
The price of accommodation in Ortisei is usually around 200 euros (high season). In low season you can easily find double rooms for about 100 euros per night. As in the other areas of the Dolomites, many hotels in Ortisei include breakfast, something that makes the price a little more adjusted.
Points of interest near Ortisei:
- Val di Funes (29 kilometers – 40 minutes)
- Alpe di Siusi (22 kilometers – 34 minutes)
- Lake Carezza (53 kilometers – 1 hour)
- Start trekking Viel del Pan Refuge (38 kilometers – 1 hour)
- Seceda (the cable car is in the town)
- Start trekking Odle Refuge (39 kilometers – 55 minutes)
If we take into account the distances between Ortisei and these points of interest, this town seems to be a very good option to stay in the Dolomites.
- Pros: in a unique location, very close to many of the Dolomites’ must-sees, Ortisei is a charming town perfect for staying in the Dolomites. It also has a wide range of hotels and restaurants, perfect for the more restless traveler.
- Cons: Prices may be somewhat higher than in other areas where to stay in the Dolomites.
Considering the pros and cons and, after our experience, in case you want to make two single bases on your trip, we would opt for Cortina d’Ampezzo and Ortisei.
Lago di Braies, one of the most special places to sleep in the Dolomites
Located between the towns of Monguelfo and Villabassa, and in the heart of the Braies Valley, is located Lago di Braies, one of the most beautiful places to see in the Dolomites.
Frequented by thousands of travelers, we can not forget that it is one of the most visited places in the Dolomites, this lake is a unique location to stay if you want to spend a relaxing day or simply give you a tribute on this trip. If so, our recommendation is to stay at the Hotel Lago di Braies, the only one located on the shores of the lake and, whenever possible, book a room overlooking the lake.
We stayed two nights and, although we already told you that it is not an economic whim, it is certainly worth every penny paid.
Besides being able to enjoy the lake early in the morning and late in the afternoon, when most tourists have already left, you will have free parking (in summer it is necessary to reserve a parking space if you are not staying at the hotel), breakfast included in the price and the possibility of having lunch and dinner at the restaurant.
Although this would not be a base that we would recommend especially to go hiking from here, as we believe that the investment is to enjoy the hotel and the environment, there are several points of interest that are relatively close and you can certainly visit:
- Start trekking Lake Sorapis (41 kilometers – 52 minutes)
- Start Trekking Tre Cime di Lavaredo (42 kilometers – 59 minutes)
- Lago di Misurina (35 kilometers – 43 minutes)
On the second day, after leaving the hotel, we went directly to the starting point of the Lake Sorapis trekking to do this hike.
Lago di Misurina, another of the most charming places to stay in the Dolomites.
Located at an altitude of 1758 meters, this world famous lake is one of the best known destinations in the Dolomites and one of those places that leave no traveler indifferent. But not only that, as this is also one of the best known resorts in the area as well as one of the most famous mountaineering centers in the world.
All this, together with the proximity to Cortina d’Ampezzo (15 kilometers) and the panoramic road that connects them, make this another of the most suitable places to stay in the Dolomites for travelers looking for a quiet area with unforgettable landscapes.
The price of accommodation in Lago di Misurina is usually around 150 euros (high season). In low season you can easily find double rooms for about 80 euros per night. Keep in mind that this area has a more limited hotel offer than other areas where to sleep in the Dolomites so prices, in some cases, may be higher.
Points of interest near Lago di Misurina:
- Cortina d’Ampezzo (15 kilometers – 27 minutes)
- Start Trekking Tre Cime di Lavaredo (7 kilometers – 15 minutes)
- Start trekking to Sorapis Lake (7 kilometers – 15 minutes)
- Cinque Torri (30 kilometers – 53 minutes)
- Lago di Braies (35 kilometers – 42 minutes)
As you can see, the distances between the points of interest are very similar to those from Cortina d’Ampezzo, so finding a hotel in Lago di Misurina can also be a great option to visit this area. What you should keep in mind is that, in this case, the hotel and gastronomic offer is more limited than in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
- Pros: the beauty of the surroundings and the lake itself.
- Cons: It is an area where there are fewer hotels and restaurants.
Putting all these data on a scale, we would prefer Cortina d’Ampezzo if you want a base for several days. In case you are looking for a special accommodation in the Dolomites for one day, without a doubt, Lake Misurina, is an excellent choice.
Alpe di Siusi (Compatsch), one of the strategic places to look for a hotel in the Dolomites
Located in the western part of the Dolomites and with an average altitude of 1850 meters above sea level, Alpe di Siusi is considered one of the largest alpine pastures in Europe as well as one of the most beautiful spots in the Dolomites.
These characteristics, together with the high level of tourism that has reached this area in recent times, have led to measures being taken to preserve the environment, one of them being the prohibition of the passage of private vehicles on the access road to Alpe di Siusi (from 9:00 am to 17:00 pm). The rest of the time you can reach Compastch (the most famous village in the area), leave your car there in the parking lot (26.5 euros/day – 13 euros outside the high season (from April 7 to May 8) and move around the valley on foot or by bus.
Is there an alternative to skip this restriction? Yes. Staying at a hotel in Alpe di Siusi you will have a special permit to drive on the main road that will be issued to you at the information office, located on the access road, after showing your reservation. However, you should know that this permit is only valid on the day of entry and exit and only between the checkpoint and your hotel. YOU CANNOT DRIVE ON THE REST OF THE ROADS. That is, even if you stay in the area, you will not be able to move freely by car. You will have to walk or use public transportation.
This is the reason why we consider Compastch to be a strategic place to stay in the Dolomites since, if you stay here, you will be able to enjoy the area in the afternoon and early morning, which are the best times of the day.
Note that in Alpe di Siusi, the most common is to walk a path of about 8 kilometers (round trip), which starts from Compastch and runs through postcard landscapes, full of green valleys dotted with wooden houses, to the Belvedere viewpoint (photo below).
As we pointed out in the Dolomites route proposal, as of today, if you are not staying in Alpe di Siusi, you CAN ONLY ACCESS TO COMPATSCH BEFORE 9am AND AFTER 5pm and you CANNOT DRIVE ON THE VALLEY ROADS AT ANY TIME OF THE DAY. If you go outside these hours, you must reach Alpe di Siusi by public transport.
Going by car to the viewpoints and parking on the roadsides, at any time of the day, IS FORBIDDEN.
Not doing so only causes the deterioration of the place and in the end, they end up not allowing tourism to enter.
During our visit, we saw many people skipping the regulations and parking on the side of the road to take pictures and it is really a shame to see the lack of respect with which we travel.
Hotel prices in Alpe di Siusi are around 200 euros in high season. With this in mind, we recommend you book as far in advance as possible as availability, especially in high season, is also usually quite limited.
Points of interest near Alpe di Siusi:
- Val di Funes (35 kilometers – 46 minutes)
- Lago di Carezza (51 kilometers – 1 hour)
- Ortisei and Seceda (22 kilometers – 33 minutes)
- Start trekking Odle Refuge (44 kilometers – 1 hour)
- Valentinus Church (Six am Schlern) (10 kilometers – 18 minutes)
Taking into account all the characteristics and the distances that separate this location from the rest of the points of interest, we would only choose it as accommodation in the Dolomites the day you are going to visit Alpe di Siusi.
- Pros: the beauty of the surroundings and the possibility of accessing the road to your hotel at any time of the day. Being in the area early in the morning and in the afternoon, when there is practically no one left and it is the best time of the day to enjoy the scenery.
- Cons: It is an area where there are fewer hotels and restaurants. Prices are usually quite high.
We stayed one night and, the day we arrived, we took advantage of the afternoon to hike the trail to the Belvedere viewpoint and, the next morning, we walked several trails in the area and took the opportunity to visit the San Valentino Church, which is in Seis am Schlern, a town at the gates of Alpe di Siusi.
Allegue, one of the most beautiful locations in the Dolomites
Dominated by the Civetta massif, this small dolomite town has always been a very famous resort, both in summer and winter, thanks to its ski lifts and more than 80 kilometers of ski slopes. Nowadays, it has also been placed on the tourist map thanks to social networks and its resemblance to Hallstat in Austria.
We stayed here the last night we spent in the Dolomites, on our way to Venice, and we really liked the experience. However, we only recommend it if your final destination is Venice and you want or need to spend the night somewhere in between before arriving in the city as it is far from the main points of interest in the Dolomites.
Hotel prices in Allegue are above 150 euros in high season.
In addition to all the accommodations mentioned above, if your flight arrives in the afternoon and you want to get closer to the Dolomites, one option is to stay near Lago di Carezza. We stayed the first day at Sport Lago Carezza, just 3 kilometers from Lago di Carezza. Staying here allows you to enjoy the sunrise and sunset on the lake, two of the most special moments of the day.
Travel insurance for the Dolomites
To travel to the Dolomites on your own, there is nothing better than having a good travel insurance. We always travel insured with Heymondo, with whom we take a fully adequate insurance to the needs that we will have on the trip.
If you buy your insurance here with Heymondo, just for being a Viajeros Callejeros reader, you get a 5% discount.
