Things to do in Cortina d'Ampezzo at a glance
Things to do in Cortina d'Ampezzo centre on the 9.5 km Tre Cime loop, Lake Braies at 1,496 m, the Cinque Torri chairlift and the Tofana cable car. The town sits in the Ampezzo valley in the province of Belluno, and its tourism grew with the first alpinists around 1850.
The list runs from the town centre to lakes and peaks, then to cable cars and active days such as via ferrata, e-bikes and winter sport.
In Cortina town (1 to 3)
The centre, the parish church and the museums of the Regole d'Ampezzo.
1. Stroll through the town centre
Corso Italia, Largo delle Poste and Piazza Roma form the central core on the tourist town map. Cortina hosted the Winter Olympics in 1956 and, together with Milan, in 2026. The 2026 events held here were curling, bob, skeleton, luge and women's alpine skiing.
2. Look inside the parish basilica
The parish church of Saints Philip and James, a minor basilica, was built from 1769 to 1775 and restored from 2007 to 2009. Franz Anton Zeiler painted the frescoes in 1774 and 1775, and Giuseppe Ghedina added the ceiling painting in 1859.
3. Visit the Regole d'Ampezzo museums
The Regole run a museum of modern art, a palaeontology museum with Triassic fossils and an ethnographic museum on the shared management of forests and pastures. Entry to the palaeontology and ethnographic museums is 8 EUR, or 5 EUR reduced. A combined museum ticket costs 12 EUR, or 8 EUR reduced. It is a good plan for a rainy day.
Our picks: things to do in Cortina
Two guided hikes lead to the Tre Cime and the Cinque Torri, and an e-MTB day suits confident riders. Day trips from Venice and a private Lake Braies trip from Munich add the lakes.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of November 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Private Dolomites day trip from Venice
- Bilingual driver
- Air-conditioned minivan
- Photo stops and free time
A private return day trip from Venice.
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Guided e-mountain bike day
- Expert local e-bike guide
- E-MTB and helmet rental
- Small backpack if needed
Explore with a local guide on a hardtail electric mountain bike.
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Private Lake Braies day trip from Munich
- Private transportation from Munich
- Scenic walk around the lake
- Lakeside restaurant or café visit
The seasonal rowing boat experience costs 20 euros extra.
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Tre Cime mountain hike
- Toll road to Auronzo Refuge
- Guided mountain hike
- Geology and Great War history
Regional pickup depends on the booking option.
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Mountain hike from Passo Giau
- Accompanied by a guide
- Geology and Great War history
The guided mountain hike includes an introduction to the area's history and geology.
Check availability →Dolomites bus trip from Venice
- English-speaking tour guide
- Transportation by bus
The chairlift ticket and boat rental cost extra.
Check availability →Tours and day trips around Cortina
Guided Dolomite hikes, an e-bike day and excursions from Venice, with live prices and availability.
Lakes and peaks on foot (4 to 7)
4. Walk the Tre Cime loop
The loop starts and ends at Rifugio Auronzo, covers 9.5 km with about 300 m of climbing and takes around 3 h 30 min on paths 101 to 105, rated E. Cars reach the car park at 2,333 m by a toll road of about 6 km. In 2026 a car costs 40 EUR, booked online with the number plate and valid for 12 hours. Tre Cime hiking guide
5. See Lake Braies
Lake Braies lies at 1,496 m in the Fanes-Sennes-Prags nature park, covers 33 hectares and is 36 m deep. Visiting the lake is free and parking is charged. Bus line 442 runs from Toblach and Niederdorf. The tourism association asks visitors not to swim, and the water stays below 15 °C all year. Lake Braies guide
6. Hike to Lake Sorapis
The usual route starts at Passo Tre Croci on path 215 and takes about 1 h 45 min to 2 h 30 min one way, according to the hut operator. Rifugio Vandelli stands at 1,928 m, roughly 150 m from the lake. Bring suitable clothing and a map, because the walking times are guide values. Hiking routes near Cortina
7. Take the chairlift to the Cinque Torri
The chairlift from Bai de Dones takes about 8 minutes. On foot, path 425 from Bai de Dones takes just under 1 h 30 min and climbs about 400 m. The 2026 summer season ran from 6 June to 11 October, with adult return tickets at 27.50 EUR, or 30 EUR in August. Children under 8 ride free with a paying adult. Walks around the rock towers
Cable cars and high views (8 and 9)
Two lifts that lift you into the high Dolomites without a long climb.
8. Ride the Tofana cable car
The Freccia nel Cielo cable car runs from Cortina to Col Drusciè, Ra Valles and Cima Tofana. Summer 2026 return fares for adults were 25 EUR, 35 EUR and 45 EUR respectively, and the season ran from 13 June to 27 September. Children aged 6 and under ride free. The operator announces winter opening from 4 December 2026.
9. Go up Lagazuoi
The Lagazuoi cable car climbs from the Falzarego valley station at 2,110 m to the summit station at 2,782 m, with a departure every 15 minutes. Winter 2026/27 is announced for 23 December 2026 to 4 April 2027, depending on snow. An adult return ticket costs 30 EUR. Winter and ski guide
Active days and winter sport (10 to 12)
For people who want to climb, ride or ski.
10. Climb a via ferrata
Via ferrata routes need steady footing, a head for heights and a helmet, harness and via ferrata set. Cortina's tourism organisation advises going with a mountain guide, because length, height and exposure add difficulty. At the Lagazuoi valley station, a helmet, harness and set rented for 18 EUR in summer 2026. Via ferrata routes
11. Ride an e-mountain bike with a local guide
The guided e-bike day lasts 8 hours, starts at Via Guglielmo Marconi 1 in Cortina and includes a hardtail e-MTB, a helmet and a small backpack if needed. Lunch and drinks are extra. It suits confident riders who prefer a local guide to a map.
12. Ski or snowshoe in winter
The Cortina valley pass covers more than 120 km of pistes in Cortina, San Vito di Cadore, Auronzo and Misurina. Ten freely chosen days cost 540 EUR for adults in 2026/27. A helmet is compulsory for every age, and the liability insurance is not part of the pass. Winter and ski guide
Planning your time in Cortina d'Ampezzo
Time, local transport and the weather.
Time and pace
One mountain walk fills a day, because the Tre Cime loop alone takes about 3 h 30 min. Combine a lift ride with a town visit on days with less time.
Local buses
A single town bus ticket costs 1.80 EUR in advance and 3 EUR on board, and a day ticket costs 5 EUR (tariff from 1 August 2026). A ticket is valid for 75 minutes after validation. Line 445 links Cortina and Toblach in about 45 minutes in the timetable valid to 12 December 2026. Getting to Cortina
Weather
The official Dolomiti Meteo mountain forecast is published every day at 1 p.m. and updated at 4 p.m. Read it the evening before a mountain day, because thunderstorms and rain make via ferrata and exposed paths unsafe. Best time to visit Cortina
Things to do in Cortina d'Ampezzo: frequently asked questions
What is Cortina d'Ampezzo known for?
Cortina d'Ampezzo is known for the Winter Olympics of 1956 and 2026, for alpinism since the first climbers around 1850, and for its Dolomite skiing and hiking. Nearby highlights include the Tre Cime, Lake Braies, the Cinque Torri and the Tofana cable car.
How much does it cost to drive to the Tre Cime?
A car pays 40 EUR in 2026 on the Tre Cime toll road, a motorbike 26 EUR and a camper 60 EUR. The fare is booked online with the number plate and is valid for 12 hours from the booked entry time. Leaving the car park ends the booking.
How much is the Tofana cable car in summer?
An adult return ticket from Cortina to Cima Tofana cost 45 EUR in summer 2026, with 32 EUR for a single trip. Juniors aged 7 to 14 paid 23 EUR return, and children aged 6 and under rode free. Col Drusciè cost 25 EUR return.
Is swimming in Lake Braies recommended?
No. The local tourism association asks visitors not to swim in Lake Braies, and the water stays below 15 °C all year. Private boats and SUPs are excluded.