There are beautiful lakes in the Dolomites. And it's an incredible experience to visit them! At the lakes, you can go sailing, enjoy the beautiful scenery and relax.
The Dolomites is a wonderful destination in Italy. It's very central, as it's only about two hours from Venice. This is an amazing place to go to for those who love outdoor activities.
For example, you can go climbing, hiking, and biking there. Besides that, the mountain range has an interesting history and the food here is amazing too.
One of the important reasons why people love the Dolomites is the incredible scenery. The Dolomites is one of the most beautiful destinations in the world. The mountains look very pretty and there are beautiful lakes.
And if you're going to this place, you should definitely see the beautiful lakes in the Dolomites!
For that reason, I made this list of the most gorgeous lakes you can find there. I also added information on how to get there and things to do at the lake! And this article starts with some information you should know before going there.
Table of Contents
Why Visit the Beautiful Lakes in the Dolomites
If you're in Italy, visiting the gorgeous lakes in the Dolomites is a thing that you should definitely do. And that's because of many reasons.
One of the reasons is that the lakes are unlike lakes anywhere else in the world. They all look so unique and pretty!
The water in the lakes has a wonderful color. If you love photography, going to the lakes is such an incredible experience. You can take lots of photos here.
Also, there are incredible activities at the lakes. For example, you can rent a boat and see a lake from the water! Sailing is always a fun thing to do, but it's even more fun when it's at a very beautiful place.
Besides that, all the beautiful lakes in the Dolomites have something else to offer. This makes it fun to see more than one lake. You can compare the lakes with each other. And if you go back to Italy after that, you can visit the lakes you liked the most again!
Furthermore, the lakes are perfect if you want to relax for a while. Here, you can spend a whole day, and forget everything you're always busy with.
Moreover, there are both lakes that are busy and quiet on this list. So you can visit one of the most popular lakes and on the same day, you can go to a lake with almost no other people.
The lakes are very different every season. This is an incredible summer destination. In summer, it's very warm, you can rent a boat and enjoy the sun. But in winter, it's snowing and it feels like a winter wonderland! This makes the place so unique.
So there are enough reasons to plan your trip to the lakes as soon as possible!
Travel Tips for Visiting the Beautiful Lakes in the Dolomites
Before going to the beautiful lakes in the Dolomites, there are some things you should know!
One of the most important things to know is that all lakes have more than one name. That’s because you can find the Dolomites on the border of Italy and Austria. So all lakes have an Italian name and a German name.
And besides that, many people refer to the lakes in English. This is also the case with other places in the Dolomites, such as the towns.
For example, Lago di Braies is in German Prager Wildsee. And in English people call it Lake Braies.
Another example is Lake Landro. People call it Lake Landro in English, but in German it's Dürrensee. And in Italian, the name of the lake is Lago di Landro.
In this article, I’ll make sure to tell you all names of the lakes, so it won’t confuse you when you’re there!
Another tip is to bring a battery pack with you. If you’re going to many lakes in a day, there’s a chance you won’t be at a point where you can charge your device. And charging your phone can be convenient.
It’s also important to bring sunscreen with you in summer. In summer it can get warm there. And besides that, you need to bring warm clothes with you if you travel here in winter.
Then, it’s snowing and freezing, so it will be very cold when it is winter! So pack your bags depending on the season you’re going to visit the Dolomites.
Furthermore, if you want to visit all lakes when it’s quiet, then it’s best not to go there in July and August.
And my last tip is to bring a camera with you because the beauty of the lakes is unbelievable!
The Most Beautiful Lakes in the Dolomites
Now you know everything you should know before visiting the lakes. So, it's time for the list! Here are the gorgeous lakes in the Dolomites that you should definitely see! Have fun exploring this amazing place in Italy.
1. Lake Braies - Pragser Wildsee
One of the most beautiful lakes in the Dolomites is Lake Braies. In German, the name is Pragser Wildsee and in Italian, it's Lago di Braies.
This is one of the most famous lakes you can find in the area. Nowadays, people also call it the "Pearl of the Alps". That's because so many people travel here each year!
One of the reasons why this lake is so popular is because it was in "Un Passo dal Cielo". That's an Italian television show that aired in 2011. This show has many seasons and the last season aired in 2018.
In winter, there are many curling competitions on the lake when it's freezing.
One of the most amazing things to do at this lake is to rent a boat! In summer, this is definitely a very dreamy experience. The lake looks wonderful and from the water, it looks even prettier.
Furthermore, if you’re going to this beautiful lake in the Dolomites, make sure to bring a camera with you! This is definitely one of the most photogenic places in Italy. And taking photos of it is such a fun thing to do.
Keep in mind that this lake is very busy in July and August. So if you want to avoid the crowds, it’s better to visit the lake in another month.
In summer the lake is wonderful and you can rent a boat. Visiting this lake in winter is fun as well. But then, it's very cold, there's snow and the water is freezing. It's definitely very beautiful to see that. But you cannot see the beautiful color of the water in that case.
How to get to Lake Braies and some details
Lake Braies has a bus stop. So you can get there by bus. The bus you can take is number 442. It comes from Dobbiaco and Villabassa.
You can also get to Lake Braies by car. There are roads leading to the lake.
The average depth of the lake is 56 feet (17 meters) and the deepest point is 118 feet (36 meters). Furthermore, the lake has a size of 77 acres (31 hectares).
2. Lake Dobbiaco - Toblacher See
Another beautiful lake in the Dolomites is Lake Dobbiaco. In German, its name is Toblacher See and the Italians call it Lago di Dobbiaco.
Lake Dobbiaco is great to visit throughout the year. Whether you want to visit in summer or in winter, there is always something to do. Furthermore, it is very pretty in every season.
In summer the beautiful green color of the trees reflects on the water, which looks amazing. Furthermore, the clear water of Lake Dobbiaco makes you want to go in the water.
You can rent a pedal or rowing boat and enjoy the calm lake. From the water, the lake is even more beautiful, because you can see the lake on all your sides.
Another great thing to do here is walking around the lake. Along the way, you can see many birds and other wildlife, which adds to your experience of the place.
But if you want to visit Lake Dobbiaco in winter that’s also very fun! And the place looks beautiful too in this season. During winter, the lake freezes and the snow covers the trees. This is also why it's one of the most beautiful lakes in the Dolomites.
There are many winter activities at the lake. For example, you can go ice skating on the frozen lake.
How to Get to Lake Dobbiace and some details
Getting to Lake Dobbiaco is easy if not the easiest lake to get to in the Dolomites. That’s because it is next to Dobbiaco. Many places in Italy connect to Dobbiaco. There are buses that go here and there is a train station.
The lake has an altitude of 4131 feet (1259 meters) above sea level. Moreover, the deepest point of the lake is 11 feet (3.5 meters).
3. Lake Carezza - Karersee
Lake Carezza is one of the smallest lakes on this list. In Italian, it is Lago di Carezza and the German name of this lake is Karersee. And this is was one of the pretty lakes in the Dolomites!
Although this lake is much smaller than other lakes in the region, it is very beautiful. The calm green water in combination with the green color of the trees next to it is gorgeous.
Furthermore, you can get a view of the Latemar mountain range from the lake. This is a hidden gem in the Dolomites!
It is a very popular place for photography. The colors of the lake and the surrounding nature look amazing in your pictures.
Besides that, there are many hiking trails. So if you finished relaxing and admiring the lake, you can go for a hike! It's amazing to go hiking at the beautiful lakes in the Dolomites.
What’s also great is that you can stay in Carezza. This is a town very close to the lake with many options for accommodation.
How to Get to Lake Carezza and Some Details
Lake Carezza is very easy to get to. You can get there by car because there is a road leading to the lake. Moreover, there is a parking space. If you prefer to travel by public transport, you can do so too! There is a public bus that goes here from Bolzano.
You can find the lake at an altitude of 4984 feet (1519 meters). The deepest point of the lake is 56 feet (17 meters).
4. Lake Misurina - Misurinasee
Another one of the best lakes in the Dolomites region is Lake Misurina. Or Lago di Misurina if you speak Italian. And in Italian, it's Misurinasee.
This lake looks phenomenal. The water is very clear, and in the background, you can see beautiful mountains, houses, and forests. To be more specific, you can see the Tre Cime di Lavaredo in the background. This is a mountain group with three peaks that is very recognizable.
But what makes this lake special is not only its beauty. It is also the nature surrounding the lake. What’s great is that the air around the lake is of very high quality.
This makes Lake Misurina a good place to go for people with respiratory diseases. That’s also why there is an asthma care center for children.
Compared to some other beautiful lakes in the Dolomites, this one is easier for getting a place to stay. There are some ten hotels near the lake.
Lago di Misurina has many viewpoints. This makes the place great for photography. Everywhere you look, you see another picture-perfect spot. And going to all these spots is also very relaxing.
But there is so much more to do at this lake. In the nature surrounding the lake, there are lots of hiking and mountain biking trails. For example, you can do a hike around the lake. This will take you about 1 hour.
Another activity you can do at Lake Misurina is a boat tour and seeing the lake from the water then.
How to Get to Lake Misurina and some details
To get to Lake Misurina you first have to go to Cortina d’Ampezzo. From there you can take the bus, taxi or you can go there by car.
The lake has an altitude of 5755 feet (1754 meters) above sea level. Furthermore, the depth of the lake is 16 feet (5 meters) at the deepest point.
5. Lake Sorapis - Sorapissee
Lake Sorapis is another beautiful lake in the Dolomites. In German, you call this lake Sorapissee and in Italian, it is Lago di Sorapiss.
What makes Lake Sorapis very beautiful is the color of the water of the lake. It is a very vibrant turquoise color and it looks unreal! The lake looks as if someone colored it in. When you arrive at the lake, it will definitely amaze you!
Besides the color of the lake, nature here is stunning to see as well. And what’s great is that it is much quieter at this lake compared to the other lakes in the Dolomites.
How to Get to Lake Sorapis and some details
Getting to Lake Sorapis is much more difficult than getting to the other lakes in the Dolomites. There is no direct access to the lake by car, bus, taxi, or train. Instead, you have to hike there or go by helicopter.
Going by helicopter is very expensive, so the most common way for people to get here is by hiking. To do that you first have to go to the town of Cortina d’Ampezzo. From there you need to get to Passo Tre Croci.
You can do that by driving for 15 minutes or by taking a bus. From Passo Tre Croci the hiking trail is about 6 miles (about 10 kilometers) and takes you about 1.5 to 2 hours.
The Lake is one of the highest on this list. It has an altitude of 6316 feet (1925 meters).
6. Lake Landro - Dürrensee
Lake Landro is another wonderful lake in the Dolomites. In German, it's Dürrensee and in Italian, it's Lago di Landro. This is a pretty mountain lake that you should definitely see. Furthermore, the lake is part of the Three Peaks Nature Park.
Other lakes you find near Lake Landro are Lake Braies and Lake Dobbiaco.
From the lake, you can have a view of the Cristallo Mountains. This view is one of the reasons why Lake Landro is one of the most beautiful lakes in the Dolomites.
What’s great is that the water in the lake is warm. This is unusual for a lake at this altitude, but it is because there are only a few points from which it gets new water.
Furthermore, during summer you can start a lot of hikes from the lake. The nature surrounding the lake is wonderful.
How to Get to Lake Landro and some details
If you want to go to Lake Landro, you can drive there yourself. There are many parking spots. If you go there without a car, you first have to go to Dobbiaco. From there, there are several options to get to the lake.
The lake has a very high location. It is 4613 feet (1406 meters) above sea level.
7. Lake Caldaro - Kalterer See
Lake Caldaro is a lake close to the Dolomites you want to check out! In German, its name is Kalterer See, and in Italian people use the name Lago di Caldaro.
This is one of the largest lakes in the region and it is very pretty. The mountains surrounding the lake are much smaller than those at the other lakes. So the scenery at this lake is very different. If you like this type of landscape, then Lake Caldaro is definitely a place for you!
What makes this lake special is that the water in the lake is warmer compared to the other lakes. In summer, the temperature of the water can rise to over 77 degrees Fahrenheit (25 degrees Celsius).
Furthermore, in summer, many people go there for water sports. The lake is very suitable for windsurfing and sailing. And you can also rent boats and surfboards here. This is a lot of fun if you want to be active.
Lake Caldaro has a depth of only 18 feet (5.6 meters) at its deepest point. And the lake is about 3.2 miles (2 kilometers) by 1.6 miles (1 kilometer) in size. Also, the lake has a much lower altitude than the other lakes.
Getting to Lake Caldaro is easy. It is very close to Bolzano, which is a place with good bus and train connections.
How To Get To The Dolomites
By now you want to visit these beautiful lakes in the dolomites for sure! But how to get to the dolomites?
There are several ways to get to the dolomites in Northern Italy.
You find the nearest airports in Munich, Milan, and Venice. From there you can go by bus, train or taxi. These places are a few hours away from the Dolomites. And visiting these places too is great as well!
If you are coming from within Italy or countries close to Italy the train is the most convenient way to travel. You can first travel by train to a larger town, such as Bolzano. From there you take the bus and sometimes the train to specific places in the region.
Depending on which lake you want to visit, the last part of your journey is either by car, bus, or taxi. For some lakes, you have to walk a bit from the towns nearby.
Where to Stay When you Visit the Beautiful Lakes in the Dolomites
Where to stay in the Dolomites when you are visiting the lakes depends on where you want to go.
Some lakes have a town next to them. Staying there is most convenient if you want to visit that particular lake. For example, Hotel Lago di Braies is gorgeous!
For other lakes, you have to stay somewhere else. Most of the time there is a town or a city within 30 minutes from the lake. Booking a hotel there is then most convenient.
But when you want to see several lakes in the Dolomites, you can also stay in a town elsewhere. Public transport is great in the region and traveling by car is easy. For example, Dobbiaco is close to many lakes. And Bolzano is a convenient place as well!
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