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I’m planning a trip to Venice. Could you suggest other places I can visit from there?
If you’re coming all the way to Italy, it’s smart to add one more destination beyond Venice.
There are several great Venice + α combos, but for nature lovers I especially recommend a World Heritage stunner: the Dolomites.
Head to this northern mountain range and swap canals for vast rock spires and blue skies—pure, otherworldly scenery.
What are the Dolomites?
The Dolomites (Italian: Dolomiti) span the northeast of Italy and are often called “the most beautiful part of the Alps.” Stretching across Trentino–Alto Adige/Südtirol and Veneto, their dramatic geology and scenery earned them UNESCO World Natural Heritage status in 2009.
Expect razor-sharp peaks, mirror-like lakes, and rolling alpine meadows. Summer is for hiking; winter is ski season. The town of Cortina d’Ampezzo—the “Pearl of the Dolomites”—blends chic streets with easy access to big-mountain views.
Cortina hosted the 1956 Winter Olympics and will co-host again with Milan in 2026, making now an especially exciting time to visit.
Cortina is also famous as a filming location for “007”.
How to get from Venice to the Dolomites
1) Train + Bus
Take a regional train from Venice toward Calalzo or Fortezza, then transfer to a bus for Cortina. Total travel time is about 3.5–4 hours, typically €15–30 one way per person. Best if you want to keep costs low and don’t mind transfers.
2) Rental car
Comfortable driving? Rent a car at Venice Airport. It’s roughly 2–2.5 hours (about 160 km) with scenic mountain passes along the way. Depending on season and car class, expect around €180–200 per 24h for one vehicle.
Reliable international brands include Sixt, Europcar, and Hertz.
Winter warning: you’ll be driving left-hand drive on narrow, possibly snowy mountain roads. If you’re not used to this, avoid self-driving in winter.
3) Guided day tour with transfers
For first-timers or short stays, a guided tour is the easiest way to hit highlights efficiently. Day trips from Venice often start around €99 per person.
≫ Search Dolomites tours on GetYourGuide
Day trip or overnight? Sample itineraries from Venice
Is a day trip possible?
Yes, it’s possible.
By car, Venice to Cortina d’Ampezzo takes around 2.5 hours. As noted above, there are multiple day tours from Venice via platforms like GetYourGuide.
Typical routes include lakes like Lake Misurina and Lake Auronzo. You can leave in the morning and be back by evening—perfect if your schedule is tight but you still want a dose of big nature.
However, DIYing with trains/buses or even with a rental car can eat time in unexpected ways. Unless you’re very experienced, a self-planned day trip is tough.
If a day trip is your only option, a guided tour is the safest, most efficient choice.
Why an overnight (1–2 days) is better
Day trips often mean more transit than time on-site. With one night in the mountains you can:
- Slow down by a lakeshore in the afternoon
- Enjoy quiet morning trails before crowds arrive
- Catch the peaks glowing at sunset
Plus, with extra time you can add further-flung highlights that aren’t practical on a same-day return.
Bucket-list spots & activities if time allows:
- Tre Cime hike (Drei Zinnen)
- Cinque Torri
- Passo Giau
- Lago di Sorapis
- Lago di Braies
- Lago di Carezza
- Alpe di Siusi
- Stay a night in a mountain hut (rifugio)
A 2-day Dolomites route to savor the views
If you book a guided day tour, the schedule is largely fixed. Below is a flexible 1-night/2-day outline I recommend if you’re going independently.
Day 1
- 08:00 — Pick up rental car at Venice Airport
- (2.5 h drive + 0.5 h rest)
- 11:00 — Arrive Cortina d’Ampezzo; stroll the old town
- 12:30 — Lunch
- 14:00 — Visit Lake Misurina; souvenir stop
- 16:00 — Photo op with the classic Cortina backdrop
- 17:00 — Hotel check-in
- 19:30 — Dinner in Cortina
Day 2
- 08:00 — Take the cable car up to Cinque Torri
- 12:00 — Lunch with a view at the top
- 13:00 — Descend by cable car
- (0.5 h drive)
- 13:30 — Soak in the vistas at Passo Giau
- 14:30 — Depart for Venice
- (3 h drive + 0.5 h rest)
- 18:00 — Return car at Venice Airport
Reaching Cinque Torri is simple: park near Lake Misurina, then ride the cable car up—little walking required, so it’s friendly for families and older travelers.
There are easy trails at the top if you want a light hike. You don’t need hardcore boots; comfortable sneakers are fine.
With this plan, you won’t rush. You’ll have time to appreciate the main sights around the Dolomites and Cortina at a relaxed pace.
Wrap-up: Add the Dolomites to your Venice trip
Add a couple of days to Venice and discover a completely different side of Italy. If you want both the historic canal city and a World Heritage mountain escape, the Dolomites are the perfect plus-one.
Keep exploring
- Venice Souvenirs: what to buy & where
- Banksy in Venice: exact spot & best time
- Venice → Dolomites: transport & 2-day route