The Dolomites, Italy: Everything You Need to Know for a Summer Trip
The Dolomites are one of those places that feel almost unreal the first time you see them. Located in northern Italy, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is made up of dramatic limestone mountain ranges that glow pink and orange at sunrise and sunset, rolling alpine meadows, turquoise lakes, and endless hiking trails. What makes the Dolomites especially unique is their blend of Italian and Austrian culture, charming mountain villages, and easy access to jaw-dropping scenery without requiring extreme hiking skills. I’ve now experienced the Dolomites in both summer and winter (each offering a completely different vibe), but this guide focuses on visiting the Dolomites in summer, when the region comes alive with hiking, open mountain huts, and long, sunny days.
During our summer visit, we spent 4 nights in the Dolomites from August 3–7, as part of a 5-week Europe trip, and it was easily one of the highlights of our entire journey.
Getting to the Dolomites: Flights, Cars, and Drive Times
Because the Dolomites stretch across a large portion of northern Italy, getting there usually involves flying into a nearby city and renting a car. For us, the Dolomites came after Belgium on our Europe trip, so we flew into Milan (LIN), which ended up being the most affordable option and also made sense since it was our departure airport later on.
From Milan Airport (LIN), we rented a small SUV and drove about 4 hours into the Italian Alps. The drive itself was scenic and straightforward, especially once you leave the city behind and head toward the mountains.
Other airports to consider when planning your Dolomites trip include:
- Bolzano (about 1 hour away – the closest airport)
- Verona (around 2.5 hours)
- Innsbruck, Austria (about 1 hour 40 minutes)
- Munich, Germany (around 3.5 hours)
If possible, it’s usually most cost-effective to pick up and return your rental car at the same airport, so keep return drive times in mind when choosing where to fly. One-way rentals are possible, but they tend to be significantly more expensive.
Do You Really Need a Car?
Yes. The Dolomites are massive, and many of the best viewpoints, trailheads, and mountain passes are spread far apart. While public transportation exists, renting a car gives you the most flexibility and saves a lot of time.
Italy drives on the right side of the road, highways are well maintained, and navigation was easy using Google Maps. You will encounter toll roads, which were automatically billed to our rental car (about €70 total). Once you’re in the mountains, expect narrow, winding roads and steep mountain passes. Some drives were very twisty, and I even got a little car sick on a few of them, so plan accordingly if you’re sensitive to motion while driving.
Where to Stay in the Dolomites
There are two main ways to approach accommodations in the Dolomites:
Option 1: Move Around Nightly
You can map out your itinerary and stay one night in different locations. This reduces daily driving but requires constant packing and unpacking.
Option 2: Choose a Home Base (What We Did)
We chose to stay in one central location and do day trips from there. Our home base was an Airbnb in San Vigilio di Marebbe, which worked well logistically. We were fairly central and drove about 3–3.5 hours total each day to reach the main attraction and return.
Other great areas to consider staying include:
- Val Gardena: Ortisei, Selva di Val Gardena, Santa Cristina
- Alta Badia: San Cassiano, Corvara
- Cortina d’Ampezzo: Known for luxury hotels and a more upscale feel
- Val di Funes
- Alpe di Siusi
- San Martino di Castrozza
Each area offers slightly different scenery and access to attractions, but you really can’t go wrong.
One Accommodation Tip
We stayed in a very cute bed-and-breakfast-style Airbnb with incredibly friendly hosts, but it did not have air conditioning. While nights cool down compared to the daytime heat, it was still warmer than we prefer for sleeping. If you’re sensitive to heat, double-check for AC, especially if visiting in peak summer.
What to Pack for the Dolomites in Summer
August in the Dolomites was mostly warm during the day and cooler at night. Our typical daily outfits included:
- Sneakers or hiking shoes
- Leggings or comfortable pants
- T-shirts or tank tops
- A small backpack for hikes
- Sunglasses and a hat
- A light jacket or layer for evenings
- A windproof/waterproof jacket for rainy days
If you plan on longer hikes, proper hiking shoes are helpful, but many popular trails are well maintained and doable in sturdy sneakers.
Best Time to Visit the Dolomites
Summer (July–August)
This is peak season. Expect warm temperatures, open lifts, open mountain huts, and crowds, especially on popular hikes. The trade-off is that everything is accessible and the weather is generally excellent.
Shoulder Season
- June: Fewer crowds, but lingering snow on higher trails is possible, especially early in the month.
- September: One of the best times to visit. Fewer crowds, warm and dry weather, and most facilities still open in early to mid-September.
- October: Beautiful fall colors and fewer people, but many lifts and huts begin to close, and early snow is possible.
Winter (December–March)
Ideal for skiing and snowboarding. I’ll be covering this season in a separate blog.
When NOT to Visit
April, May, and November are generally the worst months to visit the Dolomites. Many lifts, hotels, huts, restaurants, and trails close during these transition months, and weather can be unpredictable, making it unsuitable for both hiking and winter sports.
Top Things to See in the Dolomites
If you’re short on time, these are some of the most iconic places to add to your itinerary:
- Seceda Ridgeline (Alpe di Seceda) – One of the most famous viewpoints in the Dolomites with dramatic, jagged peaks.
- Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm) – Europe’s largest high-alpine meadow with rolling green hills and endless views.
- Val di Funes – Home to the Adolf Munkel Trail and the iconic Chiesetta di San Giovanni church.
- Tre Cime di Lavaredo – One of the most iconic hikes in the Dolomites.
- Lago di Braies – A stunning turquoise lake surrounded by mountains.
- Gardena Pass – A scenic mountain pass with sweeping views and pull-offs for photos.
TIP: check out my other blog that goes into more detail on these main attractions including hiking, parking and other information 4 Night Itinerary For First Time Visitors To The Dolomites
Final Thoughts
The Dolomites are one of those destinations that truly live up to the hype. Whether you’re hiking ridgelines, driving mountain passes, or simply soaking in the views from a meadow, it’s hard not to feel completely present here. Summer is vibrant, scenic, and full of opportunity for exploration, and with a little planning, it’s an unforgettable addition to any Europe itinerary.
If you’ve been on the fence about visiting the Dolomites, this is your sign to go. The mountains are waiting.
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