There are mountain ranges across Europe that draw travelers season after season, but few command the kind of reverence that the Dolomites inspire. Rising from northeastern Italy across the provinces of South Tyrol, Trentino, and Belluno, these jagged pale limestone peaks were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009, and the distinction was well deserved.
What many first-time visitors discover, however, is that the grandeur of the Dolomites does not end at the summits. Scattered throughout these valleys and high alpine basins are some of the most beautiful lakes in the Dolomites, shimmering in shades of emerald, turquoise, and deep sapphire depending on the season, the light, and the minerals suspended in their glacial waters.
Whether you arrive as a dedicated hiker prepared to earn your view by trail, or as a traveler who simply pulls off the road and walks a short path to the shoreline, you will quickly understand why the beautiful lakes in the Dolomites have captured the imagination of explorers, photographers, and nature lovers for generations.
This guide covers 15 of the most breathtaking spots across the region, from the world-famous Lago di Braies to quieter, lesser-known gems that reward those willing to look a little further. Each one tells a different story, holds a different character, and offers a different reason to stay. If you have ever wondered which beautiful lakes in the Dolomites deserve a place on your itinerary, you are about to find out.
1. Lago di Braies (Pragser Wildsee): The Pearl of the Dolomites
If one lake defines the Dolomites in the popular imagination, it is Lago di Braies. Nestled within the Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park in South Tyrol at an altitude of 1,469 meters, the lake sits beneath the imposing peak of Croda del Becco and spreads across 31 hectares of perfectly still water. The color shifts from a deep emerald to a luminous teal depending on the time of day, and the surrounding mountains reflect across the surface with the kind of clarity that makes photographs look enhanced even when they are not.
The iconic wooden boathouse and the traditional rowing boats moored along the banks have become symbols of the Dolomites themselves. Visitors can rent these boats and drift across the lake, watching the rock faces tower overhead from the water. A well-maintained loop trail circles the entire lake in under two hours, making it one of the most accessible and rewarding short walks in the region. Lago di Braies is widely considered the most beautiful lake in the Dolomites and is a non-negotiable stop on any visit to this part of Italy.
2. Lago di Carezza (Karersee): The Rainbow Lake
Located about 30 minutes south of Bolzano at 1,520 meters above sea level, Lago di Carezza is one of those rare places where local legend and natural beauty reinforce each other perfectly. According to folklore, a wizard once cast a rainbow over the lake to impress a mermaid living in its waters. She vanished before he could reveal himself, and the colors of the rainbow fell into the lake, giving it the shifting, multicolored hues that visitors see today. On the right morning, when the Latemar massif reflects in the still water and the surrounding spruce forest frames the scene, that old story feels entirely plausible.
The lake sits within a protective fence to preserve its delicate ecosystem, and a short one-kilometer loop trail circles the water through a fragrant pine forest. It is one of the easiest Dolomites lakes to visit by car, making it ideal for travelers with young children or limited mobility. Autumn is a particularly magical time to visit, when the surrounding trees turn gold and rust against the pale grey rock of the Latemar peaks.
3. Lago di Sorapis: The Turquoise Secret
Lago di Sorapis demands effort, and that effort is precisely what makes it so special. Sitting at nearly 1,925 meters above sea level within the Sorapis mountain group, this lake is accessible only on foot. The most popular hiking route begins at Passo Tre Croci, a short drive from Cortina d’Ampezzo, and covers roughly 8 miles round-trip with some sections involving steel cables, narrow ledges, and a few steep ascents. The average hiker should allow approximately two hours each way.
The reward is a lake of almost supernatural color. The water is a vivid milky turquoise, a result of fine glacial silt known as rock flour suspended in the meltwater that feeds the lake. The surrounding cliffs rise sharply on all sides, creating an enclosed alpine theater of extraordinary drama. Because it requires real hiking effort to reach, Lago di Sorapis remains significantly less crowded than its more accessible counterparts, and the sense of isolation at the lakeside is part of its appeal. It is regularly cited as one of the most photographed lakes in all of Italy, and the reality more than lives up to the images.
4. Lago di Misurina: The Largest High-Altitude Lake
Lago di Misurina holds the distinction of being the largest natural lake sitting entirely within the Dolomites. Located at 1,754 meters above sea level near Auronzo di Cadore, the lake lies within view of the Cadini di Misurina peaks and serves as one of the main gateways to the famous Tre Cime di Lavaredo circuit. On clear mornings, the mountain silhouettes reflect in the lake with cinematic precision, and the scene at sunrise is among the most photographed in the entire Dolomites region.
Beyond its visual qualities, Misurina is known for its exceptional air quality. The purity of the atmosphere at this altitude has been recognized for generations, and the area historically attracted visitors seeking respiratory relief. A flat, well-maintained path circles the entire lake and is suitable for families, casual walkers, and anyone who wants to spend an unhurried hour absorbing the scenery. Paddle boat rentals are available in warmer months, and several lakeside restaurants serve traditional South Tyrolean cuisine.
5. Lago di Dobbiaco (Toblacher See): The Hidden Gem of Val Pusteria
Lago di Dobbiaco often gets overlooked by travelers rushing past on their way to Tre Cime or Lake Braies, and those travelers are missing something genuinely special. Sitting at 1,259 meters above sea level in the Val di Landro valley, the lake is surrounded by dense alpine forest and framed by the peaks of the Dolomites on every horizon. In autumn, when the larches turn gold and the air sharpens with cold, the walk around Dobbiaco’s 4.5-kilometer perimeter trail becomes an experience of unusual beauty.
The lake is also one of the few in the region where swimming is openly welcomed, and its waters warm to a more comfortable temperature than many other high-altitude lakes. Paddle boat and rowboat rentals are available near the lakeside restaurant, and the surrounding nature park supports rich bird life, including migrating species during spring and autumn. Lago di Dobbiaco is a lake that rewards the traveler who pauses long enough to appreciate subtlety.
6. Lago di Landro (Dürrensee): Quiet Drama by the Roadside
Just south of Dobbiaco along the SS51 highway, Lago di Landro sits quietly beside the road without making any grand announcement of its presence. It is easy to pass without stopping, which would be a genuine mistake. The lake stretches across a long, narrow valley floor with the Cristallo Group and the wider Ampezzo Dolomites providing one of the most dramatic backdrops of any accessible lake in the region.
A 2.8-mile trail loops the entire perimeter and is entirely flat, making it one of the most effortless scenic walks in the Dolomites. History adds another dimension to this place. Lago di Landro was a front line during World War I, and the summits of Monte Piano and Monte Piana above its eastern shore were the sites of brutal close-quarter fighting between Italian and Austrian forces. The lake carries that quiet weight of memory alongside its natural beauty, which gives time spent here a particular gravity.
7. Lago di Anterselva (Antholzer See): Wilderness at Its Finest
Set deep within the Vedrette di Ries-Aurina Nature Park at over 1,640 meters, Lago di Anterselva is a large alpine lake with a wild, unhurried character that distinguishes it from many of the more touristed Dolomites lakes. The surrounding mountains are broad and imposing, and the shoreline trail is gentle enough for families while remaining thoroughly immersed in mountain wilderness.
The lake and its surroundings are best known internationally as the home of a world-class biathlon venue, which brings competitive athletes to the valley each winter. In summer, however, the valley belongs to walkers, cyclists, and anyone who wants open water and clean air without crowds. The local village of Anterselva di Mezzo maintains a traditional South Tyrolean character, with farmhouses, small inns, and an atmosphere that feels genuinely removed from the tourist circuit.
8. Lago di Tovel: The Lake That Once Ran Red
Lago di Tovel in the Adamello-Brenta Nature Park in Trentino is a lake that has never quite shed its air of mystery. Until the early 1960s, the lake’s waters would turn a deep crimson red for several weeks each summer, a result of a rare red alga that bloomed on its surface. The phenomenon was observed for centuries, gave rise to local legends, and then vanished entirely when changes in the lake’s ecology ended the blooms. The lake remains beautiful without its red spectacle, its waters a clear blue-green set beneath the jagged vertical faces of the Brenta Dolomites.
A 90-minute walking loop circles the perimeter of the lake through a forest of spruce and fir, passing viewpoints that frame the mountains in every direction. In summer, access to the valley is managed by a shuttle service to limit traffic, which keeps the atmosphere around the lake quiet and peaceful. Tovel is one of those places that people who discover it tend to remember long after more famous destinations have blurred together in memory.
9. Laghi dei Piani (Bödenseen): The Tre Cime Secret
Most hikers who tackle the famous Tre Cime di Lavaredo loop are focused on the three great rocky spires that give the trail its name. What many of them never notice is the cluster of small, shallow lakes near Rifugio Locatelli that sit just off the main path. The Laghi dei Piani, or Bödenseen, are among the most photogenic spots on the entire circuit, with the pale stone towers of the Tre Cime reflected in their still surfaces on calm mornings.
These lakes are not deep or large by any measure, but their position within one of the most dramatic mountain landscapes in Europe gives them a visual power that larger lakes rarely achieve. The best approach is to take the slightly extended loop from the Auronzo car park that passes by Rifugio Locatelli and spend a few unhurried minutes beside the water before continuing. Most hikers who make the detour rank this short stop among the highlights of the entire Dolomites experience.
10. Lago Ghedina: The Cortina Secret
Tucked into the forested hillside just above the glamorous ski resort town of Cortina d’Ampezzo, Lago Ghedina is a small, intimate lake that offers a different quality of experience from its larger neighbors. The water is a soft, muted green, reflecting the surrounding trees rather than bare rock faces, and the atmosphere is one of complete stillness even in the middle of summer.
A traditional wooden hut operates as a cafe and restaurant at the water’s edge, and the combination of shade, water, and the smell of the surrounding forest makes this an ideal spot to rest mid-itinerary.The lake can be reached on foot from Cortina in about 45 minutes, by car, or by local bus service in summer. It does not appear on many travel itineraries, which is itself a recommendation. Visitors who find their way here tend to stay longer than they planned.
11. Lago di Fiè (Völser Weiher): Alpine Serenity Near Bolzano
At the foot of the imposing Schlern massif, not far from the city of Bolzano, Lago di Fiè offers a quieter, more intimate lake experience than many of the Dolomites’ more celebrated spots. The lake sits at a modest altitude within an open alpine meadow, giving it a warm, welcoming character that invites lingering. In summer, the water temperature rises enough for swimming, and local families make regular use of the small beach and lakeside facilities.
The surrounding area supports a network of easy walking trails, and the Schlern peaks visible above the tree line provide a constant reminder that this gentle, pastoral setting is still firmly within one of Europe’s great mountain landscapes. Lago di Fiè is a lake for those who want the Dolomites experience without the crowds, the parking queues, and the early morning alarms.
12. Lago di Resia (Reschensee): The Drowned Bell Tower
Lago di Resia, in the Venosta Valley near the Austrian border, occupies a unique place in the story of the Dolomites region. The lake was created artificially in 1950 when a dam flooded the valley and submerged the medieval village of Curon, along with its 14th-century church tower. That tower still stands above the water today, a haunting and iconic image that has appeared in countless photographs and has become one of the most distinctive sights in all of northern Italy.
The lake stretches across a wide, windswept valley at 1,498 meters and offers sailing, windsurfing, and cycling along its shores in summer, while in exceptionally cold winters the lake freezes solidly enough for visitors to walk out to the bell tower. The landscape here feels different from the enclosed valleys further east, more exposed and elemental, with a quality of light that changes dramatically across the day.
13. Lago di Alleghe: Reflections Beneath the Civetta
The village of Alleghe and its lake sit at the foot of the Monte Civetta, one of the great walls of the Dolomites whose northwestern face rises nearly 1,000 meters of sheer vertical rock. The lake itself was formed by a massive rockslide in 1771 that blocked the valley river, and the village that grew up on its shores has been a quiet resort destination for Italian families for generations.
The lakeside promenade is peaceful, the views across the water toward the Civetta wall are extraordinary, and the local infrastructure supports everything from swimming and paddleboarding to cycling and winter skiing on the nearby slopes. Alleghe is one of those corners of the Dolomites where international tourism has made relatively few inroads, and the experience of visiting is genuinely local in character.
14. Lago di Calaita: High Meadow Tranquility
Above the village of Siror in the Vanoi Valley of Trentino, Lago di Calaita sits within a high alpine meadow at 1,601 meters, ringed by forest and surrounded by the relatively gentler peaks of the Lagorai chain. The lake is small and pristine, with exceptionally clear water and a setting that feels removed from the main tourist circuits of the central Dolomites.
The surrounding area is popular with Nordic walkers, mountain bikers, and families looking for a peaceful outdoor base. Fishing is permitted under local regulation, and the absence of motorized boats keeps the surface of the lake undisturbed. Lago di Calaita represents the Dolomites at their most quietly generous, offering beauty without demanding effort or navigating crowds.
15. Lago di Coldai: The High Route Reward
For those willing to invest a half-day of uphill walking, Lago di Coldai above the Civetta massif delivers one of the most dramatic high-altitude lake experiences in the entire Dolomites. Reached from the Alleghe valley by a cable car followed by a further climb on foot, the lake sits at around 2,143 meters within a rocky alpine bowl with the great north face of the Civetta dominating the view to the south and east.
The lake marks an important waypoint on the Alta Via 1, the long-distance hiking route that traverses the Dolomites from north to south, and the rifugio nearby provides food, drink, and overnight accommodation for those continuing the route. In late summer, the snowfields that persist on the shaded walls above the lake feed a stream of meltwater that keeps the surface cold and brilliantly clear. Lago di Coldai is a lake that reminds visitors what mountain landscapes looked like before roads were built.
Best Time to Visit the Dolomites Lakes
The Dolomites are accessible and beautiful across most of the year, but the lakes are at their best from late June through mid-October. In early summer, snowmelt fills the lakes to their maximum levels and the surrounding meadows are in full flower. July and August bring the warmest temperatures and the greatest crowds at the most popular lakes, particularly Braies and Carezza. Arriving early in the morning, before 8 a.m., makes an enormous difference at these two locations.
September is widely regarded as the finest month for visiting. The summer crowds have thinned, the larches begin their annual golden transformation, the air is crisp, and the light has the particular clarity of early autumn. Most rifugi and boat rental facilities remain open through the end of September. October brings the full force of autumn color but also a greater chance of early snowfall, which closes some high-altitude trails.
Practical Tips for Visiting the Dolomites Lakes
The Dolomites span three provinces and multiple valley systems, so planning travel between lakes requires some thought. A rental car provides the greatest flexibility, particularly for reaching lakes like Dobbiaco, Misurina, and Carezza that sit close to main roads. For lakes requiring hiking access, such as Sorapis and Coldai, public buses serve most trailheads during the summer season, which helps reduce parking pressure at popular access points.
Entrance fees are generally not charged at the lakes themselves, though parking areas near the most popular sites carry fees, and access roads to Misurina and some other lakes may involve toll charges. Accommodation in the region ranges from family-run guesthouses called pensioni to luxury hotels in Cortina d’Ampezzo. Booking well in advance is advisable for July and August stays.
Conclusion
The beautiful lakes of the Dolomites are not simply scenic backdrops or checklist destinations. Each one holds its own particular combination of light, geology, legend, and altitude that makes time spent beside it feel genuinely irreplaceable.
From the luminous emerald surface of Lago di Braies to the otherworldly turquoise of Lago di Sorapis, from the submerged bell tower of Resia to the silent alpine meadow of Calaita, these waters reflect not just the mountains above them but something essential about this extraordinary corner of Italy. Visiting even a handful of them will change the way you understand what mountain landscapes can be.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the most beautiful lake in the Dolomites?
Lago di Braies is most consistently ranked as the most beautiful lake in the Dolomites. Its emerald-green water, dramatic mountain backdrop, traditional wooden boathouse, and easy accessibility have made it iconic. That said, many experienced visitors argue that Lago di Sorapis, with its extraordinary turquoise color and remote setting, rivals or surpasses it for sheer natural drama.
2. Do you need to hike to visit the Dolomites lakes?
Not at all. Several of the most beautiful lakes, including Lago di Braies, Lago di Carezza, Lago di Misurina, Lago di Dobbiaco, and Lago di Landro, are directly accessible by car with only short, flat walks required to reach the shoreline. Lakes like Sorapis and Coldai do require real hikes, but there are excellent lake experiences available for non-hikers throughout the region.
3. Can you swim in the lakes of the Dolomites?
Yes, swimming is permitted at several Dolomites lakes, including Lago di Braies, Lago di Dobbiaco, and Lago di Misurina, though the water remains cold even in midsummer due to the high altitude and glacial origins of many lakes. Always check local regulations before swimming, as some lakes have restrictions in place to protect their ecosystems.
4. When is the best time of year to visit the Dolomites lakes?
Late June through mid-October is the optimal window, with September widely considered the finest month. Crowds are smaller than in July and August, the autumn foliage begins to appear, and the weather remains stable enough for most hiking routes. The most popular lakes, particularly Braies and Carezza, should be visited early in the morning to avoid peak crowds during peak summer months.
5. How do I get around the Dolomites to visit multiple lakes?
Renting a car is the most practical approach for visiting multiple lakes efficiently. The main valleys are connected by well-maintained mountain roads, and most lakes are within one to two hours of each other. Public buses serve many popular trailheads and lake access points during summer, particularly in South Tyrol where the regional transport network is excellent. The Südtirol Pass offers flexible multi-day access to buses, trains, and select cable cars.