Where to stay in the Dolomites: a complete guide to the regions

The Dolomites are a vast mountain region in northern Italy, which includes dozens of resorts, valleys, and villages. And the main question that almost every traveler faces is: where is the best place to stay in the Dolomites, and which region should you choose for accommodation?

Literally everything here depends on the choice of where to live.

• how comfortable will it be for you to ride
• how much time will you spend on the road
• what kinds of views will you see
• and even the overall level of comfort of the trip

In this guide, we’ll look at where to stay in the Dolomites depending on your travel purpose, compare the main regions, and help you choose the best option for your type of holiday.

Where to go in the Dolomites — a quick choice

• If you’re visiting for the first time → Alta Badia (the easiest logistics, 1–3 minutes to the lifts)
• If you want an active atmosphere, Val Gardena is the place to go — it has more slopes and an active atmosphere.
• If the budget is limited → Val di Fassa
• If views and atmosphere are important → Cortina d’Ampezzo
• If you’re going in summer for the sake of nature, consider Ortisei or Alpe di Siusi.

How to choose where to stay in the Dolomites

Before booking accommodation, it’s important to understand a few things. There is no single “ideal” place in the Dolomites — it all depends on your goals.

Purpose of the trip

• For skiing, proximity to the lifts and access to Sella Ronda
• For nature and photography, the views and location are more important.
• For a relaxing holiday, quiet villages are suitable.

With or without a car

• Without a car, it is better to choose large resorts
• With the car, the choice becomes much wider

Budget

• There are premium regions (for example, Cortina).
• There are more affordable options (Val di Fassa).

First time or not

• It’s better for beginners to live in a place where everything is convenient and easy to understand.
• Experienced users can choose more local locations

Best Dolomite regions to live in

Alta Badia is the best option for comfortable skiing.

Alta Badia is one of the most convenient regions for skiing in the Dolomites. You can read more about the region itself, the slopes, and the infrastructure in a separate article — a complete guide to Alta Badia.

The logistics here are very well thought out: most hotels are located 100–300 meters from the ski lifts, and from Corvara you can almost immediately head to Sella Ronda without buses or long transfers.

In practice, Alta Badia is considered the simplest region in the Dolomites in terms of logistics. Here, the lifts are located right in the villages, there are no long transfers between zones, and most of the Sella Ronda routes are accessible without transfers or additional descents. This reduces the likelihood of mistakes and makes skiing as straightforward as possible even on the first day.

Suitable if you:

• going to the Dolomites for the first time
• do you want a relaxing ride
• appreciate comfort and easy navigation

Positive:

• direct access to Sella Ronda
• the trails start right outside the cities
• Everything is compact, no need to travel far.

Minuses:

• Prices are above average (180–300€ per night in winter).
• less evening life

Best cities:

• Corvara is the best exit to Sella Ronda (1–3 minutes to the Boè and Col Alto lifts).
• Colfosco — quieter, but also with direct access.
• La Villa is a bit cheaper, but it’s 5–10 minutes to the lifts.

If you’re just choosing between these resorts, you can take a look at the material where to stay in Alta Badia separately.

Val Gardena — the perfect balance

Val Gardena is a more active and diverse region. In Selva di Val Gardena, the lifts are literally in the city: the nearest stations are usually 1–5 minutes away on foot, and you can immediately access several Sella Ronda routes. If you want to get a better understanding of the route, it’s useful to take a look at the article about Sella Ronda from Alta Badia and neighboring regions separately.

The main difference from Alta Badia is that there are more trails here, a greater elevation change, and more route options. However, this makes the logistics a bit more complicated, and there are usually more people.

Suitable if you:

• do you want maximum skiing experience
• do you like a variety of trails
• an active atmosphere is important

Positive:

• one of the best access points to Sella Ronda
• more trails than in Alta Badia
• Developed infrastructure (restaurants, shops, après‑ski)

Minuses:

• more expensive (200–350€)
• more people

Best cities:

• Selva is the best option for skiing (1–5 minutes to the lifts) and is closer to Sella Ronda.
• Ortisei is more convenient in summer; there are several cable cars and good infrastructure here.
• Santa Cristina-compromise on price

You can read more about the region itself in the articles Val Gardena in winter: a ski resort in the Dolomites and Val Gardena: a holiday in the Dolomites.

Cortina d’Ampezzo is beautiful, but more expensive and challenging.

Cortina is not a single ski region, but several ski areas. You usually need to travel between them by car or bus, and this takes about 10–20 minutes.

However, this is one of the most beautiful regions in the Dolomites, with stunning panoramas, an atmospheric center, and good infrastructure for walks, restaurants, and summer trips in the mountains.

Suitable if you:

• go for views
• don’t plan to ride all day
• Do you want an atmosphere

Positive:

• best views in the Dolomites
• developed city infrastructure
• convenient for summer trips

Minuses:

• there is no unified system of trails
• you need to move between zones
• expensive (250–500€)

Val di Fassa is the best budget option.

Val di Fassa is a large region where accommodation is cheaper, but logistics are more complicated. For example, you can get to Sella Ronda from Canazei in about 5–10 minutes on foot or by lift. If you’re also comparing the regions in terms of ski passes, you can additionally check out the article what to choose — the Alta Badia or Dolomiti Superski ski pass.

The main difference from Alta Badia and Val Gardena is that the distances here are greater, and moving around often takes more time.

Suitable if you:

• do you want to save money
• traveling by car
• ready to move

Positive:

• Prices are lower (130–220€)
• access to Sella Ronda
• large selection of housing

Minuses:

• more time to move around
• less compact

Best cities:

• Canazei is the best access to Sella Ronda.
• Campitello is cheaper, but a bit farther away.

Alpe di Siusi — for the sake of nature and tranquility.

Alpe di Siusi is a plateau without dense development and with restricted vehicle access. There isn’t such a dense network of trails here as in Alta Badia or Val Gardena, but there is space, quiet, and very beautiful panoramas.

This option is especially good in summer, when the main goal is to enjoy walks, scenic views, and hiking, rather than active skiing from morning till evening.

Suitable if you:

• going in the summer
• do you want peace and views

Positive:

• Some of the best views in the Dolomites.
• few people
• the perfect place for hiking

Minuses:

• transport restrictions
• no active life

Comparison of Dolomite regions

This table helps you quickly understand which region to choose based on your travel style. If you’re traveling for the first time, it’s better to focus on Alta Badia or Val Gardena — they offer the most convenient access to skiing and clear logistics.

Which is better: Alta Badia or Val Gardena?

If you’re choosing between Alta Badia and Val Gardena, it all depends on what kind of holiday you prefer.

Alta Badia is better suited for a first trip, relaxed riding, and the simplest possible logistics. It’s easier to navigate here, there’s less fuss, and it’s simpler to get on the route.

Val Gardena is more suitable for those who want an active holiday, more slopes, and a livelier atmosphere.

Where to stay in the Dolomites in winter (for skiing)

If your goal is skiing or snowboarding, it’s worth choosing regions with better logistics. In Alta Badia and Val Gardena, the lifts are connected into a single system, and you can ski all day without buses. You can find more details on the Alta Badia trail map or on the official Dolomiti Superski website.

Best options:

• Alta Badia
• Val Gardena
• Canazei (Val di Fassa)

It is optimal to choose accommodation within a radius of 100–300 meters from the lift.

Places to stay in the Dolomites in summer

In summer, the Dolomites are not about skiing, but about nature, routes, and views. Therefore, the logic behind choosing accommodation here is completely different. It’s important to choose not the most popular region, but a convenient base for hiking, lakes, and beautiful locations.

Hiking experience

Best regions:

• Val Gardena — quick access to Seceda and Alpe di Siusi
• Tre Cime-the most famous routes
• Cortina-variety of routes
• Val di Funes — quieter and fewer people.

Lakes

The lakes are located far apart, so it’s important to choose a convenient base. For example, Dobbiaco is about 15 minutes from Lago di Braies and 25–30 minutes from the Tre Cime area. If you’re planning a summer trip specifically for the lakes, you can take a look at the selection of the most beautiful lakes in the Dolomites separately and explore Lake Braies in more detail.

Best summer bases

• Ortisei is a versatile option with 3 chairlifts (Seceda, Alpe di Siusi, Rasciesa).
• Cortina d’Ampezzo is a base for trips to various regions.
• Dobbiaco is convenient for the lakes (15–30 minutes by car), in the north of the Dolomites.
• Selva di Val Gardena — active recreation and convenient access to Sella Ronda.

If you’re visiting for the first time, it’s better to choose Ortisei or Cortina.

Where not to live in the Dolomites: common mistakes

1. It’s worth avoiding villages that are too far away, where it takes more than 20–30 minutes to get to the ski lifts or bus stops. It’s also not a good choice to live far from transport stops if you don’t have a car.
2. Another common mistake is to choose accommodation based on price without considering logistics. As a result, you might save 50 euros, but you’ll lose 1–2 hours every day on commuting.
3. Most often, beginners make the same mistake — they choose accommodation based on price or beautiful photos, without checking the distance to the ski lifts and the actual logistics. As a result, the hotel may be located 5–10 km from the ski area, and time is wasted on travel every day, which significantly reduces the quality of the holiday.

Tips for choosing a home

1. Book accommodation in advance: in winter — 3–6 months in advance, in summer — 2–4 months in advance. In popular regions, good options sell out very quickly.
2. Pay attention to the distance to the lifts. Ideally, it should be up to 300–500 meters; up to 1 km is fine, but more than 1 km is inconvenient and will require transportation. If you plan to do a lot of hiking, this is especially important.
3. Check whether parking is available in the apartment description on the service where you are booking accommodation, for example, on Booking.com. In some regions, especially in the city center, parking may be paid or limited.
4. Check the access to ski bus or public transport in the description and reviews of the accommodation you are considering.
5. Read reviews on Booking, Google Maps, and sometimes on TripAdvisor.

Examples of hotels in the Dolomites

The prices are approximate and per night during the high season; they may vary depending on the dates, occupancy, and room type. In the popular regions of the Dolomites, good options are often sold out 2–4 months in advance, so it’s better to book accommodation early.

The safest choice: Ortisei or Cortina.

FAQ

Where is the best place to stay in the Dolomites for the first time?

It’s best to choose Alta Badia or Val Gardena — these are the most convenient and easy‑to‑understand regions.

Which region is better for Sella Ronda?

Alta Badia, Val Gardena, and Canazei provide the best access to the route.

Is it possible to vacation in the Dolomites without a car?

Yes, but it’s better to choose large resorts with well‑developed infrastructure, such as Ortisei or Corvara.

Where is it cheaper to live in the Dolomites?

The most affordable options are in Val di Fassa and in small villages near the main resorts.

Where is the best place to stay in the Dolomites in summer?

It’s better to choose Ortisei, Cortina, or Dobbiaco — they offer convenient access to nature and trails.

Which region is the most beautiful in the Dolomites?

Cortina and Alpe di Siusi are considered among the most picturesque.

Conclusion

• for the first time → Alta Badia
• for outdoor activities → Val Gardena
• to save money → Val di Fassa
• for views → Cortina
• for nature → Alpe di Siusi

The main thing is to choose a location that suits your goals.

Konstantin

Konstantin is an acclaimed travel writer, celebrated for transforming ordinary journeys into extraordinary narratives. With years of experience exploring diverse destinations across the globe, his work blends vivid storytelling, cultural insights, and practical advice to inspire wanderlust and guide readers toward unforgettable adventures.

As a key contributor to enjoythetrip.org website, Konstantin has built a loyal readership through their expertise in uncovering both iconic landmarks and off-the-beaten-path treasures. He specializes in providing travelers with honest, actionable tips, whether it’s finding the best resorts in Maldives, exploring cultural hubs like Paris, or diving into the natural wonders of Croatia.