10 Must-See Places in the Dolomites
In this guide to the 10 must-see places in the Dolomites, we share what we consider to be the 10 places you shouldn’t miss on your itinerary.
The Dolomites are a group of mountain ranges in northeastern Italy and form part of the Italian Alps. It is an incredibly popular area, which honestly doesn’t surprise us, as the landscapes here are truly spectacular. So much so that UNESCO recognized the Dolomites as a World Heritage Site in 2009.
But what makes the Dolomites so special? This is a place where small villages sit beneath dramatic rocky mountains, alpine lakes and tiny chapels. We lived in the Swiss Alps and even we were genuinely amazed by the landscapes of the Dolomites. One of the things we love most about this area is the orange-pink color the mountains take on, thanks to the type of limestone and magnesium-rich rock found here.
Another interesting fact about this part of the Dolomites is that, especially in South Tyrol, you’ll hear German spoken alongside Italian. In some valleys, Ladin is also widely spoken, giving the region an even more distinctive cultural identity.
Now that we have a little context, let’s get into our 10 must-see places in the Dolomites.
1. Alpe di Siusi and St. Valentin Church
Any list of must-see places in the Dolomites has to start with Alpe di Siusi. It is without a doubt one of the most iconic and visited places in the Dolomites. It is the largest alpine plateau in Europe, a true paradise of green meadows in summer and snowy landscapes in winter. There are several easy hiking trails with little elevation gain and incredible views over the valley and nearby villages.
You can reach Alpe di Siusi from the villages of Siusi and Ortisei, with cable cars available from both. If you’re traveling with your own vehicle, you can also drive up before 9 a.m. or after 5 p.m. Since June 2026, however, you need to reserve one of the Alpe di Siusi parking areas online in advance, even if you arrive after 5 p.m. We recommend checking the official access rules before your visit, especially during the busiest months.
We also want to mention a little extra nearby, in the village of Siusi. The picturesque St. Valentin Church is a beautiful historic spot with its distinctive bell tower adding even more charm to the surrounding alpine scenery.
2. Seceda
Another must-see place in the Dolomites is Seceda, one of those places that leaves you speechless. Its dramatic rocky ridges rise above the surrounding landscape, and from the top you get incredible views with the Dolomites stretching out in front of you. It is a fantastic place for hiking and photography, with trails that take you close to some of the area’s most iconic peaks. Many of these trails are suitable for most travelers, making Seceda a great opportunity to enjoy high mountain scenery without needing much previous hiking experience.
If you’re planning to include this iconic place in your itinerary and want to know how to get there and which trails to hike, you can check out our guide to the Seceda viewpoint hike: complete guide updated for 2026.
3. Lago di Carezza
Lago di Carezza, or Karersee in German, is a beautiful little gem in the Dolomites. It is slightly farther away from many of the area’s other popular sights, but if you can fit it into your trip, we don’t think you’ll be disappointed. Its turquoise waters reflect the impressive mountains surrounding the lake. The most popular thing to do here is simply walk around the shore. The walk is short and easy, making it a great option for the whole family.
Check out its location here.
4. Lago di Braies
Lago di Braies, or Pragser Wildsee in German, looks almost like something from a postcard or an AI-generated illustration, with its turquoise waters surrounded by mountains. It is a great place for a peaceful walk along the shore or for relaxing in one of its iconic wooden rowboats. This lake reminded us a lot of the famous lakes in the Canadian Rockies, especially Moraine Lake, which also has these little boats.
The only downside for us is that, as one of the most popular places in the Dolomites, you’ll be sharing it with plenty of other travelers. At times, that can make this otherwise idyllic landscape feel a little less peaceful.
Even so, Lago di Braies is definitely one of the places you shouldn’t miss in the Dolomites. One way to avoid some of the crowds is to arrive later in the afternoon. That’s what we did, and we were able to enjoy the scenery with a little more peace and quiet. Visiting early in the morning is another good option.
During the summer season, access to the valley by car is regulated. In 2026, between July 1 and September 15, vehicle access between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. requires an online parking reservation or a valid transit permit. Before 9 a.m. and after 4 p.m. you can enter without a reservation, although parking availability is not guaranteed. Because these rules can change from year to year, we recommend checking the official information before your visit.
5. Tre Cime di Lavaredo
Our favorite: Tre Cime di Lavaredo. It is one of the most famous landscapes in the Dolomites, with its three enormous peaks rising above the surrounding scenery. It is a perfect destination for hikers and photographers, with very accessible trails that let you see these rock formations up close. The views from every angle are spectacular, and hiking here is an experience we won’t forget.
For us, these were the best views of our entire trip, which makes Tre Cime a true Dolomites must-see even if you’re only visiting the area for a couple of days.
If you’re planning to visit and want to know more about how to get there, where to park or which route we recommend, check out our post Tre Cime di Lavaredo hike: the best hike in the Dolomites.
6. Cadini di Misurina
Cadini di Misurina is one of those viewpoints that takes your breath away, and for us it is another must-see place in the Dolomites. From here, you get incredible views of the sharp Cadini peaks and a completely different perspective of the area.
The trail to this viewpoint starts from the same parking area used for Tre Cime. Many people visit Tre Cime without knowing about this slightly more hidden viewpoint. It is a fairly short hike, taking less than two hours to reach the viewpoint and return to Rifugio Auronzo. We decided to do it on the same day, and it was the perfect combination for enjoying both spectacular landscapes.
We definitely recommend including it if you can. You can find more information in the Cadini di Misurina viewpoint hike section of our Tre Cime di Lavaredo guide.
7. Val di Funes and Santa Maddalena Church
Val di Funes offers one of those landscapes that comes to mind when you picture the Dolomites: small villages, green meadows and impressive mountains rising in the background. This is also where you’ll find the charming Santa Maddalena Church. It is a wonderful place to enjoy beautiful views, hike through the surrounding countryside and capture that classic Dolomites postcard. If you’re looking for somewhere peaceful and scenic, Val di Funes is definitely worth visiting.
The panoramic hike through the area is very easy and includes sections across meadows and forests typical of the lower parts of the Alps. We did this hike with our cat Bio and really enjoyed it. You can find more information in our Val di Funes guide, coming soon.
8. Gardena Pass
Gardena Pass is one of the most spectacular mountain passes in the Dolomites, connecting the valleys of Val Gardena and Val Badia. The drive itself is incredible, taking you between huge mountains and giving you views that you would normally expect to find only at the end of a difficult hike. It is a fantastic place both for driving and hiking, with plenty of opportunities to stop and admire the scenery. If you want to experience the dramatic landscapes of the Dolomites up close, Gardena Pass is another must-see.
9. Cinque Torri
Cinque Torri is a unique rock formation in the Dolomites, with five impressive towers rising into the sky. It is a paradise for hikers and climbers, with trails that allow you to walk between these enormous stone towers. Alongside the natural scenery, the area is also home to preserved First World War trenches, adding an interesting historical element to the landscape. If you’re looking for a combination of nature, adventure and a little history, Cinque Torri is a fantastic place to visit.
Check out its location here.
10. Ortisei
We finish our list of 10 must-see places in the Dolomites with Ortisei, a picturesque village in the heart of Val Gardena. With its colorful Tyrolean houses and welcoming atmosphere, it is an ideal base for exploring the surrounding Dolomites. You’ll find plenty of shops, restaurants and accommodation here, as well as easy access to local culture. Ortisei is also connected to numerous hiking trails and ski slopes, making it a great destination throughout the year. If you’re looking for a charming town with a relaxed atmosphere, Ortisei is definitely worth visiting.
We used it as our base for visiting Seceda, Alpe di Siusi and Val di Funes.
Other Amazing Places to Visit in the Dolomites
Here are a few extra recommendations that are also worth adding to your trip:
- Cortina d’Ampezzo: like Ortisei, this is one of the best-known towns in the Dolomites. It makes a great base if you’re planning to visit places such as Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Cadini di Misurina and Lago Sorapis.
- Lago Sorapis: an alpine lake with beautiful light blue water. Some travel blogs even call it the Lake Louise of Europe. You can reach it on a hike of around three hours. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to visit because a storm rolled in and we ended up changing our plans and visiting Innsbruck instead. It is definitely on our list for the next time we’re in the area!
- Lago di Misurina: a large lake sitting right below the mountains around Tre Cime di Lavaredo. We were lucky enough to camp nearby and enjoy the views from almost the front row. Unfortunately, it was very foggy while we were there, so we didn’t get to see the lake in all its glory.
- Rifugio Odle – Geisleralm: another one of the classic Dolomites views. We had to leave it out of our trip because we ran out of time, but it is somewhere we definitely want to visit when we return to the area.
That’s everything! We hope this guide has given you a better idea of what to see in the Dolomites and helps you plan your trip without missing any of these incredible places.
See you on the road!
