Knowing where to stay in the Dolomites can make a major difference to your trip. The region covers a large area, and many of its most famous mountains, lakes and hiking trails are spread across separate areas.
For first-time visitors, I recommend splitting a trip between two areas.
Ortisei is one of the best bases for Seceda, Alpe di Siusi and Val Gardena.
Cortina d’Ampezzo or Misurina is more convenient for Tre Cime di Lavaredo and the eastern Dolomites.
If you want to stay in only one place and will be travelling by car, Alta Badia is the best central compromise. However, you should still expect some long drives because no single town is close to every famous Dolomites attraction.
I have visited the Dolomites at least seven times. On each trip, I try to stay in a different area. After years of hiking in the Dolomites, I now understand the different areas and which are the best areas to stay at.
In this guide, I compare seven of the best places to stay in the Dolomites, with pros and cons, attractions nearby, and more. Let`s start!
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Best Areas to Stay in the Dolomites
Best near Tre Cime di Lavaredo: Misurina
Best near Seceda: Ortisei
Best for high-end hotels: Cortina
Best central base: Alta Badia
Best for Italian vibes: Auronzo di Cadore
Best hidden-gem town: Belluno
Best for families: Alpe di Siusi
Wherever you choose, book as far in advance as possible. Accommodation in the Dolomites is limited, sell-out quickly and tend to get very expensive during peak seaon.
Where Is the Best Place to Stay in the Dolomites?
There is no single best place to stay for every visitor. The right area depends on the attractions you want to see, whether you have a car and how many days you plan to spend in the region.
For a first trip lasting five nights or more, I recommend dividing your stay between:
- Ortisei for Seceda, Alpe di Siusi, Adolf Munkel Trail and the western Dolomites
- Cortina d’Ampezzo or Misurina for Tre Cime and the eastern Dolomites
For a shorter trip, choose one base close to your highest-priority sights.
If you do not want to change accommodation: consider Alta Badia.
Its central position makes it suitable for exploring several parts of the Dolomites by car, although it is not equally close to every attraction.
My recommendation: For a seven-day trip, I would spend three nights in Ortisei, and two nights in Cortina d’Ampezzo, and two nights in Auronzo di Cadore or Belluno.
Do You Need a Car in the Dolomites?
Yes, a car is strongly recommended if you want to explore several areas of the Dolomites in one trip. Public buses are very limited, services are seasonal, and many connections stop by mid-afternoon.
From my own experience travelling in the Dolomites without a car, it was not the best trip to say the least. Because I visited during the off-season, I was restricted to the town where I was staying because local buses were not operating. (But even, had I visited in high season, bus connections would not have been much better.)
So, renting a car in the Dolomites makes it possible to:
- Reach hiking trails early in the morning
- Change plans depending on the weather
- Visit all the best places in the Dolomites
My driving experience: It`s very easy to drive in the Dolomites, it`s like driving in Austria. People don`t drive like crazy at this part of Italy.
Driving to Tre Cime di Lavaredo: If you want to drive up to Tre Cime di Lavaredo, you need an advance parking permit. Book your Tre Cime parking slot here.
Best Areas to Stay in the Dolomites: Quick Comparison
|
Area |
Best for |
Nearby highlights |
Suggested stay |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Tre Cime di Lavaredo |
Tre Cime, Cadini di Misurina, |
2 nights |
|
|
Seceda |
Seceda, Alpe di Siusi, Val Gardena |
3–4 nights |
|
|
Hotels, Views, and Shops |
Cinque Torri, Passo Giau, Lago di Sorapis |
3–4 nights |
|
|
Exploring from one base |
Sella Group, mountain passes, Val Gardena |
3–6 nights |
|
|
Italian atmosphere |
Lake Auronzo, Misurina, Tre Cime region |
2–3 nights |
|
|
Italian atmosphere |
Belluno Dolomites, historic centre |
1–2 nights |
|
|
Families and easy hiking |
Alpe di Siusi plateau, Sciliar |
2–3 nights |
|
|
Arrivals from Austria |
Lago di Braies, Dolomites-Venice cycling route |
2-3 nights |
Misurina town Cortina d`Ampezzo
1. Misurina: Best Place to Stay Near Tre Cime di Lavaredo
Misurina is the best place to stay if visiting Tre Cime di Lavaredo is one of the main reasons for your trip.The small mountain resort sits beside Lake Misurina. It`s the closest settlement to the Tre Cime area.
Staying here makes it easy to reach the Rifugio Auronzo (everyone starts from there who visits the Tre Cime) early in the morning.
Important: If you want to drive up to Tre Cime di Lavaredo, you need an advance parking permit. Book your Tre Cime parking slot here.
Dolomitibus line no. 50: From Misurina, you can get on the Dolomitibus, which departs every 30 minutes. For that, you need no reservation. Read: How to get to Tre Cime di Lavaredo
Misurina is best for
- Tre Cime di Lavaredo
- Cadini di Misurina (the insta-famous viewpoint)
- Early drives to Tre Cime (Rif. Auronzo)
- Mountain and lake views
- Photography
Advantages of staying in Misurina
The main advantage is location and proximity to the Three Peaks National Park. The surroundings are beautiful, and the lake creates a scenic setting for photography.
Also, there is a great pizza place called Pizzeria Edelweiss, where besides pizza, you can also try local dishes.
Disadvantages of staying in Misurina
Misurina is small and has fewer restaurants and accommodation options than Cortina.
I personally don`t like that so many buses pass by during the day that it gets very crowded. Due to the crowds, those Chinese looking souvenir shops are also present which I again don`t like.
How long to stay in Misurina
Two nights should be enough for Tre Cime and Cadini di Misurina.
Where I recommend staying: Stay at Quinz – Locanda al Lago for the best lake & mountain views.
Insider tip: There is a big parking lot for campers and cars here. Many people sleep there before going to Tre Cime. However, please note that Misurina tends to get very cold at night.
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