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Things to do in the Dolomites, beyond hiking: lakes, spas and cable cars
The Dolomites are well known for their dramatic hikes and famous trails, but holidays to this part of Italy don’t need to be all about walking.
There are also stunning lakes to visit, spas to soak in and family-friendly cycle routes, plus fantastic food to try at every turn. In fact, the range of activities on offer is one the best reasons to visit the Dolomites.
Staying in Selva Val Gardena or Val di Fassa makes it easy to explore using public transport, and if you stay at certain hotels you’ll be able to use local buses for free. You can pick up a summer card to save money on things like cable car rides too.
We’ll take you through the best things to do that don’t involve lacing up your hiking boots but still serve up experiences you won’t forget. And if walking is on your list, check out our guide to the best easy hikes in the Dolomites too.
Staying in Selva Val Gardena or Val di Fassa makes it easy to explore using public transport, and if you stay at certain hotels you’ll be able to use local buses for free. You can pick up a summer card to save money on things like cable car rides too.
We’ll take you through the best things to do that don’t involve lacing up your hiking boots but still serve up experiences you won’t forget. And if walking is on your list, check out our guide to the best easy hikes in the Dolomites too.
1. Visit the Dolomites’ most beautiful lakes
The alpine lakes dotted around the Dolomites are just as captivating as the mountains. The most famous is Lake Braies, known as the Pearl of the Dolomites, but our favourite is Lake Carezza. Its emerald-green waters are framed by thick forests with the jagged limestone-peaks of the Latemar mountains beyond adding an extra layer to the postcard-perfect scene.
A flat, family-friendly path loops around the lake so you can take it in – and take photos – from all angles. And it’s pretty straightforward to get to from Val di Fassa, with regular buses running up and down the valley, and stopping right by the lake.
It’s a much-loved spot, so try to visit early in the morning or in the late afternoon when it’ll be quieter, and the softer light will really bring out the vivid green of the water.
A flat, family-friendly path loops around the lake so you can take it in – and take photos – from all angles. And it’s pretty straightforward to get to from Val di Fassa, with regular buses running up and down the valley, and stopping right by the lake.
It’s a much-loved spot, so try to visit early in the morning or in the late afternoon when it’ll be quieter, and the softer light will really bring out the vivid green of the water.
Lake Carezza
2. Feast on local mountain food
The food you’ll find in the Dolomites can leave as much of an impression on you as the views. There’s no single cuisine here – the Dolomites straddle the Trentino and South Tyrol regions of Italy, and are very close to the border with Austria, so you’ll come across Italian classics as well as hearty Tyrolean meals and traditional Ladin dishes.
Mountain huts (known as rifugios) are usually the best places to try traditional Dolomites food, combining local dishes and a relaxed atmosphere with panoramic views. Don’t miss canederli (also known by the German name, knödel), which are large dumplings often made with cheese, speck ham or mushrooms. Filled pasta parcels known as mezzelune or schlutzkrapfen make for a delicious lunch too, and then there’s Italy’s take on the Austrian favourite, spätzle. It’s like a cross between pasta and dumplings, which often comes tossed with creative sauces and local cured meats.
Down in the valleys you’ll find plenty of high-quality places to eat, including Michelin-starred options. Many of the best restaurants are found in hotels, so staying half board is a great way to get stuck into the foodie scene. Boutique Hotel Nives, Hotel Stella and Hotel Tyrol in Selva Val Gardena are all known for their restaurants.
Mountain huts (known as rifugios) are usually the best places to try traditional Dolomites food, combining local dishes and a relaxed atmosphere with panoramic views. Don’t miss canederli (also known by the German name, knödel), which are large dumplings often made with cheese, speck ham or mushrooms. Filled pasta parcels known as mezzelune or schlutzkrapfen make for a delicious lunch too, and then there’s Italy’s take on the Austrian favourite, spätzle. It’s like a cross between pasta and dumplings, which often comes tossed with creative sauces and local cured meats.
Down in the valleys you’ll find plenty of high-quality places to eat, including Michelin-starred options. Many of the best restaurants are found in hotels, so staying half board is a great way to get stuck into the foodie scene. Boutique Hotel Nives, Hotel Stella and Hotel Tyrol in Selva Val Gardena are all known for their restaurants.
The South Tyrolean dish schlutzkrapfen
3. Ride cable cars to iconic viewpoints
Thanks to cable cars, it’s easy to take in mountain scenes here without having to hike to them. Probably the most famous is the Seceda ridgeline. You’re unlikely to get this spot all to yourself, but frankly, the view is so mesmerising you won’t mind. To get here, ride the Furnes-Seceda pair of cable cars from Ortisei, near Selva (just note that from Summer 2026, these lifts need to prebooked online), and walk about 50m uphill when you get to the top. Views open up all around, but Seceda steals the show with its knife-edge peaks piercing the sky in all directions.
Another iconic Dolomites viewpoint is at Alpe di Suisi, Europe’s largest high-altitude plateau. Hop on the Mont Sëuc cable car out of Ortisei, and when you get off at the top you’ll be treated straight away to rolling green meadows with a mountain backdrop. For the most famous Alpe di Suisi view, though, stroll for 20 minutes on the mostly flat trail 6 towards Adler Lodge to see the Sassolungo mountains from the most dramatic angle.
For a slightly more unconventional cable car experience, ride the quirky two-person Forcella Lunga from Passo Sella. It’s a super skinny gondola known as the ‘coffin’ lift. You’ll have to be quick to hop aboard as the lift doesn’t stop, but there’ll be staff to help you. It’ll carry you between steep rock faces right up into the otherworldly centre of the Sassolungo mountains, where you can grab a bite to eat at the Toni Demetz hut before riding back down.
The Passo Pordoi cable car is another not to miss. It’ll whisk you up on top of the giant Sella Massif, where you’ll step out into a vast rocky landscape that’ll make you feel like you’ve just arrived on the moon.
Another iconic Dolomites viewpoint is at Alpe di Suisi, Europe’s largest high-altitude plateau. Hop on the Mont Sëuc cable car out of Ortisei, and when you get off at the top you’ll be treated straight away to rolling green meadows with a mountain backdrop. For the most famous Alpe di Suisi view, though, stroll for 20 minutes on the mostly flat trail 6 towards Adler Lodge to see the Sassolungo mountains from the most dramatic angle.
For a slightly more unconventional cable car experience, ride the quirky two-person Forcella Lunga from Passo Sella. It’s a super skinny gondola known as the ‘coffin’ lift. You’ll have to be quick to hop aboard as the lift doesn’t stop, but there’ll be staff to help you. It’ll carry you between steep rock faces right up into the otherworldly centre of the Sassolungo mountains, where you can grab a bite to eat at the Toni Demetz hut before riding back down.
The Passo Pordoi cable car is another not to miss. It’ll whisk you up on top of the giant Sella Massif, where you’ll step out into a vast rocky landscape that’ll make you feel like you’ve just arrived on the moon.
Seceda ridgeline
4. Hire bikes to explore on two wheels
Cycling’s a great way to get out and about in the Dolomites without hiking. The region’s well set up for it, with loads of places to hire bikes and a mix of gentle valley paths and more mountainous routes.
For a family-friendly option, take on the cycle path that runs through Val di Fassa all the way to neighbouring Val di Fiemme. It’s fairly flat and paved most of the way, weaving through forest, meadows and villages like Campitello and Pozza. The full route from Canazei in Val di Fassa to Molina in Val di Fiemme is 49km, but you can take on as much or as little of it as you like, pausing at playgrounds, cafés or picnic spots along the route.
In Val Gardena, the best routes are hillier – but that’s where e-bikes come in, making it easier to tackle steeper terrain. Alpe di Suisi is a top-notch cycling spot. Hire e-bikes or regular mountain bikes at the bottom of the Mont Sëuc gondola, jump aboard with them and set off. Try the 24km loop taking you from Mont Sëuc via the village of Compaccio and the Edlweiss rifugio towards the village of Saltria, then back to the start. It’s a mixture of paved, gravel and dirt paths, with a couple of steeper sections – ideal for an easy-going adventure.
For a family-friendly option, take on the cycle path that runs through Val di Fassa all the way to neighbouring Val di Fiemme. It’s fairly flat and paved most of the way, weaving through forest, meadows and villages like Campitello and Pozza. The full route from Canazei in Val di Fassa to Molina in Val di Fiemme is 49km, but you can take on as much or as little of it as you like, pausing at playgrounds, cafés or picnic spots along the route.
In Val Gardena, the best routes are hillier – but that’s where e-bikes come in, making it easier to tackle steeper terrain. Alpe di Suisi is a top-notch cycling spot. Hire e-bikes or regular mountain bikes at the bottom of the Mont Sëuc gondola, jump aboard with them and set off. Try the 24km loop taking you from Mont Sëuc via the village of Compaccio and the Edlweiss rifugio towards the village of Saltria, then back to the start. It’s a mixture of paved, gravel and dirt paths, with a couple of steeper sections – ideal for an easy-going adventure.
Cycling in Val di Fassa
5. Discover alpine parks, alpacas and playgrounds
The Dolomites are great for family holidays, and across Val Gardena and Val di Fassa especially you’ll find all sorts of high-altitude playgrounds, adventure parks and family zones, often with animals to say hello to.
You’ll find playgrounds at the top of several cable cars, including the Furnes-Seceda. If you are up for a short walk, it’s about 2km from there to Baita Troier, also known by its German name, Troier Hütte. It’s got swings and ride-on tractors for kids, plus great food and views. On Alpe di Suisi, Baita Edlweiss has alpacas and rabbits to meet, and sometimes a pop-up gallery showcasing local photographers for grown-ups.
The Vallunga valley near Selva is a great spot for an easy family stroll, and also has an adventure park with a wooden fortress and obstacle courses. Older families can have a go at the high-ropes adventure course at Col de Flam, near Ortisei.
You’ll find playgrounds at the top of several cable cars, including the Furnes-Seceda. If you are up for a short walk, it’s about 2km from there to Baita Troier, also known by its German name, Troier Hütte. It’s got swings and ride-on tractors for kids, plus great food and views. On Alpe di Suisi, Baita Edlweiss has alpacas and rabbits to meet, and sometimes a pop-up gallery showcasing local photographers for grown-ups.
The Vallunga valley near Selva is a great spot for an easy family stroll, and also has an adventure park with a wooden fortress and obstacle courses. Older families can have a go at the high-ropes adventure course at Col de Flam, near Ortisei.
Alpacas at Baita Edlweiss
6. Soak in a spa
The Dolomites might be known for activities, but there’s a strong wellness culture here too making it easy to balance adventure with downtime. Lots of hotels have a spa or pool, so you won’t have to go far if you fancy a steam or a soak after a day out exploring.
If you’re keen to take spa time up a notch, head for the QC Terme Dolomiti in Val di Fassa. All wood, stone and show-stealing scenery, it’s the sort of place you’ll find hard to leave. The star feature is the mineral-rich Alloch thermal spring, but you’ve also got various indoor and outdoor hot pools, saunas with huge windows and relaxation rooms to drift between.
For something more family-orientated, Dòlaondes in Canazei is home to six pools including a kids’ pool with illuminations and waterfalls, and a waterslide more than 100m long.
If you’re keen to take spa time up a notch, head for the QC Terme Dolomiti in Val di Fassa. All wood, stone and show-stealing scenery, it’s the sort of place you’ll find hard to leave. The star feature is the mineral-rich Alloch thermal spring, but you’ve also got various indoor and outdoor hot pools, saunas with huge windows and relaxation rooms to drift between.
For something more family-orientated, Dòlaondes in Canazei is home to six pools including a kids’ pool with illuminations and waterfalls, and a waterslide more than 100m long.
The pool at Hotel Tyrol in Selva Val Gardena
7. Try a via ferrata
Ok, this one will involve at least a bit of hiking, but it’s so much more than that. Via ferrata translates to ‘iron paths’ and are high-altitude climbing routes built into the mountains, with steel cables, iron ladders and rungs fixed into the rock. The Dolomites are a fantastic place to try it out for the first time, with lots of beginner-friendly routes and guided experiences that’ll set you up with all the equipment you need, like a harness and helmet.
You’ll need a reasonable level of fitness and a head for heights, but via ferrata is a great way to take hiking to the next level. The Gran Cir route from Passo Gardena, near Selva, is one of the easiest via ferrata routes in the Dolomites, and delivers next-level views from the top, making it a great option for first-timers.
You’ll need a reasonable level of fitness and a head for heights, but via ferrata is a great way to take hiking to the next level. The Gran Cir route from Passo Gardena, near Selva, is one of the easiest via ferrata routes in the Dolomites, and delivers next-level views from the top, making it a great option for first-timers.
Dolomites FAQs
When’s the best time to visit the Dolomites?
The best of time of year for a summer holiday to the Dolomites is mid-June to mid-September. During these months, cable cars will be operating, most mountain huts and restaurants will be open and the weather is usually at its best, with warm days and cool nights. Remember that the weather can change quickly in the mountains, so pack plenty of layers.
Are the Dolomites good for families?
Yes, the Dolomites is a great option for a family trip to the mountains. There are plenty of gentle walks suitable for little legs, as well as alpine playgrounds and plenty of pizza, pasta and other delicious dishes that kids will love. Families with teenagers will find plenty to get stuck into as well, from mountain biking to via ferrata.
Where’s the best place to stay in the Dolomites?
The pretty village of Selva Val Gardena makes a great Dolomites base, because it’s well-connected by cable cars to popular places like Seceda and Alpe di Suisi, and it’s easy to get about on public transport too. Val di Fassa is another great option, being surrounded by famous mountains like the Sella massif and the Marmolada, and home to several authentic villages.
Check out our Dolomites deals or find more active holiday inspo on our Lakes & Mountains homepage.
Author: Polly Bryan
Last updated: 07/04/2026
Author: Polly Bryan
Last updated: 07/04/2026