7 Most beautiful places to visit in the Dolomites
- Jul 16
- 3 min read
The Dolomites are one of the most spectacular destinations in northern Italy, especially if you love hiking, breathtaking viewpoints, crystal-clear mountain lakes, and of course, delicious Italian food. It's no surprise that millions of visitors travel here every year. Since the Dolomites cover such a large area, we recommend spending at least one week here to explore the region's highlights at a relaxed pace.
Below you'll find our list of most beautiful places to visit in the Dolomites.
Lago di Braies
Lago di Braies (also known as Pragser Wildsee) is probably the most famous lake in the Dolomites—and for good reason. Surrounded by dramatic mountain peaks, this beautiful alpine lake is famous for its iconic wooden rowing boats. Visiting early in the morning is highly recommended, when the lake is calm and the crowds are still small.
Visiting the lake itself is free, although you'll need to pay for parking. The earlier you arrive, the better your chances of finding a parking spot close to the entrance.
Once you're there, you can rent a boat, take a refreshing swim during summer, or simply enjoy the easy walking trail that circles the lake.
Tre Cime di Lavaredo
The Tre Cime di Lavaredo hike is one of the most famous walks in the Dolomites. The circular trail is around 7 kilometres (4.3 miles) long and usually takes 2 to 3 hours, depending on how often you stop for photos, which will probably be quite often. The views of the three iconic peaks are absolutely spectacular.
At the trailhead, you'll find a cosy mountain hut where you can grab lunch or warm up with a cup of hot chocolate before or after your hike. It's worth arriving early here as well. The final stretch is a toll road, queues can build up during busy periods, and the parking area fills up quickly.
Cadini di Misurina
Cadini di Misurina is the perfect addition to your visit to Tre Cime di Lavaredo. Since both hikes start from the same parking area, you only have to pay the toll once. We recommend visiting the Cadini viewpoint first before starting the Tre Cime loop.
The walk is short and takes around 30 minutes. At the end, you'll be rewarded with one of the most spectacular viewpoints in the Dolomites, overlooking the dramatic jagged peaks of the Cadini mountain range. Definitely don't skip this one.
Lago di Carezza
Unlike Lago di Sorapis or Tre Cime, you don't have to hike to reach Lago di Carezza. The lake is located directly beside the road, with a parking area just across the street. Within a few minutes, you'll already be standing at the water's edge.
Although the lake itself isn't very large, it's incredibly picturesque. During summer, the combination of turquoise water, colourful wildflowers, and towering mountains makes it one of the most photogenic stops in the Dolomites.
Alpe di Siusi
Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm) is easily reached by cable car. Compared to many other parts of the Dolomites, this area is relatively flat, with several wide and well-maintained walking paths. That makes it ideal if you're looking for a more relaxed day outdoors rather than a challenging hike.
You can choose one of the longer walking routes or simply stroll around and enjoy the scenery. We walked to one of the area's famous viewpoints overlooking the alpine meadows with the Dolomite peaks rising in the background. There are also several mountain restaurants where you can enjoy lunch or a drink while taking in the views.
Seceda
The easiest way to reach Seceda is by taking the cable car from Ortisei. You can park your car near the lower cable car station and purchase a return ticket.
Once at the top, you'll find several hiking trails with incredible views of Seceda's dramatic rock formations, which almost seem to rise vertically from the landscape. When we visited, the morning started with low clouds covering the mountains, but thankfully the weather cleared up and the views were more than worth the wait.
Lago di Sorapis
Last but certainly not least: Lago di Sorapis is our favourite place in the Dolomites.
Reaching the lake requires a hike along Trail 215, a round trip of approximately 12 kilometres (7.5 miles).
The hike itself is already an adventure. You'll walk along narrow mountain paths carved into the cliffs, and if you're lucky, you might even spot deer along the way.
Once you arrive, you'll understand why this lake is so famous. Its bright turquoise, almost milky-blue water, surrounded by dramatic limestone peaks, creates one of the most breathtaking landscapes in the Dolomites. It's the perfect place for photography, relaxing by the shore, or simply soaking in the incredible scenery.
Swimming isn't recommended, though. Mountain lakes in the Dolomites are always cold because they're fed by melting snow and glaciers, but Lago di Sorapis is particularly freezing.
