The Dolomites have long been on my travel bucket list, so when I discovered I could visit these magnificent mountains on a day trip from Lake Garda, I jumped at the chance. While Lake Garda’s stunning shoreline deserves all its praise, venturing into the Dolomites reveals an entirely different side of northern Italy’s natural beauty. Just 150 kilometers from Riva del Garda, these dramatic limestone peaks offer an otherworldly landscape that feels worlds away from the Mediterranean charm of the lake. Here’s my complete guide to experiencing the Dolomites on a day trip from Lake Garda.
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About The Dolomites
The Dolomites form a stunning mountain range in northeastern Italy that earned UNESCO World Heritage status in 2009. These distinctive limestone peaks, named after French mineralogist Déodat Gratet de Dolomieu, are recognised for their pale colour and dramatic vertical walls that create a unique alpine landscape across approximately 16,000 square kilometers.
The region is an interesting combination of Italian and Austrian cultural influences in its architecture, cuisine, and local traditions. The area also holds historical significance from World War I, with remnants of trenches and fortifications still visible today.
Tour Details
Departure
We booked this popular tour on Viator for €70, it only operates during the Summer months due to the Dolomites spending much of the year in snow. It’s a 10 hour tour that takes you on a scenic trip to the famous Pordoi Pass, with a few stops along the way.
The bus departs from Riva Del Garda bus station at 8 AM. The coach is comfortable with strong AC.
First Stop: Elephant Cafe
At 9:30 AM we were at the first stop, Elephant Cafe. As we walked in there was a line of Apple Strudel ready to be served along with coffee. The strudel was delicious, they served it so fast that we had an adequate amount of time to eat it, rather than feeling rushed. However, they didn’t allow us to stay on the bus, so you didn’t have any other option but to buy the strudel, personally I didn’t mind. However, it would have been nice if they had included this in the ticket price.
After the strudel, we began the very scenic journey to the Dolomites. We encountered a steep road with 28 hairpin turns. The bus made 2-3 stops, allowing us to take photos. Along the way you can see all the houses and towns that have a distinctly Austrian feel; it didn’t resemble Italy. After about an hour you can begin to see the famous dolomites mountain peaks.
Arrival Dolomites
By 12:30 PM we arrived at the Dolomites, we were informed we would have just 2 hours to explore and advised to get lunch as the next stop wouldn’t be for a few hours. We decided to get lunch first at Bar Maria Ristorante. The food was not included in the price and was quite expensive, which was expected for the location.
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Pordoi Pass
Once lunch was finished we made our way to the Pordoi Pass cable car. The cable car to Sass Pordoi ascends to 2,950 meters, offering panoramic views that have earned it the nickname “Terrace of the Dolomites.” It takes approximately 8 minutes.
Often called the “Gateway to the Dolomites,” Pordoi Pass stands at 2,239 meters elevation and connects the Fassa and Livinallongo valleys. On clear days, visitors can see as far as Austria and the Marmolada glacier (known as the “Queen of the Dolomites”).
At the top, it felt like another planet; you could almost touch a cloud. The views are incredible; it’s like no place I have ever been before. Although you don’t have too much time to explore, you can leave the viewing platform and walk around some of the peak.
Please note that it is illegal to take stones from the mountain. A few people like to do this as a souvenir but this is actually not allowed.
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Final Stop Ortisei
On the way back we stopped at the picturesque town of Ortisei, a Winter ski resort. In the Summer Summer, it is busy but mainly from tour buses. Ortisei is renowned for its woodcarving tradition, dating back centuries, with local artisans still creating everything from religious figures to modern art pieces.
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Overall Thoughts
All in all, it would have been nice to have more time in the Dolomites instead of stopping in Ortisei or going for strudel, it was a long drive to only spend such a short amount of time at the Dolomites. However, I understand that the driver needs a break, and these stops make it a more well rounded and inclusive trip for everyone. I still had a fantastic and memorable day, and would do it all again.
