Best Things to do in Dolomites: For the Hiker/Adventure Traveler 

As passionate hikers, the Dolomites have always been at the top of our bucket list. There’s something about those jagged, dramatic peaks that feels otherworldly—mountains carved with such sharp, rugged beauty, they almost don’t seem real. A paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, the Dolomites offer more than just breathtaking landscapes but also an immersion into a blend of history and culture. Here, the Italian flair and cuisine is mixed with the Austrian charm and German customs. 

Having hiked through Peru’s Andes, Nepal’s Himalayas, Iceland’s wild terrain, and Utah’s desert canyons, there is something truly unique with the landscape found in the Dolomites. After over two weeks of exploring and meticulously planning every detail to make the most of our adventure, we’ve put together a list of unforgettable things to do in the Dolomites—perfect for hikers and adventure travelers alike.

Now Grab your merino socks, lace up your best hiking boots, and let’s get into it!

If ever you don’t enjoy hiking or are looking for family-friendly activities in the Dolomites, we got you! We have compiled a list of the best things to do in the Dolomites perfect for the non-hiker or if traveling with kids!

Best Things to do in the Dolomites

If you’re a hiker or adventure traveler, this list is made for you! After spending two weeks exploring the jaw-dropping landscapes of the Dolomites, we’ve put together our favorite experiences. We’ve carefully curated this list to include a mix of activities, so you can build your Dolomites itinerary without feeling like you’re doing similar hikes over and over again.

1) Via Ferrata Experience

Let’s kick things off with one of the most thrilling and adventurous activities you can experience in the Dolomites: Via Ferratas. We first discovered via ferrata back home in Canada, and ever since, we’ve been hooked on this adrenaline-packed activity, constantly craving more.

What are Via Ferratas?

For those unfamiliar, via ferratas are protected climbing routes that weave through the mountains, equipped with metal fixtures, cables, ladders, and sometimes even suspension bridges.

With the right safety gear, you’re securely connected to the fixed cables along the route, allowing you to navigate a challenging mix of climbing and hiking through exposed cliffside paths. During our trip through the Dolomites, we got to try some of the via ferratas there, and it was absolutely exhilarating. You reach such incredible spots that it genuinely feels like you’re standing on top of the world.

Historical Importance of Via Ferrata

But via ferrata isn’t just about the thrill—it’s also deeply tied to history. During World War I, soldiers created these routes to help navigate the treacherous Dolomite terrain, giving them access to strategic positions for battle. As you climb, you’ll often pass by remnants of this history, including fortifications and bunkers scattered along the way.

where to do Via Ferrata

With countless via ferrata routes across the Dolomites, many offer the chance to reach mountain summits high above what would be possible just through regular hiking. And for the true adventurer, there are even hut-to-hut multi-day excursions, blending hiking and via ferrata routes through some of the most isolated and hard to reach landscapes. 

We highly recommend going with a professional guide who can show you the proper routes, provide equipment, instruction, and overall ensure your safety.

Here are a few of the companies that provide single day Via Ferrata excursions:

Gear Rental | If ever you want to do it independently, you can get your Via Ferrata gear rental at Snowservice in Cortina D’ampezzo or Sport Bruno Riffeser if in Val Gardena.

2) Best Single Day Hikes in the Dolomites

The Dolomites is a hiker’s paradise, with countless single-day hikes to choose from. However, since you won’t have unlimited time in the Dolomites, we’ve put together a list of our favourite trails.

We aimed to pick hikes that offer a mix of landscapes and experiences—some take you through fairy-tale-like rolling pastures, others through dramatic jagged peaks, whereas another showcases stunning glacial lakes. We even found one with a rich historical significance featuring military bunkers and artillery.

While we couldn’t explore every trail during our Dolomites Itinerary, we believe these top hikes offer a fantastic variety for any itinerary.

Alpe Di Siuisi / Seiser Alm

Alpe di Siusi (or Seiser Alm in German) is Europe’s largest alpine meadow, stretching over rolling hills and dotted with charming alpine huts. The towering peaks of Sassolungo and Sciliar provide a breathtaking backdrop, making the scenery feel like it’s straight out of a postcard. We’d seen countless photos online before visiting the Dolomites, and we knew we had to experience it for ourselves. Now that we’ve been, it truly feels like something out of a fairy tale.

The best part? The hike is relatively easy, and there are plenty of alpine huts along the way where you can stop for a drink or a meal. We made a pit stop at Sanon-Hütte (Malga Sanon) and enjoyed a refreshing glass of Campari Spritz while lounging in their wooden sun chairs.

It was the perfect way to unwind and fully take in the magical landscape. In fact, no hike in the Dolomites felt complete without a mandatory Aperol and food break!

If you want to explore this area on bike, it is also possible. We also saw some people riding mountain bikes along the trail which I think would be an awesome way of exploring Alpe di Siusi! 

Alpe Di Siusi: Hike details

Our hike covered 7km and took around 4.5 hours at a leisurely pace, which included a delightful Campari Spritz break at Malga Sanon. With only about 170m of elevation gain, this hike is relatively easy, making it a great option for a relaxed outing.

Is Alpe Di Siusi Worth it?

This was one of our favorite hikes during our Dolomites trip. The trail itself was fairly easy, but the views of the rolling pastures were truly unforgettable. What made it even better were the several rifugios along the way, complete with wooden sun chairs that added to the hike’s relaxing vibe.

If you can manage to get here for sunrise, which means an early drive and parking in Parkplatz P2 or P1 (as explained below), the views are absolutely magical.

How to reach Alpe Di Siusi Hike

You have in total 4 ways to reach Alpe Di Siusi. The first two involves the use of a car, whereas the latter two can be reached with public transportation and/or the chairlift.

Download our Free PDF guide and get our top 6 easy to medium Day hikes in the Dolomites, including 2 special hikes not included in this post! 💎

Seceda Ridge

Remember how we mentioned the Dolomites’ incredible, jagged peaks? Well, Seceda is one of the iconic landscapes that drew us to this region in the first place.

Situated in the Val Gardena area, Seceda is a vast plateau high above the valleys, renowned for its sharply pointed peaks that rise dramatically from lush green meadows on one side, while the other side features a steep vertical drop. Unlike Alpe Di Siusi, Seceda offers a more rugged and dramatic view of the Dolomites.

Seceda Ridge: Hike Details

You can take the easy route to the famous Seceda viewpoint with minimal effort by hopping on two chairlifts from Ortisei directly to the ridge.

Alternatively, for those seeking more adventure, you can embark on a scenic 9km loop hike that winds through the pastures, starting from either the chairlift stations in Ortisei or Santa Cristina.

We did the latter option since our hotel was in Santa Christina, and it also allowed us to save around 11€ per person on the chairlift ticket price.

Our hike was a total of 9km, taking about 4 hours with a 440m ascent. If you’re planning to do this hike, be sure to check the time for the last chairlift down the mountain—make sure you’re back in time, or you’ll be stuck up there!

Is Seceda Worth it?

Throughout our entire trip in the Dolomites, Seceda and Tre Cime di Lavaredo offered the most jaw-dropping, dramatic mountain views. We tackled a via ferrata in Tre Cime di Lavaredo, which took us high up into the mountains for some truly epic vistas.

However, if you’re not up for a via ferrata, we’d say Seceda offered the second most stunning views. What’s awesome about Seceda is how customizable the hike is – you can make it as easy or challenging as you like, thanks to the chairlifts.

Once at the top, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of the Seceda ridge, and you can wander through lush green meadows, stopping at rifugios for some well-earned food.

Best Viewpoint in Seceda

Most people stop to take photos along the main downhill path from the chairlift, where wooden barriers line the way, but those spots only offer partial views of Seceda, with half of the scenery blocked by the fence.

For the best view of the Seceda ridge, head up past the chairlift area towards the Seceda Cross. Here you’ll find a wide, exposed ridge leading to another section. From here, there are no ropes limiting access, giving you a direct view of Seceda’s rugged side.

Just be cautious as you walk through this area, as some sections are exposed and there’s no safety railing.

How to get to Seceda Hike

You have two main options to reach the Seceda Hike. Both require taking a chairlift since the plateau of Seceda is actually quite high up:

Cinque torri

Cinque Torri, located nearby Cortina D’ampezzo, is one of the most impressive historical hikes in the region of the Dolomites.

Here you will discover the trenches, tunnels, bunkers, artillery positions, and encampments that the Italians used against the Austro-Hungarian armies. It was fascinating to see how they used this upper position to gain a strategic advantage during the war. Not only is Cinque Torri an excellent single day hike, but also serves as an open-air museum with very interesting lessons about the wartime history.

For us, this was the perfect excursion lasting a few hours since we had to also drive from Lago Misurina to Val Gardena that day.  

Cinque Torri: Hike Details

The route we followed was only about 2km long (taking around 1.5 hours at a slow pace), but you can easily shorten or extend it depending on your preferences.

Originally, we had planned to hike up to Rifugio Nuvolau (which would add about 1.5 hours), but as is often the case with Dolomites weather, it took a turn for the worse and got incredibly windy. So, we decided to play it safe, warm up at Rifugio Scoiatelli (right next to the chairlift), and enjoy a delicious lunch instead!

Is Cinque Torri Worth it?

The Cinque Torri hike was an enjoyable hike ideal for families and those interested in history. While it may not have the dramatic views of Seceda, Lago di Sorapis, or Alpe di Siusi, the mix of historical landmarks, educational value, manageable terrain, and the iconic five towers set against a stunning backdrop makes this hike truly enjoyable.

Since we were traveling from our hotel in Lago di Misurina to Val Gardena that day of our itinerary, the 3-4 hour trip to Cinque Torri made for the perfect afternoon detour. It’s also a great choice for anyone who’s just finished a long hike the day before and is looking for a more laid-back activity.

How to get to Cinque Torri Hike

You have 3 main options to reach the Cinque Torri hike:

Lago Di Sorapis

Finally, for the fourth best option of day hike in Dolomites, we would highly recommend visiting Lago Di Sorapis. The most famous glacial lake is Lago di Braies, but it isn’t much of a hike and personally we preferred Lago di Sorapis since it is such an adventure getting there. 

Lago Di Sorapis: Hike Details

Lago di Sorapis is located slightly east of Cortina D’Ampezzo and is a decently challenging 11km out-and-back hike.

The trail starts through the forest, then leads you across some semi-exposed sections with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. After that, you’ll tackle a steep final ascent before reaching the stunning turquoise waters of the glacial lake.

Once at the top, you have the option of walking around the entire lake (which adds around another 45 minutes) or enjoy a rest at the Rifugio Alfonso Vandelli. 

It took us a total of around 5.5 hours to complete the hike, including spending a good hour at the top enjoying the view of the lake. 

More challenging option

For those seeking an even greater challenge, you can make this a loop hike by heading up to Forcella Marcuoira. While it doesn’t add much distance, it certainly adds steep inclines and significant altitude gain. We’ve also heard that some sections are quite exposed, and the descent can be slippery on steep gravel.

For those reasons, we decided to skip it, but it’s definitely an option for experienced hikers looking for more of a challenge.

Is Lago Di Sorapis worth it?

Lago di Sorapis was one of our favorite hikes in the Dolomites.

It offered the perfect mix of landscapes, from lush forests to expansive mountains, some exposed trails, and finally, the stunning glacial lake.

The hike itself was a comfortable challenge, and it’s one of the few in the Dolomites where you don’t have to shell out for an expensive gondola or parking fee. While it’s slowly gaining popularity, the hike and lake still preserve their untouched, natural beauty.

How to get to Lago Di Sorapis Hike?

Park along the road on SR48, you will see a lot of other people doing the same. The parking there is free but it may be all occupied if it is busy. The Trailhead for Lago di Sorapis is nearby B&B Hotel Passo. The Hotel also has a parking but it appears to be only for hotel guests.

Otherwise there is another parking lot just a few minutes west of B&B Hotel Passo, it is a large free gravel parking lot. There will be a small walking path from there that leads to the hotel which will be close to the trailhead.  

Other Popular Day hikes in the Dolomites

There are countless other famous hikes including:

• Puez odle hike: Loop, 13km, 5-7 hours
• Col Dara Pierres Hike: Out-and-back, 8-10km, 4-5 hours
• Laguazoi tunnels: Out-and-back, 6km, with some via ferrata, 3-4 hours
• Cadini di Misurina From Rifugio Auronzo: Out-and-back, 3.5km, 2 hours
• Ra Gusela Hike: Loop, 8km, 4 hours
• and many more!

An excellent way to learn about the hikes, the difficulty, and were they are located is by using the hiking apps Komoot or AllTrails. If you have the premium membership, which costs only about 20-30$ per year, you’ll be able to get all the details including off-line tracking and maps, which we would highly recommend having here.  

3) Multi-day Trekking in the Dolomites

For the adventurous hiker, the Dolomites offers an amazing collection of multi-day hikes as well as hut-to-hut mountaintop hikes. Alta Via 1 and 2 are two of the Dolomites’ most epic hikes, and if you’re up for a challenge, they should definitely be on your list. 

Alta Via hikes

Alta Via 1 (AV1) is in total about 150km (taking around 8-10 days), offering jaw-dropping views and a variety of landscapes that’ll keep you hooked from start to finish. 

Alta Via 2 (AV2), on the other hand, is a bit more intense, covering 160km (taking around 10-12 days) with tougher terrain and higher altitudes. Both are multi-day hikes that’ll let you dive deep into the Dolomites’ rugged beauty

Tre Cime Hut-to-hut hike

Alternatively, if you want a shorter multi-day hike that allows you to combine hiking and via ferrata, then check out the Tre Cime de Lavarado 4 day hut-to-hut hike.

You start in Sesto walking through Val Fiscalina towards  Zsigmondyhütte or Rifugio Pian di Cengia where you’ll spend your first night. Then on the second day you hike to Rifugio Locatelli with the option of doing some Via ferratas. On the third day, you hike to Rifugio Fonda Savio through the famous Cadini di Misurina Viewpoint. You final day is short where you descend down to Lago Misurina. 

4) Spend a night in a Rifugio

One of the coolest experiences you can have in the Dolomites is spending a night in a mountain hut, known as a Rifugio. There are countless Rifugios scattered across the region—some easily accessible by chairlift, like in Alpe di Siusi and Cinque Torri—but the ones we’re talking about require a good hike to reach.

Rifugio Fonda Savio

We opted for a single-day hike up to Rifugio Fonda Savio, where we spent the night surrounded by dramatic peaks, high above the clouds. Watching the sunrise and sunset from up there, with the mountains glowing fiery orange, was pure magic.

The accommodations are pretty basic—think dorm-style beds—but at Fonda Savio, we managed to snag a private room. Meals are included (half-board) and served in a communal setting. We actually ended up reconnecting with one of the fellow hikers we had met earlier in our journey and was a lot of fun catching up and sharing our stories.

In total, the hike up to Rifugio Fonda Savio took us about 2.5 hours, covering 4km one-way with around 560m of elevation gain. It’s definitely a bit of a workout, but nothing too intense—just the right mix of effort and enjoyment. Since we were staying at Lago Misurina, we were able to just walk out of our hotel to reach the trailhead for the hike.

Other mountain huts (Rifugios)

Some other top mountain huts in the Dolomites include:

• Rifugio Locatelli: Out-and-back, 10km, 4 hours | Amazing views of Tre Cime
• Rifugio Pian Di Cengia: Out-and-back, 12-14km, 6 hours | Highest rifugio in Tre Cime area
• Rifugio Nuvolau: Out-and-back, 7km, 4 hours | Oldest Rifugio in Dolomites, perched on a dramatic peak
• Rifugio Laguazoi: Out-and-back, 7km 4 hours | WW1 trail, breathtaking terrace

5) Europe’s Longest Zipline

For those who want some additional thrill, check out San Vigilio di Marebbe’s adventure park.

Here you will find Europe’s longest zipline, a 3-kilometer flight from 1600m, reaching speeds of up to 80km/hour, all while being surrounded by the stunning Dolomite mountains.

The total activity lasts around 1 to 1.5 hours. While we didn’t get a chance to do it, it looks like a lot of fun!

6) Visit the Mountain Glacial Lakes of the Dolomites

One of the standout features in the Dolomites is their breathtaking glacial lakes.

The two most famous ones are Lago di Braies and Lago di Sorapis.

Lago di Braies

Lago di Braies is by far the most popular, given that it is very easy to access and requires no hiking to reach. Lago di Braies provides a peaceful and relaxing experience, with the option of also renting a canoe to paddle around the beautiful turquoise lake. It was that photo, of a girl in a yellow dress sitting on the canoe in the middle of Lago di Braies that first drew us in to visit here!

If you’re in the mood for a bit of hiking, you can do the 3.7km loop around the lake in about 1.5 hours—perfect for all levels, as the terrain is mostly flat.

We saw everyone from families with kids to elderly folks and hikers all enjoying this trail. An elderly local lady even offered us a hand when we were climbing up a steeper slope, which just comes to show how in shape the locals are! 

Many people also brought food and snacks for a picnic right by the lake, which looked like a fantastic idea!

In total, we spent around 3 hours there, walking around the lake, and taking photos! 

How to get to Lago di Braies

From July 10th to September 10th the road to the Braies Valley is limited unless you have a parking reservation. Without reservation, if the parking lots are full, you will be turned away.

There are 3 parking lots at the Pragser Wildsee lake (Lago di Braies).

Parking lot P4 is 100 meters away (closest to the lake), P3 is 300 meters away, and P2 around 800 meters from the lake. All 3 parking lots are paid. Below is the breakdown of the costs:

• Parking lot P4: 15€ for 3 hours; 1€ must be paid for each additional half hour. The maximum fee per day is 20€. You can also buy a Day stay pass costing 38€, allowing you to park in P4, and includes a 15€ voucher that can be used in the restaurants on Lago di Braies: Emma’s Bistro, Ristorante Panorama & Chalet.
• Parking lot P3: 8€/day
• Parking lot P2: 6€ for one day

What we Did to visit Lago di Braies

We parked at P3 with an online reservation with Eggerhof. It costs only 8€ for the entire day and you are just a few minutes walk away from the lake. P4 parking is maybe 2-3 minutes closer by walk but costs 20€ per day! By reserving online, this also guaranteed that we could get in even if the lake is very busy.

This post is part of our series about Italy. If you want to learn more about Italy, planning your trip, and some of the best experiences there, check out the guides below:

Your Essential Guide to Ragusa: What to See, Do, and Eat

Perfect Sicily Itinerary for One to Two Weeks: Without a Car

Ultimate Dolomites Itinerary For 7 Days Or More (2025)

Things to do in Syracuse and Ortigia, Sicily

17 Things to do in Taormina, Sicily: Ultimate Guide

Things to do in Catania for 1-2 Days: Itinerary Guide

Best Things to do in the Dolomites Without Hiking – Perfect For Families

7) Cycling or Mountain Biking in Dolomites

The Dolomites are one of Europe’s top cycling destinations, attracting thousands of cyclists every year with their epic mountains and smoothly paved, winding roads.

The region has fully embraced cycling, offering chairlifts and trains that can transport bikes, along with rifugios and hotels designed with cyclists in mind.

If you don’t have your own bike, there are guided excursions where you can rent a bike, cycle one way, and then return it while taking the train back. Our hotel host even told us about a trip where you cycle from around Sesto to Austria, and then catch the train back to your starting point.

8) Paragliding in the Dolomites

Paragliding has always been on our bucket list. We had planned to try it during our visit to Kas and Oludeniz on Turkey’s southern coast, but we ran out of time after choosing a 4-day Turkish Sailing experience instead. However, with the Dolomites’ breathtaking jagged landscapes, paragliding there is an absolute must! 

You have the options of Paragliding:

• in Val Gardena (around the Seceda Ridge)
• Over Alpe Di Siusi
• Over Fanes-Sennes-Braies Natural Park with views of the Dolomites and Alps!

9) Helicopter ride above the Dolomites

If paragliding isn’t thrilling enough for you, why not take it up a notch with a helicopter ride over the Dolomites?

You’ll soar high above the mountains, zipping through valleys and between those iconic jagged peaks. In fact, on this 50 minute ride, you’ll get to see many of the Dolomite’s most epic views including Lago di Braies, Tre Cime, Cortina, Val Gardena, Geisler Peak, and Brunico.

It’s like experiencing all the highlights in one unforgettable journey!

10) Skiing or Snowshoeing in the Dolomites

Alright, most of these activities are perfect for summer visits to the Dolomites, but don’t forget, they’re also a fantastic winter destination!

In fact, many of the top hiking trails double as skiing routes, complete with chairlifts and cozy winter lodges. For those who prefer hiking in winter, there are plenty of snowshoeing adventures to enjoy as well!

How to Get Around in the Dolomites

Although the bus network in the Dolomites is fairly good, the best way to get around in the Dolomites is still by renting a car. There are often large lineups for the buses and during the high season, many of the buses need to actually be booked in advanced. In one case, when we wanted to go back from Sesto to Misurina, all the bus times were booked other than the last two around 5pm.

Instead, we recommend renting a car and using the buses for shorter distances, or when parking may be challenging to find. We used the buses during our trip to bring us between Val Gardena, Ortisei, and Santa Christina as the parking in those towns are quite costly.

The best part was that the bus pass was FREE since we were staying in a hotel that was part of the ValGardena Active Program.  Alternatively, if you will be using the public transport system for most of your stay in the Dolomites, it’s worth looking at the Mobilcard, which is valid for 1, 3, or 7 days of consecutive travel.

To give you an idea of the cost of buses in the Dolomites, if you want to go from Cortina D’ampezzo to Lago di Braies, it takes around 1.5 hours and costs 10€ per person as shown in the SuedTirolMobil website/app.

If ever you need a private transport, you can also contact My Line Sesto Taxi (+39 345 569 4086). We used her transport services and she was very friendly and professional.

Do you need a Car to Visit the Dolomites

As mentioned above, we highly recommend renting a car to visit the Dolomites. One of the best aspects of traveling through the Dolomites is the freedom of doing a road trip, driving through those epic mountain passes, and being able to soak in the sights at your own pace.

Although buses are available, it would be challenging when you need to move from one region of the dolomites to another, for example when we went from Lago di Misurina to Val Gardena, or from Val Gardena to Val di Funes. In the case of Val Gardena to Val Di funes, it would’ve required 2 different bus transfers, and a 2.5 hour bus ride, while carrying our luggage.

Car rental prices are normally quite affordable in the Dolomites, especially if you are renting from Venice Airport like we did. When we rented through DiscoverCars for 13 days, it costed us around 311$, or around 23$ per day.

Tip | You will need to present an international Driver’s permit when renting a car in Italy!

Day Tours to the Dolomites

If you’re not staying in the Dolomites but still want to experience their breathtaking beauty, you’re in luck! There are several day trips available, departing from Lake Garda or Venice. We’ve rounded up the best options for you, each showcasing a different part of this stunning mountain range!

• Dolomites Trip from Lake Garda
• Dolomites and Lago di Braies day trip from Venice
• Dolomites + Lago Misurina + Tre Cime De Lavarado from Venice

How to get to the Dolomites

You can reach the Dolomites from Venice, Treviso, or even Innsbruck in Austria. However, by far the easiest is arriving at Venice (VCE) airport and then either renting a car or taking the shuttle bus.

From Venice Airport (Best option)

From Venice airport you can take the ATVO bus from VCE airport to Cortina D’ampezzo, which takes 2.5 hours. Otherwise you can check on Omio for the route from VCE to Cortina.

From Treviso

From Treviso, there are buses that can bring you to Cortina D’Ampezzo however it requires two transfers and takes close to 4 hours. For this reason, we recommend taking this route only if you will be renting a car from Treviso. 

From Bolzano

Bolzano is located around 2 hours drive from Cortina D’Ampezzo. However, there are no buses or trains that directly connect Bolzano to Cortina. For this reason, it is only recommended if you are arriving at their regional airport and will be renting a car.

From Innsbruck Austria

From Innsbruck Austria, you can take a train (with 1 transfer) to reach Dobbiaco which is one of the main terminals on the road between Lago di Misurina and Sesto.

The train takes 3.5 hours and costs around 11€ one-way per person. From there, you can either take a private transport or use the dolomiti buses to get to Cortina D’ampezzo, Lago di Misurina, or Sesto.  

Safety in the Dolomites

The mountains in the dolomites can be unpredictable. A sudden change in weather, a landslide, or altered trail condition can put you in a rather risky situation. For this reason, we highly recommend getting travel insurance as well as a local rescue insurance with Aiut Alpin Dolomites or CAI. 

Keep in mind that most travel insurances do not include helicopter search and rescue. We have had insurance with Genki and SafetyWing and when checking their terms and conditions, search and rescue is specifically not covered. For this reason, we recommend paying the membership fee for AAD or CAI, normally costing only around 50€ for your entire family, which covers you for helicopter search and rescues.

To give you an idea, if you need to be rescued in the mountains in the dolomites, it costs about 140€ per minute that the helicopter is in the air. This can easily add up to over 10,000 € for a rescue. 

Using WISE card in Italy

When taking cash out of an ATM while abroad, you will most likely be charged both a foreign exchange fee and a foreign transaction fee by that country’s ATM. With my Canadian card, this can easily be 3-4$ + 2.75% + a markup on the exchange rate charged by my bank, and then another 3-5$ charged by the foreign ATM.

This can be really costly. For this reason, we recommend using WISE card which has only minimal fees and just about no foreign currency exchange markup. This helps me save at least 5-7$ every time I take out money from an ATM. If you want to see our full review of the card showing exactly how WISE can help you save, check out our WISE Travel card Review post.

Where else to visit in Italy

Italy is an incredibly diverse country. In the North you’ll find the stunning Dolomites as well as Tuscany, whereas the South you’ll find Amalfi Coast and Sicily.

On our last visit, we explored Sicily over 2 weeks and discovered some of the most stunning coastal views and freshest seafood! If you want to get an idea of what it looks like, watch White Lotus Season 2. It features many of the best spots in Sicily.

If you are thinking of visiting, we highly recommend going to the charming town of Taormina, then soak in the culture in Catania, eat the best seafood in Syracuse/Ortigia, and then immerse in the Baroque architecture of Ragusa.

Recap: Best Things to do in the Dolomites

The Dolomites are a dream destination for adventure lovers, offering incredible hiking, outdoor thrills, and adrenaline-pumping activities. But they’re also a fantastic spot for those who appreciate culture, history, and relaxation. We’re putting together a guide (coming soon!) with the best ways to experience the Dolomites for the non-hiker/relaxed traveler, so everyone can enjoy this stunning region. Hopefully, this list of top things to do has inspired you to lace up your boots and explore the breathtaking landscapes of Alps in Northern Italy!

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