Essential tips to plan your trip to the Dolomites

Planning a trip may be a stressful moment for some, but it doesn’t have to be! Before planning your trip to the Dolomites (Italy) we suggest checking some basic information and tips from people who have already been there – like us! To help make your trip easier, we have gathered here a list of 10 things you need to know before traveling to the Dolomites that will make it easier to plan things out.

1. In the Dolomites, most places have two different names

A great area of the Dolomites is located in a region that was part of the Austro-Hungarian empire until WWI when it officially became part of Italy. For this reason, until today, most places in the region of Alto Adige (in Italian) or South Tyrol (in German) have two different names, one in each language. Here are a few examples:

Tre Cime di Lavaredo – Drei Zinnen

Lago di Braies – Pragser Wildsee

Lago di Dobbiaco – Toblacher See

Since some websites adopt German names and others, the Italian version, this may be confusing when you are starting to plan your trip to the Dolomites. To make things easier, our suggestion is to write down both versions of the names of the main locations you are looking at visiting and have this paper at hand while researching.

Continue reading: Guide to Hiking the Tre Cime di Lavaredo Loop

2. If you want freedom, rent a car

While I am a great supporter of traveling by bus and train in big cities, renting a car is especially useful when visiting open areas such as the Dolomites. To be fair, there are quite some bus routes within this region (especially in the summer, during the high season). However, you will lose the opportunity to be spontaneous. We had the most fun while stopping on the road in unplanned locations to admire the view or even just by slowing down and taking a detour to escape the traffic.

In a nutshell: I could not recommend renting a car highly enough.

Do you need to rent a car for your trip?

We always use DiscoverCars to rent our car. So far it has proved to be not only the cheapest option but also the most reliable one. We used DiscoverCars to rent our car for our trips through Slovenia, Montenegro, Serbia, Italy, and so many other countries, and we never had any issues. We even convinced all of our friends and family to use it. So that’s why we are also recommending it to you!

Get a quote here

3. If you choose the bus, be flexible

If renting a car is out of your reach, then you can still count on the public system. During the low season, the only lines working are the ones that connect cities. The bus lines that go towards attractions, hiking points, or lakes have a high chance of being suspended during the low season since most huts, hikes, and cable cars are closed during this time.

However, if I am being fair, you can explore quite a lot by bus if you travel to the Dolomites during the summer. Having traveled extensively around Italy, I need to say that punctuality is not one of their main virtues. My recommendation is to check the timetables and be there on time, but have a flexible schedule.

4. Always check the forecast beforehand and don’t underestimate the weather

Most tourists visit the Dolomites to go hiking, climbing, or some other outdoor activity. If you have similar intentions, make sure to check the weather forecast and plan your days accordingly. There are many trails that get extremely slippery and dangerous if you happen to be there during a rainfall.

If the forecast shows rain on a couple of days and sun on the others, organize your schedule in such a way that you will be on the easier hikes during the worst days. If the weather is really bad, then I would even consider sitting this day out. Be responsible, guys!

5. Don’t underestimate the importance of a good hiking boot

Even if this is one of the most visited regions in Italy, there are many places that can still be quite wild and unspoiled. If your goal while traveling to the Dolomites is to go hiking and exploring, you will be walking on a variety of terrains. In some trails, you may need to cross small rivers and walk directly on rocks or sometimes sand. If you travel to the Dolomites in early June, you may still find snow along the way! Make sure you are prepared for whatever it comes and take your best hiking boots for this trip – even waterproof ones if you have them. You won’t regret it.

Hiking Gear recommendation

Check out our favorite hiking gear and essentials which we always bring with us.

Our Amazon Hiking list

6. Let’s be fair – traveling to the Dolomites is not a cheap trip

Hiking trips are usually quite inexpensive since the main attraction of your holidays is nature and it is free. However, this rule does not apply to the Dolomites. If you compare it to many other hiking locations in Europe, you will probably agree with me that there are many other cheaper places. But I don’t want to discourage any of you, there are still plenty of ways to make this a budget-friendly trip. Here are a few things to keep in mind if you want to travel to the Dolomites on a budget:

• Stay out of the bigger cities like Cortina d’Ampezzo. There are many small and local B&Bs with much better value for money.
• Buy snacks for the hikes on local markets and take them with you.
• Take the long road and hike to your desired location instead of taking a cable car.
• Avoid the tolls and ride along the local roads instead – you will probably have much better views!

7. Avoid the crowds – Visit places outside of rush hours!

Each place has its own rush hour – that one period of the day when it is simply crowded. For most of them, we can agree that it starts around 11h and lasts until around 15h. If you want to escape the turmoil and explore the area more comfortably, get out of bed early and head towards it first thing in the morning. For most of the hikes we did, the optimal starting time is between 7h30 and 8h30, but you can check our blog about the best Dolomites hikes for recommendations about each one.

8. If you are into photography, aim for sunrise & sunset

The Dolomites region attracts thousands of photographers and it is easy to see why. If you want to capture these astonishing views with no one around, then I recommend aiming for sunrise or sunset. If you go shooting at Lago di Braies at sunrise, for instance, you will probably have the lake all to yourself. 

But of course, you should study each location beforehand to see when you have the best light. Lago di Sorapis is an example of a location that is simply not worth it at sunrise. The lake is surrounded by such tall mountains that it does not show its true turquoise colors before the sun shines on the water, which only happens late in the morning, at around 10-11h.

9. Always have cash when going on hikes

If you are counting on having a refreshing drink on the hut during your hike, make sure to bring cash with you! Most huts are located in remote locations so they do not offer the possibility of paying by card. Be prepared and take some money.

10. Make sure to leave the trail in the same way you found it – or better!

One of the things that impressed us the most while traveling through the Dolomites was the cleanliness. All of the hikes were clean, the lakes didn’t have any trash and the surroundings were all neat. It was so impressive and admiring to see. Let’s make sure it stays that way – whatever paper, plastic, or any type of trash that you produce along the way, take it back with you and dispose of it accordingly.

Also, please respect the local rules and don’t go swimming in lakes that are not allowed. This whole region has a quite unique environment, which will only stay this way if we protect it. Having visitors swimming in the alkaline lakes is one of the worst forms of pollution. On a more positive note, there are quite some lakes where swimming is allowed and if this is something you want to do, don’t miss the chance to check them out!

Continue reading: Seceda: Hiking Options and Travel Guide

After knowing all this, I can assure you that you are very well prepared to fully plan your perfect Dolomites trip! Let us know in the comments if we forgot anything and we will add it to the list. Have a nice trip!

Fe & Edo

Check out some activities and day trips you can do in the Dolomites!