Part of the Italian Alps, the mountainous Dolomites region is a place of rare beauty. Picture adorable Alpine villages and sheep meadows, shimmering lakes and soaring mountains.

When you’re planning your trip to the Dolomites, it’s important to understand regional differences. You’ll find more luxury resorts and skiing in the western Dolomites, and more hiking trails and wild areas to the east. The northern part feels like Austria, and people speak German; the south is more traditionally Italian.  The Dolomites are also home to the Ladin people, whose unique language and culture have been preserved for millennia.

Whether you want to ski, hike, or just nibble on cheese and enjoy the views, the Dolomites are sure to enchant you. Read on for a quick guide to planning your Dolomites travel. (One last tip: If you want to sound like an Italian, say Doh-loh-MEE-tee.)

Do you need travel insurance for Italy?

Yes. U.S. travelers are advised to always get travel insurance for trips to Italy. Here are three reasons why:

1. Medical care is not free for American tourists in Italy. This is a common misconception! U.S. travelers are not covered by Italy’s public healthcare system. If you need to go to the hospital for a medical emergency, you may be required to pay up front for the care you receive.¹ Travel insurance with emergency medical benefits can reimburse the costs of care for a covered medical emergency.
2. Medical evacuations and repatriation are expensive. S. health insurance policies generally do not cover emergency medical transportation when you’re traveling overseas. If you need an evacuation from a remote mountain by air ambulance, that can cost tens of thousands of dollars—or more.² A medical escort on a commercial flight home from Italy can cost another $3,000-$6,000.³ Travel insurance with emergency transportation benefits can cover these costs following a covered medical emergency.
3. Travel insurance protects you from unexpected trip cancellations and interruptions. Whether you’re planning a vacation to the Dolomites or another part of Italy, you’re probably spending several thousand dollars on airfare and lodging. Trip cancellation benefits and trip interruption benefits protect that investment by reimbursing unused, non-refundable trip expenses in case you have to cancel or cut short your trip for a covered reason.

3 of the best travel insurance plans for Italy

1. On a budget? Consider OneTrip Basic, with up to $10,000 in emergency medical benefits and up to $50,000 in medical transportation benefits, plus trip cancellation/interruption benefits and more.
2. Traveling with family? OneTrip Prime offers robust protection for international travel. Plus, kids 17 and under are covered for free when they’re traveling with a parent or grandparent (not available on policies issued to Pennsylvania residents).
3. Planning an epic adventure? With high maximum benefit limits, OneTrip Premier is our best travel insurance for dream vacations and pricey getaways. OneTrip Premier also can cover kids 17 and under for free when they’re traveling with a parent or grandparent (not available on policies issued to Pennsylvania residents).

Discover why 59 million American travelers each year trust Allianz Travel Insurance: Get a quote for your next trip.

3 of the best towns in the Dolomites

If you could pick only one town in the Dolomites to visit, which one would it be? That depends on what you’re looking for.

Cortina d’Ampezzo is one of the best towns to serve as a home base for your Dolomites explorations. It’s touristy, with luxury boutiques and high-end hotels. But it’s the perfect location for skiing (making it a natural host for the 2026 Winter Olympic & Paralympic Games) and summer hiking, with access to some beautiful trails. Cortina is also a historical gem, from the 14^th-century Church of San Francesco to the Bar del Posta frequented by Ernest Hemingway.

Ortisei is the main town in the Val Gardena region, and an idyllic haven for travelers who love the outdoors. Take the public bus or cable cars to reach some of the best hikes in the Dolomites. Whether you prefer a gentle meander or a thigh-punishing ascent, you can expect spectacular scenery.

What if you just want to be wowed by the views? Every place in the Dolomites has its charms, but one of the most beautiful is Val di Funes (Villnöss) in south Tyrol. Photographers adore its iconic church, the Chiesa di San Giovanni, which stands against a backdrop of massive mountain peaks. Take a hike, taste local wines and cheeses, and enjoy.

3 of the best things to do in the Dolomites

1. Embark on a truly epic hike (late spring through fall). One favorite is the tour of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo (Drei Zinnen), the famous triple peaks. A 3- to 4-hour loop lets you admire the peaks from several angles. You can also see World War I tunnels and add in an extra jaunt to the Cadini di Misurina, which some say is the best viewpoint in the entire Dolomites.
2. Savor local dishes in a rifugio. People call them “mountain huts,” but the rifugi are actually hospitable lodges situated in the Dolomites’ high terrain. You can stay there or just drop in for a meal when you’re hiking. They serve Tyrolean specialties, such as apple strudel, polenta, and dumplings.
3. Spend a day (or several) on the slopes. The Dolomites are home to superlative ski slopes, many of which are connected. Sellaronda is a 27-mile ski circuit that circuits the Sella Massif, passing five picturesque villages. Avid skiers can embark on a ski safari: an organized tour in which you ski or snowboard to a new destination each day.
   
   

3 of the best Dolomites resorts and hotels

La Perla in Alta Badia has been a favorite since it opened in 1956. This five-star alpine retreat is charming (though expensive), with high-quality spa services and a Michelin-starred restaurant, La Stüa de Michil.

Como Alpina Dolomites looks like “a glassy architectural spaceship that has landed in a snow-lashed sequel to The Sound of Music,” as Conde Nast Traveler puts it.⁴ This modern resort in Val Gardena offers inviting rooms, sweeping views, and easy access to ski slopes and hiking trails.

You may be wondering, “Are there any affordable hotels in the Dolomites?” Quite a few, as a matter of fact! Check out the Hotel Garni Roberta, a charming boutique hotel in the forest that has everything you need: a homemade breakfast, a sauna, comfortable rooms, and warm service.

What do I need to travel to Italy?

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