We dreamt about visiting the Dolomites for a few years, and when we finally made it there we can fondly say that it did not disappoint. Every place that we visited seemed like a painting. Since we had to do quite some research about this place, we decided to summarise it for you. If you would rather enjoy the Dolomites without extreme hikes, this itinerary is for you. All of these places are visitable with walks of a maximum of 1-2 hours required. Here are the most beautiful spots we visited.
At a glance
- How long: 5–6 days
- Best time: Late June to September for open lifts and trails; May–June and late September for fewer crowds. We were there in mid-October and were lucky with the weather, as it is normally a lot cooler and can even snow already.
- Getting there: Fly into Venice, Innsbruck or Verona and drive; a car is the easiest way around
- Good for: Scenic drives and easy walks without serious hiking
Top sights
Day 1: Val di Funes and Santa Magdalena
We started our trip in Val di Funes and it immediately amazed us. Take in the beauty of the surroundings at your own pace, visit the famous viewpoint and the church of St Johann. Cars are not allowed in this area, you’ll have to walk about 45 minutes to get to the viewpoint on the left picture below.
Day 2: Seceda and Val Gardena
Spend a day at Seceda. Take a cable car (we paid €41 per person; prices have gone up since, so check the current fare) to the top, known for its panoramic views of the Dolomites. Enjoy the scenery at your own pace, without any strenuous hiking. If you have some time left that day, you can explore Val Gardena. Visit the town Ortisei or go for an easy hike into Vallunga.
Day 3: Alpe di Siusi, Europe’s largest alpine meadow
If there’s one place that simply HAS to be in your Dolomites itinerary, Alpe di Siusi (or Seiser Alm) would be it. Start your day early by going to Alpe di Siusi, the largest alpine meadow, by sunrise. You can do this by driving your car to the nearest parking spot before 9am. Between 9am and 5pm the gate closes, and you can only get here by cable car or bus. If you stay in a hotel in Alpe di Siusi, you get a permit to drive through it. Don’t worry, you can always drive back down if you want to leave earlier than 5pm. This wide plateau is surrounded by Dolomite peaks, and you can go for quiet walks, have a picnic with a view or even explore by horse carriage.
Day 4: Lago di Carezza and Passo Giau
Visit Lago di Carezza, where the clear water reflects the surrounding peaks. Walk around the lake for the best views. After this, you can visit Passo Giau.
The views are great and there are no challenging hikes. Drive through the area and stop at the easy viewpoints.
Day 5: Tre Cime di Lavaredo and Cadini di Misurina.
Another place you cannot miss when visiting the Dolomites is the Tre Cime di Lavaredo. If you’re up for a challenge, you can hike around them, but you can just as easily admire them without an intensive hike. Cadini di Misurina is worth it too. You will hike for about 45 minutes to this viewpoint. It’s not an ideal place for people with a fear of heights, but the views are out of this world. Make sure you wear proper footwear for this hike, trust us, you will need it. To get here you need to pay a toll (we paid €30; the toll has risen, to around €40 in 2026, so check the current price).
Day 6: Lago di Braies
End your trip at Lago di Braies, one of the best-known places in the Dolomites. Walk around the lake and consider taking a wooden rowboat. There are a few car parks near the lake, the closer you want to park, the more expensive it gets. In summer (1 July to 15 September, 9:00-16:00) you also need a parking reservation or a pre-booked bus ticket to reach the lake. Go for sunrise or sunset to avoid big crowds.
This itinerary covers the popular places, like scenic drives, alpine meadows and lakes. You can enjoy this UNESCO World Heritage site without extensive hiking. Enjoy the Dolomites, the views are really something.
Combining the mountains with a city break? Read our 3-day Rome itinerary.
Quieter spots for non-hikers
The famous viewpoints get busy in summer. These quieter places are just as beautiful and you can reach them by car or with a short, easy walk. Good to add on a rest day or to swap in for a crowded stop.
- Lago di Anterselva (Antholzer See): a calm, deep-green lake at the end of the Anterselva valley, with an easy flat path around it.
- Val Fiscalina (Fischleintal): a wide, flat valley near Sesto with views of the Sesto Dolomites, good for a relaxed walk to a mountain hut.
- Lago di Landro (Dürrensee): a small lake right next to the road, with a view of Monte Cristallo and often a quiet spot for photos.
- Lago di Dobbiaco (Toblacher See): an easy lakeside loop with a café, close to Lago di Braies but far less crowded.
- The quieter side of Val di Funes: instead of the main viewpoint, drive further into the valley for meadows and farmhouses with the Odle peaks behind them.
Tip: visit early in the morning or after 5 pm, and check road and parking rules before you go, because some valleys limit traffic in high season.
Read also: Seceda and Alpe di Siusi, our Dolomites hotel highlights and our Switzerland travel guide.
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