Your travel guide to Cortina

CiaoCortina, short introduction

CiaoCortina is an unofficial tourist guide for Cortina d'Ampezzo. We live here all year and we want to provide a service to the guests of Cortina. Every article is sincere and written with the heart.

We don't want to welcome our visitors with a wall of text, you can see a more in-depth introduction in the bottom part of this page. So let's start with a list of all our articles, divided into sections.

What to do in Cortina

This section contains the best activities for spending your vacation in Cortina. The things to do are divided according to season or weather conditions. This is the ideal starting point to discover what to do in Cortina d'Ampezzo.

Winter in Cortina Winter in Cortina d'Ampezzo is sport, snow, skiing and fun. Let's discover it together. Reading time: 12 min

Summer in Cortina Some ideas and inspirations to fill your days during the hot season in Cortina d'Ampezzo. Reading time: 19 min

What to do when it rains How to spend a pleasant day in Cortina d'Ampezzo even if you've found bad weather. Reading time: 9 min

What to see in Corso Italia All the buildings and points of interest in the pedestrian area of Cortina d'Ampezzo. Reading time: 17 min

What to see in Cortina A page where you can discover all that Cortina has to offer on a one or multi day vacation. Reading time: 5 min

The Museums of the Regole Three interesting museums: an art gallery, an ethnographic museum, and a fossil collection. Reading time: 6 min

The private Vespa museum The Cortina Vespa Museum is a private collection about the famous Italian scooter. Reading time: 7 min

Living Cortina

A collection of articles for those who are on vacation in Cortina and want to experience the town at its best. In this section are collected the best experiences to enjoy what Cortina has to offer, from sports to gastronomy, to having fun and partying.

Eat well in Cortina The best places to eat in the town, whatever the budget, from pizza to star-studded. Reading time: 10 min

Party in Cortina Nightlife in Cortina: all the places to party, from bars to nightclubs to mountain lodges. Reading time: 17 min

Eating in a mountain lodge An article about mountain lodges, both if you want to walk there or use the ski lift. Reading time: 11 min

Skiing in Cortina d'Ampezzo Some useful tips for all those who like to spend their winter holidays with skis on their feet. Reading time: 7 min

Mountain biking in Cortina A page for the lovers of the two wheels. Tips and routes for both mountain bikes and e-bikes. Reading time: 9 min

The surroundings of Cortina

If you want to explore the surroundings of Cortina, this is the section for you. All the articles here focus on the most attractive places that can be easily reached from Cortina d'Ampezzo, either by car or by bus.

Three Peaks of Lavaredo The most iconic panorama of the Dolomites, the majestic mounts famous in all the world. Reading time: 9 min

Lake Braies, Prags One of the most beautiful alpine lakes in the world, located a few kilometers from Cortina. Reading time: 7 min

Lake Misurina Let's discover together the town of Misurina and its alpine lake, which is the largest in Italy. Reading time: 8 min

Cibiana, the town of murals One of the most beautiful villages in Cadore, frescoed with murals by international artists. Reading time: 7 min

The Pocol Military Memorial An evocative ossuary near Cortina, one less known spot in the town, but of sure interest. Reading time: 6 min

Information about Cortina

A collection of articles on Cortina traditions, some interesting facts and other useful information. A page written for both guests and residents, where you can get to know the town a little better and, perhaps, learn something new.

Cortina's seasonality Let's discover the tourist influx to Cortina. A detailed analysis of every month of the year. Reading time: 12 min

Where to park in Cortina Valuable tips for parking your car. A complete list and map of all the car parks in Cortina. Reading time: 7 min

History of Cortina A brief history of the town of Cortina, from Mondeval man to the present day, with highlights. Reading time: 14 min

The bell tower of Cortina Everything you ever wanted to know, and more, about the amazing Cortina's bell tower. Reading time: 6 min

Geology of the Dolomites The history of the Dolomites and the Dolomite, the rock of which they are composed. Reading time: 9 min

What are the Sestieri The Sesitieri are The Sesitieri are a non-profit association, a cultural heritage and also a geographical division. Reading time: 6 min

Ra Fèŝta de ra Bàndes A Marching Bands Festival: the last Sunday of August is a day full of fun and music. Reading time: 7 min

The Feste Campestri The Country festivals of Cortina: a loved summer tradition where we eat and have fun together. Reading time: 9 min

The animals of Cortina A brief description of Cortina's fauna: from the smallest to the most majestic animals. Reading time: 6 min

The best summer and winter hikes

The most beautiful summer and winter hikes in Cortina d'Ampezzo. From the easiest walks to the hikings where some training is needed, divided by category, as well as some advice for novice hikers.

Winter hikes in Cortina The most beautiful winter hikes in Cortina, easy walks, for everyone, on packed snow. Reading time: 12 min

The former railway The most famous walk in Cortina. It is simple, for everyone, and accessible all year round. 2h 00' - 7 km - Easy

The loop of Pianozes A circular walk through the woods that, from the village of Zuel, leads to Lake Pianozes. 1h 30' - 6 km - Easy

Hike from Larieto to Mietres A hike from Larieto to Mietres, with the possibility of a detour to Forcella Zumèles. 1h+30' - 4+2 km - Easy

The Crepe de Cianderòu A hike along the Montanelli path to the Crepe de Cianderòu, a splendid scenic point. 1h 30' - 6 km - Easy

To the ruins of Podestagno A walk to the Podestagno Ruins, one of the most important points in Cortina's history. 40 min - 3 km - Easy

Walk to Lake Pianozes A walk from the center of Cortina to Lake Pianozes, along a road surrounded by green. 1h 45' - 6,5 km - Easy

Walk from Fiames to Cadin An easy and short walk through the woods, along the Boite River, from Fiames to Cadin. 1h 30' - 7 km - Easy

Pian De Ra Spines A walk in the locality of Fiames, we'll get to Pian de Ra Spines, alongside the Boite river. 1h 30' - 7 km - Easy

Walk to Malga Ra Stua A hike from the car park of Sant'Uberto to Malga Ra Stua, avoiding the paved road. 2h 30' - 6 km - Intermediate

From Pianozes to Lake Ajal A short but intense hike to see two beautiful alpine lakes: Lake Pianozes and Lake Ajal. 2h 00' - 4,5 km - Intermediate

Hike to Rifugio Dibona A short and easy hike. From the car park on Falzarego Pass, towards Rifugio Dibona. 2h 30' - 8 km - Intermediate

Carbonin to Plätzwiese From the Carbonin parking area to Prato Piazza and the other mountain lodges of the area. 3h 00' - 9,5 km - Intermediate

From Valbona to Maraia A hike in the area of Auronzo that will lead you to eat at an appreciated mountain lodge. 2h 30' - 9 km - Intermediate

From Ra Stua to Fodara Hike from Malga Ra Stua to Fodara Vedla refuge, in the Sexten Dolomites Nature Park. 3h 00' - 10 km - Intermediate

Pian dei Menìs to 5 Towers A lesser known route from Falzarego Pass to the Cinque Torri and its mountain lodges. 2h 00' - 5 km - Intermediate

The lower Fanes Waterfalls A hike to the Fanes falls, with the optional possibility of doing two small via ferratas. 3h 00' - 10 km - Difficult

Cimabanche to Plätzwiese An alternative, more scenic, path to Prato Piazza, Plätzwiese, through the Chenopi trail. 3h 00' - 9 km - Difficult

From Fiames to Posporcora A scenic hike from Fiames to Posporcora, passing through the panorama of Cianderòu. 3h 30' - 12 km - Difficult

Panoramic trail Dolomieu The Dolomieu scenic path: from the car park of Rio Gere to the top of Mount Faloria. 3h 00' - 8 km - Difficult

Ra Góres de Fedèra The Gorges of Fedèra, a new trail that starts from Lake Pianozes, to Malga Federa. 3h 30' - 10 km - Difficult

From Ra Stua to Sennes A hike from Malga Ra Stua to the Rifugio Sennes, in the Sexten Dolomites natural park. 3h 00' - 11 km - Difficult

Safety tips for hikers Tips for safely going hiking in the mountains and prepare your backpack with all you need. Reading time: 8 min

Other pages

The other pages of our website, where you can find more information on the authors of the page, some ways to support our work and some alternative projects, such as our modest photo gallery.

Information and contacts Who we are and how you can contact us, in order to give us advice or feedback on our work. Reading time: 3 min

Support us If you want to make a donation or help our website to grow, on this page you can find out how. Reading time: 3 min

Photography A photo gallery with a selection of some of the best images from the pages of our website. Viewing time: up to you

CiaoCortina, presentation

As mentioned in the introduction, at the top of the page, CiaoCortina is a website that contains articles written with the heart about things to do and things to see in Cortina and its surroundings. There are also some ideas on where to eat, what to visit, where to party and many other useful information.

The reason we often write in the plural is because CiaoCortina is the result of the work of two brothers. We both live in Cortina all year round.

All the recommendations, considerations and articles you'll find on this website are sincere and disinterested. This is not a "soulless" website full of ads: everything you'll read, every recommendation of what to see or where to go, is written without ulterior motives.

These are the same suggestions we could give to a friend of ours who, coming to visit us, asks us for a recommendation.

Our interest is not to advertise, but to let you know what we sincerely love about Cortina. In fact, no recommendation is paid in any way.

We believe that living in the "Pearl of the Dolomites," as Cortina is often called, is a privilege that is granted to us thanks to those who come to visit it. We take this opportunity to thank all the tourists, who allow this town to live.

Why should you visit Cortina d'Ampezzo?

The name Queen of the Dolomites was not given without a reason. Cortina is a wonderful place. It has been built in a natural conformation that is unique in the world: a wide valley, surrounded by some of the most beautiful and characteristic mountains of the Dolomites.

Reaching Cortina for the first time will take your breath away, the panorama that will appear before you is magical, almost surreal, so much so that the Dolomites have been considered a World Heritage Site by Unesco.

These characteristics have made Cortina d'Ampezzo a very attractive place for every type of tourist: from those who love the mountains, who prefer less crowded months, to those who prefer stroll comfortably along the lively streets of the center, doing some shopping, and then eat in a luxury restaurant or in one of the wonderful mountain lodges of Cortina.

In writing the articles in our Cortina tourist guide we have tried to consider all types of tourism: from that oriented to experiencing nature, to that interested in worldliness and the good life.

There will be some missing articles regarding "super luxurious" pastimes, because they don't represent us, but nonetheless we want to give you all our best recommendations on what to do and see in Cortina. We do our best to tell you both sides of the Queen of the Dolomites: touristic and naturalistic.

The two souls of Cortina

In towns like Cortina, which suffer a lot from seasonality, you can see two opposing realities. On the one hand there are the months of peak season, characterized by crowds, queues, traffic and the top of social life. On the other side there are the off-seasons, characterized by extreme tranquility, almost deserted streets, shops, bars, restaurants and businesses mostly closed.

Obviously there are also the transition weeks, in which the two souls merge in what are probably the best months to visit Cortina: those where the tourist flow is more reasonable, but the activities are still all open.

This huge difference in the different months causes a kind of seasonal schizophrenia in residents and guests, with those who love and hate certain times of the year versus others. We recommend you to reflect on what you think would be the best months for you.

Finally, we must consider that a town like Cortina could be described as boring and limiting by some, but we believe that anyone who knows how to appreciate small things and quiet life will not agree.

Remember that, in the end, Cortina is a small and peaceful mountain village: even during peak times, you shouldn't expect the same stimuli you would find in large cities.

A website without advertising nor cookies

We have made an unusual choice: completely remove advertising from the website. We also decided not to track our visitors.

The ads helped us cover the costs of running the website, but we decided to pay with our money. We want to try to see if this project is sustainable only thanks to the generosity of our visitors.

For this reason CiaoCortina has become a website that is financed only thanks to donations. If you'd like to help us, we invite you to visit the page Support us.

If you only want to suggest a change, propose something or just say hello, in the section contacts and info, you'll find all the ways to reach us.