Cortina d’Ampezzo area

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Cortina d’Ampezzo is probably the most famous base in the Dolomites, and for good reason.

Surrounded by some of the most spectacular peaks in the entire region: the Tofane, Cristallo, Sorapiss, Croda Rossa and Cinque Torri. Cortina gives you access to an incredible variety of hikes, scenic drives, mountain huts and iconic viewpoints.

Family hikes in the area include:

The hikes around lake Federa are highly recommended as well.

But when planning a custom itinerary, I wouldn’t automatically recommend staying in Cortina.

The best base depends very much on what you want to do, how you travel and what kind of mountain experience you are looking for.

Staying in Cortina

Cortina is the best choice if you want a combination of mountains and convenience.

It is the largest and liveliest centre in this part of the Dolomites, with a wide choice of accommodation, restaurants, shops and services. It also makes a very convenient base for exploring several different mountain groups without changing accommodation every night.

For hikers, there is an enormous choice of trails, from relatively easy walks to demanding mountain routes, via ferratas and multi-day itineraries.

I would particularly recommend Cortina if you:

  • want plenty of restaurants and services within walking distance
  • prefer having one comfortable base for several nights
  • are travelling without a car, or want to minimise driving once you arrive
  • want access to a wide variety of hikes and mountain areas
  • enjoy having a little more atmosphere in the evening
  • are happy to pay a premium for one of the Dolomites’ most famous destinations

The downside is also fairly obvious: Cortina is popular, busy and expensive.

An advantage is of course having a lot of rainy days options like:

  • activities at the Olympic Ice stadium
  • the climbing gym
  • the museum of modern art

If what you are looking for is a quieter, more local-feeling experience, there are better options.

An alternative way of visiting the area is by capervan or rooftop tent:

Staying around Misurina

Misurina is a completely different proposition.

At 1,756 metres, with its famous lake surrounded by the peaks of the Cadini, Sorapiss and Cristallo, it is one of the most spectacular places to stay in the eastern Dolomites.

This is a particularly good base if your priority is being in the mountains rather than being in a town.

From here, you are close to some of the area’s most famous hikes, including routes around the Tre Cime di Lavaredo and the Cadini di Misurina. The chairlift to Col de Varda also gives easy access to higher trails and spectacular viewpoints.

I would choose Misurina if you:

  • want to wake up surrounded by mountains
  • are primarily interested in hiking
  • want easy access to the Tre Cime area
  • prefer a quieter and more alpine atmosphere
  • don’t need a large choice of restaurants, shops and evening entertainment

The trade-off is that Misurina is small. It is beautiful precisely because it is not Cortina.

It’s one of the closest spots to one of the Tre Cime’s way-ins, as well as Antorno lake.

Staying in Auronzo di Cadore

Auronzo is one of my favourite alternatives for travellers who want to explore the Tre Cime and eastern Dolomites without necessarily staying in the heart of the tourist machine.

The town stretches along the valley and Lake Santa Caterina, with the surrounding mountains including the Tre Cime, Cadini, Marmarole, Sorapiss and Antelao. The area also has a large network of marked trails, from easy walks to more demanding mountain routes and via ferratas.

It is a particularly good option for:

  • families
  • travellers looking for a quieter base
  • people travelling by car
  • longer stays
  • travellers who want a more authentic mountain-town atmosphere
  • anyone interested in exploring beyond the most famous viewpoints

Auronzo also works well if you want to combine hiking with easier days around the lakes or lower valley.

And, importantly, you don’t have to stay right next to the Tre Cime to experience them.

The road to the Tre Cime area starts near Misurina, while Auronzo gives you access to the same wider mountain region from the south.

And then there is Cadore

If you are happy to stay a little further away, the wider Cadore area opens up another possibility.

This is where I would send travellers who tell me:

“We want the Dolomites, but we don’t necessarily want to stay where everyone else is staying.”

The further you move away from Cortina and the most famous destinations, the more the experience changes.

Accommodation can be more affordable, villages feel more residential, and the landscape becomes less dominated by tourism.

The compromise is simple: you will drive more.

For a road trip, however, that can be a very good trade-off.

So, where should you stay?

Choose Cortina if…

You want the classic Dolomites experience, plenty of services, restaurants and accommodation options, and a huge choice of hikes within easy reach.

Choose Misurina if…

You want to be surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery and are mainly coming for hiking and the Tre Cime area.

Choose Auronzo if…

You want a quieter, more authentic base with good access to the Tre Cime area and the wider eastern Dolomites.

Choose wider Cadore if…

You value tranquillity, local atmosphere and potentially better value more than convenience, and you don’t mind driving.

How many nights?

For most travellers, I would allow 3–5 nights for this area.

Three nights works well if Cortina or the Tre Cime area is one stop within a longer Dolomites road trip.

With four or five nights, you have much more flexibility to explore different mountain groups and to keep a couple of days less structured (which is often when the best discoveries happen).

And if this is part of a longer Dolomites itinerary, I wouldn’t necessarily use Cortina as your only base in the area.

GF recommendations

Not the best area for gf frood, anyways top reccos are:



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