Easy Dolomites road trip itinerary for 3-7 days

The Italian Dolomites (Dolomiten in German) make an ideal Italian winter getaway. 

A region more beautiful beneath a dusting of snow, there are plenty of things to do in the Dolomites. 

In this post, I’ll be sharing all the places we visited on our 3-day Dolomites road trip itinerary.

The itinerary can also be extended to 7 days in the Dolomites should you prefer to space it out. It all depends on the type of activities you plan to do and how long you spend in each place.  

Use this guide to personalize your own Dolomites itinerary and to plan your own Italy trip.

One of the best places in Italy to visit, visiting the Dolomites is perfect Italy bucket list material. 

Where are the Dolomites? 

The Dolomites are a mountain range in northeastern Italy.  

They’re famous for their unique rock formations, which are primarily composed of a type of carbonate rock called dolomite. 

It's a destination that's ideal for spending winter in Italy or a cool European summer vacation.

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How to get to the Dolomites 

How to get to the Dolomites all depends on your starting point.  

For us living in the north of Italy the journey is a straightforward one. Our drive to the Dolomites can range from 2 to 3 hours, depending on which part we’re visiting. 

For many international passengers, the journey usually begins at Verona Airport (Aeroporto Valerio Catullo). It’s one of many international airports in Italy and the closest for visiting the Dolomites. 

Hiring a car 

From here, there are several options for traveling to the Dolomites. One is to rent a car. I’d advise doing this in advance as much as possible, especially if you plan to visit the Dolomites in winter.  

It's a busy time of year and you’ll be lining up alongside Italian visitors and other international travelers. 

However, it’s possible to customize a Dolomites itinerary without a car. It requires a little more planning and a lot more patience but it’s doable. 

Traveling by train 

Traveling by train in Italy is one of the easiest ways to get to the Dolomites from Verona. This choice may be cumbersome for travelers arriving with skiing gear but it’s ideal for those traveling without. 

Trains frequently run from Verona Porta Nuova station to Bolzano-Bozen, with a journey time of around 1hr 28mins. 

From Bolzano, regional trains and buses will take you to some of the best places to see in the Dolomites. Some of these places will also make an ideal Dolomites day trip. They include: 

• Ortisei 
• Cortina d’Ampezzo 
• Castelrotto 
• Corvara in Badia 

Can you visit the Dolomites without a car? 

While it’s possible to visit the Dolomites without a car, having one makes touring the Dolomites more convenient. 

Take the following example.  

The drive from Bolzano to Lake Carezza is a smooth and straightforward 35 minutes. By bus from Bolzano, you’re looking at a journey time of around 1hr, which doesn’t factor in stops or traffic.  

Dolomites tours 

Another alternative option for visiting the Dolomites without a car is to book a Dolomites tour. Wholly convenient and led by an experienced guide, tours of the Dolomites remove the stress of planning it yourself.  

Some tours I’d personally book include: 

The Dolomites tour from Lake Garda 

The Dolomites tour from Lake Garda (approximately 11-hours) includes a visit to towns like Moena, Ortisei and many more. It also includes visiting the Pordoi pass, from which you can enjoy aerial views over Catinaccio, Marmolada and Sella. 

The Dolomites day trip from Venice 

This Dolomites day trip from Venice full-day tour (approximately 9-10 hours) will take you around the best of the region. Enjoy visits to Cortina d’Ampezzo (see Cortina d'Ampezzo travel guide), Lake Misurina and many, many more. 

The best of the Dolomites in a day tour

See some of the most beautiful places in the region by joining this best of the Dolomites tour from Bolzano (approximately 10 hours).

An ideal tour for visitors that want to see the most of the Dolomites in 1 day, it highlights the best of the western and eastern Dolomites. 

Best Dolomites road trip itinerary for 3-7 days 

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Bolzano (Bozen) 

The capoluogo of South Tyrol, Bolzano is a great starting point for any Dolomites road trip itinerary.  

There are plenty of things to do in Bolzano, most of which you can do in 1 day. Explore Bolzano’s colorful town center, visit Piazza Walther, pass by its cathedral and discover the 5,300-year-old mummy. 

Bolzano also makes an ideal place for exploring other places in and around the Dolomites. The public transport connections are good, as are the roads and highways that lead to other places of interest. 

There’s no particular order in which to see the following places. Choose which of these towns and destinations you most want to add to your Dolomites road trip itinerary. 

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Bressanone and Vipiteno (Brixen/Sterzing) 

Bressanone and Vipiteno are two small towns in South Tyrol situated north of Bolzano.  

Bressanone’s town center is bigger than Vipiteno’s, many of its attractions which you can easily see in 1 day. Stroll the cobblestone streets, enter its magnificent Duomo and eat traditional Tyrolese food at one of Bressanone’s many excellent eateries. 

On to Vipiteno 

Vipiteno’s town center consists of one main street, Città Nuova (New City). It eventually leads to the ‘older’ part of Vipiteno, which is called Via Città Vecchia (By Old City). Città Nuova is a photogenic street lined with colorful Alpine-style buildings.  

Halfway between the old and new parts is the Tower of the Twelve (Torre delle Dodici/Zwölferturm).  
A striking granite clock tower, Torre delle Dodici is known for its unique facade and for the midday bells.

A town so small, but so charming to see in person, it’s worth adding to your Dolomites road trip itinerary. 

For reference, we spent a night at Hotel Restaurant Lilie in Vipiteno. Its location is right on Città Nuova and the rooms are large, cozy and rustic. 

See 'where to stay in the Dolomites' for more town and hotel recommendations according to your travel type. 

Hotel Restaurant Lilie, Città Nuova, 49 

Suggested length of stay (to see both towns): 1 day and night 

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Dolomites road map itinerary

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Castelrotto (Kastelruth) 

The gateway to the Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm), Castelrotto is popular among skiers, hikers and outdoor travelers. 

But Castelrotto is more than just a destination for outdoorsy types.  

Explore the delightful town center to view the traditional Tyrolean architecture and the Campanile di Castelrotto. Belonging to the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, the baroque bell tower stands at around 262ft (80m).  

Campanile di Castelrotto, Via Platten, 10A 

We spent the night in Castelrotto at Hotel Zum Turm. With a central location in Castelrotto, the town center was 2 minutes away on foot. 

Hotel Zum Turm, Viale Kofel, 8 

Suggested length of stay in Castelrotto: 1 day 

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Ortisei (St. Ulrich) 

Ortisei (Urtijëi in Ladin) is one of the most visited towns in the Dolomites. Its location in the Val Gardena valley makes Ortisei popular among skiers and snowboarders in the winter. 

For non-skiers and hikers, Ortisei has plenty of things to do to fill up a day. Visit the town center to see the unique architecture, indulge in homemade cake and coffee or relax in a spa. 

We didn’t spend the night in Ortisei, but the center has plenty of hotels to choose from. Several include: 

• ADLER Spa Resort Dolomiti, Strada Rezia, 7, 39046 Ortisei BZ 
• Classic Hotel am Stetteneck, Strada Rezia, 14   
• Hotel Maria, Strada Rezia, 49 
• B&B Villa Angelino, Via Petlin, 12 

Suggested length of stay in Ortisei: 1 day (for non-skiers/hikers)/2+ for skiers and outdoor travelers 

Selva di Val Gardena (Wolkenstein) 

Selva di Val Gardena is another small charming alpine village in the Dolomites.  

Known for its mountain scenery, outdoor activities and traditional Tyrolean architecture, consider adding Selva to your Dolomites road trip itinerary. 

Selva typically attracts Dolomites walkers, hikers and skiers. Sassolungo and Sassopiatto are two prominent mountain peaks and the trails around Selva provide uninterrupted views of the Dolomites. 

Some of my favorite non-skiing/hiking activities include watching the scenery from the car or on foot and dining at Villa Frainela. A down-to-earth eatery offering a selection of homemade cakes and light meals, it’s a delicious way to pass the time. 

Villa Frainela, Streda Dantercëpies, 66 

Suggested length of stay in Selva di Val Gardena: 0.5 days (for non-skiers/hikers)/2+ for skiers and outdoor travelers 

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Corvara in Badia (Kurfar) 

A short 36-minute drive from Selva is the ski-lovers town of Corvara in Badia. A skiers’ paradise, ski slopes weave throughout the town center adding a unique feature to Corvara. 

The town’s equally pretty for simply walking around and enjoying the mountain views. Its location in the Dolomites makes Corvara in Badia unmissable for any Dolomites road trip itinerary.  

Come to ski, walk, eat or have a spa day; the choices are endless. 

Suggested length of stay in Corvara in Badia: 0.5 days (for non-skiers)/2+ for skiers 

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Dobbiaco (Toblach) 

Situated at the entrance to the picturesque Val di Landro area is the small town of Dobbiaco. The town attracts plenty of visitors for its cross-country skiing, boasting over 200km (124mi) of ski tracks.

Because of this, Dobbiaco is best known for its cross-country ski competitions.  

For those of us who don’t ski, Dobbiaco is still worth visiting. Almost a hidden gem in the Dolomites, its town center perfectly blends the traditional with the modern. Come Christmastime, a small Christmas market, complete with stalls and live music, brings the festive spirit to Dobbiaco. 

Don’t miss its lake

During our visit, Lake Dobbiaco (Lago di Dobbiaco/Toblacher See) was completely frozen over.

Personally, I enjoyed seeing it in its frosty state, surrounded by snow-covered trees and basking in a bluey dusky glow. 

We spent the night in Dobbiaco at Hotel Stauder. Warm and welcoming, we enjoyed the Alpine-style room, mountain views and the short 5-minute walk to the town’s center. 

Hotel Stauder, Via Kurze Wand, 16 

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Lake Braies (Pragser Wildsee) 

Lake Braies (Lago di Braies/Pragser Wildsee) is one of the most visited —and most beautiful — lakes in the Dolomites.  

A short 20-minute drive from Dobbiaco, it’s an unmissable place to add to your Dolomites road trip itinerary. 

Surrounded by the backdrop of the Dolomite valleys with pine forests, Lake Braies is mesmerizing come winter or summer. Walk or hike the trails surrounding Lake Braies, visit the lake’s chapel or enjoy the views by boat (seasonal). 

Suggested length of stay in Lake Braies: 0.5 days 

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San Candido (Innichen) 

San Candido has so many features that make it one of the best towns to visit in the Dolomites.  

They include a charming town center filled with colorful Alpine-style architecture, a historic church and the Rocca dei Baranci mountains. 

San Candido tends to appeal to many winter sports enthusiasts given the many resorts that are close by. 

For everyone else, San Candido has plenty of other non-outdoorsy things to do.  

Visit San Candido’s churches, see the most important museum in the Dolomites, DoloMythos and eat at a traditional gasthof. Ristorante Wiesthaler serves delicious Tyrolese dishes in a warm and rustic historic setting. 

Ristorante Wiesthaler, Via Duca Tassilo, 3 
DoloMythos, Via Peter Paul Rainer, 11 

Suggested length of stay in San Candido: 0.5 days (for non-skiers)/2+ for skiers 

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Lake Carezza (Karersee) 

End your Dolomites road trip itinerary with a visit to another of the most beautiful places in South Tyrol.  
Situated in the Val d’Ega valley near the village of Carezza is the lake of the same name. 

Lake Carezza (Lago di Carezza/Karersee) stands at approximately 4,987ft (1,520m) above sea level. In the backdrop are dense forests and clear views of the towering peaks of the Dolomites. 

Stroll around the lake and take in the mountain views or hike one of the several trails. An ideal destination for nature seekers, the emerald green hues of Lake Carezza are something you won’t easily forget. 

What do you think of this easy Dolomites road trip itinerary? Which of the places would you most like to visit? Let me know in the comments below. 

*information correct at the time of publishing

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