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These best things to do in the Dolomites are perfect for travellers seeking breathtaking alpine beauty, outdoor adventure, and cultural charm. Nestled in northern Italy, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a haven for nature lovers and history enthusiasts alike. From panoramic hikes and serene lakes to quaint mountain villages and scenic cable car rides, the Dolomites promise an unforgettable journey. Whether you’re exploring sun-drenched trails in summer or snow-dusted peaks in winter, each experience offers a fresh perspective. These must-do activities will help you make the most of your time in this spectacular mountain paradise.
10 Amazing Things To Do In The Dolomites
Savour the finest of this tranquil mountain haven with these 10 best things to do in the Dolomites.
1. Row And Stroll Around The Dreamy Waters Of Lago Di Braies
Photo: Alessandro.Spinello / Wikimedia Commons
Glide over emerald waters that are crystal pure and surrounded by striking Dolomite peaks. Rowing on Lago di Braies is one of the best things to do in the Dolomites for all tourists. Explore the 4.5 km lakeside loop to encounter peaceful benches and hidden viewpoints. In summer, rowboats dot the surface, ideal for a dreamy sunrise session. Learn about wartime stories; the lake served as a transit point during WWII.
Location: Alta Pusteria, South Tyrol
Best Restaurants To Visit: Ristorante Lago di Braies
Best Hotels To Stay: Hotel Pragser Wildsee
2. Trek Around Tre Cime Di Lavaredo On The Famous Loop
Photo: Wolfgang Moroder / Wikimedia Commons
This 10 km circuit begins with a steady climb to Forcella Lavaredo, where the three peaks loom large. Continue to Rifugio Locatelli for a terrace‑side snack beneath jagged summits. Off the main trail, you may see two alpine tarns (Laghi dei Piani). Rich in history, wildlife sightings are common: marmots and birds flit along scree slopes. WWII bunkers punctuate the route, some visible near Locatelli. Ideal hiking time runs from early June to mid‑September.
Location: Sexten Dolomites
Nearest Railway: Tobbiaco/Dobbiaco station
Best Restaurants To Visit: Rifugio Locatelli
Best Hotels To Stay: Grand Hotel Misurina
3. Ride The Cable Car To The Breathtaking Seceda Ridgeline
Photo: Wolfgang Moroder / Wikimedia Commons
Board the two‑stage cable car from Ortisei to reach 2,500 m in minutes. From the summit, panoramic views span from the Marmolada to the Großglockner. These vistas are one of the best things to see in the Dolomites. Trek across warm alpine meadows that are frequently awash in vibrant wildflowers. Paragliding and e‑biking tours launch here in summer. In winter, the ridgeline transforms into a ski paradise with groomed slopes. Experience contrasts between rugged limestone and soft valley forests.
Location: Val Gardena
Nearest Railway: Bolzano station
Best Restaurants To Visit: Jimmi Hütte
Best Hotels To Stay: Parkhotel Holzner
4. Scale The Famous Via Ferrata Regarding Monte Cristallo, Ivano Dibona
Photo: Pavel Špindler / Wikimedia Commons
Tackle one of the Dolomites’ most historic ferratas, stretching 5 km with 1,250 m of ascent. Traverse iron ladders a narrow ridges, and exposed ledges. The 27‑m Cristallo suspension bridge sparks adrenaline—and has starred in Cliffhanger. Remnants of WW1 trenches and bunkers line the path. The panorama includes the Cortina and Cadore valleys.
Location: Near Cortina d’Ampezzo
Best Restaurants To Visit: Rifugio Dibona
Best Hotels To Stay: Miramonti Boutique Hotel
5. Soar Through The Sky On Europe’s Longest Zipline In San Vigilio
Photo: Funk Design / Shutterstock
Zoom down a 3 km cable from 1,600 m, thrilling at speeds near 80 km/h. Suspended over forested slopes, the ride ends in a heart‑rate‑raising rush. Ideal for those craving heights with scenic payoff. Operators frequently combine other trail activities with the zipline. Suitable for most ages with an adventurous spirit. Expect photo passes at mid‑zip for keepsake moments.
Location: San Vigilio di Marebbe, Trentino‑Alto Adige
Best Restaurants To Visit: Ristorante Pizzeria Maso Runch
Best Hotels To Stay: Hotel Kronplatzblick
6. Paragliding Over The Dolomites
Photo: Tesla Delacroix / Wikimedia Commons
Adventure lovers wondering what to do in the Dolomites, Italy, can consider paragliding as an amazing activity. Take a tandem paragliding trip across rocky cliffs and lush valleys as you leap off mountain slopes. Flights range from 20 to 40 minutes, giving ample aerial views. Expect breathtaking panoramas of Marmolada and Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park. Most flights land near a cosy alpine hut for hot drinks.
Location: Multiple peaks (e.g., Cortina, Val di Funes)
Best Hotels To Stay: Hotel de Len
7. Explore WWI Tunnels And Views At Lagazuoi Mountain Museum
Photo: Johann Jaritz / Wikimedia Commons
Step into restored WW1 galleries carved into rock faces. Wander trenches, shell‑rooms and machine‑gun posts with history in every stone. The network includes the daring 1 km Martini tunnel, which exploded in 1917. A cable car whisks you 650 m uphill in minutes. Guided tours add narrative to the visit. Walk the Frontline Trail for sharp ridgeline vistas. In winter, adventurous skiers can ski through historic sites.
Location: Falzarego Pass, near Cortina
Best Restaurants To Visit: Rifugio Lagazuoi
Best Hotels To Stay: Hotel de Len
8. Cycle The Legendary Sella Ronda Mountain Biking Circuit
Photo: Maratona dles Dolomites Committee Photographer / Wikimedia Commons
Embark on a 58 km loop threading through four scenic mountain passes. Expect rocky mountain terrain and occasional scree. Trail signs guide riders around the Sella massif. For wholesome mountain snacks and water, pause at alpine lodges. Suitable for intermediate to advanced riders. The lift operational season runs from summer to early autumn. Savour wide valley views and sheer drop-offs, especially above Gardena Pass.
Location: Sella massif (Val Gardena, Alta Badia)
Best Restaurants To Visit: Malga Sanon
Best Hotels To Stay: Hotel Cavallino Bianco
9. Go White-Water Rafting Through The Dolomites’ Rugged Valleys
Photo: 09Alessandra / Wikimedia Commons
Savour rapids surrounded by riverbanks lined with pines and limestone canyons. Family-friendly grades and heart-pounding Class III–IV stretches are among the run alternatives. Guided trips include safety equipment and a briefing. Water levels vary seasonally, peak rafting energy after snowmelt. Expect 1–3 hour adventures combining excitement and landscape serenity.
Location: Rivers around Val di Fiemme & Brenta
Best Restaurants To Visit: Ristorante La Stua
Best Hotels To Stay: Pimont Alpine Chalet
10. Discover Mountain Culture At The Messner Museum On Monte Rite
Photo: kallerna / Wikimedia Commons
A restored World War I fort houses this museum, which examines Dolomite geology, culture, and alpine pioneers. The 360° panorama from 2,181 m overlooks peaks such as Civetta and Marmolada. Inside, exhibits range from Romantic-era paintings to mountaineering artefacts. The fort’s layered history—Austro-Hungarian, partisan refuge—adds narrative depth. Modern glass-and-steel lanterns contrast with historic walls. The museum invites reflection on humanity’s bond with mountains.
Location: Monte Rite, near Passo Giau
Nearest Railway: Cortina link via Calalzo
Best Restaurants To Visit: Rifugio Fedare
Best Hotels To Stay: Agriturismo Colfreddo
From breathtaking hikes and historic climbs to adrenaline-fuelled adventures and serene lakeside moments, these things to do in Dolomites offer something memorable for every traveller. Whether you’re soaring above rugged peaks or exploring war-era tunnels, each experience unveils the region’s natural beauty and cultural depth. These activities to do in the Dolomites promise not just stunning views, but stories etched into every mountain path and alpine valley. Plan your trip with TripXL to discover this alpine wonderland.
Cover Photo: David Millett / Wikimedia Commons
