Ringed by some of the most dramatic peaks in the Dolomites, Cortina d’Ampezzo has been synonymous with alpine glamour since hosting the 1956 Winter Olympics, and it’s set to host the games again in 2026. But the jagged limestone spires that surround the town, glowing pink at sunset in a phenomenon locals call enrosadira, are the real draw here, drawing hikers, skiers and scenery-chasers well beyond any Olympic connection.

What to See and Do

Ride the Cable Car to Tofana or Faloria

Cable cars climb from town directly into the surrounding peaks, delivering hikers and sightseers alike to high-altitude terraces with sweeping views over the Ampezzo valley and the jagged Dolomite skyline beyond. Both routes are accessible without technical climbing experience.

View Price & Book Tour on Viator

Hike to the Cinque Torri

This cluster of distinctive rock towers, also a preserved open-air World War I museum with trenches and gun emplacements carved into the mountainside, makes for one of the most rewarding moderate hikes in the area, combining dramatic scenery with genuine history.

View Price & Book Tour on Viator

Drive the Great Dolomites Road

This legendary alpine route winds through mountain passes connecting Cortina to Bolzano and the wider Dolomites, offering some of the most scenic driving in Europe, with hairpin turns framed by limestone cliffs at nearly every corner.

View Price & Book Tour on Viator

Ski the Olympic Slopes in Winter

Cortina’s ski area is part of the vast Dolomiti Superski network, and its runs include terrain originally developed for the 1956 Olympics, still considered some of the most scenic skiing in the Alps thanks to the surrounding rock formations.

View Price & Book Tour on Viator

Visit Lake Misurina

A short drive from town, this alpine lake sits beneath the dramatic Sorapiss and Cadini di Misurina peaks, its still water often mirroring the mountains above on calm mornings, making it a popular short excursion for photographers and casual walkers alike.

View Price & Book Tour on Viator

Best Time to Visit

Winter, roughly December through March, brings reliable snow for skiing, while July through September offers the best hiking conditions with wildflowers and clear mountain trails. Shoulder seasons see many lifts and trails closed for maintenance, so it’s worth checking ahead.

How to Get There

Cortina has no train station of its own; most visitors arrive by road from Venice, about two hours away, or from Innsbruck across the Austrian border, with regular bus connections also running from nearby rail hubs. A car offers the most flexibility for exploring surrounding valleys and passes.

Good to Know

Accommodation and restaurant prices rise substantially during ski season and the Olympic build-up, so booking ahead matters more here than in many Italian destinations. Weather in the high Dolomites can shift quickly even in summer, so layers and rain protection are worth packing regardless of season.

Cortina earns its reputation honestly: few places pack such dramatic mountain scenery into a town this walkable and well-connected. Whether you come for skiing, hiking or simply the drive in, the surrounding peaks do most of the work.