Photo: kallerna · CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Cortina d'Ampezzo
Lake Sorapis, the Tre Cime and wartime trails in the Dolomites.
A smart mountain town in a wide bowl of Dolomite peaks, with lakes, First World War trenches and some of the Alps' best day walks (Lake Sorapis, Cinque Torri, the Tre Cime). Pricey, but the walks are free. Reached by bus from Calalzo station or Venice.
Places to see
- Lake SorapisWalk · A milky turquoise lake under the Sorapis cliffs, reached on a popular trail from Passo…≈ A$9
Cinque Torri and the open-air war museumWalk · Five rock towers on a grassy shoulder, reached by chairlift, with restored First World…≈ A$39
Tre Cime di Lavaredo circuitWalk · The Dolomites' most famous peaks: three huge rock towers, walked around on a broad path…≈ A$25
Basilica of Saints Philip and James and the CorsoChurch · Cortina's parish church with its tall bell tower in the middle of the Corso Italia, the…
When to go
- Jan1° / -9°Mostly dryBusy
- Feb3° / -8°Mostly dryBusy
- Mar6° / -5°Some rainBusy
- Apr10° / -1°Some rainQuiet
- May15° / 4°Often wetQuiet
- Jun19° / 7°Often wetBusy
- Jul22° / 9°Often wetVery busy
- Aug21° / 9°Often wetVery busy
- Sep
Staying and getting around
Good areas to stay
Cortina town. The Corso Italia and the church; most beds and the bus station.
Misurina. The lake under the Tre Cime, with a few hotels.
Flying in
Venice Marco Polo (VCE): Direct bus (Cortina Express or ATVO), about 2 h 15 min, ≈ A$44. Book ahead in summer and winter.
Flewaway's estimate for the usual budget way into Cortina d'Ampezzo; check times and fares before you fly.
By bus
The train doesn't reach Cortina d'Ampezzo: take it to Calalzo-Pieve di Cadore-Cortina station, then the bus. Bus from Calalzo station, about 50 min, roughly hourly; long-distance buses also run from Venice and its airport in about 2 h (check)
Getting around
You'll need buses or trains. A single ticket is ≈ A$4. The town is walkable, but trailheads need the Dolomiti Bus lines (Passo Tre Croci, Falzarego, Misurina, Auronzo in summer) or the lifts; check the summer timetable (check).
Tourist tax
Cortina d'Ampezzo's tourist tax: usually about €1.5–3 a person a night, for the first nights; under-14s don't pay. Paid at check-in (check).
