Last updated on November 12th, 2024.
Cortina d’Ampezzo isn’t a name that everyone will instantly recognize (not counting regular visitors and fans of the Winter Olympics).
Known for its striking scenery, ski resorts and outdoor activities, Cortina d’Ampezzo attracts its fair share of adventure seekers.
However, Cortina d’Ampezzo is more than just its outdoor activities. A location that also appeals to non-sporty visitors there’s plenty to satisfy everyone’s travel style.
In this Cortina d’Ampezzo travel guide, I’ll be sharing everything you need to know about visiting the alpine town.
A detailed resource for first-time visitors, it’ll include the best things to do in Cortina d’Ampezzo and much, much more.
The complete and essential guide to visiting Cortina d’Ampezzo, use this guide to plan your trip to Italy.
Cortina d’Ampezzo travel guide
Where is Cortina d’Ampezzo?
Cortina d’Ampezzo is located in northern Italy in the province of Belluno. Both are part of the wider region of Veneto.
The town’s located about 100mi (160km) north of Venice and around 30mi (48.8km) to the Austrian border.
Situated within the Dolomites mountain range, Cortina is known for its dramatic peaks and fairytale-like valleys. With an elevation of approximately 4,016ft (1,224m), it’s one of the best places in the Dolomites to capture incredible panoramic views.
Where are the Dolomites?
The Dolomites (Dolomiti) is a mountain range located in northeastern Italy.
A UNESCO World Heritage site, it’s spread across several Italian regions, including Veneto, Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol and Friuli Venezia Giulia.
Cortina d’Ampezzo is positioned in the Veneto part of the Dolomites. Given its location in the Belluno province the area is commonly referred to as ‘Dolomiti Bellunesi’.
The mountain range here is characterized by unique pale-colored limestone formations with jagged peaks that ascend above the green valleys.
Covering over 1,400sq kms, the Dolomites typically attracts visitors for its outdoor activities. Hiking, biking, trekking, climbing, skiing and other outdoor activities draw in masses of people each year.
What is the nearest airport to Cortina d’Ampezzo?
There are several airports close to Cortina d’Ampezzo but these are smaller ports that don’t cater to international flights.
Instead, the closest international Italian airports are Venezia Marco Polo (2 hours’ drive) and Verona Valerio Catullo (3 hours’ drive).
Skip to ‘how to get to Cortina d’Ampezzo’ for more details on the different transport modes.
Best things to do in Cortina d’Ampezzo
Given its mountainous location, the Cortina d’Ampezzo region mainly attracts visitors for its outdoor activities.
Because of this, many of the best things to do in Cortina d’Ampezzo revolve around some type of sport.
Hit the slopes
Winter sports like skiing and snowboarding dominate the slopes come the chilly season.
One of Italy’s top skiing destinations, they’re some of the best things to do in Cortina d’Ampezzo in winter. With over 75mi (120km) of slopes, Cortina welcomes all levels whether you’re a beginner or an advanced skier.
Ski Area Tofana (Socrepes) is Cortina’s main ski resort. Around the area are services like Rifugio
Socrepes and Baita Piè Tofana (restaurants) as well as bike rentals.
Nearby are the mountain regions of Lagazuoi and Faloria. Both mountain ranges also have ski areas along with cable cars and services.
A short drive from Cortina is the town of Misurina. Primarily known for its fantastical lake, Misurina is also home to a large skiing area.
How to get to the ski areas in Cortina
There are several ways to get to Cortina’s ski areas. They include:
- car – the main ski lifts are well signposted and have designated parking areas
- cable Car – cable cars like Faloria S.p.A., Tofana and Lagazuoi offer easy access to the ski slopes directly from the town. Make a note of each of their locations:
- Faloria S.p.A., Via Ria de Zeto, 10
- Funivia/Cable car Tofana – Freccia nel Cielo, Via dello Stadio, 12
- Funivia Lagazuoi, Passo Falzarego
Other things to do in Cortina d’Ampezzo in winter
Bookmark this Cortina d’Ampezzo travel guide for outdoor activities that go beyond skiing and snowboarding.
Cross-country skiing
Explore the snowy landscapes via its vast cross-country ski trails that span over 44mi (70km) of terrain.
Snowshoeing and ice climbing
Don a pair of snowshoes to trek the peaceful snowy surroundings or try your hand at climbing frozen waterfalls.
Ride the cable cars
For something slightly less adventurous, but still worthwhile, enjoy a ride on one of the cable cars. Jump on board a cable car to Tofana di Mezzo or Lagazuoi for panoramic views of the Dolomites.
The cable car to Tofana di Mezzo takes you 10,643ft (3,244m) above ground level. One of the highest peaks in the Dolomites, it’s an unbeatable viewing point.
What to do in Cortina d’Ampezzo in summer
Clear skies and warm (but not roasting) temperatures attract a wider range of travelers in Cortina d’Ampezzo in summer. From outdoorsy types and nature lovers to families seeking cool respite from the summer heat, Cortina makes an ideal vacation.
Some of the top things to do in Cortina d’Ampezzo in summer include:
Hiking
hike to Tre Cime di Lavaredo – a three peak mountain range with hiking trails and forts from World War I. Beginners might prefer booking a private guided hike to Tre Cime di Lavaredo to be led by a knowledgeable guide.
Other places to hike in Cortina d’Ampezzo include:
- Cinque Torri – a rock formation of five distinctive peaks also popular for skiing and climbing
- Sorapis Lake (Lago di Sorapis) – a mesmerizing turquoise lake
- Tofana di Rozes – one for experienced hikers that takes you to one of the highest peaks of Tofana.
Climbing
Climb the hiking trails along Via Ferrata. Join a Via Ferrata experience and discover the trail with suspension bridges and ladders that provide panoramic views over the Dolomites.
Mountain biking
Indulge in some of the most striking panoramas of the Dolomites by biking around Passo Giau. The mountain pass situated approximately 32 minutes by car from Cortina combines unbeatable views with outdoor activity. It makes it one of the best places to visit around Cortina.
Map of Cortina d’Ampezzo
Non-sporty things to do in Cortina d’Ampezzo
No Cortina d’Ampezzo travel guide would be complete without including non-sporty things to do in the area.
A subject I’m well versed in, there’s plenty to see and do that doesn’t involve skis or hiking boots.
Shopping
Cortina d’Ampezzo is a shopping mecca — a luxury shopping mecca.
Independent boutiques sit alongside high-end designer shops on the main shopping street, Corso Italia. Expensive brand names are the norm as are very well-dressed people.
There are some affordable shops, like Italian chain store, OVS, but these are a rarity. Prices here tend to be on the higher side even for basic products like toothpaste.
Because of this, be sure to bring basic essentials if planning on staying in Cortina d’Ampezzo. I cover this topic, and much more, in my tips on visiting the Dolomites.
Explore Cortina’s town center
A good starting point for any Cortina d’Ampezzo travel guide is to explore its town center.
A photogenic center brimming with shops, cafes, cobbled streets and rows of colorful flowers it’s one that doesn’t disappoint.
Alongside Corso Italia, take a wander outside the main center. On the other side of Via Cesare Battisti (street) is an Olympics ring display that leads to an incredible mountain view.
Cortina d’Ampezzo has a long association with the Winter Olympics. Having hosted the games in 1956 it’ll be hosting them once again, with Milan, in 2026.
Relax by the lakes
The lakes in this region are probably my favorite section to write about in this Cortina d’Ampezzo travel guide.
While some lakes are easy to reach others require a bit more work.
Starting from those closest to Cortina d’Ampezzo, fill up a day’s itinerary by visiting the region’s most spectacular lakes.
- Scin Lake (Lago Scin) (9 mins drive)
- Ghedina Lakes (Laghi Ghedina) (15 mins drive)
- Sorapis Lake (Lago Sorapis) (24 mins drive)
- Lake Misurina (Lago di Misurina) (24 mins drive)
- Limides Lake (Lago Limides) (30 mins drive)
- Lagazuoi Lake (Lago Lagazuoi) (1hr 37mins drive)
Travel to surrounding towns
The beauty of being in this region in the Dolomites is the number of surrounding small towns to visit.
Needless to say, it’s much easier to explore neighboring towns with a car. It can be tricky getting around without one especially as not all areas have local bus services.
Because of this, consider hiring a car for your trip.
Which towns to visit
As someone who enjoys visiting lesser-known towns, it was vital that I added some to this Cortina d’Ampezzo travel guide.
While some that we visited ticked the ‘passing through’ box, others were worth further exploration.
Add some of these towns to your itinerary for Cortina, arranged from towns closest to those further away.
- San Vito di Cadore (13 mins drive)
- Borca di Cadore (19 mins drive)
- Vodo di Cadore (21 mins drive)
- Pieve di Cadore (38 mins drive) (birthplace of famous painter Titian)
- Dobbiaco (40 mins drive)
- Auronzo di Cadore (45 mins drive) (home to Lago di Auronzo)
Visit museums and galleries
For a town its size, Cortina d’Ampezzo has an impressive number of museums and art galleries.
An ideal way to learn more about the town and region, add one of these places to your Cortina itinerary.
- Farsettiarte Cortina, Piazza Roma, 10 (art gallery)
- Paleontology Museum (Museo Paleontologico “Rinaldo Zardini”), Via Marangoi, 1
- Ethnography Museum (Museo Etnografico Regole d’Ampezzo), Via Marangoi, 1
- Museum of Modern Art (Museo d’Arte Moderna “Mario Rimoldi” – Ciasa de Ra Regoles), Corso Italia, 69
- Dolom.it Museum (Museo Dolom.it), Via Majon di Sopra, 100
- Regole d’Ampezzo, Via Don Pietro Frenademez, 1
- Lagazuoi Gallery (Galleria Lagazuoi) (open-air museum in the mountains) Passo Falzarego
- Forte Tre Sassi (open-air museum in the mountains), SP 24 del Passo Valparola
Things to do in Cortina with kids
Cortina and the Dolomites may not seem like a first-choice destination to travel with kids. But the region is extremely accommodating to parents with babies and young kids. On top of that, it’s also a great way to get older kids to get out and enjoy the outdoors.
Speaking from personal experience, we visited Cortina when my baby was 2 months old. While she was too young to experience anything, my husband and I had no problems traveling around with her.
Should you plan to visit Cortina d’Ampezzo with kids, here are some activities to try out with them.
Skate at the Olympic Ice Stadium
Visiting the Olympic Ice Stadium is one of the top things to do in Cortina d’Ampezzo with kids in winter.
The stadium (Stadio Olimpico del Ghiaccio) first hosted the Winter Olympics in 1956. Today, it’s open to the public to use its ice-skating rink. Along with a children’s playground, there’s a solarium as well as skating instructors on site.
How to get to the Olympic Ice Stadium in Cortina — Cortina d’Ampezzo travel guide
Accessible by foot, the stadium’s about a 10-minute walk from the center of Cortina.
At the end of Corso Italia, head north and take a right onto Via del Castello. Continue for around 500m until you reach a roundabout. Cross over to Via Alberto Bonacossa and keep walking until you see the stadium ahead.
Alternatively, there’s also a city bus that goes directly from Cortina’s center to the stadium. Bus no. 030 travels directly from bus stop ‘Bivio via Grohmann’ to ‘Cortina Stadio Autostazione’. It’s around a 6-minute journey.
Play at an outdoor park
Just 6 minutes by car from Cortina’s town center is M’Over Family Park. It’s an ideal place if looking for things to do in Cortina d’Ampezzo in summer with kids. Along with swings, slides and other outdoor playsets it also has bike ramps.
M’Over Family Park, Località Verocai, 109
Go on a family-friendly hike
Take the kids on an adventurous family-friendly hike, like this one to the Fanes Waterfalls.
Suitable for all ages and skill levels, the tour includes passing behind a waterfall with a professional alpine guide.
Where to stay in Cortina d’Ampezzo
Make a note of some of the following hotels in this Cortina d’Ampezzo travel guide. It has hotels to suit different budget and traveler types.
Best Cortina d’Ampezzo Hotels
- Grand Hotel Savoia Cortina d’Ampezzo – gorgeous rooms decked out in a modern alpine style and mountain views await at this 5-star hotel.
- Faloria Mountain Spa Resort – relax in this striking resort focused on wellness surrounded by tranquil scenery.
- Ambra Cortina Luxury & Fashion Boutique Hotel – a boutique hotel located in Cortina’s center, known for its elegant decor and colorful cocktail bar.
- Hotel Trieste – a traditional mountain-style 3-star hotel within walking distance of the city center and Olympic Stadium.
- Albergo La Montanina – a budget-friendly, yet popular, option for staying close to Cortina d’Ampezzo.
- Rifugio Nuvolau – a mountain hut located at 8,445ft (2,575m) atop Mount Nuvolau.
A ‘rifugio’ is a common accommodation type (and restaurant) around the Dolomites and mountainous areas across Italy.
How to get to Rifugio Nuvolau
Popular among hikers and climbers Rifugio Nuvolau offers some of the best views of the Dolomites. It’s worth noting that there are only shared rooms and bathrooms at the refuge and booking is advance is essential.
Rifugio Nuvolau is only accessible by foot and the starting point to reach the refuge is usually Passo Giau. This takes approximately 34 minutes by car from Cortina. From here, it’s around a 1.5-hour hike to get to Rifugio Nuvolau but this depends on your pace.
Another option is to take the cable car from Bai de Dones (Cabinovia Son dei Prade – Bai de Dones). This takes you to 5 Torri in around 15 minutes. From here, it’s around a 1 hour hike to the refuge.
Rifugio Nuvolau is generally open during the summer months from June to September. Check the website for the most up-to-date information.
How to get to Cortina d’Ampezzo
Cortina is easily accessible via different transport modes. This Cortina d’Ampezzo travel guide will outline the many ways to reach this alpine town.
From Venice to Cortina
There are several options to take if traveling from Venice to Cortina d’Ampezzo.
By car
The drive from Venice to Cortina takes approximately 2hrs and 10 mins following the A27 highway and SS51 road. Renting a car isn’t just convenient but it also allows the freedom to see other places.
By bus
Cortina Express is a bus service that connects Cortina d’Ampezzo to larger cities like Venice and Treviso. An efficient service that runs regularly, Cortina Express is ideal for travelers visiting the Dolomites without a car.
The direct bus service from Venice to Cortina on the Cortina Express takes about 2.5 hours.
A budget-friendly way of visiting the Dolomites, ticket prices start from €15 ($17/£13)* for a one-way trip.
Tickets can be booked in advance on the Cortina Express website.
By train
Cortina d’Ampezzo doesn’t have a direct train station but it’s possible to reach the town via train and bus.
From Venice, take a train from Venezia Mestre to Calalzo di Cadore. This is the nearest train station that’s about 22mi (35km) from Cortina. From here, catch a bus from Calalzo to Cortina: From Calalzo, buses run regularly to Cortina and take about 1 hour.
From Verona to Cortina
The following details the different ways on how to get from Verona to Cortina.
By car
The journey from Verona to Cortina by car is much longer (around 3 hours) than if departing from Venice. It involves taking a series of roads and highways, including the SR11, E70, A27 and SS51.
By bus or train
As from Venice, there’s no direct train that’ll take you from Verona to Cortina. Instead, take a Cortina Express bus or a train from Venezia Mestre to Calalzo di Cadore. Follow the same instructions as detailed above.
An alternative bus route from Verona is to book with Flixbus. Flixbus 411 travels directly from Verona to Cortina with a journey time of approximately 4 hours.
How to visit Cortina and the Dolomites without a car
Though traveling to Cortina and around the Dolomites by car is the most convenient option, there are other alternatives.
Joining a tour removes the need to book a car. A carefree way to visit Cortina and the Dolomites, take a look at some of these handpicked options.
- From Venice: Cortina & Dolomites small group full day tour
- From Venice: private Dolomites day trip
- From Venice: Dolomites, Lake Misurina and Cortina
- From Venice: Dolomites and Lake Braies day trip
- From Cortina d’Ampezzo: complete Dolomiti tour
- From Cortina d’Ampezzo: heart of the Dolomites
- From Lake Garda: full-day Dolomites tour
- From Milan: 4-day Dolomites tour
When is the best time to visit Cortina d’Ampezzo?
There’s no straightforward answer for when is the best time to visit Cortina d’Ampezzo. When you want to visit wholly depends on your personal interests.
December to March generally has the best conditions for skiing, snowboarding and other winter sports. Average daytime temperatures in winter in Cortina d’Ampezzo range from 23°F to 41°F (-5°C to 5°C).
Spring (April to June) in Cortina d’Ampezzo can experience average temperatures ranging from 41°F to 59°F (5°C to 15°C). It’s ideal for hiking and exploring before the summer crowds, and higher temperatures, arrive.
Summer (July to September) in Cortina d’Ampezzo is peak season for outdoor enthusiasts. Long days and warm weather are the norm but not to the degree of the higher numbers experienced further south. Average daily temperatures in Cortina d’Ampezzo in summer can range from 59°F to 77°F (15°C to 25°C).
Fall (October to November) in Cortina d’Ampezzo is still a great time to get outdoors. Temperatures are cooler but there’s still a chance of experiencing sunny days. Average daily temperatures can range from 41°F to 59°F (5°C to 15°C).
What are your thoughts on this Cortina d’Ampezzo travel guide? Does it look like a town and region you’d like to visit? Let me know in the comments below.
*information correct at time of publishing
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that I’ve recommended. Thank you for your support.
Like this post? Pin it!
You Might Also Like
- Easy Dolomites road trip itinerary
- 8 best places to visit in the Dolomites in winter
- Things to do in Bolzano in one day
ABOUT me
Welcome to my site. I'm Lisa, an Italy-based travel and lifestyle blogger behind Following the Rivera. Find out more about me and my story.
Great guide! Cortina d’Ampezzo sounds like a dream for both adventure seekers and those looking for a more relaxed experience. I love how you’ve highlighted everything from skiing and snowshoeing to the breathtaking cable car rides with panoramic views of the Dolomites. Definitely adding this to my list for my next trip to Italy—those views from Tofana di Mezzo sound incredible!
You would love the views from here especially as you love the outdoors! Cortina and the Dolomites are a stunning town and region, consider visiting one day
Cortina D’ampezzo is truly stunning! Apart from skiing and other adventurous activities, this place seems to offer hiking, and other activities like walking by the beautiful lakes. What I loved from your pictures is the bunch of flowers hanging out of balconies and windows! So pretty. I am adding this to my bucket list and will check out the dolomites some day. 🙂
I am glad you enjoyed my guide, Cortina is really stunning! Visit one day 🙂
I would loev to visit Cortina d’Ampezzo some day as this spot is gorgeous and I love all of the breathtaking scenery! I will for sure be adding this post to my travel bucket list and appreciate you sharing. Love the pictures too 🙂
Thank you so much! It really is a gorgeous town and with so much to see and do
I love that there’s something for everyone, whether we’re in the mood for outdoor fun or just soaking in the beautiful scenery.
It is a destination for everyone 🙂