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Best villages in the Dolomites

We are traveling by car from Verona to Munich in mid July. We have 2 nights that we can book somewhere in the mountains. We’re not hikers, but enjoy the beauty. Opportunity for Horseback riding would be nice. I’ve been to the Alpe do Siusi ...and would go back again if that’s one of the best areas to stay. I don’t remember any hotels there. I’m thinking that Cortina d’Amprezza looks nice...and if I drive up from the south, I can drive out of the Dolomites through a northern route, connecting eventually with the main road to Munich. How long would it take to drive from Cortina to Munich? Is the area worth seeing? I’m open and eager to take suggestions and ideas on villages, driving itineraries, hotels, bed and breakfasts and of COURSE...restaurants!!! Are these lands government owned parks or privately owned? I look forward to hearing back from everyone who knows the area!!! Thanks!

Posted by
11247 posts

In the Alpe di Siusi, which is delightful for a couple of nights, look at Hotel Saltria and Alpen Hotel Panorama. We have stayed at both. So quiet there at night, and the advantage of being in the AdS is that you can hit the trails right after breakfast. The hotels can arrange riding. The hotels there are half-pension, meaning breakfast and dinner are included. It is a very nice way to travel for a few days. You can have lunch in a rifugio.

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8091 posts

My favorite drive is north of Venice toward Udine, then northwest into the mountains. I love the city of Lienz, Austria which is right over the Italian/Austrian border.
My favorite road sight is the Grossglockner High Alpine Highway which goes over the second highest peak in Europe--ending in Zell-am-See. It simply the most beautiful place I have ever seen.

Posted by
155 posts

Thank you for your reply’s!
Is there one side of the Dolomites that’s more beautiful than the other...the western, Alpe do Siusi area or the eastern side, north of Venice, towards Austria? Can a nice trip be planned for only 2 nights driving up from Verona? Are the roads twisty and treacherous? Is it slow traveling, with winding roads and steep drop-offs? IS IT SAFE???

Posted by
1829 posts

I would say the most beautiful part is between Kastelruth (west) and Misurina (east)
Alpe Di Suisi being on the western part and Cortina on the eastern.
You are talking about 90 KM max separating them; so a small area.

Alpe Di Suisi I imagine one of the only places for horseback riding, it is a fairly flat high elevation plateau ; so not much else like that around.
Most staying in the Cortina area are likely checking out Tre Cime to the NE and the WWI sites to the west of town (Lagazuoi & 5 Torri) . Cortina is a better base if those things are most of interest.
Most staying in Val Gardena area are likely checking out Alpe Di Suisi and the other side, Seceda.
With 2 nights, you cannot do both so need to pick one.

There are hotels up on the Alpe Di Suisi, is a little secluded and limited I think but gives you access to that area at times that lifts are not running. I think more people opt to stay in one of the towns of the Val Gardena like Ortesi, which is a delightful little town and take the lifts from there.
Ortisei and Cortina are both higher end luxury type small towns.

The roads are mountain passes, yes they are very curvy ; no real danger though. Not going to drive off an edge and you won't be traveling fast enough to get yourself into that kind of trouble. The main issue in July is other drivers you will be traveling very slowly and with masses of other cars.
If people are prone to car sickness the endless slow turns can be a problem, the turns are very extreme and at times it feels like you are doing more turning than straight driving.
Basically if you look on a map the two areas I mentioned (say Ortisei and Cortina) the roads in the middle are slow going but scenic mountain passes, the arc drive around the towns would be highway so not scenic at all but much faster moving and though more KM could be quicker point a to b depending on traffic and exact route.

Posted by
155 posts

Thank you for all of this great information! It looks like it’s best to stay in the towns below, in order to have something to do in the evening. I appreciate all the advice! 🙂

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4137 posts

I will be in the area this October , and am reading all of this with great interest .

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155 posts

I decided to look for accommodations in Ortisei, but I can’t tell if these places on the hotel sites are in the village and within walking distance to restaurants and night life or not. Does anyone have a recommendation that’s in the center of everything and still modestly priced for July?

Posted by
11247 posts

July is high season so reasonably priced is dependent on what you think is reasonable. Hotel Garni Walter is a place we have enjoyed, or perhaps the B&B Villa Aurelia which is right on the main drag, 5 minutes walk from the bus piazza.

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1054 posts

Loved Ortisei. stayed at Hotel Garni Senoner and loved it. It’s just off the Main Street that runs thru center of town. It’s by the tourist office. Easy walk to anything

They have a good site with activities from hiking biking and more. http://www.valgardena.it/en/