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Planning a trip to the Dolomites in Italy? Here’s how to spend the ultimate weekend in the Dolomites with all of the best spots.
If you’re dreaming of an unforgettable mountain escape, then spending a weekend in the Dolomites should be at the top of your list. This stunning UNESCO World Heritage site in the Italian Alps is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. A weekend in the Dolomites offers just enough time to experience its breathtaking beauty, from majestic peaks and crystal-clear lakes to charming alpine villages that seem frozen in time. Whether you’re planning to hike through the dramatic landscapes, explore hidden mountain paths, or simply relax and soak in the views, the Dolomites has something for everyone.
In this ultimate 3-day itinerary, I’ll guide you through how to make the most of your short getaway. From essential hiking trails to the best scenic drives, this itinerary will show you the highlights of the Dolomites, including iconic spots like Tre Cime di Lavaredo and the scenic Lago di Braies. Whether you’re visiting in summer for hiking or winter for skiing, the Dolomites offers year-round adventure.
In the following sections, you’ll find tips on when to visit, how to get there, and where to stay for the perfect base. This weekend itinerary in the Dolomites is perfect for those looking to blend adventure with relaxation in one of the most breathtaking regions in the world. Prepare for a weekend in the Dolomites that will leave you rejuvenated and inspired!
FAQs about a weekend in the Dolomites
Is 2 days enough for the Dolomites?
Two days in the Dolomites can be enough to get a taste of this spectacular region, but it will be a bit of a whirlwind. With careful planning, you can visit a few of the iconic spots like Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Lago di Braies, or Seceda. You might also enjoy a short hike or scenic drive through the mountain passes, but you’ll have to prioritize what you want to see. If you’re short on time, focus on one or two areas to avoid feeling rushed. Overall, I would recommend a minimum of 3 days for a trip to the Dolomites.
How many days do I need in the Dolomites?
To fully appreciate the Dolomites’ beauty and diversity, around 7 days is an ideal amount of time. This allows you to explore multiple valleys, go on longer hikes, and enjoy some downtime to savor the peaceful alpine atmosphere. With a full week, you can visit the highlights (like Val Gardena, Cortina d’Ampezzo, and the Sella Pass) while also venturing off the beaten path. If you’re short on time, a 3-day visit will still provide a well-rounded experience but with fewer opportunities for relaxation or in-depth exploration.
What month is best to go to the Dolomites?
The best time to visit the Dolomites depends on what you want to do. For hiking and outdoor activities, the summer months of June to September are ideal, with July and August offering the warmest weather and longest days. If you’re into winter sports, December to March is perfect for skiing and snowboarding. Late September to early October is also a wonderful time for quieter hikes, fall colors, and pleasant weather. Keep in mind that spring can be wet, and some trails may still be snow-covered until late May.
This post is all about how to spend a weekend in the Dolomites.
Where to stay for a weekend in the Dolomites
The Dolomites mountain range covers a large part of northern Italy. This means that typical driving times between locations of 1 to 2+ hours are quite common. Therefore, when planning to spend a weekend in the Dolomites, I highly recommend finding accommodation that is central to the main area you want to explore. This will help you save time on driving so that you can maximize your short trip to the Dolomites.
Hotel Fameli
For the itinerary outlined below, I would recommend staying at Hotel Fameli! The hotel is affordable and is situated close to popular spots in the Dolomites such as Lago di Braies and the Tre Cime di Lavaredo hike. This family-friendly hotel has lots of amenities to use after a busy day hiking, including the most gorgeous sky pool, a sandbox for kids to enjoy, foosball tables, and a large garden where the kids can play. It also has a spa and indoor pools to enjoy if the weather is not so great. In addition, you can choose the 3/4 board option when booking your room which means that each day you get a 4-course dinner menu included in your stay. The food at the restaurant is seriously phenomenal and it alleviates the stress of cooking food after a long day or finding a suitable restaurant in the area.
My favorite feature at Hotel Fameli is the fact that most rooms come with their own private jacuzzi. I can’t think of a better way to end the day in full relaxation mode, than sitting in a hot jacuzzi and enjoying a comforting book. If you are interested in staying at Hotel Fameli then you can book your stay here!
Best mid-range hotel: HOTEL de LEN
Best luxury hotel: Faloria Mountain Spa Resort
When to spend a weekend in the Dolomites
The Dolomites make for a fantastic nature destination in Europe all year long! However, each season provides a completely unique experience based on the weather in this region. Below I have outlined the main things you need to know on what to expect in each season in the Dolomites. Please keep in mind that since this weekend in the Dolomites itinerary includes several hikes, I highly recommend coming in either summer or autumn if you want to visit the spots below.
Summer (June to September)
- Ideal for: Hiking, climbing, biking, and enjoying nature
- Weather: Warm, with average daytime temperatures between 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F)
- Why visit: This is peak hiking season, with all trails open, and the weather is perfect for exploring the Dolomites’ iconic landscapes like Tre Cime di Lavaredo and Lago di Braies. July and August are the busiest months, so expect more crowds, especially at popular spots. June and September are less crowded but still offer good weather.
Autumn (Late September to Early November)
- Ideal for: Hiking, photography, and enjoying the fall foliage
- Weather: Cool, with temperatures ranging from 10°C to 20°C (50°F to 68°F)
- Why visit: Early autumn offers cooler temperatures and fewer tourists, making it perfect for peaceful hikes and spectacular views of the fall colors. The Dolomites’ larch forests turn golden, creating a beautiful contrast against the rocky peaks. Keep in mind that by late October, many mountain huts and tourist services may close for the season.
Winter (December to March)
- Ideal for: Skiing, snowboarding, and other winter sports
- Weather: Cold, with temperatures ranging from -5°C to 5°C (23°F to 41°F)
- Why visit: The Dolomites transform into a winter wonderland, famous for its world-class ski resorts like Cortina d’Ampezzo and Val Gardena. Snow lovers can enjoy alpine skiing, snowshoeing, and cozying up in mountain lodges. Winter is also great for Christmas markets and festive charm.
Spring (April to May)
- Ideal for: Relaxation and sightseeing
- Weather: Cool and often rainy, with temperatures between 5°C to 15°C (41°F to 59°F)
- Why visit: Spring is the quietest time, but many trails may still be snow-covered, and the weather can be unpredictable. It’s not the best time for outdoor activities, but if you prefer a tranquil experience without the crowds, you can still enjoy scenic drives and low-elevation walks.
How to get to the Dolomites
Getting here can be a little tricky, especially if you only have a weekend in the Dolomites. This is because there isn’t really an airport in the Dolomites you can fly to. The closest option to this would be Bolzano Airport (BZO), which is located on the edge of the Dolomites, however, this is a small regional airport with limited flight options. Therefore, when planning a weekend trip to the Dolomites, it’s important to consider which airport to fly to, and how easy it is to reach the Dolomites from there. Below is an overview of all of the airports in the region and how to get to the Dolomites from them.
Bolzano Airport (BZO)
Bolzano Airport is located just 6 km outside of the city center. While Bolzano is not actually located in the Dolomites region, it lies right on the edge making it super accessible to start exploring the Dolomites as soon as you land! However, the Bolzano Airport is a small regional airport with limited services. You can find domestic flights going here from other Italian cities such as Rome, and the occasional seasonal flight from another European country.
In addition, flying into Bolzano can be pretty expensive since it’s not a popular airport. If you are flying to the Dolomites as a connection from another region in Italy and find a cheap flight, then I can definitely recommend it. Otherwise, if you are coming from abroad, you will likely extend your flight time by several hours due to connections. If so, I recommend considering one of the airports below.
Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE)
One of the most popular options for getting to the Dolomites is flying into Venice Marco Polo Airport. This is a pretty large airport so there are typically lots of direct flight options including low-cost options. The airport is located only 15-20 minutes away from the Venezia Mestre train station. This means that it’s easy to reach trains going to cities such as Bolzano or Trento, as well as exploring Venice for a few hours if you are already there 😉.
From the Venice Marco Polo Airport, it will take you anywhere between 2-3 hours to reach the Dolomites by either car or train. As far as accessibility goes, Venice is one of the best options for getting to the Dolomites as it is fairly close to the region.
Milan Bergamo Airport (BGY)
The Milan Bergamo Airport is where I personally flew in to reach the Dolomites. This is probably the furthest airport from all of the options on this list but also the best in terms of price and convenience. Milan Bergamo Airport is known to operate a lot of low-cost flights such as Ryanair as well as direct flights to many destinations around the world. If flight cost and time are more important for you then definitely consider flying into BGY.
However, this means that once you are in Italy, getting to the Dolomites is going to take a longer time. When we arrived I planned to take public transport to Bolzano and then to pick up our rental from there to save some of the driving time. However, the easiest way to get to Bolzano from BGY involves switching trains twice and we ended up missing both our connecting trains since the first one was delayed. Based on this experience, I highly encourage you to pick up your rental at the airport and drive to the Dolomites yourself to avoid this chaotic experience. It’s around a 4 hour drive but you can break it up and spend some time exploring cities on the way.
Innsbruck Airport (INN)
Innsbruck Airport is also a very convenient option when flying to the Dolomites. In terms of distance, Innsbruck is located roughly 1.5 hours away from cities such as Trento and Bolzano making it the quickest way to reach the Dolomites. While you could drive there yourself since Innsbruck is located in Austria, most rental companies will charge a fee for crossing the border, so taking the train will probably be cheaper in the long run. The only downside of flying to Innsbruck is that flights are typically pretty expensive.
Renting a car for a weekend in the Dolomites
Do you need a rental car?
In my opinion, renting a car is a must especially if you will only be spending a weekend in the Dolomites! Most hikes and interest points in the region are pretty spread out so relying on public transport will definitely limit how many spots you can visit on a weekend in the Dolomites. In addition, the Dolomites are known to have very unpredictable weather. That means that flexibility is key and you may need to adjust your plans last minute to accomodate this. Many shuttle services require you to book your tickets in advance meaning you won’t be able to change your plans during your trip.
Where to rent a car
When it comes to car rentals I am a huge fan of using Sunny Cars! I have been using their services for years and have always had such a positive experience. Sunny Cars operates in most countries and always has the cheapest rates that I can find. In addition, they include unlimited mileage, cancellations up to 24 hours in advance, and the most comprehensive insurance package I have seen. Best of all, if you end up needing to pay your deposit for the car, Sunny Cars will refund it to you!
Book your rental with Sunny Cars here!
When it comes to renting a car in the Dolomites it’s important to consider a few things before choosing your rental. In general, manual cars are better since the roads can be very windy, and can be very steep. Therefore, having a manual car that you can control will make driving here easier. That being said, if you’re not a confident manual driver – stick to automatic! In addition, due to the steep roads, you want to make sure the car has enough horsepower. Lastly, in some areas, the roads are quite narrow so you’re better off having a smaller car than a big jeep.
How to spend a weekend in the Dolomites
This Dolomites weekend travel guide is based on the assumption that you will spend roughly 3 days in the Dolomites with Friday evening being your arrival day and leaving Monday evening. For the last day, I will provide you with two options that in my opinion are equally worth it. The main difference will be that one option will be a medium-difficulty hike while the other option will focus on an easier trail as well as some viewpoints in the area.
If you have the time to take an extra day in the Dolomites, I highly recommend doing both options! Lastly, feel free to adjust any of the activities to fit around your timetable and interests.
- Friday – Waterfalls and Arrival
- Saturday – Tre Cime di Lavaredo and Alpine Lakes
- Sunday – Lago di Braies, Seceda Ridgeline, and Alpe di Siusi
- Monday – Lago di Sorapis or Adolf Munkle Weg
Friday – Arrival
I assume most of you will be arriving on Friday after work, or after a rather long travel day since it is no easy task to reach the Dolomites. Due to this, I won’t really consider this a travel day exploring the Dolomites. As I mentioned above, I highly recommend staying at Hotel Fameli as their location is perfect for the attractions planned for this weekend itinerary.
While the only real plans for this day include arriving and checking into your accommodation, I do have a quick recommendation 🙈. If you end up choosing to stay at Hotel Fameli or another accommodation in the area, then a stop at Reinbach Waterfalls is a must! It’s a quick 30-minute drive from the hotel and comprises a short hike that lasts around 1 hour and is super kid-friendly. Best of all – you get to witness 3 insane waterfalls for the price of 1 since they are all located along the trail!
To visit Reinbach Waterfalls you can park at “Park 2 Cascate di Riva“. Parking here costs 2 euros per hour, or 10 euros for a day ticket. Personally, I visited these falls twice and was extremely unlucky with the weather as it rained heavily both times. We decided to give the trail a try regardless and only made it to the first waterfall before being completely drenched. That being said, even seeing only the first waterfall made it completely worth it!
Once back at the hotel, make sure to enjoy their incredible sky pool before heading to the most delicious dinner at the hotel restaurant!
Saturday – Tre Cime and Alpine Lakes
Tre Cime di Lavaredo
You are going to want to get up very early on Saturday to ensure you can visit the most popular, and most impressive, spot in the Dolomites. If you haven’t already gotten a sense of where that is I am of course talking about the Tre Cime di Lavaredo hike. Hotel Fameli is located just 40 minutes away from the toll road going up to Rifugio Auronzo, making it a one-hour drive in total.
Since space at the parking lot at the top is limited, you are going to want to get there early! That means leaving the hotel at 6 AM. Luckily, Hotel Fameli can arrange breakfast to-go for guests who want to visit the Tre Cime peaks. During our visit, we left at 6:30 AM and ended up waiting at the toll road for over an hour before being let in. In addition, there were only around 70 spots left (out of 400!) when we passed the toll gates, so make sure to arrive even earlier (this was in September).
For a detailed guide on how the toll road works, where to park, and a detailed hiking guide for the Tre Cime di Lavaredo hike check out my guide below!
Read More: Tre Cime di Lavaredo hiking guide.
I won’t go into a lot of details on the hike itself since you can find literally everything you need to know in the guide above! In addition, in that post, you can find a map with the trail and best photo spots. That being said, below you can find a short recap with the most important hike stats.
Length: 11.7 km (will be anywhere between 10 – 13 depending on which points you stop at)
Total Elevation Gain: ~ 560 meters
Difficulty: Easy/ Moderate
Time: 3-5 hours depending on the length of stops
Cadini di Misurina Viewpoint
After completing the Tre Cime di Lavaredo loop hike don’t drive straight down! Not everyone knows this, but on the other side of the parking lot, you can find one of the prettiest viewpoints in the Dolomites. The Cadini di Misurina viewpoint is a quick 20-minute hike each way making it a must-do detour.
This hike is around 3 km in total. Start by heading to Rifugio Auronzo and follow the path to the right. This path will shortly join route #117 to Rifugio Col de Varda. After a while, the path will split into two trails. Make sure to take the right trail as it is much safer. Continue on this trail for around 10 minutes until you see the viewpoint. From here simply follow the trail down to the Cadini di Misurina viewpoint.
Disclaimer: The trails here are very narrow, especially the ridge leading to the famous viewpoint over the Cadini mountains. Do not attempt coming here after or during rainfall as it can be extremely slippery and there is not much room for error on this trail.
Alpine Lakes Hopping
Once you are done with both hikes, make your way down the toll road again. One of my favorite things about the Dolomites is the abundance of stunning lakes you will drive by, especially in this specific region. Therefore, I have made the perfect lake-hopping route to check out on your way back to the hotel. The craziest part is that these are all on the road leading back to Hotel Fameli! I have listed the lakes in terms of distance, with the first one located right by the Tre Cime toll road.
Lago Antorno:
To get to Lago Antorno park at “Parcheggio Libero Lago Antorno” which is completely free. It can be a little difficult to find parking here since some people start their hike to Tre Cime from here to avoid paying the toll road fees. However, if you find parking nearby, it’s 100% worth it. This is one of the lakes that gets most overlooked as everyone continues straight to Tre Cime, but I think it’s one of the prettiest lakes in the Dolomites.
Lago di Misurina:
Just a 2-minute drive from Lago Antorno you will find one of the most famous lakes in the Dolomites – Lago di Misurina. To get here park at “Parcheggio Pubblico 2 Lago di Misurina“. It costs 1 euro every 30 minutes to park here and is right by the lake. I recommend parking on this side as it will provide you with views over the famous house at the end of the lake. In addition, you can find a boat rental spot right by the parking lot if you would like to explore the lake from the water.
Lago di Landro
Next up on our lake tour is Lago di Landro. It should only take around 10 minutes to reach Lago di Landro and you can find parking all along the lake. For the exact location simply search “Area di Parcheggio Lago di Landro“. Once again it costs 1 euro for every 30 minutes you spend here. Lago di Landro is one of the best lakes in the Dolomites for a swim as it has some “beachy” spots around the lake. If you have always dreamed of swimming in the Dolomites, then this is the spot to do it!
Lago di Dobbiaco
The last spot on our lake tour is Lago di Dobbiaco. Once again, it should take around 10-15 minutes to reach the lake and you can find parking right by the lakeside. To reach Lago di Dobbiaco search for “Parcheggio Lago di Dobbiaco“, it costs 2 euros per hour for parking. For the famous viewpoint, this lake is known for, you are going to want to walk past the hotel down to the bridge!
Late Afternoon
After a busy day exploring the mountains and alpine lakes, you will only have a quick 25-minute drive back to Hotel Fameli. I recommend spending the last hours of sunshine at the pool relaxing so you can be ready for another adventure-filled day on Sunday.
Sunday – Lago di Braies and Seceda Ridgeline
Lago di Braies
On Sunday morning you will want to head down to Lago di Braies bright and early. This lake is very popular and often referred to as the prettiest lake in the Dolomites. Luckily, it’s only a quick 20-minute drive from the hotel so you can easily get there before the crowds!
If you are interested in getting those Instagram famous photos, I recommend coming around sunrise. This way you will get the lake (mostly) to yourself, and the famous row boats will be all lined up. If you would like to enjoy the quiet morning hours but don’t want to visit as early as sunrise, I recommend visiting when the boat rental opens up. This changes seasonally but it is usually either at 8 or 9 AM. You can find their exact opening times here. Due to the lake’s rising popularity, in peak season there is sometimes a toll road set up to limit the amount of vehicles at the lake. Make sure to check whether there are any restrictions before your visit here.
To reach Lago di Braies navigate to “Parking P4 Lago di Braies“. Parking here is quite expensive as it costs 15 euros for 3 hours, but I still think it’s worth it. You can find cheaper parking lots further away but you will be required to walk quite a bit to reach the lake.
Things to do at Lago di Braies
The best thing to do at Lago di Braies is rent a wooden row boat. It’s not a cheap activity as it costs 50 euros for 45 minutes, but I promise it is so worth it. I’ve been here twice now, and the first time we didn’t rent a boat which I ended up regretting so much. This second trip coming back and renting a boat here was high on my bucket list and it was oh-so worth it. As I previously mentioned, the boat rental has seasonal opening hours but it’s typically around 8 AM to 4 PM.
You can’t book the boats in advance so it’s on a first-come first-serve basis. The line can get extremely long so I would recommend coming before they open to secure a boat. You will of course also be able to rent one later in the day, but make sure to plan for a long waiting time. Lastly, they do take card payment but the internet service there can be quite bad, so definitely also have cash in case it doesn’t go through.
Another must-do activity while visiting Lago di Braies is hiking around the lake. This is a very easy hike of 4 km and takes around 1-2 hours depending on how often you stop to take some photos. Most visitors come to take the “iconic” photo of the lake and leave which is such a shame. If you have enough time to loop the whole lake then I highly recommend it.
Seceda Ridgeline
Part of the reason I recommend visiting Lago di Braies early in the morning is because it takes around 2 hours to reach the next spot. You cannot spend a weekend in the Dolomites without hiking to one of the most incredible viewpoints in the area! That’s why the next spot on the itinerary is Seceda Ridgeline, my personal favorite spot in the Dolomites.
To get here navigate to the parking lot of the Col Raiser cable car. It costs around 1.5 euros per hour, or 8 euros for a day ticket to park here. While you could hike up to the Seceda Ridgeline from the bottom, it would require a full day, so to save time (and to avoid the boring part of the trail) I recommend taking the Col Raiser up. It costs 28 euros per person for a return ticket on the cable car taking you halfway up. From there it’s an 8 km hike back and forth.
For a detailed guide on how to hike to get there, and a detailed hiking guide to Seceda Ridgeline, check out my full blog post below.
Read More: Ultimate Guide to Hiking Seceda Ridgeline
I won’t go into a lot of details on the hike itself since you can find literally everything you need to know in the guide above! In addition, in that post, you can find a map with the trail and best photo spots. That being said, below you can find a short recap with the most important hike stats.
Distance: ~ 8 km if using the cable car / ~ 20 km if hiking from the bottom.
Difficulty: Medium / Challenging depending on fitness level.
Time needed: 3 – 4 hours if using the cable car / 6 – 9 hours if going from the bottom.
Elevation gain: ~ 376 meters if using the cable car / ~ 974 meters from the bottom.
Type of trail: Out-and-back (same trail).
On your way back down to the cable car, make sure to stop at Troier Hütte for an amazing alpine hut lunch with the best view in the Dolomites. Nothing quite compares to eating lunch while overlooking the Val Gardena region. Afterward, make sure to stop by Iman See located just a few minutes down the trail for a cute lake with mountain views in the background. This is a stunning photo spot.
Alpe di Siusi
To make the most of your weekend in the Dolomites trip, I recommend ending your day by driving to Alpe di Siusi for golden hour. Alpe di Siusi is famous for its iconic views and for being the largest high alpine pasture in Europe. During the day you are not allowed to drive into the meadow and must take the cable car instead. However, this is only between 9 AM to 5 PM, making it the perfect late afternoon spot to visit.
To get here navigate to “Compatsch Parcheggio“. It should take around 45 minutes from the Col Raiser car park. One thing to note is that parking prices are very high here, costing 26.5 euros no matter how long you park. This is because they match the price to that of taking the cable car, to discourage too many tourists from driving up instead. To avoid this insane parking price, you can also park at “Parkplatz P1 Spitzbühl” for free. Considering it only adds 20 minutes of walking each way, I think it’s a worthy alternative.
Once here, you want to walk to the “Panorama Alpe Siusi” spot on Google Maps for the iconic view of the meadow! Depending on which parking lot you choose it will be a 4 – 5.5 km hike each way. I recommend planning for 3-4 hours in total here taking into account walking and time at the viewpoint. Due to this I highly recommend arriving at 5 PM just as they open up the road for traffic.
Monday – Lago di Sorapis or Adolf Munkel Weg
The plans for Monday will highly depend on the amount of time you have before you fly back home. If you only fly back in the evening, then both options are great and will simply depend on the level of activity you would like. If you do not have a lot of time on Monday, I recommend opting for the second option and just choosing a few of the spots that you can fit within your schedule.
Option 1 – Lago di Sorapis Hike
To start the trail, park by the free gravel parking lot close to B&B Hotel Passo Tre Croci Cortina. The parking lot is called Parcheggio per Sorapis, but you can also find the exact spot by clicking here. After parking, make your way towards the B&B and continue along the main road. You will see a map and a trail to your right (on the same side as the B&B). Simply follow this trail, and look for any signs towards Rifugio Alfonso. In general, the trail is very easy to follow and you cannot get lost.
While the trail is not dangerous and of moderate difficulty, there are a few exposed sections, so walk with caution. I wouldn’t recommend hiking here after rainfall, as the trail may be slippery and dangerous. The hike is around 12 km round trip, and to get back simply follow the same trail down. I would plan for 5-6 hours for this hike including time at the lake itself.
Option 2 – Adolf Munkel Weg and Santa Maddalena
Lago di Carezza
For an easier hiking option, and to see more places in the short time you have left I recommend going with option 2. Start the day by driving to Lago di Carezza. This is one of the most picturesque lakes in the Dolomites and is well worth the detour. To get here park at “Parcheggio Lago di Carezza” which costs 2 euros per hour. It’s a quick 5-minute walk to reach the lake and you could easily spend between 30-45 minutes here.
Adolf Munkel Weg Hike
Afterward, drive 1 hour and 20 minutes to Santa Maddalena to complete the Adolf Munkel Weg. Park at Parkplatz Zanser Alm. Once here, take the trail that goes towards Dusler Alm. While many people will start in the other direction, I highly recommend doing this hike “backward”. This is because then you will be walking facing the mountain range, instead of it being behind you. At Dusler Alm, take the trail towards Geisleralm.
Once you reach Geisleralm, take a long break at the restaurant to enjoy the beautiful views. You can sit here for a drink or something to eat. If you simply want to enjoy nature, then there are some chairs behind the hut which will be perfect for you. Afterward, take the trail that indicates Adolf Munkel Weg, and then follow the signs to Zanser Alm, which will lead you back to the parking lot. The whole hike is around 9 km and is one of the easier hikes in the Dolomites. I would plan on spending around 4 hours in total on this hike including the lunch break at Geisleralm.
Santa Maddalena Viewpoint
The last spot on this weekend in the Dolomites itinerary will be the iconic view of the Santa Maddalena village. The reason this spot is so iconic is thanks to the dramatic peaks of Val di Funes in the background. Luckily, this is a quick last detour before heading to the airport. To reach the viewpoint drive 10 minutes from Zanser Alm to the parking lot in Santa Maddalena. It costs 4 euros to park here for the day. From the parking lot make your way over to the Santa Maddalena Viewpoint on Google Maps. It takes around 20-25 minutes to walk here from the parking lot so plan to spend around an hour in total on this viewpoint. While this spot is famous during sunset due to the “burning Dolomites” effect the sun has on the peaks, it is beautiful any time of day.
If you have the time, then there is also a short hike called the Panorama di Santa Maddalena trail that starts here you could check out. Alternatively, there is also a beautiful church here called Church of St. John that is worth a quick stop.
That concludes my weekend in the Dolomites guide. I’ve done my best to include all of the best spots this region has to offer on a quick 3-day visit. While the Dolomites are worth a longer visit if you have the time, it’s also truly an amazing weekend destination. I hope this post has inspired you to spend a weekend in the Dolomites, I promise you won’t regret visiting the Italian Alps.