The Best Things to Do in the Dolomites: Hikes, Drives, & Towns

The Dolomites pack an absurd amount into a relatively small stretch of northern Italy. Yes, hiking is a huge part of it, and the most popular trails in the region deserve a spot on any list of things to do in the Dolomites. But this region is so much more than its trailheads. It’s also postcard towns, dramatic mountain passes, glacial lakes that don’t look real, and the occasional museum worth carving out an afternoon for. After nine days exploring both the eastern and western sides of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, I put together this guide covering the full range of things to do in the Dolomites, from the iconic hikes everyone talks about to the quieter, lower-effort experiences that rarely make the highlight reel.

Whether you’re hiking every day of your trip or mixing in a few rest days for scenic drives and small towns, here’s everything worth doing across South Tyrol, Alto Adige, and the wider Dolomites.

Key Takeaways

• The best things to do in the Dolomites span both ends of the effort spectrum, from iconic hikes like Tre Cime di Lavaredo and Lago di Sorapis to easy wins like scenic drives and cable car rides.
• The Dolomites stretch across South Tyrol, Trentino, and Belluno in northern Italy, with smaller pockets (like the Brenta Dolomites and the Sexten Dolomites) extending into neighboring regions, including parts of Friuli Venezia Giulia.
• Scenic drives like the Great Dolomites Road, alpine lakes like Lake Carezza and Lake Misurina, and charming South Tyrolean towns like Santa Maddalena and San Candido round out a trip nicely alongside the hiking.

Hike the Most Popular Trails in the Dolomites

No list of things to do in the Dolomites would be complete, or honest, without leading with the trails that draw people here in the first place. While I personally hiked every day on my most recent trip (and still couldn’t hit all the famous hikes) you can definitely choose to do easier options if your not an experienced hiker. These are the best hikes in the Dolomites that are worth prioritizing:

• Tre Cime di Lavaredo: The single most iconic hike in the Dolomites, looping around three dramatic limestone peaks. Start from Rifugio Auronzo, and budget extra time if you also want to detour toward Rifugio Locatelli for one of the best views of the three peaks together.
• Cadini di Misurina: A shorter hike near Tre Cime that delivers one of the most photographed viewpoints in the entire region, with layered jagged peaks fading into the distance.
• Lago di Sorapis: A narrow, slightly exposed trail near Cortina that ends at a strikingly milky-blue glacial lake. Not for the faint of heart, but absolutely worth it.
• Adolf Munkel Trail: A more relaxed hike beneath the Geisler Alm peaks in Val di Funes, with alpine meadow views and plenty of connecting trails if you want to extend the route (definitely one of the safer trails for families).
• Cinque Torri: A shorter hike near Cortina, easily reached by chairlift, that combines distinctive rock formations with leftover WWI fortifications.

Drive the Great Dolomites Road

This is hands-down one of the best things to do in the Dolomites if you want maximum scenery for minimum effort. The Great Dolomites Road (Grande Strada delle Dolomiti) connects Bolzano to Cortina d’Ampezzo, winding through some of the most dramatic mountain passes in the entire range, including Passo Gardena, Passo Sella, and Passo Falzarego. Even if you’re not stopping to hike, the drive itself delivers mountain peaks, hairpin turns, and views that’ll have you pulling over every few minutes for photos.

If you have extra time, add Passo Giau to your route. It’s not technically part of the original Great Dolomites Road, but it’s one of the most photographed mountain passes in the region.

Visit the Alpine Lakes

The Dolomites have an almost unfair number of strikingly colored lakes, and a few are absolutely worth building a half-day around.

• Lake Carezza: Known locally as the “Rainbow Lake,” this small lake near Val di Fassa reflects the surrounding mountains so perfectly it almost looks photoshopped. It’s an easy stop if you’re driving between Bolzano and Cortina.
• Lake Misurina: The largest natural lake in the eastern Dolomites, with a peaceful walking path around the shore and excellent views toward the Cadini di Misurina peaks.
• Lago di Landro: A quieter, less-visited lake near San Candido, often overlooked in favor of its more famous neighbors, but worth a stop if you’re already in the Val Pusteria area.

Ride a Cable Car Up to an Alpine Meadow

Not every breathtaking view in the Dolomites requires a hike to earn it. Seiser Alm, also known as Alpe di Siusi, is the largest high-altitude alpine meadow in Europe, and a simple gondola ride from Compatsch gets you up into rolling pastures with the Sassolungo and Sciliar peaks rising in the background. It’s an easy win if you’re traveling with kids, older relatives, or anyone who’d rather sip a coffee with a view than climb switchbacks to earn it.

Wander Through South Tyrol’s Cutest Towns

The towns scattered throughout South Tyrol and Alto Adige are reason enough to visit the Dolomites, hiking aside.

• Santa Maddalena: This tiny village in Val di Funes is one of the most photographed spots in the entire region, with its onion-domed church framed perfectly against the Geisler Alm peaks. Come early morning for the best light and fewer crowds.
• San Candido: A charming South Tyrolean town near the Austrian border with a distinctly alpine, Tyrolean feel. Great for a relaxed lunch or an afternoon wandering its pedestrian center.
• Santa Cristina: A quieter alternative to nearby Ortisei in Val Gardena, with easy access to Alpe di Siusi and a noticeably slower pace.
• San Cassiano: Tucked into Alta Badia, this small town is a great base if you want quiet mountain views without sacrificing access to Val Badia’s hiking trails and ski lifts.

Step Inside a Mountain Hut (Whether You Hike There or Not)

Mountain huts, or rifugios, are usually associated with hiking, but plenty of them are accessible by cable car or a short walk, which means you don’t need a full day hike to experience one. Grabbing lunch or a coffee at a rifugio with a view is, in my opinion, one of the most underrated things to do in the Dolomites. It’s a genuinely South Tyrolean experience, somewhere between a mountain lodge and a family-run trattoria, and most serve hearty regional dishes like Tyrolean dumplings alongside the usual coffee and strudel.

Visit a Messner Mountain Museum

If you want a bit of culture mixed into your Dolomites itinerary, the Messner Mountain Museum network is spread across several unique locations in South Tyrol, including a striking museum built into Sigmundskron Castle near Bolzano and another perched dramatically on Mount Kronplatz. These museums dig into mountaineering history, local culture, and humanity’s relationship with mountains in general, and they make for a great rainy-day activity if the weather doesn’t cooperate.

Stay (or Just Visit) a Design Hotel in the Dolomites

Sometimes the hotel can be the entire experience. Even if you’re not staying overnight, beautifully designed wellness hotels throughout South Tyrol are worth knowing about if you want a spa day mixed in with your hiking days.

Other Incredible Wellness Hotels in the Dolomites

• Forestis Dolomites (Brixen/Plose): One of the most iconic luxury stays in the region, known for its minimalist architecture, world-class spa, and panoramic mountain views that feel straight out of a dream.
• COMO Alpina Dolomites (Alpe di Siusi): A sleek alpine retreat with a stunning infinity pool overlooking Europe’s largest high-altitude meadow, making it an excellent base for both hiking and relaxation.
• Hotel Hubertus (Olang): Famous for its dramatic suspended sky pool, this adults-friendly wellness hotel pairs contemporary design with direct access to some of the Dolomites’ best outdoor adventures.
• Miramonti Boutique Hotel (Avelengo): Perched above Merano, this boutique property blends Scandinavian-inspired interiors with spectacular valley views, an exceptional spa, and a peaceful atmosphere.
• Lefay Resort & SPA Dolomiti (Pinzolo): A luxurious wellness escape in the Brenta Dolomites featuring expansive spa facilities, holistic treatments, and elegant suites surrounded by forested peaks.

Explore the Lesser-Known Corners: Brenta Dolomites and Val Venegia

If you’ve got extra time and want to escape the more touristed eastern and western Dolomites, the Brenta Dolomites in Trentino offer a totally different, almost Alpine-meets-Dolomites landscape, with fewer crowds and a more rugged feel. Closer to Cortina, Val Venegia is another underrated pocket, known for sweeping alpine meadow views toward the Pale di San Martino, and it rarely shows up on a typical Dolomites travel guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in the Dolomites? 

A mix of hiking and lower-effort experiences works best: Tre Cime di Lavaredo and Lago di Sorapis for hiking, the Great Dolomites Road for scenic driving, alpine lakes like Lake Carezza and Lake Misurina, and towns like Santa Maddalena and San Candido for a slower pace.

Is Tre Cime di Lavaredo worth visiting if I’m not a serious hiker? 

Yes. While the full Tre Cime di Lavaredo loop is a hike, you can drive to Rifugio Auronzo and walk a short distance for excellent views of the peaks without committing to the entire trail.

What’s the best base for exploring things to do in the Dolomites without a car? 

Towns like Ortisei and Santa Cristina in Val Gardena have cable car access to alpine meadows and hiking trailheads, making them workable even with limited driving.

Are the Dolomites only in South Tyrol? 

No. While South Tyrol (and the wider Alto Adige region) covers much of the western and central Dolomites, the range extends into Trentino, Belluno, and even touches parts of Friuli Venezia Giulia toward the east.

How many days should I spend exploring things to do in the Dolomites? 

A week gives you enough time to combine a few hikes with scenic drives, lake visits, and at least one or two charming towns. If you’re working with less time, prioritize one major hike, the Great Dolomites Road, and one alpine meadow visit.

Final Thoughts on Things to Do in the Dolomites

The hikes are absolutely worth the hype, but they’re only part of why this region is so special. Between the scenic drives, the impossibly blue lakes, and the small towns that feel frozen in time, there’s enough here to fill a trip several times over. If you’re planning your own visit, I’d build your days around a mix of effort levels, pairing a hike or two from my Dolomites hiking guide with some of the quieter, lower-effort stops on this list for a trip that feels well-rounded and absolutely memorable.