The Perfect Dolomites Road Trip Itinerary for 5 Days

Are you planning a road trip to the Dolomites? You’re in for a treat! The Italian Dolomites are one of my favorite places in Italy, and even after visiting three times, I still can’t get enough of them.

From dramatic mountain peaks and alpine lakes to charming towns, scenic drives, and unforgettable hikes, the Dolomites really have it all!

This 5 day Dolomites road trip itinerary is perfect for first-time visitors who want to see all the highlights in one trip, without feeling rushed. It’s designed to help you experience as much of the Dolomites as possible in a short amount of time, with a route that actually makes sense for driving.

Disclosure: This post contains a few affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through my link.

Good to Know Before Your Dolomites Road Trip

📆 When is the best time to visit the Dolomites?

The best time to plan a Dolomites road trip is from late June to late September, when mountain roads, hiking trails, and cable cars are open. July and August are the busiest months, especially around Alpe di Siusi and Tre Cime di Lavaredo, so expect more crowds and higher prices. I personally prefer late June or September, when the weather is still great but things feel a bit less hectic.

🚗 Do you need a car in the Dolomites?

Yes, you’ll need a car to follow this itinerary. While some areas are reachable by public transport, having a rental car gives you way more flexibility, especially for early starts, scenic drives, and reaching trailheads and alpine lakes. I recommend checking Discover Cars to compare prices across different providers and find the best deal.

✈️ Where should you fly into for a Dolomites road trip?

The Dolomites don’t have their own airport, so you’ll need to fly into a nearby city and drive from there. Venice Marco Polo Airport and Milan Bergamo Airport or Milan Malpensa Airport usually work best. Ortisei is about a 3–3.5 hour drive from Venice, around 3 hours from Bergamo, and closer to 4 hours from Malpensa. From any of these airports, picking up a rental car and driving into the Dolomites is straightforward.

🏨 Where should you stay for this 5 day Dolomites itinerary?

This itinerary works best if you split your stay between two bases. Ortisei is ideal for the first part of the trip, and I recommend Hotel Angelo Engel if you want a comfortable stay right in town. For the second half, base yourself in Cortina d’Ampezzo, which puts you close to Lago di Braies and Tre Cime di Lavaredo. Hotel Aquila is a great option here and very well located.

🗺️ Why do places in the Dolomites have multiple names?

The Dolomites are a multilingual region, which is why many places have more than one official name. Most locations have both an Italian and a German name, and in some areas you’ll also see Ladin names used as well. That’s why you’ll often see signs and maps showing names like Ortisei/St Ulrich, Alpe di Siusi/Seiser Alm, or Lago di Braies/Pragser Wildsee.

Overview of Your 5 Day Dolomites Itinerary

This 5 day Dolomites road trip is split between two main bases, making it easy to cover the highlights without long daily drives.

The first part of the itinerary is based in Ortisei, with visits to Lago di Carezza, Alpe di Siusi, Val di Funes, and the Seceda ridgeline. These spots are close together and work well as a starting point for the trip.

For the second half, you’ll move to Cortina d’Ampezzo, which puts you within easy reach of Lago di Braies, Lago di Misurina, Tre Cime di Lavaredo, and the Cadini di Misurina viewpoint.

Breakdown of your Dolomites itinerary

• Day 1: Lago di Carezza, Ortisei, Alpe di Siusi
• Day 2: Geisler Alm, Santa Maddalena
• Day 3: Seceda, Passo Gardena, Cortina d’Ampezzo
• Day 4: Lago di Braies, Lago di Misurina, Cima Tofana di Mezzo
• Day 5: Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Cadini di Misurina

Map for your Dolomites road trip

I’ve put together a custom map with all the stops included in this Dolomites itinerary to make planning easier. It covers everything you’ll need along the route, from the main sights and viewpoints to parking spots and mountain huts.

How to use this map: This map is fully interactive, so you can move around, zoom in/zoom out, and click on the icons. If you want to see a larger map, click on the bracket in the upper right corner. To see more details and the different layers, click on the tab in the upper left corner. If you want to save it for later, click on the star icon next to the name of the map. Then simply open Google Maps either on your desktop or phone, go to ‘Saved’/’Maps’, and open the map whenever you need it.

Day 1

This first day works best if you arrive early in either Venice or Milan, as you’ll need most of the day to follow the route comfortably. If you land in the morning, this itinerary is completely doable and makes for a great start to the trip.

Whether you’re coming from Venice or Milan, I recommend making a short detour to Lago di Carezza on your way to Ortisei. It’s an easy stop along the route and a really nice way to ease into the Dolomites before checking into your hotel.

If your flight arrives later in the afternoon or evening, I’d suggest arriving one night earlier, settling into Ortisei, and starting this itinerary the following morning. That way, you can take your time and enjoy each stop without rushing.

Lago di Carezza

Instead of heading straight to Ortisei, it’s worth making a short stop at Lago di Carezza. It’s an easy detour on the way from Venice or Milan and a really nice first introduction to the Dolomites.

The lake is often called the “Rainbow Lake,” and there’s a local legend behind the name. According to the story, a wizard once tried to win over a mermaid living in the lake by creating a rainbow across the mountains.

When his plan failed, he shattered the rainbow and threw the pieces into the water, which is why the lake is said to shimmer with so many different colors. Legend or not, the colors here really are impressive!

Lago di Carezza sits in the Val d’Ega valley and is surrounded by forest and jagged peaks. At first glance, you’d think it’s tucked away deep in the woods, but it’s actually very easy to reach!

There’s a paid parking lot right by the road, and from there it’s only a short walk to the lake.

Near the entrance, you’ll find a wooden viewing platform where you can also learn more about the history of the area, including the severe storm in 2018 that destroyed large parts of the surrounding forest in South Tyrol.

You can walk the loop trail around the lake in about 20 to 25 minutes. The lake itself is fully fenced, so you can’t walk right up to the water.

Even though you’ll probably see photos online of people standing on rocks right by the lake, please don’t do this. You can get great photos from the marked viewpoints without stepping outside the restricted areas.

Ortisei

After visiting Lago di Carezza and taking a million photos of the beautiful scenery, it’s time to continue on to Ortisei, which will be your base for the next couple of days. From the lake, the drive takes about an hour.

Ortisei is a small but lively town in Val Gardena and is especially known for its long tradition of woodcarving. You’ll notice handmade wooden sculptures and details all over town, a craft that local families have been passing down for generations.

Ortisei is one of the best places to stay in the Dolomites and hence very popular among travelers, thanks to being super close to the Seceda ridgeline and Alpe di Siusi/Seiser Alm. More about them later!

If you have some extra time on your first day, it’s worth taking a relaxed stroll through the center. The pedestrian area between the Chapel of Saint Ulrich and the Antonius Church is especially nice and often described as one of the prettiest shopping streets in the Dolomites.

For this itinerary, I recommend spending your first two nights in Ortisei. We stayed at Hotel Angelo Engel, a family-run hotel with a large garden, indoor and outdoor pools, and a great spa, which makes it a really comfortable base after a travel day.

If Hotel Angelo Engel isn’t available for your dates, here are a few other good options in Ortisei:

• Luxury: Adler Spa Resort Dolomiti | Alpin Garden Luxury Maison
• Mid-range: Hotel Pinei | Apartments Villa Venezia Luxury
• Budget: Villa Moroder | Sule Hof Agriturismo

Alpe di Siusi

From Ortisei, head up to Alpe di Siusi, one of the most iconic places in the Dolomites and an absolute must on this itinerary.

Alpe di Siusi is the largest alpine meadow in Europe and offers wide open views of peaks like Sassolungo, Sassopiatto, and Sciliar. It’s beautiful at any time of day, but late afternoon and sunset are especially popular if you have the time and energy.

It’s important to know that driving there is strictly prohibited, and if you don’t want to get fined hundreds of euros, you need to follow the rules. You have basically three options for getting there.

If you stay overnight at one of the hotels on the plateau, you’re allowed to drive up by car on your arrival day, but only as far as your hotel and only once. There are just a handful of hotels up here, Hotel Icaro***S and Sporthotel Sonne are the closest to the most famous viewpoint (pictured below).

If you’re staying in Ortisei, the easiest option during the day is taking the cable car up to Alpe di Siusi. This works well if you’re visiting in the afternoon, but it won’t allow you to stay for sunset since the last ride usually comes down around 5 or 6 pm.

Opening hours vary by season, so it’s always worth checking the timetable in advance. Make sure to look for the Ortisei/St. Ulrich – Seiser Alm gondola, as there are more!

If you want to visit for sunrise or sunset, the best thing you can do is to drive up to Compatsch and leave your car at the P2 parking lot.

You can’t drive up on the road between 9 am and 5 pm without getting a big fat check, but if you go earlier or later, it’s going to be fine.

After you leave the car in the parking lot, you need to hike for around 1 hour to get to the famous viewpoint (search for Belvedere dell’ Alpe di Siusi on Google Maps to find it). The hike is super easy, it’s mostly flat, and the views along the way are simply breathtaking.

If you have a little extra time before sunset, before reaching the viewpoint, turn right and hike down to the Malga Sanon restaurant. You will find a tiny playground in front of the restaurant with a swing. It’s so much fun to take photos there, not to mention the insanely gorgeous background!

Day 2

On Day 2, you’ll spend the day exploring Val di Funes, one of the most scenic valleys in the Dolomites. From Ortisei, the drive takes around 45 minutes to reach the town of Santa Maddalena, and it’s well worth starting early.

Val di Funes is a small area with limited parking, especially around popular trailheads and viewpoints.

To avoid unnecessary waiting or detours, I recommend heading straight to the Geisler Alm hike first, then visiting the churches afterward, when parking is usually a bit easier.

Hike to Geisler Alm

Start the day with the hike to Geisler Alm, one of the most popular and scenic hikes in the Dolomites. This is the main reason I recommend starting early, especially in high season!

The hike begins at Parkplatz Zanser Alm (P1), which is a roughly 10-minute drive from Santa Maddalena. Parking here is limited and fills up quickly, and if it’s full, you won’t be allowed to drive up.

In that case, you’d need to park in Santa Maddalena and take the bus, which often comes with long lines, so arriving early really helps.

The parking lot at Zanser Alm is a major trailhead with paths leading in several directions, so it’s important to start in the right place. To reach Geisler Alm, walk behind the bus stop at the parking lot and follow the signs from there.

Once you’ve started from behind the bus stop, you have two main options to reach Geisler Alm. The shorter route goes via Dusler Alm and takes around one hour.

The longer option goes via Glatsch Alm and takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. I’ve done both routes, and while the second one takes longer, both are relatively easy and very scenic.

As you hike, the Odle peaks slowly come into view, and the scenery gets better the higher you go! I highly recommend stopping for lunch at Geisler Alm before heading back down. The food is absolutely amazing, and the backdrop is unbeatable!

After lunch, you can return the same way or choose a different route to make a loop. Either way, plan to spend most of the morning on this hike before moving on to the churches later in the day.

Church of St. John in Ranui

After finishing the Geisler Alm hike, head back down to Santa Maddalena for your next stop at the Church of St. John in Ranui. This small Baroque church with the Odle mountains behind it is one of the most photographed spots in the entire Dolomites!

There are a few different parking options in and around Santa Maddalena. The most convenient one is a small parking lot close to the church, but it often fills up quickly, especially around midday.

If it’s full, continue driving toward the town center and park at one of the other parking areas there. I’ve marked all the relevant parking lots on the map at the top of the article.

There is a wooden viewing platform close to the parking lot, and it’s an amazing place to take photos of the church with the mountains in the background. After that, you can walk closer to the church too.

If you want to visit the interior, the church is open to visitors for a small entrance fee. It’s also sometimes used for weddings and small events, which gives you an idea of just how special the setting is!

Santa Maddalena Church

Your last stop in Val di Funes is the iconic Santa Maddalena Church, one of the most recognizable viewpoints in the Dolomites. With the Odle mountains rising behind it, this small church has become the symbol of the valley and one of my favorite viewpoints ever!

It’s important to know that you can’t drive up to the church so you need to park your car in the center of the town.

Depending on where you park, you’ll need to walk uphill for about 20 to 30 minutes to reach the famous viewpoint above the church. It’s a very easy hike, basically, you just need to walk up to the hill across the church.

If you search for “Panchina Panoramica Santa Maddalena” on Google Maps, it should take you straight to the viewpoint. Once you’re done there, you can head back down and visit the church itself if it’s open.

Day 3

Since this is already the third day of your Dolomites road trip itinerary, it’s time to check out of your hotel in Ortisei and move on to your next base in Cortina d’Ampezzo.

Before hitting the road, you’ll start the day up on the Seceda ridgeline, one of the most iconic viewpoints in the Dolomites and a great place for a short hike.

Since the cable cars run from Ortisei, it’s best to check out from your hotel in the morning, leave your luggage in the car, and go up to Seceda. After you’re done with the hike, you will still have time to drive to your other hotel and check out Passo Gardena on the way.

Hiking at Seceda

As mentioned earlier, the cable cars up to Seceda run directly from Ortisei. If you can’t leave your car at your hotel after checking out, there’s also a large parking lot at the cable car station.

Located in the Puez Odle Nature Park, Seceda has one of the most dramatic ridgelines in the Dolomites, with jagged peaks and steep drop-offs.

Once you’re up there, there are countless hiking trails, and it only depends on your preference which one you take. If you have time, you can even hike all the way down to Ortisei!

Whichever option you choose, walking along the ridgeline is a must. After arriving by cable car, turn left and start walking uphill. There’s even a sign pointing toward the viewpoint, so it’s very easy to find.

If you’re not much of a hiker, you can head back toward the cable car station after soaking in the views. If you feel like walking a bit more, hike down to Baita Troier Hütte for a break. Their apple pies are to die for!

From there, you can either continue your hike to Pieralongia (twin spires, they kinda look like the rocks from Lion King) and then Rifugio Firenze, or you can just go back to the cable car station. It’s totally up to you!

Passo Gardena

Passo Gardena, also known as Gardena Pass, is a scenic mountain pass connecting Val Gardena with Val Badia. From Ortisei, it’s about a 30-minute drive, and since you’ll be heading toward Cortina d’Ampezzo anyway, you’ll pass through it naturally.

There’s a small hut called Rifugio Frara where you can park your car. From there, it’s just a short walk uphill to a viewpoint with great mountain views.

This area is also the starting point of a longer 11.5 km hike, but it’s quite demanding and not something I’d recommend for first-time visitors. We didn’t do it either, we just stopped for a short time to take in the views, which were amazing!

Cortina d’Ampezzo

For the second half of your Dolomites road trip, it makes sense to change bases and stay in Cortina d’Ampezzo. From Ortisei, the drive takes around 1 hour 40 minutes (about 1 hour 10 minutes from Passo Gardena).

The main reason for switching bases is simple. The sights you’ll visit over the next couple of days, including Lago di Braies, Lago di Misurina, and Tre Cime di Lavaredo, are too far from Ortisei to make day trips practical.

Staying in Cortina keeps driving times reasonable and makes the itinerary much more enjoyable!

Cortina d’Ampezzo is one of the most popular places to stay in the Dolomites, and for good reason. It’s a lively alpine town with plenty of restaurants, cafés, and shops, and it’s very well located for exploring the surrounding area.

If you’re looking for a comfortable and well-located hotel, Hotel Aquila is a solid option right in the center of town. If it isn’t available for your dates, here are a few other good places to stay in Cortina d’Ampezzo:

• Luxury: Rosapetra SPA Resort | Dolomiti Lodge Alverà
• Mid-range: Boutique Hotel Villa Blu Cortina | Hotel Villa Alpina ***S
• Budget: Hotel Meuble Oasi | Ciasa Nonna Bon Bon

Day 4

Lago di Braies

Start the fourth day of your Dolomites road trip itinerary by visiting the most famous lake in the Dolomites, Lago di Braies. With its turquoise green water and dramatic mountain backdrop, it’s easy to see why this place shows up everywhere!

Because of its popularity, Lago di Braies gets extremely crowded during the day, especially in summer. If you can manage it, I highly recommend visiting early in the morning. Sunrise here is beautiful, the lake is much quieter, and the light is often at its best.

From Cortina d’Ampezzo, the drive takes about 50 minutes. If you plan to visit between July and September, you need to reserve a parking spot in advance. Without this, you can’t drive up to the lake between 9:30 am and 4 pm, but you can go without a reservation before or after.

Once you’re there, it’s worth walking the loop trail around the lake, which takes about 1 to 2 hours at a relaxed pace. Renting a rowboat from the boathouse is another popular option and a nice way to experience the lake from the water.

If you’ve seen those classic Instagram photos taken from the small wooden pier surrounded by boats, it’s good to know that the pier belongs to a private boathouse.

You can only access it if you rent a boat during opening hours or book the pier for a private photo shoot. Please don’t trespass for the sake of a photo!

Lago di Misurina

After Lago di Braies, continue on toward Lago di Misurina, a scenic alpine lake located just below the Tre Cime area. From Lago di Braies, the drive takes around 45 minutes and is very straightforward.

Lago di Misurina feels quite different from Lago di Braies. It’s larger, more open, and surrounded by wide mountain views rather than steep forested slopes. The lake sits right next to the road, so it’s an easy stop and doesn’t require any hiking.

You can walk along the lakeside path, grab a coffee at one of the cafés nearby, or simply stop for a few photos with the mountains reflecting in the water. It’s also a nice place to slow down a bit before heading up to higher elevations later in the day.

Read more: 10 Most Beautiful Lakes in the Dolomites You Can’t Miss

Cima Tofana di Mezzo

End the day by heading up to Cima Tofana di Mezzo, one of the highest and most impressive viewpoints near Cortina d’Ampezzo.

Reaching the summit involves a series of three cable cars, with two changes along the way, taking you all the way up to 3,225 meters.

The ride itself is very scenic, and you can get off at any of the cable car stations to enjoy the views from different elevations, all of which feel surprisingly different.

As you gain altitude, the landscape becomes more dramatic and alpine. When we visited, we even found snow at the top in the middle of July, which felt pretty surreal after spending the day around turquoise lakes!

There are restaurants and mountain huts at each level, so it’s easy to stop for a coffee or a meal either on the way up or on the way back down. It’s a great way to slow things down after a full day of driving and sightseeing, without adding any extra hiking.

Since this is a high-altitude stop, it’s always worth checking the weather before heading up. On a clear day, the views are incredible, but if clouds roll in, you can always skip it and head back to Cortina for a relaxed evening instead.

Day 5

Tre Cime di Lavaredo

The Tre Cime di Lavaredo loop hike is one of the best hikes in the Dolomites, and no itinerary here really feels complete without seeing the iconic three peaks. The full loop is around 10 km and, despite the distance, it’s a fairly easy hike that’s suitable for most people with a basic level of fitness.

Usually, it takes around 3-4 hours to complete the loop. We personally did it in 3.5 hours with several photo stops, not including a longer break at Dreizinnenhütte.

The hike starts and ends at Rifugio Auronzo, where you’ll find several large parking lots. There’s only one road leading up to Rifugio Auronzo, and since it’s a private road, you’ll need to pay a toll to drive up with your car.

From Cortina d’Ampezzo, the drive to Rifugio Auronzo takes about 40 minutes. Try to arrive early in the morning, ideally before 8 am. Once the parking lots fill up, the road can be temporarily closed, and you won’t be able to drive up!

There is a bus service that runs up to Rifugio Auronzo, with the bus stop located in front of Ristorante Bar Genzianella. However, during summer, the lines can be very long, which is why I still recommend driving up early if you can.

The loop hike itself is very straightforward and easy to follow. I recommend hiking counterclockwise, starting in the direction of Rifugio Lavaredo.

If you want more detailed trail info, check out my step-by-step guide about the Tre Cime di Lavaredo hike!

Cadini di Misurina

If you have some energy left after completing the Tre Cime di Lavaredo loop hike, I would recommend adding an extra hike to your day.

There is an insanely beautiful viewpoint along the Cadini di Misurina hiking trail, and it would be such a shame to leave it out of this Dolomites road trip itinerary!

The hike starts from the same place as Tre Cime, at Rifugio Auronzo, so it makes sense to combine the two. Just keep in mind that you’ll need to head in the opposite direction of the Tre Cime loop.

It takes around 35 to 45 minutes to reach the viewpoint, depending on your pace. The trail is only about 2 km long, but it’s steeper than the Tre Cime loop, with some exposed sections. This hike isn’t suitable if you’re afraid of heights.

If you want detailed directions, I’ve written a step-by-step guide to the Cadini di Misurina hike that explains exactly how to reach the viewpoint.

Please only attempt this hike in good conditions. If the trail is wet or muddy, it’s best to skip it. The viewpoint is exposed, and a slip here could be very dangerous, so take your time and be cautious.