Dolomites day trip from Bolzano
A day trip to the Dolomites from Bolzano: the meadows of the Alpe di Siusi, the historic centre of Ortisei in Val Gardena and the Seceda cable car and ridge, then Santa Maddalena church and the Val di Funes viewpoint below the Odle peaks. Every stop has a typical visit length.
How long do you have?
Map: 1 days
Dolomites in 1 day
Day 1
Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm) meadows
Europe's largest high-altitude alpine meadow, rolling pastures with mountain huts and easy walks below the Sassolungo and Sciliar peaks.
Historic centre of Ortisei
A walk through the main village of Val Gardena, with painted houses, wood carving shops, a pedestrian street and cafes.
Seceda cable car and ridge
Two-stage lift from Ortisei (gondola to Furnes, then cable car) to a 2,500 m ridge with the famous view of the sharp Odle peaks and steep green slopes.
Santa Maddalena church and Val di Funes viewpoint
Small church with an onion-domed tower in green meadows below the Odle peaks, a classic photo spot in a quiet valley.
Getting there
From Bolzano, Ortisei in Val Gardena is about 45 minutes by car or a little over an hour by regional bus; from Ortisei, lifts go up to the Alpe di Siusi and Seceda. The Val di Funes is about an hour from Bolzano by car via Chiusa, and is harder to reach by bus.
Staying in Bolzano? This day fits into those city plans, and in the Trip Builder it is one click under each of them.
When to go to Dolomites
June to September is the season for walks and cable cars, with wildflowers in the meadows in early summer; July and August are the busiest months. September and early October are often clear and quieter, with autumn colours. In winter the area is a ski resort, and between seasons, in spring and November, many lifts and huts are closed.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Where to stay: hotels in Dolomites on Booking.com or Trip.com
- Skip-the-line tickets: museums and sights in Dolomites on Tiqets
- Tours and day trips: things to do in Dolomites on GetYourGuide
- Data on arrival: an eSIM for Italy from Airalo
Some of these are affiliate links: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Tips for Dolomites
- Cable cars and lifts run in the summer and winter seasons and close for weeks in spring and late autumn; check the Seceda and Alpe di Siusi lift dates before going.
- The road onto the Alpe di Siusi is closed to private cars during the day in season; take the cable car from Siusi or the lift from Ortisei.
- Start early: car parks and cable cars fill by mid-morning in summer, and afternoon thunderstorms are common in July and August.
- Bring layers, a rain jacket and good shoes: it is much colder on the Seceda ridge than in Bolzano, and paths can be muddy.
- Ortisei is known for its wood carving; the shops and the local museum show the Val Gardena tradition.
Make it your own
Open the guide in Andiamo Places to see every stop on a map with walking directions, move places between days, check opening hours for your dates, and add your own finds. After the trip, your photos become a journal and, if you like, a printed photo book.
Guides are made with the help of AI and public sources such as Wikipedia, and may contain errors. Opening hours and prices change, so check before you go. Spotted a wrong photo, a pin in the wrong place, a missing stop or a better one? Write to andiamotravelapp@gmail.com: the e-mail opens with this guide filled in.
Photo credits
- Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm) meadows: This Photo was taken by Wolfgang Moroder. Feel free to use my photos, but please mention me as the author and send me a message. This image is not in the public domain. Please respect the copyright protection. It may only be used according to the rules mentioned here. This specifically excludes use in social media, if applicable terms of the licenses listed here are not appropriate. Please do not upload an updated image here without consultation with the Author. The author would like to make corrections only at his own source. This ensures that the changes are preserved.Please if you think that any changes should be required, please inform the author.Otherwise you can upload a new image with a new name. Please use one of the templates derivative or extract., CC BY-SA 3.0
- Historic centre of Ortisei: This Photo was taken by Wolfgang Moroder. Feel free to use my photos, but please mention me as the author and send me a message. This image is not in the public domain. Please respect the copyright protection. It may only be used according to the rules mentioned here. This specifically excludes use in social media, if applicable terms of the licenses listed here are not appropriate. Please do not upload an updated image here without consultation with the Author. The author would like to make corrections only at his own source. This ensures that the changes are preserved.Please if you think that any changes should be required, please inform the author.Otherwise you can upload a new image with a new name. Please use one of the templates derivative or extract., CC BY-SA 4.0
- Santa Maddalena church and Val di Funes viewpoint: unknown author, Public domain
- Seceda cable car and ridge: Wolfgang Moroder, CC BY-SA 3.0
Opening hours change; check before you go. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
