Italy, Europe
The Dolomites in May
The dead zone: most lifts and huts closed, high passes may still be snowbound, many hotels shut.
The straight answer
May is a month to think twice about visiting the Dolomites. The dead zone: most lifts and huts closed, high passes may still be snowbound, many hotels shut.
- Weather
- Spring, valley highs near 61F (16C), snow on high trails
- Crowds
- 1 of 5
- Prices
- 1 of 5
What May is like in the Dolomites
May is the dead zone in the Dolomites. Valley highs reach about 61F (16C), but snow still covers the high trails and passes. Most lifts and mountain huts are closed, and many hotels shut for several weeks. Crowds and prices are at their lowest, because there is little to do up high.
We would steer most visitors away from May. You can walk in the valleys and visit Bolzano, but the classic hikes and viewpoints are not ready. For hiking, come from late June through September. For skiing, pick February or March. If May is your only window, base yourself in a valley town.
Make the most of May
What is especially good about the Dolomites this month.
Valley walks
Lower trails around the valleys begin to green up, fine for easy walks while the high country is still snowy.
Quiet towns
Bolzano and Merano are calm and pleasant, with mild weather for strolling and eating well.
Very low prices
The hotels that are open cost much less than in summer or winter.
What to pack for May
- A waterproof jacket
- Layers for cool mornings
- Walking shoes that handle mud
- A small daypack
Our timing tip
If you go in May, confirm your hotel is open before booking, since many close from around mid April to late May.
Book The Dolomites for May.
Sponsored links to Expedia and Vrbo. We may earn a commission; it never changes a verdict.
- Hotels for May
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in The DolomitesOpens a hotel search for The Dolomites in May, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
- Rentals on Vrbo
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in The DolomitesWhole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
- Tours and tickets
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in The DolomitesTimed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in The Dolomites for May. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Things to do in the Dolomites
Tre Cime di Lavaredo loop
The famous three peaks, reached by a toll road to the Auronzo hut. Arrive early; the lot and road can fill in summer.
Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm)
Europe's largest high alpine meadow, with gentle trails and the Sassolungo behind it. Private car access is restricted during the day in season, so use the cable car from Siusi or Ortisei.
Seceda ridgeline, Val Gardena
Take the lift from Ortisei for one of the most photographed ridges in the Alps. Early lifts beat the crowds.
Lago di Braies
The famous emerald lake with rowboats. In peak summer the access road is restricted and parking must be booked; check current rules.
Sella Ronda
A roughly day-long ski circuit around the Sella group in winter, and a classic road cycling loop over four passes in summer.
Cortina d'Ampezzo
The glamorous resort town and a base for the Tre Cime, Cinque Torri, and the wartime open-air museums.
Beat the crowds
- Take the first lift of the day in summer. The famous viewpoints (Seceda, Alpe di Siusi, Tre Cime) are quiet before 9am and crowded by 11am.
- Choose the first half of July or the first half of September over August. Everything is open and the huts are far easier to book.
- Base yourself in quieter valleys like Val di Funes, Val di Fassa, or the Val Badia side villages rather than the busiest parts of Ortisei or Cortina.
- Book mountain huts months ahead for overnight hikes in July and August; the popular ones fill early.
Know before you go
- Most summer lifts run from about mid June to mid or late September; some keep running into early October. Winter lifts run from early December to early April.
- Mountain huts generally open from about mid or late June to mid or late September. Outside those weeks, overnight hiking is not practical.
- Many hotels close for several weeks in the spring and autumn gaps, usually from around mid April to late May and from mid October to late November.
- High mountain passes can close briefly for snow even in early summer or late September. Tre Cime and Braies access rules change year to year, so check them before you go.
The Dolomites in May, quick answers
Is May a good time to visit the Dolomites?
May is a month to think twice about visiting the Dolomites. The dead zone: most lifts and huts closed, high passes may still be snowbound, many hotels shut.
What is the weather like in the Dolomites in May?
Spring, valley highs near 61F (16C), snow on high trails.
Is the Dolomites crowded in May?
May is one of the quieter months in the Dolomites; most sights can be done without long waits.
Keep planning The Dolomites.
The months either side, and the best one if this is not it.
- 01The Dolomites in AprilThe month before: Mild in valleys, highs near 52F (11C), snow up highTradeoffs
- 02The Dolomites in JuneThe month after: Warm, valley highs near 68F (20C), snow lingering up highGood
- 03The Dolomites in JulyThe next best month: Warm, valley highs near 73F (23C), afternoon stormsBest
Also at their best in May
Before you book.
Sort these two things first.
Sponsored links. We may earn a commission; it never changes a verdict.
- Visit Faye
Travel insurance.
FayeA missed connection, a bag that never turns up, a hospital abroad: far cheaper to cover before departure than to argue about after.
- Visit Saily
eSIM data.
SailySet up an eSIM before you fly so your phone has data the moment you land, without roaming charges.
Our top-rated travel gear
Whatever you decide, this is the gear we actually travel with: verified, priced, and ranked. Live price check on each.
As an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases, at no cost to you.