The 15 Best Villages & Towns in the Dolomites [2025]

I’m a mountain lover through and through — I’ve seen quite a few spectacular ranges, from the Durmitor Range in Montenegro to the Pyrenees in Andorra to the Andes Mountains of Ecuador. But honestly? In my estimation, Italy’s Dolomite Alps are some of my favorite mountains in the entire world. 

Sprawling across three northern regions of Italy — Veneto, Trentino, and Friuli Venezia Guilia to be precise — the Dolomites have some of the most picturesque mountains… and to accompany them, the most postcard-perfect small mountain towns as well. 

And it’s not just me sharing this opinion! In 2009, the Dolomites became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

There’s so much to love about the Dolomites — the Three Peaks of Lavaredo, Cinque Torri, Pragser Wildsee… — I could go on and on.

And these are just some of the spectacular natural sights you can admire in the Dolomites — there’s so much more which I’ll get into throughout this post.

In this guide, you’ll find some of the best towns you should visit in the Dolomites, as well as my tips for the must-see spots in their immediate surroundings.

Note: It’s a bit hard to get between these Dolomites towns without your own car, so I strongly suggest you rent a car in Italy at least for this portion of the trip.

The 15 Most Beautiful Villages & Towns in The Dolomites

Belluno

At the heart of the Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park, you’ll find Belluno: a mountain town with a long history, dating back to the third century BCE and later becoming part of the Roman Republic.

Besides its beautiful historical center (main sights include the Minor Basilica of San Martino and the Civic Museum of Belluno) and hiking trails, it’s known for Dolomite High Route 1 ((Alta Via 1), connecting Belluno and Pragser Wildsee, but you can hike any small portion that you choose.

Where to Stay in Belluno:

• Cozy: Nogherazza — stunningly renovated guesthouse with cozy mountain cabin vibes
• Fancy: Park Hotel Villa Carpenada — beautiful converted 17th-century mansion with period furniture
• Funky: Bed in Bus — exactly what it sounds like… a bed in a bus, but done up in a fancy style if you want a unique experience

Cortina d’Ampezzo

Part of the Dolomiti Superski area, Cortina d’Ampezzo is one of the top mountain resort towns in the Dolomites, offering both slopes and sights. Within a short distance, you’ll find Monte Cristallo, Lake Misurina, or Parco Naturale Tre Cime — known for its triple peaks.

A few nearby sights worth seeing are the mountain peak Croda da Lago and the awe-inspiring hiking area of Cinque Torri. 

Nearby Passo Giau is a gorgeous mountain pass connecting Cortina d’Ampezzo to the towns of Selva di Cadore and Colle Santa Lucia.

Cortina d’Ampezzo has the Olympic Ice Stadium, where you can go go ice skating year-round, as well as the pedestrian / bike trail Lunga Via delle Dolomiti which is a nice spot for a hike.

Where to Stay in Cortina d’Ampezzo:

• Cabin: Ca Dolomia—great for groups and families
• Fancy: Hotel Cristallino d’Ampezzo— complete with wellness center, sauna, Turkish bath, and salt room
• Cozy: Rifugio Ospitale —charming Alpine refuge with delicious homemade breakfasts

Pieve di Cadore

Uphill from Cadore Lake, Pieve di Cadore is located right between the two previous towns, Belluno and Cortina d’Ampezzo.

Fun fact: it’s known for being the hometown of the famous Renaissance painter Titian! In fact, his old house has been converted into a museum, and you can visit it combined with the Archaeological Museum of Cadore while in season (April to October).

One of the best reasons to stay here? The town offers panoramic views of a lake from the area surrounding Forte Monte Ricco. 

Also, another curious quirk of the town: it’s famous for the production of eyeglasses, so much so that there’s even a museum in town, the Museo dell’Occhiale, dedicated entirely to the history of eyewear!

Where to Stay in Pieve di Cadore:

• Cabin: Lioda Living — huge 6-bedroom house in the mountains, great for groups
• Fancy: Al Ranch Cadore — all your wellness needs, including sauna and hot tub!
• Cozy: Dimora al Bivacco — cozy B&B, clean and comfortable 

Auronzo di Cadore

Auronzo Lake (also known as Lago di Santa Caterina) is another popular place near the Tre Cime National Park, and at its foot lies the charming Dolomites town of Auronzo di Cadore.

Some of the best views from the lake can be found here, especially if you cross over the lake via the Auronzo Footbridge or Ponte Transacqua for a stunning panorama, easily appreciated from the opposite shore when you can see lake, town, and mountains all in one glance.

Plus, it’s extremely convenient to go to Tre Cime from here: just a 45-minute drive away. However, be aware that this particular road is only open during the summer months, and the toll is rather pricy — 30 euros for cars!

Where to Stay in Auronzo di Cadore:

• Apartment: Casa da Rin Elena— huge 3-bedroom apartment, great for groups
• Historic: Hotel Auronzo Outdoor Basecamp— charming, historic hotel on the turquoise Ansiei River 
• Fancy: Mostesi Dolomites Spa Hotel— apartment style with hot tub, hammam and spa facilities

Misurina

Right on the shore of the lake with its same name, Misurina is a gorgeous Dolomites town between the massif called Monte Cristallo and the beloved Tre Cime Natural Park.

Just a 20-minute drive from Cortina d’Ampezzo, you’ll get a lot of the amenities at just a fraction of the price, plus the location on the lake means beautiful views and hikes are never out of reach — especially if you head east, where you can hike up Monte Popena, or to the south, there’s the stunning pathway Sentiero Durissini.

Just north of Misurina, Rifugio Auronzo will bring you right to the trio of alpine peaks that make the region so famous, the beautiful Tre Cime di Lavaredo. In fact, Misurina is the closest town to the refuge and the parking lot where the most popular hiking routes begin.

Where to Stay in Misurina:

• Historic: Grand Hotel Misurina — lakeside hotel and restaurant at over 1700 meters above sea level, with Tre Cime views
• Boutique: Hotel Miralago — mountain views from the windows, beautiful at sunrise!

San Candido

Near the Austrian border, San Candido (also known as Innichen in German) is another popular Dolomites town; however, this town is on the opposite side of Tre Cime than Auronzo and Misurina.

San Candido is a bit more expensive than Auronzo di Cadore, but it’s quieter and a bit more charming as a result.

If you’re traveling via public transit, it can be a convenient home base as it is connected to both the Italian towns of Merano and Fortezza as well as the Austrian town of Lienz.

Where to Stay in San Candido:

• Cozy: Parkhotel Sole Paradise — Alpine gingerbread house vibes, complete with spa with sauna and hammam
• Quiet Luxury: Naturhotel Leitlhof — Gorgeous wraparound heated pool and whirlpool tubs, large apartment-style rooms

Dobbiaco

Close to San Candido, Dobbiaco is another charming town that serves as a great home base, close to Tre Cime Natural Park, Lago di Braies, and Pragser Wildsee. 

Due to its proximity to two of the Dolomites’ most visited lakes, there are plenty of accommodations in town. Plus, it has a picturesque historical center with its stunning green Church of San Giovanni Battista, plus lots of restaurant and bar options.

Just south of the town, you can explore the forest trails at Villaggio Degli Alberi (Tree Village) and around the small but picturesque Toblacher See. Also, Pragser Wildsee is only a 20-minute drive from Dobbiaco.

Where to Stay in Dobbiaco:

• For Couples: Romantik Hotel Santer— valley views, wellness center with swimming pools (indoor and outdoor), SIX different saunas, infrared rooms, and incredible dining
• Boutique: Post Mountain Residence— self-catered apartment units with tons of space and natural lightre

Santa Maddalena

Tucked away in the scenic Val di Funes, Santa Maddalena may be a small village of just a few hundred people, but it’s still one of the most popular places to visit in the Dolomites as it is known for its picturesque churches.

Don’t miss the lovely Santa Maddalena Church, but also, on the opposite side of the village, the small Church of St. John is the focus of one of the most iconic scenes of the Dolomites — you probably are already thinking of this iconic image.

From Santa Maddalena, you can easily drive or even walk to the nearby village of San Pietro for more spectacular views.

Here, you can also visit the beautiful Church of San Pietro in Funes.

Where to Stay in Santa Maddelena:

• Luxury: La Casies Mountain Hotel — 4* amenities including indoor pool, sauna, spa, hammam, and room service
• Apartment: Feldererhof Apt Alpenrose — one-bedroom apartment in iconic location

Ortisei

Ortisei (also called Sankt Ulrich in German) is a charming Dolomites town in another popular valley, the Val Gardena, which is also part of the Superski area. But Ortisei is unique, known for its colorful houses and history, which you can see at the lovely Museum Gherdëina, and its stunning St. Jakobs Kirche, just out of town.

Another major draw to this town? The Seceda Cable Car starts in the heart of Ortisei and whisks you up to an altitude of 2500 meters, with stunning views from up high on Seceda Mountain. Once you reach the cable car station, you can take in the views from Panorama sulle Odle for one of the best views in the Dolomites.

Where to Stay in Ortisei:

• Luxury: Classic Hotel Am Stetteneck — an Accidentally Wes Anderson-style beauty, with an indoor pool and breathtaking breakfast spread
• Spa Hotel: Alpenheim Charming & Spa Hotel — 4* hotel with outdoor swimming pool, indoor pool, sauna, spa center, and room service

Castelrotto

Another charming option for where to stay in the Dolomites, the small village of Castelrotto (Kastelruth in German) is the main town in the Alpe di Siusi plateau (Seiser Alm) — which just so happens to be Europe’s largest Alpine meadow.

As a bonus, you can easily access the town of Siusi in just five minutes by car, which allows you to take the cable car up to the Alpe di Siusi ski area: winter for skiing or summer for hiking, this area will give you spectacular views year-round.

From this plateau at 2,350 meters high, you can see all sorts of mountain groups, including the Rosengarten group just south of the town all the way to the Sella Group and Marmolada further away to the southeast.

Further south from Castelrotto and Siusi, you can explore the Sciliar Rosengarten Nature Park, the oldest nature park in South Tyrol.

Where to Stay in Castelrotto:

• Cozy: Cristallo B&B — Alpine bed and breakfast with beautiful traditional balconies and flower boxes and homey vibes
• Modern: Schgaguler Hotel— unique modern minimalist style with balconies and some rooms even have soaking tubs!

Moena

Moena is a small town in the Dolomites’ Fassa Valley, part of Trentino. While the valley is home to other towns, Moena is the largest, and that being so, it provides many accommodation options for visitors exploring the area.

Just north of town, the park surrounding Soraga Lake is a lovely area for a pleasant walk, and in the winter, you’re close to the ski resort, Ski Area Alpe Lusia.

Aside from the gorgeous natural beauty of the surrounding valley, Moena is also known for the Museum of the Great War, which records the history of the area of Italy which was most impacted by WWI, which would forever leave a mark on the Dolomites towns and populations.

• Budget: Kyrr Smart Mountain Retreat — budget-friendly rooms with all you need for a cozy stay
• Traditional: Hotel Faloria — Alpine style architecture with B&B aesthetic and cozy rooms

Bressanone

Bressanone is a good choice if you want to stay at the western edge fot he Dolomites, as it’s super central for day trips. Within just half an hour, you can be at Puez-Odle Nature Park, or to Ortisei in 40 minutes, and to Alpe di Siusi in roughly 35 minutes. 

The town itself offers a wide variety of accommodations and places to eat, but its historical center has a lot of gems to visit! Particularly worth a visit are the art collection in the Diocesan Museum, and the Pharmacy Museum with its quirky medical history. You can should also visit the beautifully decorated Chiostro di Bressanone.

Where to Stay in Bressanone:

• Traditional: Hotel Jarolim — building from 1891, with modern updates that maintain the original details and feel of the property
• For Couples: Soley Suites — an adults only property with romantic vibes for a nature escape

Canazei 

Delightful but small, Canazei is a lovely mountain town in the Dolomites that works as a good starting point for exploring the Fassa Valley and mountains in the nearby Marmolada, Sella, and Sassolungo Groups.

Best of all? The Val di Fassa lift departs right from the town center, sweeping you up in just minutes to the Belvedere di Canazei, offering a vantage point to admire an aerial view of the Fassa Valley. 

From the nearby Passo Pordoi, you can take another cable car to Terrazza Delle Dolomiti, which just may be one of the best views in all of the Dolomites.

The nearby town Campitello di Fassa, only five minutes away from Canazei, is a lovely alternative as well with a quieter vibe but similar amenity access.

Where to Stay in Canazei:

• Luxury: Hotel Cesa Tyrol— 4* Alpine resort property with beautiful ski chalet style, with sauna, Turkish bath, and more
• Traditional: Hotel Laurin — 3* traditional Alpine-style property with a spa and wellness center

San Martino di Castrozza

Tucked in a little nook of the Primiero Valley, San Martino di Castrozza is another charming Dolomites town.

While it’s a nice winter ski town, it shines especially in summer, as you can explore beautiful hiking areas like Cima di Val di Roda or the Colbricon Lakes. Also not far, you can also explore the beautiful Comelle Falls.

The nearby Passo Rolle connects San Martino di Castrozza to other valleys in the Dolomites, like Fassa Valley and Fiemme Valley, making it a convenient midpoint in the region.

Where to Stay in San Martino di Castrozza:

• Cozy: Hotel Stalon — a cozy typical Dolomites resort in the chalet style with Alpine vibes and architecture
• For Groups: Villa Speronella — a massive sprawling 3-bedroom villa with sauna and other spa amenities, great for a group trip

Roxana Fanaru

Roxana is a Romanian-born freelance travel writer who has lived in Italy for over 15 years. She has a Master’s in Journalism and a Bachelor’s in Film Studies, and she studied at Università degli Studi di Roma Tre. Besides her native Romania, Roxana has lived in Rome, Lisbon, and Berlin, and she has traveled through much of Europe in search of hidden gems, history, and culture.