Where to Stay in the Dolomites: Best Hotels & Areas for Hiking and Skiing Holidays

Right in the heart of the mountains

Waking up in the Dolomites is its own kind of adventure.

Whichever way you look, steep mountain slopes rise from deep valleys – calm and dramatic all at once.

In our eyes, the Dolomites are as beautiful as mountains get.

That kind of beauty comes at a price, and it’s not exactly cheap to stay near some of the Dolomites’ most iconic spots – think Seceda, Lago di Braies, Cinque Torri and Tre Cime di Lavaredo in the northern Italian Alps.

That said, there are budget-friendly places to stay (especially if you travel outside high season), as well as plenty of stunning mountain resorts where both the temperature and the pampering are turned right up.

In this guide to where to stay in the Dolomites, we share our tips on the best hotels across different price ranges – whether you’re planning a hiking trip or a ski holiday.

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Hiking or skiing?

Most people visit the Dolomites either in summer for hiking or in winter for skiing.

We’ve only been to the Dolomites for hiking ourselves (between June and November), and we’ve put together a big guide to our favourite hikes and viewpoints – in all shapes, lengths and difficulty levels.

The ski season in the Dolomites usually runs from late November to early May, with snow more or less guaranteed from December through April.

Roughly half of the Dolomiti Superski area’s 1,246 kilometres (~ 774 miles) of pistes (!) are connected.

If your legs and ski skills are up for it, you can ski your way across a huge area without ever needing a lift or bus.

And yes – with 450 ski lifts in total, it’s actually quite hard to stay too far from good skiing anywhere in the Dolomites.

Here’s a map of the Dolomiti Superski area.

Where to stay in the Dolomites

If you’re planning to hike several different routes, it’s well worth thinking carefully about where to stay in the Dolomites.

Staying on the “outer edges” of the mountain range can mean long drives – sometimes up to two hours each way, just to reach certain trails or viewpoints.

The same goes if you’re hoping to explore multiple ski resorts and want access to a wide range of slopes.

That’s why we recommend taking a realistic look at which hikes or ski areas you actually want to reach, and then choosing your base accordingly.

It’s also worth considering a few nights in different towns if you want to see several parts of the Dolomites without spending too much time on transport. We’ve done that ourselves on many trips.

Some of the best places to stay in the Dolomites for both hiking and skiing include eastern Val Gardena (in the western part of the Dolomites), Corvara, Canazei, Cortina d’Ampezzo and Alleghe.

The best areas to stay in the Dolomites:

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• Eastern Val Gardena: The towns of Ortisei, Santa Cristina and Selva are ideally located for both summer and winter visits to Seceda and Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm). Selva is especially well-placed for skiing, with direct access to the slopes and lifts.
• Corvara: A super-central town in the Dolomites, great for both hiking and skiing. You get direct access to the Sella Ronda circuit, with 500 kilometres of interconnected ski slopes.
• Canazei: Another central spot when it comes to where to stay in the Dolomites, especially if you want to be close to the Sella, Sassolungo and Marmolada massifs.
• Cortina d’Ampezzo: The liveliest and most popular town in the Dolomites. It’s perfectly located for a wide range of hikes, cable cars and ski lifts. There’s a touch of exclusivity here, too – and the town is set to co-host the 2026 Winter Olympics with Milan.
• Alleghe: We stayed here on our last trip to the Dolomites. There’s a beautiful lake, good access to Civetta and the eastern part of the region + easy, mountain-free drives to a few supermarkets, which was a bonus.

Search for the best places to stay in the Dolomites here.

Map of the best areas to stay in the Dolomites

On the map below, we’ve marked the best places to stay in the Dolomites with green house icons, so you can see how they’re positioned in relation to the hikes and viewpoints featured in our comprehensive hiking guide.

Where to stay in the Dolomites in different seasons

When planning where to stay in the Dolomites, it’s important to consider how the season affects availability and price.

Choosing accommodation with the right facilities for the time of year can make a big difference.

In summer, air conditioning can be a bonus (though it’s not always guaranteed), and in winter, well-insulated rooms are much appreciated.

During the shoulder months, when the weather can be unpredictable, it’s useful to pick a place with extra amenities, so there’s something to do if the weather turns bad.

The best luxury hotels in the Dolomites

If your budget allows, we can only imagine how incredible it must be to stay in luxury in the Dolomites.

The hotels here perfectly combine modern comfort and style with breathtaking natural surroundings – they’ve truly nailed that balance.

When it comes to what’s possible, it’s often your wallet, not your imagination, that sets the limit.

Here’s our pick of the best luxury hotels in the Dolomites (ideal for both hiking and skiing holidays):

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• Grand Hotel Savoia Cortina d’Ampezzo, A Radisson Collection Hotel – One of the most spectacular 5-star hotels in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
• COMO Alpina Dolomites – Stay right in the middle of the Alpe di Siusi plateau (Seiser Alm), with hiking and skiing just steps from the door.
• Gardena Grödnerhof Hotel & Spa – Perfectly located in Ortisei, in the stunning Val Gardena valley.
• My Arbor – Plose Wellness Hotel – A “tree hotel” with unique architecture, offering a truly close-to-nature experience.
• Forestis Dolomites – It doesn’t get much more exclusive than this adults-only retreat in the Dolomites.
• Alpin Panorama Hotel Hubertus – A fabulous hotel that feels like it’s floating above the clouds in the Dolomite sky.
• Hotel Chalet Al Foss – Instagram-famous for its infinity pool (just a little west of the Dolomites).

The best value for money hotels in the Dolomites

The Dolomites offer a wide range of mid-range hotels where you can enjoy warm German-Italian hospitality.

Prices vary a lot depending on the season, so it’s wise to book early since the best (and most affordable) hotels often get snapped up well in advance.

Here’s our pick of the best value-for-money hotels in the Dolomites (ideal for both hiking and skiing holidays):

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• Castel Hörtenberg – Who hasn’t dreamed of staying in a Renaissance castle in Italy?
• Residence Antares – Apartments of various sizes with an indoor pool and children’s play area. Perfectly located for hiking and skiing in Selva di Val Gardena.
• Linder Cycling Hotel – Modern, stylish rooms with a spa and pool, as well as excellent reviews in Selva di Val Gardena. Ideal for everyone, especially cycling enthusiasts who come for racing or mountain biking in the Dolomites.
• Smart Hotel Saslong – Great value for money in Santa Cristina, Val Gardena.
• Romantik Hotel Santer – 4-star hotel near Dobbiaco with a pool. Best for skiing if you have a car.
• Hotel Sorapiss – 3-star hotel on Lake Misurina, close to the ever-popular Tre Cime di Lavaredo and Lago di Sorapis.

The best budget hotels in the Dolomites

Finding proper budget accommodation in the Dolomites isn’t always easy.

Sometimes you’ll need to be willing to stay a little outside the main hubs if you want a comfortable double room for half the price.

Travelling outside the high seasons (July and August as well as December through March) also helps a lot.

Here’s our pick of the best budget hotels in the Dolomites (ideal for both hiking and skiing holidays):

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• Hotel Serena – Budget-friendly options in Cortina d’Ampezzo are hard to come by, but this one is a solid choice.
• Garnì Astor – Simple double rooms at a family-run B&B in Alleghe, priced on the lower end.
• Albergo La Montanina – 3-star hotel in classic alpine style with a spa, located in Caprile near Alleghe.
• X Alp Hotel – Great value between Lago di Carezza and Canazei. A practical base if you’re looking for where to stay in the Dolomites without breaking the bank.
• Garni Sunela B&B – A touch above budget level, but excellent reviews and a prime location in Selva di Val Gardena make it a strong contender.
• B&B Hotel Passo Tre Croci Cortina – Nice, well-priced and ideally placed at the start of the hike to Lago di Sorapis (one of the Dolomites’ most beautiful lakes).

Where to stay in the Dolomites with children

Many hotels and rifugios (mountain huts) offer family rooms and children’s menus, and children are generally well received in the Dolomites.

Since the area is quite large, it’s often practical to stay somewhere with easy access and short travel times to the places you want to visit.

In our comprehensive guide to travelling to the Dolomites with children, you can read more about activities and things to do as a family in the mountains.

Below, we focus on some of the most family-friendly areas and hotels in the Dolomites.

You can also search for the best family-friendly hotels in the Dolomites here (adlink).

Val Gardena (Gröden) – Ortisei, Selva and Santa Cristina

Val Gardena is one of our favourite valleys in the Dolomites, and it’s a great choice for families who want to combine nature, hiking and the convenience of restaurants and shops.

It’s easy to reach from the motorway and gives access to several unique mountain areas and scenic mountain passes.

Search for the best family-friendly hotels in Val Gardena here (adlink).

Family-friendly hotels in Val Gardena:

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• Hotel Albion Mountain Spa Resort (Ortisei): Very family-friendly hotel with large outdoor playground, children’s activities, spacious family rooms, and a shuttle bus to the centre of Ortisei.
• Hotel Garni Villa Park (Ortisei): Spacious family rooms and apartments with kitchenettes, centrally located within walking distance of lifts and ski school. Includes free entry to Mar Dolomit water park, which has children’s pools and a slide.
• Biancaneve Family Hotel (Selva): Child-friendly hotel with indoor and outdoor pools, mini club, play areas and easy access to the slopes and walking trails. Offers activity programmes and excellent facilities for families with young children.

Cortina d’Ampezzo

Cortina is the largest town within the Dolomites and has a sophisticated, lively atmosphere throughout the year – ideal for families with slightly older children who want to mix hiking, café visits and trips to sights like Tre Cime and Lago di Sorapis.

Though a bit more off the main highways, the town is surrounded by some of the most dramatic scenery the Dolomites have to offer.

Search for the best family-friendly hotels in Cortina d’Ampezzo here (adlink).

Family-friendly hotels in Cortina d’Ampezzo:

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• Rosapetra SPA Resort: Exclusive boutique hotel just outside the town, offering 33 rooms, a spa with sauna, ice bath and pool. A great choice for families with older children seeking luxury, tranquillity and easy access to both the town and nature. Shuttle bus to the centre is included.
• Faloria Mountain Spa Resort: Elegant 5-star family hotel with indoor and outdoor pools, a spa and spacious rooms. Perfect for families with younger children, with a kids’ club, playground and child-friendly meals. Babysitting and ski school are available during the winter season.

Alta Pusteria (Hochpustertal) – Sesto, San Candido, Dobbiaco

Alta Pusteria is a long, wide valley in the northern Dolomites with excellent infrastructure and easy access by car and train.

Here, charming and child-friendly towns like Sesto, San Candido and Dobbiaco sit close together, surrounded by stunning natural scenery.

The valley is perfect for families seeking a peaceful stay while remaining close to famous spots like Tre Cime and Lago di Braies – with plenty of easy hikes, playgrounds and family-friendly hotels within reach.

Search for the best family-friendly hotels in Alta Pusteria here (adlink).

Family-friendly hotels in Alta Pusteria:

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• Hotel Cavallino Bianco – Weisses Rössl (San Candido): Large and fun-filled family hotel right in the heart of charming San Candido, with a pool, cinema, bowling alley, kids’ club and several playrooms. Great for children of all ages – and for parents looking for a bit of grown-up time too.
• Post Alpina – Family Mountain Chalets (Versciaco): A chalet resort with apartments, indoor pool, mini club and playground. Just a short walk from the Versciaco – Monte Elmo gondola, offering easy access to the 3 Zinnen ski area and hiking trails in both summer and winter.
• Rainer Family Resort (Moos): With a playground, climbing wall, indoor water slide and more, the list of child-friendly activities here is extensive. Family rooms are, of course, available – including soundproofed options for extra peace and quiet.

Family-friendly hotels in the rest of the Dolomites

Here’s a small selection of some extra family-friendly hotels across the Dolomites.

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• Parc Hotel Tyrol (Kastelruth): Family-friendly and down-to-earth, with a trampoline, table tennis, pool, and onsite dining. It’s within walking distance to buses and lifts heading to the always beautiful and very child-friendly Alpe di Siusi.
• Family & Wellness Hotel Fontana (Vigo di Fassa): Relaxed and very child-friendly hotel with a kids’ club, indoor pool (with water slide), spa and good food – all included in the price. There’s also a climbing wall, a children’s area, and daily buffets for all ages.
• Hotel Störes – Active Wellbeing (San Cassiano): Quiet and family-oriented, featuring a large garden, playground, and climbing wall. Just steps from the Piz Sorega lift, which provides easy access to the Möviment Bear Park – a high-alpine play area with a bear den, zipline, water games, climbing, and other fun activities.

How to get around the Dolomites

The Dolomites are in northern Italy and are easiest to reach by car – either your own or a rental.

If we’re not driving our own car, we usually compare car rental prices on DiscoverCars (adlink), where the prices shown include all mandatory fees, taxes and basic cover, so there are no surprises at pickup.

The largest airports near the Dolomites are:

• Innsbruck in Austria (1.5 hours)
• Venice (2 hours)
• Milano (3 hours)

You can use our adlink to find the best flight offers on Momondo.

In some cases, you can also fly to Bolzano/Bozen (adlink), which, together with Trento/Trient and Merano/Meran, are the largest towns in Italy’s northernmost part.

These three towns lie just west of the core Dolomite area. Within the Dolomites themselves, towns tend to be smaller and often separated by winding mountain roads.

Here, Cortina d’Ampezzo (adlink) is the biggest town within the Dolomites and has the widest range of places to stay.

If you’re not renting a car, it’s possible to travel by bus from, for example, Bolzano to Cortina d’Ampezzo and continue from there by local buses to various trailheads or ski lifts.

When to visit the Dolomites

The Dolomites are a classic seasonal destination, and the time of year plays a big part in shaping your holiday.

The best period for activities like hiking, cycling and climbing is usually from June to September.

During these months, the cable cars run, the mountain passes are open, and both nature and weather tend to be at their best.

July and August are high season, with more tourists and higher prices, but the villages are lively and almost everything is open – from restaurants to mountain huts and lifts.

Mid-June or September can be ideal if you prefer a quieter atmosphere but still want access to most facilities.

Outside the high season, the weather can be less stable, and snow in the higher areas is not unusual, even in May or as early as October.

Many cable cars and attractions close during these months, which can make it harder to reach some of the most popular spots, such as Seceda, Alpe di Siusi and Cinque Torri.

In winter (usually November to April), the Dolomites offer excellent skiing and opportunities for snowshoeing.

Read our guide on when to visit the Dolomites for more details.

How long to stay in the Dolomites

How long to spend in the Dolomites is a tough question – but our answer is simple: as long as possible!

We’ve visited five times (so far) and spent anywhere from 3 to 10 days on each trip.

If it’s your first time, we’d recommend staying at least 4-5 days – ideally a full week.

That gives you time to go on a few hikes, visit some of the famous viewpoints and settle into the slower pace of the mountains.

With a week or more, you can take on longer hikes or space out your plans a bit, so you’re not cramming everything into one day.

It also makes more sense to stay in different areas, giving you the chance to reach several of the best viewpoints and hikes, which are quite spread out.

If you only have a few days, it’s still worth going, but we’d suggest picking one area and focusing on what’s close by, so you don’t spend too much time on transport.

Our best tips for the Dolomites

• Think about the season. Spring and autumn are quieter and often more colourful, while summer brings open mountain huts, stable weather, more people and traffic restrictions. In winter, many places are snow-covered, so you’ll need the right gear.
• Allow plenty of time for travel. Even 20 kilometres (~ 12 miles) between towns can take around an hour due to winding mountain roads and hairpin bends.
• Overtake with extreme caution. Steep, narrow roads mean passing other vehicles is risky – only do so when absolutely safe.
• Use cable cars to save energy. They help you skip many metres of climbing on hikes. Just double-check they’re open for the season before you go.
• The sun rises late and sets early. Because of the high mountains, daylight hours feel shorter than the “official times”.
• Bring a good camera. The Dolomites are stunning! Here is a guide to the gear we use.
• Be prepared for changing weather. Conditions can shift quickly and be very unreliable in the mountains. It often rains in the afternoon, but you never know in the Dolomites, so always check the forecast before setting off.
• Dress in layers. That way, you’ll be ready for both sunshine and wind.
• Wear comfortable footwear. Sneakers or hiking shoes with a good grip are ideal.
• Walking poles aren’t essential, but handy if you already have them.
• Bring food, drinks and snacks on hikes. It makes it easier to enjoy breaks with a view and on many hiking routes, and at mountain huts, you’ll also find places to refill your water.
• Don’t forget sun protection. Sunscreen and a hat are useful, especially in summer. The sun can be intense at higher altitudes.
• Pack a torch or headlamp. It’s handy if you’re planning to watch the sunset from the summit and walk down in the dark.
• Remember to bring cash. Some refuges and parking areas don’t accept cards.

Check out all of our best tips for the Dolomites in this comprehensive guide.

The best hikes and viewpoints in the Dolomites

We’ve put together a detailed guide based on our hiking adventures in the Dolomites, featuring photos and information on 18 of the best routes and viewpoints.

Trying to visit them all in one trip will keep you busy – but hey, why not give it a go?

Sustainable travel tips

To travel as sustainably as possible, we recommend the following:

• Bring your own drinking water in a refillable bottle.
• Avoid disposable plastics.
• Dispose of waste properly and don’t leave anything behind.
• Take only photos and leave only footprints. Avoid picking flowers or taking anything from nature with you.
• Stick to the marked paths.
• Show consideration towards other visitors.
• Respect the local wildlife.

Thank you for reading along

Thank you for reading our travel guide to where to stay in the Dolomites. We hope it’s helped you find the perfect place for your trip.

Which area caught your eye? Or if you’ve already visited, where did you stay last time? We’d love to hear about your experiences.

And if you haven’t been yet, feel free to ask us anything in the comments below. We’re happy to help.