Vacation In The Dolomites
This guide will make your vacation in the Dolomites a memorable one. You can choose from a variety of vacation packages in different price ranges for every member of your family.
The Dolomites are a mountain range located in northeastern Italy. Inhabited since the Paleolithic Age, this small region is known as the “Garden of Europe”; during winter season, it is a popular skiing area.
If this is your first visit here, you may want to start with a tour of the Dolomites. These mountains are the most interesting part of the Italian Alps and they are a photographer’s wonderland!
Planning a vacation to the Dolomites? Be sure to include some of these natural wonders and architectural masterpieces in your itinerary.
If you’re looking for a getaway that’s close to all the excitement and adventure of northern Italy, but also offers a quiet place to relax, then what better choice could you have than choosing the holiday home of your dreams in Tappeiner (province of Bolzano)?
Vacation In The Dolomites
The Dolomites are a massive mountain range in the Italian Alps in northeastern Italy, stretching across the regions of Trentino-Alto Adige, Veneto, and Friuli Venezia Giulia. In 2009, these mountains were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site covering a total area of 141,903 hectares.
The Italian Dolomites are without a question one of the most dramatic alpine destinations in the world. Whether you’re out driving, cycling, skiing, or hiking, you’ll be captivated by the sheer cliffs, vertical walls, craggy pinnacles, karst plateaus, idyllic valleys, and alpine pastures that define the unique landscape of the Dolomiti.
Here, mountain peaks slash the sky and light up in fiery shades of crimson and violet (Enrosadira). Below the soaring pinnacles, cattle graze on undulating alpine pastures, dotted with huts. This dazzling contrast between rocky mountains and silky meadows is what makes the Dolomites so cinematic.
For the active traveler, this corner of Italy is heaven on earth. In summer, you can go via ferrata climbing, hut to hut hiking, mountain biking, and paragliding. In winter, you can ski in the largest ski resort in the world, Dolomiti Superski.
What makes the Dolomites the most premier alpine destination in Europe is the quality of the accommodation and the cuisine (especially in South Tyrol).
In this Dolomites Travel Guide, you’ll learn about where to go, where to stay, what to see and do, and so much more. If you have any Dolomites travel questions, don’t hesitate to DM us on Instagram @moonhoneytravelers.
Best Time for Hiking in the Dolomites
The best time to hike in the Dolomites is from the end of June until the end of September.
That’s when most trails are free of snow. It’s also when mountain huts (hütte, rifugio) are open and seasonal buses and cableways are operating. Many hikes in the Dolomites begin or end with an aerial cableway (chairlift, gondola, etc…). And, if you’re planning on getting around by bus, there are more connections and buses running during high season.
Read Best Time to Visit the Dolomites for Hiking for an overview of what it’s like to visit in May, June, July, August, September, October, and November.
August in the Dolomites
August is a very busy month in the Dolomites. Italians are on vacation, roads are congested, and trails are crowded. Weather is generally excellent with the occasional thunderstorm.
September in the Dolomites
September is a wonderful month to hike in the Dolomites. It’s still busy, but not as packed as August. With the exception of a rogue snow storm, the weather is very stable throughout the month.
Mountain huts are open, cable cars are running, and busses are frequent.
Learn More: Hiking in the Dolomites in September
October in the Dolomites
October is also a promising month to travel to the Dolomites, especially for fall colors. If you decide to travel to the Dolomites in October, we recommend renting a car. Many mountain huts will already be closed for the season, though not all. And, many chairlifts and gondolas will also be closed (by end of September). So, October promises quiet trails, beautiful colors, but with less convenience.
Learn More: Hiking in the Dolomites in October
Best Time for Skiing in the Dolomites
If your aim is to ski, the Dolomites winter season begins in mid-December and ends in early April. In November 2019, the ski slopes already opened up in Alta Badia. However, if you’re planning an international trip, stick to January and February to be safe.
When You Shouldn’t Travel to the Dolomites
Early Spring. Traveling to the Dolomites in May is hit or miss since the weather is unpredictable. It can still snow, but it’s not “ski season.” Because the region’s many chairlifts aren’t in operation, hiking is limited. Also, many hotels and restaurants are closed, making it difficult to find places to eat.
Late Fall. While early Fall can be a splendid time to visit the Dolomites, you should avoid visiting the Dolomites in November. The hiking season is over and the skiing season has yet to begin.