Dolomites day trip from Venice: Lakes and mountain villages

Five lakes and two mountain villages in one morning and afternoon from Venice

This eight-hour day trip from Venice takes you by minivan through the Dolomites, stopping at Lake Santa Croce, the village of Pieve di Cadore, Lake Auronzo, and Lake Misurina at 1,754 meters above sea level, with views of Tre Cime di Lavaredo and the surrounding peaks. The round-trip transfer from Venice is included with a bilingual driver. You choose how long to spend at each stop. A chairlift to Col del Varda at 2,106 meters is available for an extra fee if you want higher vistas.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Dolomites and Lakes

• Visit Lake Santa Croce
• Stroll in Pieve di Cadore
• Travel to Lake Auronzo
• Walk around Lake Misurina
• Optional lunch at Lake Misurina
• Optional chairlift to Col del Varda
• Return to Cortina d'Ampezzo

The experience

The minivan picks you up in Venice and heads north into the mountains, climbing through valleys and passing through tunnels carved into the canyon walls. The route itself is part of the day: the drive shows you the landscape before you step out of it. Lake Santa Croce appears first, a semi-natural lake at 386 meters where the Dolomite peaks reflect in the water. You have time to walk the shore or sit with a coffee. From there the route moves to Pieve di Cadore, a small municipality where you can stroll the center and stop for a cappuccino if you want one.

The road climbs higher as you head toward Lake Auronzo, passing through charming mountain villages on the way. Lake Misurina sits at 1,754 meters, the largest natural lake in Cadore, and the stop here is longer because the views matter. From the lakeshore you see Tre Cime di Lavaredo and the Sorapis and Marmole peaks rising behind the water. You can walk the 2.6-kilometer perimeter, have lunch at one of the restaurants nearby (you pay separately), or just stand and look. If you want to go higher, a chairlift runs to Col del Varda at 2,106 meters. Tickets are not included in the tour price, but the vistas from up there are the highest point of the day.

The driver is bilingual and the minivan is air-conditioned, which matters on the long climb and on the way back down. The tour runs eight hours total, and because it is shared, the schedule is fixed. You are not building the day yourself, which means the timing holds and you do not have to think about how to fit five lakes into an afternoon. The last-minute note: if you book same-day or overnight and there are no seats left, you will be moved to the following day.

What’s included

• Round-trip minivan transfer from Venice with a bilingual driver.
• air-conditioned transport.
• free time at each of the five lakes and two mountain villages.
• access to Lake Santa Croce, Pieve di Cadore, Lake Auronzo, and Lake Misurina.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday, Wednesday and ThursdayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (2 and older) · Infant (under 2)

GroupUp to 16

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by MOVE VENEZIA

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you are staying in Venice without a car and want to see the high Dolomites in a single day: the pickup from your hotel and the fixed schedule mean you do not have to arrange transport or plan the route yourself, and the minivan takes you through the mountain passes and tunnels that are part of the landscape.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (under 2).

How do I get picked up from my Venice hotel for this Dolomites tour?

Round-trip transfer from Venice is included in the tour price. Once you book, the operator will contact you via WhatsApp with your pickup time and location details.

What is Lake Misurina like, and why is it on this tour?

Lake Misurina is the largest natural lake in Cadore, sitting at 1,754 meters above sea level with a 2.6-kilometer perimeter. It is the main stop where you have the most free time, and from the shore you see Tre Cime di Lavaredo and the Sorapis and Marmole peaks: the reason the tour builds the day around it.

Can I have lunch during this tour?

Yes. Lake Misurina has restaurants where you can eat, but lunch is not included in the tour price and you pay at the restaurant. You have free time at the lake to decide whether to eat there or just walk and look.

Is there an option to go higher into the mountains?

A chairlift runs from Lake Misurina to Col del Varda at 2,106 meters, offering views from higher altitude. Chairlift tickets are not included and you buy them separately if you want to go up.

What does the eight-hour tour include?

The tour includes round-trip minivan transfer from Venice, a bilingual driver, and air-conditioned transport. Free time is built into each stop. You decide how long to spend at Lake Santa Croce, Pieve di Cadore, Lake Auronzo, and Lake Misurina.

Is this tour suitable if I am not very fit?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. Most of the day is spent in the minivan or standing at the lakes. Walking is optional at each stop and you choose how much or how little to do.