Cortina d’Ampezzo, what to do in the “queen of the Dolomites” in summer and winter

Cortina d’Ampezzo is one of the most famous mountain resorts, a destination for many VIPs and others who, especially during the winter period, visit this small town in the province of Belluno, Veneto, for a few days. Cortina d’Ampezzo attracts many tourists even in summer when the snow gives way to green meadows. The fame of this enchanting place is not only linked to vacations, the “ski week” but also to the sports competitions it has hosted such as the Alpine Skiing Winter Championships in 1932 and 1941 and games in 1956.

Where Cortina d’Ampezzo is located and how to get there

Cortina d’Ampezzo is located in northeastern Italy, in the Veneto region, in the province of Belluno, in the heart of the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It lies in the Ampezzo Valley, about 120 km from Venice and 70 km from Belluno, and is one of the most well-known and popular Alpine resorts in the Alps.

It can be reached mainly by car via the A27 motorway to Belluno, then continuing along State Road SS51 Alemagna, which connects the city directly to Cortina. Alternatively, you can take a train to the stations of Calalzo di Cadore or Belluno and continue by scheduled bus services or private transfers. The closest airports are Venice Marco Polo and Treviso, both connected to Cortina by direct buses or road transfers.

What to do in winter in Cortina d’Ampezzo

Cortina d’Ampezzo is known as the “Queen of the Dolomites,” and it is no coincidence that it is one of the most important components of the Dolomiti Superski area. Cortina d’Ampezzo in winter offers a very attractive proposition for snow and winter sports lovers.

Such an influx has enticed the area to provide more and more facilities to accommodate winter sports enthusiasts. There are more than a hundred kilometers of downhill ski slopes that wind through the majestic peaks of Tofana, Cristallo, Faloria, etc., and about 60 kilometers of cross-country ski trails. The slopes have different degrees of difficulty: they range from those for Pro level skiers to those suitable for amateurs.

There are more than thirty ski lifts, no shortage of cable cars, chairlifts and ski lifts. In addition, cycling enthusiasts can experience the sensation of pedaling on the Dolomites Bike Trail, even when it is snow-covered: all you need is a fat bike. When it’s time to put down the skis and snowboards, you can entertain yourself with one of the many events organized in Cortina d’Ampezzo or perhaps dine at one of the many restaurants and sample the local cuisine.

What to do in Cortina d’Ampezzo in the summer

Summer activities to do in Cortina d’Ampezzo are no less than the winter offerings. Here outdoor enthusiasts can try their hand at hiking along the trails of the Dolomites, take long pedal but also enjoy sports such as golf and tennis. But if you want to stay more traditional, there is no shortage of climbing opportunities. The small town lies along the banks of the Boite stream and is surrounded by a wonderful, boundless green area that deserves to be explored completely.

From the center of town one can admire the spectacle of the Dolomites, with peaks that exceed 3,000 meters, but there is one phenomenon in particular that should be seen at least once in one’s lifetime and that is theenrosadira, a perhaps somewhat difficult word that stands for an optical phenomenon whereby the Dolomites give the impression of being tinged with a tone between red and orange to shades of blue, lilac and purple.

Typical dishes

A vacation in Cortina d’Ampezzo is an opportunity to sample the local cuisine, which boasts some very tasty typical dishes. One example is casunziei; these are stuffed ravioli served with melted butter. The classic filling is the one with red turnips but there are several variations so the choice is wide and such as to meet everyone’s taste. Another well-known dish, although typical of Tyrolean cuisine, are canederli, these are balls of bread stuffed with cheese or speck.

Dumplings can be served with melted butter or in meat broth. In any case, even in this case the options regarding the filling are varied. Among the local products there are many cheeses and cured meats even if perhaps they are typical productions of the neighboring municipalities but still easy to find in Cortina d’Ampezzo, think of cheeses such as Contrin, Zumelle, Ranza, Fodom, Tosella, while among the cured meats, the speck dominates over all.

There is a wide choice of desserts such as fartaies, brazolà and Kaiser Schmòrn, the Ampezzo version of Kaiser Schmarren, a typical Tyrolean dessert from which Ampezzo’s cuisine draws heavily.

House prices in Cortina d’Ampezzo

The average cost of residential properties in Cortina d’Ampezzo (data updated as of January 2026) is €12.857 per square meter.

Rental prices, on the other hand, average €27,38 per square meter.

*Article translated by Agnese Giardini

Tag

Parks and Nature

Travel

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