Free Dolomites travel guides
Free Dolomites travel guides to help you choose where to stay, what to book, and how to plan your trip without overdoing it.
Want help planning your own Dolomites trip?
I've spent 16 years exploring the Dolomites, and I use that firsthand experience to help travelers choose the right bases, plan realistic days, and avoid the mistakes that can make a trip unnecessarily stressful.
My free guides are a great place to start. But if you'd rather have someone help you make the decisions, I offer three personalized planning services:
Base & Itinerary Review — $75
Custom Itineraries — $199
VIP Planning — from $349
Dolomites hiking difficulty guide
Distance alone doesn’t tell you how hard a Dolomites hike will feel. This guide explains how I judge difficulty using elevation gain, descent, terrain, exposure and the overall structure of the day.
Which Dolomites base is right for you? Quick decision guide
Not sure whether to stay in Ortisei, Corvara, Cortina or San Candido? Answer four quick questions and find the Dolomites base that fits your trip.
40 Dolomites travel tips I wish I’d known before my first trip
Everything I wish I'd known before my first Dolomites trip, practical, specific, and nothing you'll find in a generic travel guide.
Val Gardena, Alta Badia & 3 Peaks
How to see three different regions in the Dolomites in one trip without exhausting yourself or wasting days on bad logistics.
5 hikes in Val Gardena without a car
Five walks in Val Gardena and Ortisei ranging from gentle to moderate, with honest notes on effort level and what each one rewards you with.
Ortisei travel guide: how to plan your stay in Val Gardena
Plan the perfect Dolomites weekend in Ortisei in Val Gardena with scenic drives, hikes, hotels and rainy-day ideas.
Alta Badia guide: where to stay and what not to miss
Free Alta Badia guide covering the best viewpoints, drives, and places to eat in one of the most beautiful valleys in the Dolomites.
The Dolomites in August: crowds, weather and what to book ahead
This free guide covers weather, crowds, Ferragosto, packing, where to stay, and practical tips to help you make the most of your trip.
How to plan the Dolomites without rushing from place to place
This guide is for travelers who want to experience the Dolomites without over planning, long drives, or exhausting days.
Easy Dolomites: 10 incredible places without long hikes
Discover 10 incredible places in the Dolomites you can reach without long hikes, including Seceda, Lagazuoi, Alpe di Siusi, Cinque Torri and Lago di Braies.
Dolomites planning mistakes to avoid
After 16 years and countless trips to the Dolomites, I've learned what makes a trip work and what can quietly ruin one.
The best Dolomites cable cars for incredible views without long hikes
Discover the best cable cars in the Dolomites including Seceda, Lagazuoi, Alpe di Siusi and Sass Pordoi. Incredible views with minimal hiking.
Dolomites parking: what you need to reserve before your trip
Free Dolomites parking guide covering Tre Cime, Lago di Braies, Seceda, Alpe di Siusi, parking reservations, arrival times, and practical travel tips.
Corvara guide: where to stay, hikes and how to plan your days
Discover Corvara, including hikes, rifugi, hotels, viewpoints, cable cars, and ready-made itineraries.
San Candido vs Dobbiaco vs Sesto: which Dolomites base is right for you?
Trying to decide if the 3 Peaks area is the right base? This guide explains San Candido, Dobbiaco and Sesto, what each town is like, and how to plan your days around Tre Cime and Lago di Braies.
Cortina d’Ampezzo guide: is it the best base in the Dolomites?
Thinking about staying in Cortina d’Ampezzo? This guide explains what it’s really like, what your days look like, and how to plan around Tre Cime, Lagazuoi and Cinque Torri.
Merano: where to stay, spa hotels, and what to expect
Planning a trip to Merano? This guide covers where to stay, spa hotels, wine, and how to enjoy a slower, more relaxed South Tyrol experience.
Alpe di Siusi guide: where to stay, best walks, and what to expect
Planning a trip to Alpe di Siusi? This guide covers where to stay, best easy walks, and how to experience one of the most scenic areas in the Dolomites.
What to pack for the Dolomites: the cheatsheet
Free Dolomites packing checklist covering hiking clothing, footwear, daypack essentials, cable car days, via ferrata gear, and practical travel items for your trip.
Where to stay in the Dolomites: 6 bases compared
Not sure where to stay in the Dolomites? My honest comparison of Ortisei, Selva, Corvara, Cortina, San Candido and Castelrotto, and who each base suits best.