Where to stay in the Dolomites – The best areas and accommodation in the Dolomites

If you’re itching for insider tips on where to stay and play when visiting, you’ve come to the right place. As a local in the Dolomites (I’ve lived here my whole life!) I’ve had the pleasure of widely exploring this stunning region and now I’m sharing my tips with you!

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Choosing the best places to stay in the Dolomites can be hard, especially if you’ve never been here before.

But worry not, I’ve done the hard work for you and narrowed it down to a much more manageable list of only the best areas and main towns to base yourself in, listing the best Dolomites hotels, spa resorts and apartments for each spot.

Where to stay in the Dolomites – the best towns and areas

The Dolomites are huge and spread over 350 square km across 3 Italian regions, Trentino, South Tyrol and Veneto.

When choosing your base you’ll need to consider what attractions and activities are you interested in and most likely you’ll be better off by splitting your stay between several locations

8 Best areas to stay in the Dolomites

The Dolomites can be divided into 8 main areas. Each area gives access to different attractions, activities and hiking trails, so basing yourself in the right spots and splitting your time between these areas is key to exploring the region effectively. 

Here’s a quick breakdown of the best towns and areas to stay in the Dolomites and will delve into more details about each one below:

1. Cortina d’Ampezzo is a lively town located near the Tre Cime National Park. It is central and well connected, great to reach the most famous spots from. It also offers many luxurious stays options.
2. Val Gardena is home to the very famous Seceda Ridgeline and some very nice towns with luxury hotels. It is well connected to the surrounding areas, especially Alpe di Siusi.
3. Alta Badia is a quiet yet beautiful and well-positioned area between Val Gardena and Val di Fassa. It offers more affordable stays along with some luxury options
4. Alta Pusteria is the quietest area but the best for exploring the most beautiful alpine lakes in the Dolomites, like the famous Lago di Braies.
5. Val di Funes is home to the Geisler group. Often an underestimated area, in my opinion, it offers some of the best views. 
6. Val di Fassa and Val d’Ega are two neighboring valleys in the southern part of the Dolomites where you’ll find some wonderful but more challenging hikes. 
7. Alpe di Siusi is the best area for breathtaking views and easy yet stunning walks. The plateau offers some fabulous and luxurious stays as well.
8. San Martino di Castrozza lies at the foot of Pale di San Martino and is home to some of the best mountain peaks of the region and amazing via ferratas. It is also very well connected to the surrounding areas and bigger towns.

Know before you go 

Before embarking on your trip to the Dolomites in Italy, it’s essential you do some research and plan ahead. As with any destination, the Dolomites come with their own set of quirks so keep the following in mind when choosing your accommodation. 

Book well ahead of time

The Dolomites are a very popular tourist attraction and also a destination for hikers, climbers and nature enthusiasts alike. It’s crucial to book your accommodation well in advance as it can get very busy both in summer and during the ski season in winter. 

If you are planning on hiking and staying in rifugios and huts between June and August, I advise to book at least 3 months in advance as beds are often limited in these.

The Dolomites are big and tricky to get around

Stretching across multiple provinces in northern Italy, the Dolomites are huge. Make sure to plan your Dolomites itinerary accordingly, as you won’t want to miss out on any of the unique landscapes and experiences, or any of the best hikes in the Dolomites.

The easiest way to travel between destinations and hiking trails in the Italian Dolomites is with your own wheels and I highly recommend you rent a car.

If relying on public transport buses are your go to, especially in South Tyrol where you get a free transit card from your hotel..

Bilingual names

One of the unique aspects of the Dolomites is its diverse and multilingual culture. With a mix of Italian and German influences as well as local dialects, many towns, landmarks, and natural attractions have bilingual names.

It can sometimes be confusing so make sure to familiarize yourself with both versions of names so you can avoid getting lost or not recognizing the right spots.

Best accommodation in the Dolomites

There surely is no shortage of accommodation options in the Dolomites!

Hotels are the most popular choice, from very luxurious and comfy stays to more modest yet very high-quality ones. Chalets and huts are also a great option, or opt for a holiday home you’re traveling in a group.

1. Where to stay in Cortina d’Ampezzo

Best for: large town with restaurants and facilities, luxury hotels, access to hiking trails, convenient location, ideal for traveling without a car, ski resorts in winter

See deals: Accommodation in Cortina d’Ampezzo

Cortina d’Ampezzo, known as the Queen of the Dolomites, is one of the most beautiful Dolomites towns. It is located in the province of Belluno in the Veneto region. 

It is a fantastic base for exploring the area due to its convenient location, stunning scenery, diverse outdoor activities, cultural attractions, and excellent infrastructure, it also has some of the best hotels in the Dolomites.

Cortina is often the first stop on a Dolomites itinerary, because of its proximity to the Venice Marco Polo International Airport (2 hour drive) which is the closest airport to the Dolomites.

Book this shuttle bus from Marco Polo to Cortina here or opt for this private transfer. If you are arriving from Milan this is the transfer option for you.

With a wide range of hotels, bars and restaurants, Cortina offers a lively atmosphere and access to some of the best experiences in the Dolomites.

The southern Sesto/Sexten Dolomites are also within reach, with popular trailheads for hiking and scenic viewpoints.

Cortina is the ideal starting point for many Dolomites trips and tours and I particularly recommend the following ones as they are the most complete. Book this private day tour if you’d like a personalized experience just for yourself or this group day tour if you like exploring with other travelers!

2. Where to stay in Val Gardena/Grödnertal

Best for: larger area with multiple towns, access to hiking trails and cable cars, ideal if traveling without a car, ski resorts in winter

Main villages:

• Ortisei (St. Ulrich/Urtijëi)
• Santa Cristina (Sankt Christina in Gröden/Santa Cristina Gherdëina)
• Selva di Val Gardena (Wolkenstein/Sëlva)

Val Gardena is a valley in Südtirol/South Tyrol stretching from Gardena Pass to Sella Pass and Valle d’Isarco.

It is ideal for car-free travelers since accommodations provide a free public transit card for convenient travel around the whole South Tyrol region.

Chairlifts and cable cars link the valley to various trails, and thanks to its longer summer season, Val Gardena is a top choice for hiking, although it can get crowded during peak months. 

Alpe di Siusi is also within reach but we’ll dive into that location later in this article.

Best accommodation in Ortisei

Best for: biggest and most convenient town in the valley, luxury hotels, restaurants and lively city center, access to cable cars and hiking trails, ski resorts in winter

See deals: Accommodation in Ortisei

Ortisei is the main town in Val Gardena and one of the nicest towns in the Dolomites. Iits location in the middle of the valley means it’s surrounded by meadows, hiking trails, and plenty of alpine huts, making it a handy base for hiking in the summer and skiing in the winter. Val Gardena has in fact some of the best ski resorts in the Dolomites.

From Ortisei, you can also take the gondola straight up to both the Alpe di Siusi and the Seceda ridgeline.

It also has the most vibrant town center with a number of restaurants, bars, hotels and apartments.

Best accommodation in Santa Cristina

Best for: central position, most quiet town, cable cars access, hiking trails access

See deals: Accommodation in Santa Cristina

Santa Cristina is located between Ortisei and Selva di Val Gardena offering easy access to the entire valley.. It’s also the quietest of the Val Gardena villages, which I personally love. 

It provides easy access to more local hikes such as Monte Pic, Piz Duleda and Col Raiser. I’d recommend you base yourself here if you have some extra time to spend in the area.

Best accommodation in Selva di Val Gardena

Best for: closest town to Gardena Pass and Sella Pass connecting to Val di Fassa and Alta Badia, access to hiking trails, quiet town

See deals: Accommodation in Selva di Val Gardena

Selva di Val Gardena sits between the Sassolungo and the Puez-Odle/Geisler groups at the foot of the Sella Massif, some of the best mountains in the region.

If hiking these mountain groups is your top priority, definitely make Selva your base.

Also, Selva is the closest town in Val Gardena to Gardena Pass (the gateway to Alta Badia) and Sella Pass (the gateway to Val di Fassa).

3. Where to stay in Alta Badia

Best for: quiet area, access to hiking trails, luxury hotels, access without car, ski resorts in winter

Main villages:

• Corvara (Kurfar)
• Badia (Abtei) 
• La Villa (Stern/La Ila)
• Colfosco (Kolfuschg/Calfosch)
• San Cassiano (St. Kassian/San Ciascian)

Alta Badia is a Dolomites region in the upper part of Val Badia, a valley in South Tyrol, a great place to hike in summer and ski in winter.

The region is nestled between the Fanes Group, Puez-Odle/Geisler Group, Sella Group and the Cir peaks. 

It’s easy to get to Alta Badia from the neighboring Val Gardena (over the Gardena Pass), Val di Fassa (over the Sella Pass and Gardena Pass), and Cortina d’Ampezzo (over the Falzarego Pass). 

The free public transit car is also valid in Alta Badia as part of South Tyrol, making the area accessible to everyone.

Best accommodation in Corvara

Corvara occupies a very central location in Val Badia which is well connected by bus to Val Gardena and also offers many outdoor activities and hikes. What I love the most about Corvara is that it doesn’t feel clogged or too busy.

Best accommodation in Badia

Best for: cable car access and access to hiking trails in the Puez-Odle/Geisler group, Fanes group and Santa Croce group

See deals: Accommodation in Badia

Badia is a village between Puez-Odle Nature Park and Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park at an elevation of 1315 meters, making it the perfect starting point for many hikes in this area.

Best accommodation in La Villa

Best for: chairlift access and access to hiking trails in the Puez Odle/Geisler group and Fanes group, extremely quiet town, historical town center

See deals: Accommodation in La Villa

La Villa is the village between Corvara and Badia. With its very own castle (Castel Colz), La Villa is an interesting town in its own right. If you want to stay somewhere extremely peaceful, stay here. 

Best accommodation in Colfosco

Best for: access to hiking trails in the Cir Group, Sella group and also Val Gardena

See deals: Accommodation in Colfosco

Colfosco is located between Corvara and Passo Gardena/Grödnerjoch. 

It’s the highest village in Val Badia and the perfect base for anyone who wants to divide their time between Alta Badia and Val Gardena.

Best accommodation in San Cassiano

Best for: luxury hotels, access to hiking trails in the Fanes group

See deals: Accommodation in San Cassiano

At the foot of the mighty Lavarela and Conturines peaks, lies the lovely alpine village of San Cassiano. Here, you’ll find some of the most luxurious hotels in Alta Badia!

There is also a very peculiar spot easily reachable by town which is La Crusc Chapel 

4. Where to stay in Alta Pusteria

Best for: luxury hotels, ideal to travel without car, access to hiking trails, quiet area

Main villages:

• Braies (Prags)
• San Candido (Innichen)
• Dobbiaco (Toblach)
• Sesto (Sexten)

The Upper Puster Valley (Alta Pusteria in Italian, Hochpustertal in German) refers to the easternmost part of the Puster Valley, located north of South Tyrol to the border with Austria.

In the context of the Dolomites, Alta Pusteria refers to the area around Dobbiaco/Toblach and Braies/Prags and it is home to some of the most beautiful alpine pastures and alpine lakes of the region.

If you have limited time I highly recommend booking this day tour which will allow you to visit Lake Braies and Tre Cime in the same day!

Best accommodation in Braies

Best for: access to lake Braies, ideal for moving around without a car, nature and views

See deals: Accommodation in Braies

Braies/Prags is located in Valle di Braies/Pragser Tal. The valley splits into two branches, with the western branch leading to Lake Braies/Pragser Wilsee and the eastern branch leading to Prato Piazza/Plätzwiese plateau. 

There are some beautiful farm stays and guesthouses on the hills overlooking the valley and this is the perfect base for people looking for a quiet yet stunning place while visiting this part of the region.

Best accommodation in San Candido and Sesto

Best for: access to lake Braies, bigger town with lively town center, access to hiking trails 

See deals:
Accommodation in San Candido
Accommodation in Sesto

San Candido/Innichen and Sesto are historic villages in Val Pusteria with a romantic and lively town center. Notable landmarks include the St. Michael parish church, dating back to the 12th century, and the Innichen Monastery Church. 

They are the perfect base for those looking to stay in a bigger town and are ideal to explore the whole of Alta Pusteria from.

5. Where to stay in Val di Funes

Best for: nature and views, access to hiking trails, quiet area

Main villages:

• Santa Magdalena 
• Funes (Vilnöß)
• Tiso

Val di Funes/Vilnösstal is located in the northern part of South Tyrol. This 24-km-long valley runs from Valle d’Isarco/Eisacktal Valley south of Bressanone/Brixen, to the Odle/Geisler mountain range.

There is no doubt that Val di Funes is one of the best places to visit in the Dolomites in terms of scenery and quiet hiking trails with little to no effort

If you have a bit more time I highly recommend this day tour which will take you around Val di Funes including amazing local spots 

If you have limited time though, you really shouldn’t miss out on this part of the Dolomites anyway and I really suggest this private tour which will allow you to discover and explore the main parts of Val di Funes along with Seceda on the same day!

Best accommodation in Santa Magdalena

Best for: central position, access to hiking trails, views and nature

See deals: Accommodation in Santa Magdalena

Santa Maddalena is located in the upper part of Val di Funes at an elevation of 1339 meters. 

From the village, you’ll have easy access to the main attractions of the valley: the Santa Maddalena Church, the Santa Maddalena Panoramic Trail, Church of St. John and the trailheads to GeislerAlm and the Geisler Group

6. Where to stay in Val di Fassa and Val d’Ega

Best for: access to hiking trails, access to via ferrata trails, luxury hotels, ski resorts in winter

Main villages:

• Vigo di Fassa (Vich)
• Carezza (Karerhof)
• Nova Levante (Welschnofen)
• Pozza di Fassa (Poza)
• Moena

Val di Fassa and Val d’Ega are two neighboring valleys in South Tyrol and Trentino located between the Catinaccio and Latemar massifs. They make the perfect base to access some of the most stunning walks in the Dolomites and offer some great luxury and peculiar stays. Val di Fassa is also home to the very well known QC Terme Dolomiti.

Best accommodation in Vigo di Fassa

Best for: central position, luxury hotels, access to cable car and hiking trails, ski resorts in winter

See deals: Accommodation in Vigo di Fassa

Vigo di Fassa is one of the main towns in Val di Fassa and is located in the heart of it, making it the perfect spot to base yourself if you are planning to explore the main attractions of the area. The town has a lively center and some beautiful accommodation options, it also has a very strong cultural background and there are many museums you can visit.

Best accommodation in Carezza 

Best for: central position, access to Karersee, cable car and hiking trails

See deals: Accommodation in Carezza

Carezza is a tiny town (blink and you’ll miss it) in the center of Val d’Ega but it is home to the cable car that connects the valley to the Rosengarten range and it’s also the closest town to Karersee making it a good spot to base yourself in the Valley

7. Where to stay in Alpe di Siusi

Best for: ideal for traveling without car, access to hiking trails, cable car access, sunrise views and nature

Main villages:

• Siusi
• Castelrotto
• Ortisei

Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm in German, Mont Sëuc in Ladin) is the largest mountain pasture in Europe, covering a surface area of 56 square kilometers. 

The rolling plateau stretches between the Sassolungo/Langkofel Group and the Sciliar/Schlerf massif, high above Val Gardena valley in South Tyrol.

The plateau is the best place in the Dolomites to watch the sunrise, and by staying on the plateau instead of the towns below, affords you the ability to experience it with very little effort.

Best accommodation in Val di Siusi

See deals: Accommodation in Val di Siusi

As I said before, staying on the Plateau is the best option so you’ll find the best hotels and huts recommendations below

8. Where to stay in San Martino di Castrozza

Best for: access to hiking trails, access to via ferrata trailheads, cable car access, lively city center with restaurants and bars, ski resort in winter

See deals: Accommodation in San Martino di Castrozza

San Martino di Castrozza is an alpine resort town in the Primiero Valley in Trentino.

It is located at the feet of Pale di San Martino, the largest mountain group of the Dolomites and is also framed by the Lagorai mountain ranges making it one of the most visually spectacular towns in the Italian Dolomites.

It is a lively place, filled with shops, cafés, restaurants, hotels, and apartments. It is a convenient base for accessing many hiking trails and is very well connected to neighboring passes.

San Martino is conveniently located for travel to and from Venice airport, with excellent connections to main roads and highways. If you hire a car from the airport, consider starting in Cortina and finishing your visit in San Martino.

San Martino is also one of the best ski resorts in Italy, making it the perfect destination in both summer and winter.