Italy, Europe

The Dolomites in November

Between seasons: lifts closed, many hotels shut, not enough snow yet. Christmas markets start late in the month.

Think twiceCold and gray, valley highs near 43F (6C)

Tre Cime di Lavaredo, the Dolomites — The DolomitesPhoto: This Photo was taken by Wolfgang Moroder. Feel free to use my photos, but ple, CC BY-SA 3.0

The straight answer

November is a month to think twice about visiting the Dolomites. Between seasons: lifts closed, many hotels shut, not enough snow yet. Christmas markets start late in the month.

Weather: Cold and gray, valley highs near 43F (6C)
Crowds: 1 of 5
Prices: 1 of 5

What November is like in the Dolomites

November is between seasons, cold and gray, with valley highs near 43F (6C). Lifts are closed, many hotels shut until the ski season, and there is not enough snow yet for skiing. Crowds and prices are at their lowest. Christmas markets in Bolzano, Bressanone, and Merano start late in the month.

We would steer most visitors away from November. It works only as a city break with Christmas markets, museums, and Torggelen dinners, and even then late November is the time to aim for. For skiing, come from December through March. For hiking, come in July or September.

Make the most of November

What is especially good about the Dolomites this month.

Christmas markets open

Bolzano's well-known market and those in Bressanone and Merano usually open late in the month.

Torggelen dinners

The harvest tradition of new wine and chestnuts continues in South Tyrol's farmhouse taverns.

Quiet valley towns

Bolzano and Merano are calm and good value, with museums and good food.

What to pack for November

A warm waterproof coat
Warm shoes for wet streets
Hat, scarf, and gloves
Layers for heated indoor spaces

Our timing tip

If you come in November, plan for the last week, when the Christmas markets have opened, and stay in a town rather than a ski village.

Book The Dolomites for November.

Sponsored links to Expedia and Vrbo. We may earn a commission; it never changes a verdict.

Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in The Dolomites
Opens a hotel search for The Dolomites in November, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for November
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in The Dolomites
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in The Dolomites
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in The Dolomites for November. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in November

Christmas markets in Bolzano, Bressanone, and Merano

Late November to early January

Bolzano hosts one of Italy's best-known markets. A good reason to combine a city break with early-season skiing.

Torggelen season in South Tyrol

October into November

Farmhouse taverns serve new wine, roasted chestnuts, and hearty food after the harvest.

Things to do in the Dolomites

Full guide

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.

Tickets and tours →

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.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Seceda ridgeline, Val Gardena

Take the lift from Ortisei for one of the most photographed ridges in the Alps. Early lifts beat the crowds.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

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.

Tickets and tours →

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.

Tickets and tours →

Cortina d'Ampezzo

The glamorous resort town and a base for the Tre Cime, Cinque Torri, and the wartime open-air museums.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

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 November, quick answers

Is November a good time to visit the Dolomites?

November is a month to think twice about visiting the Dolomites. Between seasons: lifts closed, many hotels shut, not enough snow yet. Christmas markets start late in the month.

What is the weather like in the Dolomites in November?

Cold and gray, valley highs near 43F (6C).

Is the Dolomites crowded in November?

November is one of the quieter months in the Dolomites; most sights can be done without long waits.

What is happening in the Dolomites in November?

Christmas markets in Bolzano, Bressanone, and Merano (late november to early january); Torggelen season in South Tyrol (october into november).