Dolomite Mountains: Day Trips and Tours from Venice

On day trips from Venice to the Dolomite Mountains you can go hiking, cycling, skiing, mountain climbing or base jumping.

Enjoy the scenery in the Northern Italian Alps while exploring its many towns and villages.

Here's all you need to know about Dolomite Mountains day trips from Venice.

Fastest transport

The Dolomite Mountains are less than 200 kilometers from Venice and requires 2 to 4 hours of travel time.

• By car: The most straightforward way and takes about 2.5 hours.
• By bus: This is the most affordable option and is a little over 3 hours.
• By train: From Venice station, head to Calalzo Di Cadore. From here, you will need to take a bus to Cortina D’Ampezzo. Total travel time is 3 to 4 hours.
• By guided tour: Get there as fast as a car without the headaches of navigating through Italian traffic in 2.5 hours or less.

Tour and price comparison

Small group guided tours are about €200 and include trips to local lakes as well as one of the towns around the region.

Most of the tours are small-group tours (up to eight people) and include a driver who also acts as a tour guide.

Private tours start at €520. For a group of 6 to 8 people, the price per person is similar to a small group tour, but you enjoy the comfort of a private tour.  

Certain tours include extra activities such as a helicopter tour, jeep safari or snowmobile ride.

Our top picks

Dolomites and Cortina small group tour

• Personal guide/driver to take you to the best spots in the Dolomites
• Round-trip transport from Venice
• Price: From €205
• Duration: 10 hours

Private tour to the Dolomites

• Customize each stop for your private group
• Round-trip transport from Venice
• Price: From €559
• Duration: 10 hours

Helicopter tour in the Dolomites

• Panoramic helicopter tour from the Dolomites to Cortina d'Ampezzo
• Round-trip transport from Venice
• Price: From €500
• Duration: 7 hours

Best time of year to visit

The weather in the Dolomites is somewhat unpredictable and can change quickly. However, there are popular activities for each season.

Winter is great for skiing, while spring and autumn are ideal for hiking. Summers can be hot but feature plenty of lush green meadows.

Best places to see

The Tre Cime di Lavaredo

Also known as the Three Peaks of Lavaredo, The Tre Cime di Lavaredo provides sweeping scenery and fun hikes.

Enjoy rolling hills of green and go on one of the most iconic hikes in the Dolomites.

Known as ‘The Loop’, this hike provides some of the best views in the region and is popular with those on day trips from Venice to the Dolomite Mountains.

The Sella Group

The highest mountain in the Dolomites, the Sella Group is plateau-shaped and offers plenty of opportunities for a hike — though it’s recommended you take a cable car to the top.

During wintertime, the Sella Group is a favorite with skiers and one of the most its snow-covered caps are among the most beautiful in the region.

Cortina D’Ampezzo

Located in the province of Belluno, Cortina D’Ampezzo is steeped in history that dates back thousands of years.

A 19th-century tourist destination for the rich, Cortina D’Ampezzo has kept much of its high-end charm and offers great views of the Dolomite Mountains which make up the backdrop to this popular area.

Livinallongo del Col di Lana Town

Livinallongo del Col di Lana Town is a mix of history and scenery.

This lake town in the Province of Belluno is a hotspot for hiking and fishing trips during the spring and summer, with skiers making the most of the town in the winter.

History buffs will enjoy World War I trenches, barricades, tunnels, ruins of forts, and a museum that ties it all together.

Lake of the Cadore

One of the most beautiful lakes in the Dolomites, Lake of the Cadore (Lago di Misurina) is the definition of picturesque. It's also known for its clean air, which is beneficial for people with respiratory illnesses.

During the 1956 Olympics, the lake was used for speed skating. Today, it’s beauty takes on another level when it’s frozen in the winter and covered in snow.

The Via Ferrata Routes

The Via Ferrata Routes were built in World War I to help military units move freely through the region.

After the war, it was restored and expanded and is now known as the Iron Path. It’s ideal for hiking, with steel cables, iron ladders and metal rungs now in place to aid beginners who want to take in the breathtaking views of the Dolomites.

Cortina d'Ampezzo Ski Resort

Ski lovers will delight at Cortina d'Ampezzo Ski Resort, which is one of the plushest ski resorts in the world.

There are 47 lifts and an array of ski activities for the whole family, making Cortina d'Ampezzo Ski Resort ideal for beginners and professionals alike.

Belluno

Belluno is an alpine town and is considered the gateway to the Dolomite Mountains.

The town offers plenty of charm and hiking and cycling trails in the surrounding meadows and rolling hills.

Day trips from other cities

• Day trips to Dolomite Mountains from Milan
• Day trips to Dolomite Mountains from Lago di Garda

Travel tips

• Make sure to wear comfortable clothes and trekking shoes.
• Also make sure to check the weather forecast carefully as it can change very quickly.
• Be aware that every place has two names, thanks to its location on the border between Italy and Austria.