Top 5 Most Gorgeous Lakes in the Dolomites
When I started planning my trip to the Italian Dolomites, I became almost instantly overwhelmed: because this region is HUGE. Enormous. My friend Kathleen, who’s lived in Europe for years, likens exploring the Dolomites to “exploring the Rocky Mountains” ~ & I was trying to see it ALL in a week!! Three words on that: Not. Gonna. Happen. But, the point of this post is to help you hone in on some of the region’s most jaw-droppingly beautiful sights: & the #1 on that list is its LAKES. So let’s take a tour of northern Italy to find the “Top 5 Most Gorgeous Lakes in the Dolomites!”Â
Map of Best Lakes in the Dolomites
If you want to visit all the lakes on this list, Cortina d’Ampezzo is a great place to stay, as it’s close to four of the lakes listed here. As for getting around: you need to rent a car. Public transport is basically non-existent, & all the good stuff is high up in the hills here. Definitely rent a car.
Lago di Braies
Lago Sorapis
Lago di Carezza
Lago Dobbiaco
Lago di Misurina
Top 5 Most Gorgeous Lakes in the Dolomites
#1 = Lago di Braies
Lago di Braies is the #1 tourist attraction in the Dolomites ~ with good reason. It’s ridiculously STUNNING. I visited in late October, when the leaves were changing colors, & let me tell you: that parking lot was PACKED!! Insiders tell me that it’s pretty much always busy here, year-round. So I’ve got two tips: 1) Bring cash for the parking lot, as they don’t accept credit cards, & 2) If you want shots without a ton of people, stay overnight at the only hotel on the lake: Hotel Lago di Braies.Â
Waking up to that view at sunrise, with no one else there….SOOO worth it.
#2 = Lago di Carezza (also called Karersee)
This lake goes by many names: the “Rainbow Lake,” “Fairytale Lake of the Dolomites,” & Karersee. If you visit the lake, particularly around sunrise or sunset, you’ll notice layers of color in the water (you can see ribbons of emerald in the photo below). Hence its nickname: “Rainbow Lake.” You can take a short hike around the entire lake here, with stunning mountains as your backdrop.
Best Lakes in Italy’s Dolomites
#3 = Lago di Sorapis
Lago di Sorapis requires a little more effort to get to than our last two lakes: it’s essentially a 4-6 hour hike to reach this milky-blue lake outside of the gorgeous town, Cortina d’Ampezzo. And Cortina is the perfect place to base yourself if you wish to visit both Lago di Braies & Lago di Sorapis, as it’s located between the two gorgeous mountain lakes.
***Where to Stay: Check into the sumptuous Cristallo Luxury Hotel in Cortina d’Ampezzo following your hike to Sorapsis….
Top 5 Most Gorgeous Lakes in the Dolomites
#4 = Lago Dabbiaco
Lago Dabbiaco can be visited in the same day as Lago di Braies ~ you can visit Dabbiaco after visiting Lago di Braies, on your way to Cortina. It features a lovely, easy walk around the lake with spectacular views in all directions. The closest town is named after the lake, Dobbiaco Toblach, which has several restaurants & hotels.Â
But I’d stay in the far more spectacular Cortina d’Ampezzo.
#5 = Lago di Misurina
Also close to Cortina d’Ampezzo, & just north of Lago di Sorapis (our #3 choice), is stunning Lago di Misurina. What makes this lake particularly distinctive are the mountains behind it, which are the most famous range in the Dolomites: the Tre Cime di Lavaredo.
Best Lakes in the Dolomites
Here’s one more bonus lake to add to the list: the far less touristy, Lago di Molveno. My hotelier told me about it, & though it’s quite a drive from the lakes listed above, it’s a great spot to visit if you’re on the western side of the Dolomites.
Viva Italia!
xoxo Noelia
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STUNNING photos here!!! Our whole family just took a look at this post and now my kids are clamoring to go to Italy! : )
Haha Gloria ~ so funny, because I was writing this article next to my nephew, & he kept saying: “I want to jump in that water!!” There are FAR worse places you could find yourself than in Italy! xoxo