Best Towns & Places to Visit in the Dolomites

1. Cortina d’Ampezzo

Best for: first-time visitors, the eastern Dolomites, restaurants and easy access to several famous sights.

Cortina is the best-known town in the eastern Dolomites and one of the easiest bases to recommend for a first trip. You can reach very different landscapes without changing hotels. From Cortina you are well placed for:

• Tre Cime di Lavaredo
• Lago di Misurina
• Lago di Sorapis
• Cinque Torri
• Passo Falzarego
• Lagazuoi
• Passo Giau
• Tofane
• Cristallo

The town is larger and more polished than many Dolomites villages. You have:

• a pedestrian centre
• restaurants
• cafés
• shops
• hotels across several price ranges
• transport connections
• mountain-guide services

You can browse all stays in Cortina d’Ampezzo on Booking.com. If you are staying in Venice and only have one day, the Cortina and two lakes day trip from Venice ($106, 4.9/5 from 1,184 reviews) takes you to Cortina, Auronzo and Lake Misurina by minivan.

Why choose Cortina?

Choose Cortina if:

• you are coming from Venice
• Tre Cime is a priority
• you want a proper town, not a tiny village
• you want several day-trip options
• your group has mixed interests

Cortina suits groups where not everyone wants to hike every day. One person can spend time in town while the rest of the group heads into the mountains.

The drawback

Cortina can be expensive. It is also a poor base for Seceda, the Alpe di Siusi or Val Gardena, and trying to cover the whole Dolomites from Cortina means far too much driving.

2. Ortisei

Best for: Seceda, the Alpe di Siusi, easy lift access and a car-light holiday.

Ortisei is one of the strongest first-time bases in the western Dolomites. It is the largest and liveliest of the three main Val Gardena villages, with lifts from town or close by towards:

• Seceda
• Resciesa
• Alpe di Siusi

Choose it if you want dramatic scenery but do not want to drive every day. The centre is attractive and walkable, with shops, cafés, restaurants and a long woodcarving tradition. Search all stays in Ortisei to see what is free on your dates.

Why choose Ortisei?

Choose Ortisei if:

• Seceda is a must
• you want the Alpe di Siusi
• you prefer lifts and buses to driving
• you like a lively village centre
• this is your first Val Gardena trip

Ortisei vs Cortina

Choose Ortisei for:

• Seceda
• Alpe di Siusi
• the western Dolomites
• easy lift access

Choose Cortina for:

• Tre Cime
• Misurina
• Cinque Torri
• the eastern Dolomites

For a first trip of five to seven days, staying in both is one of the best combinations.

3. Selva di Val Gardena

Best for: active travellers, higher-altitude access and the Sella group.

Selva sits higher and farther up Val Gardena than Ortisei, and it feels more alpine from the moment you arrive. The village is well placed for:

• Passo Gardena
• the Sella group
• Sassolungo
• Dantercepies
• the Sella Ronda
• connections to Alta Badia

Compare all stays in Selva di Val Gardena on Booking.com.

Why choose Selva?

Choose Selva if:

• hiking matters more to you than shopping or town atmosphere
• you want easier access to the high passes
• the Sella group is a priority
• you are planning longer mountain days

Selva vs Ortisei

Choose Ortisei if:

• Seceda and the Alpe di Siusi are the priorities
• you prefer a larger pedestrian centre
• this is your first trip

Choose Selva if:

• you are a stronger hiker
• Gardena Pass and the Sella matter more
• you want to be deeper in the mountains

4. Dobbiaco

Best for: Lago di Braies, Tre Cime, public transport and an efficient eastern Dolomites base.

Dobbiaco, Toblach in German, is one of the most practical towns in the Dolomites. It lacks the glamour of Cortina or Ortisei, but the location is excellent. You are close to:

• Lago di Braies
• Tre Cime
• Lago di Dobbiaco
• Lago di Landro
• San Candido
• public transport across the 3 Zinnen region

That matters most if you travel without a car. Search all stays in Dobbiaco for hotels and apartments near the station.

Why choose Dobbiaco?

Choose Dobbiaco if:

• Braies and Tre Cime are your top priorities
• you want rail and bus connections
• you prefer a practical base to a luxury resort
• you want to combine lakes and hiking

Dobbiaco vs Cortina

Choose Dobbiaco for:

• Braies
• public transport
• South Tyrol
• simpler logistics

Choose Cortina for:

• restaurants
• shopping
• Cinque Torri
• Falzarego
• a resort atmosphere

5. Canazei

Best for: mountain passes, Val di Fassa and road trips.

Canazei sits near the top of Val di Fassa, surrounded by some of the main roads of the central Dolomites. It is well placed for:

• Passo Pordoi
• Passo Sella
• the Marmolada area
• the Sella Ronda
• Sassolungo
• high-altitude hiking

That makes it one of the best driving bases in the region. Browse all stays in Canazei on Booking.com.

Why choose Canazei?

Choose Canazei if:

• road trips are a big part of your holiday
• Passo Pordoi is a priority
• you want to explore the Sella group
• you are interested in cycling
• you are travelling from Verona or Lake Garda

Canazei also works well as a stop between the western and eastern Dolomites. If you are staying at Lake Garda for now, the Dolomites full-day tour from Lake Garda ($95, 4.7/5 from 784 reviews) is a coach day to Lake Soraga, the Pordoi Pass and Ortisei, which gives you a first look at this side of the range.

The drawback

Canazei is less convenient than Ortisei if Seceda is the main goal. It is also farther from Braies and Tre Cime than Cortina or Dobbiaco.

6. Corvara

Best for: Alta Badia, a central location and mountain-pass driving.

Corvara sits in Alta Badia beneath the Sella group. It is one of the best central bases if you want to drive or cycle the major passes. Nearby routes include:

• Passo Gardena
• Passo Campolongo
• Passo Valparola
• Passo Falzarego
• the Sella Ronda

Why choose Corvara?

Choose Corvara if:

• road trips matter
• you want a central mountain location
• you want easy access to Val Gardena and Arabba
• Alta Badia’s food and villages appeal to you

Corvara suits a trip where you want to head off in several directions without changing hotels every night. Search all stays in Corvara to compare options.

7. San Candido

Best for: a quieter eastern Dolomites stay and easy public transport.

San Candido, Innichen in German, is another strong South Tyrol base. It feels more like a traditional town than many small mountain resorts, and it has good transport links. It works well for:

• the 3 Zinnen region
• Dobbiaco
• cycling
• family trips
• car-free travel

Why choose San Candido?

Choose it if:

• you want the eastern Dolomites but prefer a quieter town
• public transport matters
• you are travelling as a family
• you want cafés and town life without Cortina prices

For Tre Cime and Braies, Dobbiaco is slightly closer, but San Candido can be the nicer place to spend the evening. Browse all stays in San Candido on Booking.com.

8. Moena

Best for: Val di Fassa with easier access from Verona and the south.

Moena sits at the lower end of Val di Fassa. It is a good compromise if you want:

• Val di Fassa
• easier access from Trento or Verona
• restaurants and a proper village
• day trips towards Carezza and Pordoi

Moena is farther from the highest passes than Canazei but easier for arrivals and departures. Compare all stays in Moena for your dates.

Moena vs Canazei

Choose Moena if:

• you want a pleasant village base
• you are arriving from Verona or Lake Garda
• you do not need to be right beneath Pordoi

Choose Canazei if:

• the high passes are the priority
• you are hiking or cycling every day
• you want Sella Ronda access

9. Santa Cristina

Best for: a quieter Val Gardena stay.

Santa Cristina sits between Ortisei and Selva, which makes it a good compromise. It is quieter than Ortisei and less high-alpine than Selva, and still well placed. You have access towards:

• Col Raiser
• Seceda
• Sassolungo
• Monte Pana

Why choose Santa Cristina?

Choose it if:

• you want Val Gardena without staying in the busiest village
• Col Raiser fits your hiking plans
• you want a central location between Ortisei and Selva

Santa Cristina can be a good base for repeat visitors. Search all stays in Santa Cristina on Booking.com.

10. Arabba

Best for: cyclists, road trips and high mountain access.

Arabba is small, but it sits between major passes and close to the Sella group. You are well placed for:

• Passo Pordoi
• Passo Campolongo
• the Marmolada
• the Sella Ronda

Why choose Arabba?

Choose Arabba if:

• you care more about mountain access than nightlife
• you are cycling
• you want to drive the major passes
• you prefer a small resort

It is a weaker choice if you want a lively pedestrian centre in the evening. Browse all stays in Arabba to see what is available.

11. Bressanone / Brixen

Best for: combining a historic town with Dolomites day trips.

Bressanone is not deep inside the Dolomites the way Cortina or Selva is, and that is why it can work. You get:

• a proper historic town
• restaurants
• rail connections
• easy access towards Val di Funes and the Plose
• easier onward travel through South Tyrol

Choose Bressanone if you want to combine mountain days with a town stay. Skip it if your priority is stepping straight from your hotel onto a famous high-altitude trail. Compare all stays in Bressanone on Booking.com.

12. Bolzano

Best for: arrival and departure nights and western Dolomites road trips.

Bolzano is one of the main gateways to the western Dolomites. It is useful for:

• rental cars
• train connections
• Lago di Carezza
• the Great Dolomites Road
• Val Gardena
• the Alpe di Siusi

It is a poor base for daily hiking if you want to spend every day high in the mountains.

When Bolzano makes sense

Stay here if:

• you arrive late
• you leave early
• you want a city plus mountains
• you are starting the Great Dolomites Road

For a dedicated Dolomites holiday, move higher into the valleys. For a first or last night, browse all stays in Bolzano.

Best towns for a first trip

On a first visit, narrow the list to four.

Cortina

The best first base for the eastern Dolomites.

Ortisei

The best first base for the western Dolomites.

Dobbiaco

The practical alternative for Tre Cime and Braies.

Canazei

The best first base for road trips through the central Dolomites.

Best town without a car

Our first choice is Ortisei, because it has:

• major lifts from town
• buses within Val Gardena
• a walkable centre
• access to Seceda
• access to the Alpe di Siusi

Dobbiaco is another strong option thanks to its rail and bus connections.

Best town for hiking

No single town wins. The strongest options are:

• Cortina
• Selva di Val Gardena
• Ortisei
• Canazei

Choose by the hikes you want. Our best hikes in the Dolomites guide lists the routes, and our guide to the best time to hike the Dolomites covers when each one is usually clear of snow.

Cortina

Best for Tre Cime, Sorapis and Cinque Torri.

Selva

Best for the Sella, Sassolungo and Val Gardena hiking.

Ortisei

Best for Seceda and lift-assisted walking.

Canazei

Best for Pordoi, the Sella and Val di Fassa.

Best town for road trips

Canazei and Corvara both sit close to several high passes. Cortina is also excellent for road trips in the eastern Dolomites. Our Dolomites driving guide covers the passes and their seasons.

Best town for families

Good choices include:

• Ortisei
• San Candido
• Dobbiaco
• Cortina

Ortisei is especially handy because the lifts take you up to easy high-altitude walks without a demanding climb.

Best town for restaurants and evenings

Choose:

• Cortina
• Ortisei
• Corvara

These give you the most choice once the hiking day ends. If you prefer quiet evenings, smaller villages such as Arabba or Santa Cristina may suit you better.

Best town for photography

Where you sleep matters less here than where you stand at sunrise.

Cortina

Excellent for:

• Passo Giau
• Misurina
• Cinque Torri
• Tre Cime

Ortisei

Excellent for:

• Seceda
• the Alpe di Siusi
• Val Gardena

Dobbiaco

Excellent for:

• Braies
• Tre Cime
• the eastern lakes

See our best Dolomites viewpoints guide.

Best towns in autumn

In October, the right base depends on which lifts are still running. Val Gardena usually keeps some major lifts running later than parts of the eastern Dolomites. In 2026 the Seceda lifts from Ortisei and the Ortisei–Alpe di Siusi gondola run until 2 November and Col Raiser until 1 November. In Cortina, the 5 Torri chairlift closed on 11 October and Lagazuoi is due to close on 18 October.

That makes these bases especially useful in October:

• Ortisei
• Santa Cristina
• Selva

Cortina stays a good road-trip base after its lifts close, because the town stays open and many of the scenic drives stay open until snow arrives.

See our Dolomites in October guide.

Best towns in summer

Summer gives you the widest choice. In June, check lift opening dates carefully, because several lifts only start in mid or late June. In July and August nearly every major base works well. The main issues become crowds and room prices, not access.

Which town is closest to Tre Cime?

Good bases include:

• Dobbiaco
• Misurina
• Cortina
• San Candido

Dobbiaco is the handiest for the seasonal shuttle bus to Rifugio Auronzo. Misurina is the closest of all; search all stays in Misurina if you want to be at the foot of the toll road. Auronzo di Cadore, lower down the valley, has a lake walk and usually lower prices than Cortina. Our Tre Cime di Lavaredo hike guide covers the shuttle and the toll road.

Which town is closest to Lago di Braies?

The most practical bases include:

• Dobbiaco
• Villabassa
• San Candido

Cortina also works but is farther away. Villabassa sits at the mouth of the Braies valley; browse all stays in Villabassa. Our Lago di Braies guide explains the summer access rules.

Which town is best for Seceda?

Ortisei. The Ortisei–Furnes–Seceda lift starts in town.

Which town is best for Alpe di Siusi?

Ortisei is excellent if you also want Val Gardena. Siusi and Castelrotto are better if the Alpe di Siusi itself is the main focus: compare all stays in Siusi and all stays in Castelrotto.

Which town is best for Passo Pordoi?

Canazei or Arabba. Canazei is larger and has more services. Arabba is smaller but sits right below the pass on the other side.

Which town is best for the Sella Ronda?

Strong bases include:

• Selva
• Corvara
• Arabba
• Canazei

All four sit around the Sella massif.

Cortina or Ortisei?

This is the most common first-trip decision.

Choose Cortina if:

• Tre Cime is your biggest priority
• you want Misurina
• you want Cinque Torri
• you are coming from Venice
• the eastern Dolomites appeal more

Choose Ortisei if:

• Seceda is your biggest priority
• you want the Alpe di Siusi
• you prefer cable cars and public transport
• you are coming from Bolzano or Verona
• the western Dolomites appeal more

With five days or more, stay in both.

Ortisei or Selva?

Choose Ortisei if:

• this is your first trip
• you want a lively centre
• Seceda matters
• the Alpe di Siusi matters

Choose Selva if:

• hiking matters more than town atmosphere
• Passo Gardena matters
• you want to be closer to the Sella

Cortina or Dobbiaco?

Choose Cortina if:

• you want restaurants and a resort atmosphere
• Cinque Torri and Falzarego matter
• you are arriving from Venice

Choose Dobbiaco if:

• Braies and Tre Cime matter most
• public transport matters
• you want simpler logistics

Canazei or Ortisei?

Choose Canazei for:

• Pordoi
• the Sella
• road trips
• cycling

Choose Ortisei for:

• Seceda
• the Alpe di Siusi
• car-free convenience

One base or two?

1 to 3 days

Use one base.

4 to 5 days

Two bases can make sense.

6 to 7 days

Two bases suit a first trip best. A strong combination is Cortina or Dobbiaco + Ortisei or Selva, which gives you east and west without constant hotel changes. Our Dolomites itinerary guide has day-by-day plans for each trip length.

A simple first-time base plan

3 days

Stay in Cortina if Tre Cime is the priority, or in Ortisei if Seceda is.

5 days

Three nights in Cortina and two in Ortisei, or the reverse.

7 days

Three nights in the eastern Dolomites and four in the western Dolomites. Use the spare day to work around the weather.

Common mistakes when choosing a base

Choosing by hotel price alone

A cheaper hotel can cost you hours of extra driving every day.

Staying in Bolzano for the whole trip

Bolzano is useful, but a poor fit if most of your sightseeing is deep in the mountains.

Trying to use Cortina for Seceda

You can do it, but you lose most of the day to the drive.

Trying to use Ortisei for Tre Cime

The same problem in reverse.

Changing hotels every night

The Dolomites are much easier with fewer bases.

Ignoring public transport

Some valleys, especially Val Gardena and eastern South Tyrol, work well without a car.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best town to stay in the Dolomites?

For a first trip to the eastern Dolomites, Cortina is one of the best. For the western Dolomites, Ortisei is one of the easiest choices.

What is the prettiest town?

That is personal, but Ortisei, Cortina and Corvara are among the most attractive bases with good services.

What is the best town for Tre Cime?

Dobbiaco and Cortina both work well.

What is the best town for Lago di Braies?

Dobbiaco is one of the most practical.

What is the best town for Seceda?

Ortisei.

What is the best town without a car?

Ortisei, because several important lifts and bus stops are close to the centre.

What is the best town for road trips?

Canazei and Corvara are excellent central bases.

Is Cortina worth staying in?

Yes, if you want the eastern Dolomites and a town with restaurants and services.

Is Ortisei worth staying in?

Yes. It is one of the easiest bases for Seceda and the Alpe di Siusi.

Should I stay in Cortina and Ortisei?

If you have five days or more and want both the eastern and western Dolomites, yes. It is one of the strongest combinations.

Do I need a car?

Not everywhere. Ortisei, Selva, Dobbiaco and San Candido can work well without one.

Final planning advice

Do not ask which Dolomites town is “best”. Ask which town puts you closest to the places you want to see.

• For Tre Cime, Misurina and Cinque Torri, stay around Cortina or Dobbiaco.
• For Seceda and the Alpe di Siusi, stay in Ortisei or elsewhere in Val Gardena.
• For Passo Pordoi, Passo Sella and road trips, choose Canazei, Corvara or Arabba.

On a first trip of five to seven days, one eastern base and one western base give you far more variety than commuting across the region. The right town saves you hours in the car, and in the Dolomites that means more time on the trail, at a mountain hut or simply standing somewhere worth stopping for. Check your dates against the lift calendar before you book, because opening and closing dates change every year.