Where to stay in the Dolomites: best Winter & Summer options

Deciding where to stay in the Dolomites is hands down the most important step when planning your trip.

It’s not as simple as it sounds. The Dolomites are huge and while places might look close on a map, they’re really not. Trust me, spending hours driving back and forth isn’t the kind of dreamy mountain escape you’re picturing.

I learned this the hard way when I stayed in a charming hotel an hour’s ski from the circuit I wanted to do. Those extra hours meant skipping lunch and trust me, hungry me is basically a stressed gremlin!

The Dolomites have been a part of my life since childhood: I learned to ski in Val Gardena (some of my favorite memories!) and now my boyfriend and I visit almost every year, so I am an expert on the best areas to stay.

Let’s find the perfect base for your trip!

Where to stay in the Dolomites: Map and Top Tips

For first-timers, I always recommend Val Gardena, Cortina d’Ampezzo and Alta Badia because they’re the most scenic spots in the Dolomites.

If you have 2 or 3 days, stick to one place. I highly recommend Val Gardena or Cortina, both are incredible in winter and summer alike.

If you have a week, go for two locations. While it’s technically possible to fit all three into a week, I recommend at least three nights per spot to truly enjoy them.

Don’t let the map fool you, these places are farther apart than they look. 

Example: driving from Val Gardena to Cortina takes about two hours without stops and if you’re anything like me, you’ll stop a million times for photos because, honestly, how could you not?? This place is unreal!

Plus, after a full day of hiking or skiing, the last thing I want to do is spend hours driving. If you’re the same, pick one place at a time and move on when you’re ready.

Best areas to stay in the Dolomites

Val Gardena

Val Gardena is, without a doubt, one of the best places to stay in the Dolomites. Nestled in the western Dolomites, this valley is a paradise for hiking in summer and a dream come true for skiers in winter. 

It’s my favorite destination (I’ve been coming here since I was a child) and believe me, you’ll be amazed by the amount of scenic places here and all my favorite things to do in the Dolomites are close by.

Stay here to visit:

• Seceda
• Alpe di Siusi
• Sassolungo and Sella Groups
• Puez-Odle Nature Park
• The iconic Sellaronda ski tour

While it’s an amazing destination, it can get crowded during peak seasons (July–August and January–March). For a quieter experience visit in June, September, October for hiking or December or late March for skiing. You’ll still get stunning views, but the crowds will be more manageable. 

Val Gardena is ideal for:

• Families
  The entire Val Gardena is super kid-friendly and packed with things to do all year, from easy hikes to easy slopes for learning to ski.
• Outdoor enthusiasts
  This is a hiking paradise in summer and snow sport heaven in winter. It’s my favorite destination for skiing!
• Relaxed travelers
  Plenty of cable cars and chairlifts for exploring higher altitudes (like Seceda) without strenuous hikes. Perfect for kids too.
• Car-free trips
  All the area is very well connected with frequent buses. If you’re staying in a hotel affiliated with the local tourist association, you’ll also get a Val Gardena Mobil Card, giving you unlimited free access to the buses.

Where to stay in Val Gardena

Selva di Val Gardena

Selva is my absolute favorite spot in Val Gardena. With its stunning views and alpine charm, it’s not just the best base for exploring the area but also one of the most beautiful towns in the entire Dolomites.

Alpine chalets, colorful houses with perfectly manicured lawns and flowers, glistening slopes, and cozy cafés perfect for warming up with a hot chocolate… it’s everything you imagine the Dolomites to be!

This place holds such a special spot in my heart! 

I used to come here as a kid with my family for skiing trips. It’s where I learned to ski and I remember loving every single moment… especially the heated swimming pools at the end of the day (I know, I know, spoiled kid 😂). But just imagine yourself relaxing at the spa after a day hiking or skiing, not bad right? 

If you’re visiting in winter, Selva is unbeatable. The chairlifts are right in town, so you can skip the hassle of driving after a long day on the slopes.

Santa Cristina

Looking for peace and quiet? Santa Cristina is the smallest and calmest of the three towns, and in my experience, it’s often more budget-friendly than Selva.

It’s perfect if you want a laid-back vibe after a day of hiking or skiing.

There are fewer restaurants and shops here, so I’d recommend booking a half-board hotel rate to simplify things (trust me, you’ll appreciate it after a long day outdoors).

One of the best perks of Santa Cristina is that it’s walking distance to the Col Raiser gondola, which takes you straight to the Puez-Odle Nature Park. From there, you can start your hike and reach Seceda avoiding the crowds taking the gondola that goes straight to the top from Ortisei.

Ortisei

Ortisei is a bigger town and is the liveliest of the three. This means it doesn’t have the cozy, mountain-chalet vibe that Selva or Santa Cristina offer. Since it’s bigger, it’s also much busier and in my opinion not as charming, but it has its advantages.

Ortisei has the best (and the most) restaurants and shops in Val Gardena, and it’s usually where you’ll find the most affordable accommodation options since it’s a larger town.

If you don’t have a car, it’s also super convenient during summer because the gondola to Seceda starts right there. 

Cortina d’Ampezzo

Cortina is one of the most famous towns in the Dolomites and probably one of the first places that comes to mind when you think about skiing in Italy. 

Some people think about it as Italy’s version of St. Moritz and I kind of agree, the vibe is similar. It’s a favorite among VIPs with exclusive resorts and an upscale feel.

Cortina isn’t a small tucked-away village filled with cozy wooden chalets. It’s a large and lively actual town, but still incredibly scenic. It’s completely surrounded by towering mountains that light up in orange-pink hues at sunrise and sunset. Honestly, it’s breathtaking.

There are plenty of hotels, restaurants and shopping opportunities, so there’s something here for every taste and budget. If you’re into shopping, it’s a good option.

Plus, it’s a town with serious sporting credentials and will host the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics! It’s not just great for skiing, though.

Stay here to visit:

• Tre Cime di Lavaredo
• Cadini di Misurina
• Lago di Sorapis
• Lago di Misurina
• Cinque Torri
• Lago di Braies (as a day trip)

Cortina is ideal for:

• Hikers
  With Cortina as your base, you will be able to choose from so many epic hikes like Tre Cime di Lavaredo and Cadini di Misurina.
• Travelers with a car
  Many trailheads and ski slopes aren’t accessible by public transport, so having your own vehicle is a must here from my experience. 
• Quick trips
  If your itinerary includes Venice and you don’t have much time, Cortina is just two hours away.

Where to stay in Cortina

Alta Badia

Alta Badia is where luxury meets wild nature: dense forests, peaks, charming chalets, and landscapes that honestly feel like they belong on another planet. It’s one of those places where you keep pinching yourself because it’s just that beautiful.

Winter here is something else entirely. Last time we saw deers and stags wandering through the snowy fields, it was absolutely magical. 

The main towns are Corvara, Colfosco, San Cassiano, La Villa, and Badia and have everything from wellness design hotels to high-end restaurants, but it’s not too touristy. 

Even the mountain huts serve gourmet food, a perfect reward after a hike or ski day.

Stay here to visit:

• Lake Pisciadù and Cima Pisciadù
• Rifugio Fanes
• Gran Cir
• Sass da Ciampac
• Skiing: with the Dolomiti Superski pass, you can ski for kilometers on end, thanks to the perfectly connected chairlifts, gondolas, and slopes. Alta Badia is also one of the best places to start the iconic Sellaronda skiing circuit.

Alta Badia is ideal for:

• Luxurious stays
  If you’re into boutique hotels and gourmet dining, this is your dream spot.
• A quieter Dolomites experience
  You’ll usually be able to hike, ski and cycle with smaller crowds than Cortina. 

Where to stay in Alta Badia

Where to stay in the Dolomites in Summer

Summer is the season for hiking and enjoying nature outdoors in the Dolomites. 

You really can’t go wrong with any of the destinations above. 

If it’s your first trip and you’ve got a week, I’d suggest visiting Val Gardena and Cortina d’Ampezzo. But if you’re short on time and only have a few days, focus on one spot.

In my opinion, the very best area for a first trip is Val Gardena. You’ll find incredible hikes to Seceda, Alpe di Siusi, and the Puez-Odle Nature Park. Plus, you’ll get to stay in a charming alpine town with traditional houses!

Where to stay in the Dolomites in Winter

If you’re heading to the Dolomites in winter, chances are you’re here to ski or snowboard and you’re right, it’s the best way to experience this magical place. 

But if skiing isn’t your thing, don’t worry. There are plenty of other ways to enjoy a winter trip to the Dolomites!

Where to stay in the dolomites for skiing

Here are the best destinations organized by expertise and type of travel (trust me, I’ve been to all of them).

For families and beginners

If you’re skiing with kids or just starting out, Selva di Val Gardena and Alpe di Siusi are perfect. 

Val Gardena is home to the largest ski area in the Dolomites, with over 181 km of slopes, and even more when you count the connections to nearby areas. 

It’s super beginner-friendly with easy wide trails and a laid-back vibe that’s perfect for beginners. I learned to ski here when I was a kid! 

For a luxurious ski experience

If you’re looking to spoil yourself a little (“treat yoself” cit.), Cortina d’Ampezzo and Alta Badia are the places to be:

• Cortina d’Ampezzo
  Think of it as the Italian St. Moritz: a chic, stylish, exclusive, expensive town. Great slopes, great food, great vibes. No surprise it hosted the first first Winter Olympics in Italy (1956) and next year will host the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. 
  Scroll up to the best hotels
• Alta Badia
  If you’re into gourmet food, amazing slopes and smaller towns with boutique hotels with spas, Alta Badia is your dream come true. It has 130 km of slopes but if you get bored, it’s actually connected to 500 km of ski slopes.
  Scroll up to the best hotels

For ski enthusiasts

If you’re up for a challenge, the Sellaronda is a must. 

This legendary 25-mile loop (16 miles on skis, the rest by lift) takes you around the stunning Sella massif and it’s the most panoramic ski route you’ll ever experience. 

It connects four valleys via the Sella, Gardena, Pordoi and Campolongo passes. The four ski resorts are Val Gardena, Arabba, Alta Badia and Val di Fassa. 

It’s hands down the best ski experience I’ve ever had and the perfect way to take in the Dolomites at their most spectacular.

Where to stay if you don’t ski

Not a skier? No problem, the Dolomites in winter are still magical, and there’s plenty to enjoy.

Val Gardena is an excellent choice for non-skiers. 

There are plenty of snowshoe trails to explore, and Alpe di Siusi is perfect for soaking up the stunning winter scenery. In Ortisei and Alpe di Siusi you’ll also find plenty of toboggan and sledding runs that are several kilometers long.

Cortina d’Ampezzo is another great option. It’s a beautiful town to wander through in winter, with opportunities for snowshoeing and sledding as well. Plus, the views here are nothing short of breathtaking. 

What about Autumn and Spring?

Autumn

Autumn in the Dolomites can be tricky. It’s a bit of a shoulder season, too warm for skiing (ski resorts are closed), but often too cold for hiking, and many mountain huts will be shut. That said, there are still some magical spots to enjoy.

If you’re visiting in late October, Val Gardena is your best bet. You can still explore the trails, though it might be chilly. 

Another favorite autumn destination of mine is Lago di Braies. The colors around the lake are absolutely stunning, and you could base yourself in Cortina to also visit Lago di Misurina and Tre Cime di Lavaredo and Cadini di Misurina. Just keep in mind that by mid October all mountain huts are shut.

Spring

Spring in the Dolomites is a bit of a wildcard. Honestly, it’s not my favorite season, and I tend to avoid it. 

The weather can swing wildly… it could be warm, or you could still have snow. These are high mountains after all and spring here isn’t like spring in southern Italy.

Most mountain huts don’t typically reopen until mid-June, hiking is tricky because of lingering snow at higher altitudes, and skiing is hit-or-miss (sometimes you can still ski in April, but not always).

If you’re planning an active holiday, spring isn’t the best time for the Dolomites. Wait for summer or early autumn for the best experience.

FAQs

So, where should you stay in the Dolomites?

It really depends on what you want to see and how long you’re staying, but I’d suggest narrowing it down to Val Gardena, Cortina or Alta Badia. 

If I had to pick just one, Val Gardena wins every time, no matter the season. It’s the perfect base for hiking, skiing and exploring cute alpine villages, which basically sums up the things you absolutely have do in the Dolomites in your first trip!

However, if your must-see list only includes the Tre Cime and Lago di Braies, Cortina is the better choice. 

For die-hard skiers Val Gardena is unbeatable, especially if you’re here to tackle the Sellaronda circuit (you totally should, it was the best skiing experience in my life!)

Whether you’re planning a quick getaway or a week-long adventure, choosing the right base can make or break your trip.

If you need some help deciding when to organize your trip or the best way to get there, check out my guides about the best months to visit the Dolomites and how to get to the Dolomites.

I hope this guide helped you plan the perfect stay and enjoy the Dolomites to the fullest!