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Late November in the Dolomites

Hello!

My family and I are planning a trip to Italy in late November and would like to spend a couple of days in the Dolomites. I know this is not the best time to visit, but this is the only time we can go. The dates in the dolomites would be Nov 26 -28. Our plan is to arrive in Bolzano via train around 12 pm and get our car rental. We would drive to Venice on the afternoon of the 28th. We are not looking to hike, but rather just take in the scenery. I have a few questions:

  1. Can someone recommend the "must" dos with our limited time?
  2. Are there any cable cars that would be open at this time
  3. Any other tips for visit during this time?

Thank you very much for your input!

Monica

Posted by
2245 posts

The cable cars close in early November. Some do reopen in December.
BTW, more proof of odd weather happened this week when the Dolomites received a dusting of snow.
In Ortisei now, it’s 32 degrees with a mix of rain and snow.

Posted by
17601 posts

Welcome to the forum, Monica.

To be honest, I would not recommend spending time and money going to the Dolomites at that time. It is likely to be cold, wet, grey and dreary, to the extent you may not have any views because the peaks are all in the low clouds (like they are today on the webcam I saw). Thhings are pretty much shut down between the summer and winter season, with many hotels and restaurants closed, as well as the cablecars. The roads are likely to be snowy or icy, and your rental car will need winter tires and other winter equipment.

If you are not familiar with driving on mountain roads in the winter, this is a particularly bad idea.

I suggest you add the time to your Venice plans. Or book a hotel in Bolzano for 2 nights, and if the intervening day is nice, you can take the local transport bus up into Val Gardena and visit the village of Ortesei, or one of the others further up the valley, all with views of the mountains.

And if it is not a nice day, Bolzano is a pretty Tyrolian town with a fascinating museum and great food on offer.

Posted by
1779 posts

It depends how much late you are in November, but often Christmas markets in Tirol start on the last November Sunday. Bolzano and Bressanone should be entertaining at the time, less so the mountain villages.