Located in one of the world’s most beautiful Alpine regions, this sophisticated ski town is nicknamed the Pearl of the Dolomites.
Cortina d'Ampezzo is a beautifully classic Alpine ski town set within the Dolomites, UNESCO World Heritage-listed mountains. Explore interesting museums, sample the town’s excellent cuisine and enjoy varied outdoor activities year-round.
Make a winter trip to Cortina d'Ampezzo to explore the slopes of its ski resort. The resort encompasses more than 71 miles (115 kilometers) of runs as well as many cable cars and chairlifts. In the summer, take advantage of excellent terrain for hiking and mountain biking.
Cortina is a scenic mountain town with low-rise white-timbered houses set against a backdrop of rushing streams, lush forests and the rugged Dolomite peaks. The pedestrian-only main street, Corso Italia, is lined with chic skiwear shops and restaurants. Visit this main street on Good Friday any year, when it hosts a grand religious procession.
Look for the town’s lovely Santi Filippo e Giacomo church, which dates back to the 18th century. The church’s commanding bell tower dominates the town center, contrasting pleasantly with the surrounding peaks.
Try some of the town’s delicious regional dishes. One of the most popular traditional local dishes is casunziéi, a half-moon-shaped pasta filled with spinach or beets.
Browse the goods at the town’s marketplace on Piazza Italia, which is located near the bus station. Vendors set up stalls from Tuesday to Friday mornings, selling clothing, housewares, fresh produce and local cheeses.
When you’re not skiing, visit the three main museums, all housed in one building. Admire sculptures and paintings by 20th-century Italian artists at the Mario Rimoldi Museum of Modern Art, inspect ancient fossils dating back to the ages when Cortina was submerged under the sea at the Rinaldo Zardini Palaeontological Museum and view information about community heritage at Regole d’Ampezzo Ethnographic Museum.
Cortina d'Ampezzo is located in the northernmost part of the province of Belluno. To get here, use the regular bus services departing from the train station at Calalzo di Cadore. Another option is driving along the scenic Grande Strada delle Dolomiti from Bolzano.
