Cortina d’Ampezzo
Cortina d'Ampezzo is a mountain resort in the southern Dolomites, known for ski runs in winter and for hiking, via ferratas and Great War sites in summer.
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Cortina d'Ampezzo is a high-end town for both summer and winter in the southern Dolomites, in Belluno province in northern Italy's Veneto region. The town stands beside the Boite river in the Ampezzo valley, with Dolomite peaks all around it, and its centre lies at about 1,224 m above sea level. The nickname locals use is the Queen of the Dolomites. Cortina lies in the Ladin cultural region, and many residents speak Ampezzano, a local form of Ladin, alongside Italian.
Skiing and walking are the two main reasons to come. The Tofane, Faloria-Cristallo-Mietres and Cinque Torri-Lagazuoi areas are the main ski zones, with over 140 km of downhill pistes. In summer, mountain huts, via ferratas and the Great War Tour draw walkers. The Tour is a route of about 80 km past First World War trenches and tunnels. The town hosted the 1956 Winter Olympics and co-hosts the 2026 Games with Milan. Winter suits skiing, while summer and early autumn suit hiking.
Cortina d’Ampezzo in five
- Choose winter or summer, they differWinter is lifts, ski buses and early dark. Summer is trails, huts and passes. Spring and late autumn bring closed lifts and huts, so plan around the season.Best time to visit Italy
- Take the bus, there is no railwayNo rail line reaches Cortina. Buses run from Venice and Belluno, and a car also works. Check the operator's timetable and book seats on the weekends of peak season.Belluno
- Book huts and lifts before JulyMountain huts need reservations in summer and fill on weekends. Plan routes first, then reserve beds and check lift opening dates on the operators' own pages.Dolomites hut-to-hut
- Check road and lift status before you goPasses close in snow, and some roads need winter tires or chains between autumn and spring. Ask the rental company which equipment the car carries.
- Stay in town or in a village aboveTown has shops and restaurants. A hut or a village on a pass gives you a head start on the trail and quiet nights, but fewer meal choices.
Things to do in Cortina d’Ampezzo
See all attractions in Cortina d’Ampezzo
Need to know
- Airport
- Venice Marco Polo (VCE), about 2–2.5 hr by bus or car
- Getting there
- Bus from Venice or Belluno; car; no rail line
- Getting around
- Local and ski buses; cable cars; walking
- Best base
- Cortina town, or a hut or village for walkers
- Time needed
- 2–4 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryPartly cloudy7 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh1°Low-9°Ski seasonJanuaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 1°
- Low
- -9°
- Precipitation
- 57 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 4
- Days with storms
- 0
Ski season
- FebruaryPartly cloudy8 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh4°Low-6°Ski seasonFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 4°
- Low
- -6°
- Precipitation
- 75 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 4
- Days with storms
- 0
Ski season
- MarchPartly cloudy11 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh6°Low-5°Spring skiingMarchPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 6°
- Low
- -5°
- Precipitation
- 94 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 4
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring skiing
- AprilRain14 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh9°Low-1°Lifts closingAprilRain
Good
- High
- 9°
- Low
- -1°
- Precipitation
- 125 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Lifts closing
- MayRain23 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh13°Low3°Mud, closuresMayRain
Mixed
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 182 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Mud, closures
- JuneRain23 rainy days2 days with stormsHigh20°Low8°Huts open lateJuneRain
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 169 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 2
Huts open late
- JulyRain24 rainy days2 days with stormsHigh21°Low9°Hiking, busyJulyRain
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 178 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 2
Hiking, busy
- AugustRain21 rainy days2 days with stormsHigh21°Low9°Peak hikingAugustRain
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 189 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 2
Peak hiking
- SeptemberRain16 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh17°Low6°Quiet, clearSeptemberRain
Best
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 129 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Quiet, clear
- OctoberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh13°Low2°Larches, closuresOctoberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 141 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Larches, closures
- NovemberPartly cloudy10 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh6°Low-3°Closed seasonNovemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 6°
- Low
- -3°
- Precipitation
- 144 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 4
- Days with storms
- 0
Closed season
- DecemberPartly cloudy8 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh2°Low-7°Skiing startsDecemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 2°
- Low
- -7°
- Precipitation
- 104 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 4
- Days with storms
- 0
Skiing starts
Average daily high and low in Cortina, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Cortina d’Ampezzo
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
-4
- Feels like
- -8°
- Humidity
- 87%
- Wind
- 9 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 20%
Cortina d’Ampezzo
11:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today2°-3°20%Monday: Cloudy. High 2°, Low -3°. Chance of rain 20%.
- Tue2°-2°13%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 2°, Low -2°. Chance of rain 13%.
- Wed1°-2°18%Wednesday: Snow. High 1°, Low -2°. Chance of rain 18%.
- Thu4°-2°0%Thursday: Fog. High 4°, Low -2°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri4°-1°5%Friday: Fog. High 4°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Sat1°-1°8%Saturday: Fog. High 1°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 8%.
- Sun1°-2°18%Sunday: Cloudy. High 1°, Low -2°. Chance of rain 18%.
Updated 09:25 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Day trips by train
- Tre Cime di Lavaredoabout 45–60 min by carThe famous three peaks, reached by a toll road in season.Read the guide
- Bellunoabout 1 hour by bus or carA small town in the foothills, closer to rail and the valley.Read the guide
- Veniceabout 2–2.5 hours by bus or carThe usual end of a Dolomites trip, by bus or rental car.Read the guide
Before you go to Cortina d’Ampezzo
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Rules for Cortina d’Ampezzo, checked
- Italy is in the Schengen area, so many visitors need no visa for short stays. Check current entry rules on esteri.it before you book.Source
- Carry your passport or a copy you can show if officials ask for it.
- Dial 112 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in Italy.
- Piazza Angelo Dibona and Corso Italia are car-free and cobbled, so leave your car at the edge of the centre.
- Some bills add a cover charge or service, so check the bill before you leave extra.
Plan around Cortina d’Ampezzo
Regions, rail, entry rules and money
Read the guideDolomitesPeaks, passes and the best bases
Read the guideDolomites hut-to-hutHow to plan a multi-day hut route
Read the guideBellunoThe nearest town of any size by bus
Read the guideBolzanoSouth Tyrol's capital, a different valley
Read the guideVeniceThe usual air and rail gateway
Read the guideCortina d’Ampezzo FAQ
Is Cortina d’Ampezzo worth visiting in summer?
Yes, for hiking from the town and the huts around it. The town is quieter than in winter and prices are lower, though trails and huts are busy in late July and August.
How do you get to Cortina from Venice?
By bus in roughly 2 to 2.5 hours, or by car. No train reaches Cortina, so check bus timetables and reserve seats at weekends in high season.
Can you visit Cortina without a car?
Yes. Buses link the town with Venice and Belluno, and local and ski buses cover the main trailheads and lifts. A car adds freedom for passes and viewpoints.
When is the best time to ski in Cortina?
January and February give the most reliable snow and the most visitors. March gives longer days and spring skiing. Check lift status and conditions on the operators' sites.
Is Cortina better than the rest of the Dolomites?
It has the most polished town and a classic bowl of peaks. Other valleys, such as those near Bolzano, offer cheaper stays and a more South Tyrol feel.