Region in Veneto, Italy
Dolomites for solo travelers
Is Dolomites good for solo travel?
Jagged limestone peaks for hiking, via ferrata and skiing, based in Cortina d'Ampezzo or Val Gardena. Spectacular but expensive and car-friendly; rifugi and lifts shut outside two short seasons.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 3/5 · Good, with some effort |
|---|---|
| Locals | Polite but reserved |
| English | Common in tourist areas |
| Safety | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Solo women | Very comfortable for solo women in towns and on popular trails. Tell someone your route and hike in daylight. |
How to meet people in Dolomites
Rifugio dormitories, guided hikes and via ferrata groups, ski schools and group lessons in Cortina and Val Gardena, and Alpine Club (CAI) outings.
Good things to do alone
- Hike the Tre Cime di Lavaredo loop
- Ride the Lagazuoi cable car and walk back through tunnels
- Ski the Sella Ronda circuit
- Hike Lago di Braies at sunrise
- Stay a night in a rifugio
Where to stay in Dolomites
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Cortina d'Ampezzo | Skiing, upscale shops and Tofane, Tre Cime access |
| Val Gardena (Ortisei, Selva) | Mixed German-Italian area with huge ski network |
| Alta Badia (Corvara, San Cassiano) | Food-focused stays and Sella Ronda skiing |
| Auronzo di Cadore | Cheaper base near Tre Cime di Lavaredo |
Solo travel across Italy
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Rome | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Venice | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Florence | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Milan | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Naples | 4/5 | Limited |
| Cinque Terre | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Sicily | 4/5 | Limited |
| Tuscany | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Bologna | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Verona | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Sorrento | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Turin | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Palermo | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Catania | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Bari | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Lecce | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Genoa | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Amalfi Coast | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Lake Como | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Positano | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
| Sardinia | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Pisa | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Capri | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
| Lake Garda | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Siena | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Puglia | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Dolomites | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Taormina | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Matera | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Lucca | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
Quick answers
Is Dolomites good for solo travelers?
Good, with some effort (3/5). Jagged limestone peaks for hiking, via ferrata and skiing, based in Cortina d'Ampezzo or Val Gardena.
How do you meet people in Dolomites?
Rifugio dormitories, guided hikes and via ferrata groups, ski schools and group lessons in Cortina and Val Gardena, and Alpine Club (CAI) outings. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Dolomites?
Common in tourist areas.
Is Dolomites safe for solo female travelers?
Very comfortable for solo women in towns and on popular trails. Tell someone your route and hike in daylight.
More about Dolomites
Going to Dolomites solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Dolomites meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.