Lago Di Braies: Discover The Pearl Of The Dolomites

Lake Braies – lago di Braies in Italian and Pragser Wildsee in German – is one of Italy’s most beautiful alpine lakes. It’s known as the Pearl of the Dolomites for its beauty, unique location, crystal-clear waters, and scenery.

The lake is located in the Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s also really popular – another nickname for lago di Braies is the “instagram lake of the Dolomites”.

Lago di Braies is kind of a symbol of the region. It combines unparalleled natural beauty, rich mythology, significant history, and a strong presence in popular culture, all of which reflect and celebrate the unique spirit of the Dolomites and South Tyrol.

So let’s go into what you need to know when visiting the Pearl of the Dolomites: how to get there, when to visit, what you need with you, what’s there at the lake, and some interesting extra information. Enjoy!

This post might contain affiliate links, which means that if you purchase anything via them, we might earn a small commission – at no extra cost to you. Check our disclaimer policy for more information.

Plan Your Trip With My Favorite Resources!

– Best accommodation site: Booking.com
– Best tours and activities: GetYourGuide or Viator
– Car rental: Rental Cars
– Travel Insurance: AXA

Lago Di Braies – General Info

A serene mountain lake with several wooden boats floating on the calm water. The surrounding landscape features tall, rocky mountains partially covered with clouds and dense green forests along the shoreline.

Location | Braies Valley, Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park, South Tyrol, Italy
Altitude | 1469 – 1496 meters above sea level (most common: 1496 m)
Depth | Maximum depth: 36 meters; Average depth: ~17 meters
Mountains | Croda del Becco (Seekofel, 2810 m)
Interesting info | the lake was created by a landslide that blocked the Braies river.

During World War II, Lake Braies was the site of a dramatic prisoner exchange and a refuge for concentration camp inmates, events that are commemorated at the little chapel on the side of the lake and the historic Grand Hotel Pragser Wildsee

Lake Braies has been made a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its beauty and natural setting, which says something considering how beautiful all of the Dolomites are.

Best Time To Visit

A serene lake with clear turquoise water surrounded by lush green forests and towering mountains under a partly cloudy sky. People in small boats paddle on the water, and a dock is visible on the left side.

The best time to visit lago di Braies is between early May and early September. That’s when the ice has melted – at least most of it, and you can actually see the water color.

When we visited in April, only a part of the lake had melted. Honestly, it looked pretty cool – kind of best of both worlds. We could see the colorful water and the snowy mountains together – beautiful!

But if you want to enjoy lago di Braies properly, visit in summer. That’s when the whole hiking trail is open (in winter, the part with stairs can be closed due to snow), you can go boating, and the weather is generally the best.

In June, we went boating – it was much cooler than I thought it will be. We had to wait in quite a long line for our rowboat, but it still took less than 40 minutes to get one. It would probably not be the case in July or August.

If you want to avoid crowds as much as possible, go for sunrise or sunset. You might still encounter some photographers, but most of the sightseers will not be there anymore (or yet).

The busiest time to go in the main season (July and August) is between 10am and 3pm. If you avoid those times, you may be able to avoid the main crowds.

How To Get To Lake Braies

A clear mountain lake reflects snow-covered peaks and surrounding evergreen trees. The foreground shows stones and branches in shallow water. A few people are walking along the snowy path by the lake under a bright blue sky.

Lake Braies is located in Val di Braies, in Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park. It’s at the foot of Croda del Becco mountain – the big one that you see at the back of the lake.

To get to the lake, it’s the usual options – car, bus, or walking.

From 10th of July until 10th of September from 9.30 am to 4.00 pm, the valley can only be accessed by bus, on feet, by bicycle, or by car if you have an online reservation. The regulation is in place to control the amount of people visiting and preserve the environment.

If you drive your car, I recommend you arrive early to secure a parking spot. There are three parking lots, but they do fill up rather quickly.

The bus 442 (<the link leads to a pdf timetable) can take you directly from Dobbiaco to the bus stop at the lake. It’s free – you can use your Mobilcard, Guestpass, value card, as well as the Südtirolpass to board it.

You can also ride a bike – there’s a bike trail that goes to the lake, so you don’t have to drive on the road.

And of course, walking is an option. There are multiple villages in the Pragser Tal Valley that have nice (and sometimes even budget-friendly) hotels. If you’re staying in one, I recommend you walk to the lake or take a bus to save on the parking fees.

Note, that if the road conditions are not good, the road might get closed – for example, in winter. Although we went there in the morning next day straight after a crazy snowstorm that pretty much closed down the Dolomites and Alps in Austria, and the road was perfectly clean.

Lago Di Braies Parking

A parking lot with several cars is in the foreground. Behind, there are tall evergreen trees and a rustic building. In the background, majestic mountains rise under a cloudy sky, creating a picturesque natural setting.

The parking lots by lake Braies deserve their own paragraph.

There are three main parking lots by lake Braies – P4, P3, and P2. P4 is the closest to the lake and P2 is the farthest. And obviously, P4 is the most expensive of them. At the time of writing, the maximum price for P4 is 30 euro for 24 hours (or 15 for 3 hours). P3 is max 18 euro for 24 hours, and P2 is max 7 euro for 24 hours. Check up to date pricing here.

In summer, 10th of July until 10th of September from 9.30 am to 4.00 pm, you need to have a reservation if you’d like to drive in the Braies valley and park in one of the parking lots. If you arrive before 9:30, though, you can drive to the lake – no reservation necessary.

There’s also a “Lago di Braies Parking” – you can reserve a “day stay at lake Braies” for 38 euros, with a guaranteed parking spot at the P4 parking, and you get a 15 euro voucher to use in one of the restaurants by the lake.

Facilities By The Lake

Large informational sign in a snowy landscape showing a map of Lago di Braies (Pragser Wildsee) with a photo of the lake, walking paths, buildings, legends, and the phrase “collect beautiful moments.” Pine trees and mountains are in the background.

Since lake Braies is such a popular place, you have all of the facilities needed just by it.

There are a couple of restaurants and cafes, where you can have some refreshments just before or after hiking or enjoying the lake.

There are even public toilets – located just by the closest car park, parking 4. They are paid, but that’s not that unusual in Italy.

The souvenir shop in the hotel on the way to the lake has nice souvenirs for good prices. I was shocked that they are not more expensive than at other places, which is what usually happens at the top tourist locations.

And last but not least, the parking and the bus stop are just by the lake. Make sure to have a reservation (in advance) for accessing the parking lot, but if you don’t get one, there are buses that will take you to lago di Braies.

What To Pack With You

A person in a red and blue jacket stands on a rock by a tranquil lake surrounded by forested mountains. The sky is overcast with low-hanging clouds, creating a serene and misty atmosphere. The lake's surface reflects the mountains and trees.

As always when packing things with you in the Dolomites – pack layers.

Once, when we visited the lake in August, I needed to put on a WINTER(!) jacket, it was so cold!

But otherwise, you really don’t need anything special, the normal essentials will do just fine.

If you don’t plan to hike around the lake Prags, you don’t even need any hiking shoes.

Full Dolomites packing list

Things To Do In The Area

An adult kneels next to a child, helping them hold a large camera on a wooden fence in a park. Trees and a parked camper van are visible in the background under a sunny sky.

There are quite a few things to do by Lake Braies – both at the lake itself, and a short driving distance away.

All the best things to do in the Dolomites

Boat rentals

A person wearing a red life jacket and sunglasses is rowing a wooden boat on a clear turquoise Braies lake in the Dolomites surrounded by forested mountains. The sky is partly cloudy, and there are rocky mountain peaks in the background.

One of the coolest things to do on lago di Braies is renting a rowboat. We did it in June, and it was actually cheaper than I thought it would be.

The rental is open from the middle of June until about October. Price for a 45 minute rental is 50 euro. Just keep in mind that you have to row by yourself!

You cannot book a normal or shared boat online, but if you wish to have a special experience, such as private shooting where you get the boathouse for yourself, plus two rowboats, or a boat and e-bike experience.

You can even book a Lago di Braies elopement package – you get a part of a boathouse, jetty, a decorated boat (and a second boat for a photographer), champagne bottle, and flowers!

Hiking

People walking on a snowy path through a forest with tall trees on a sunny day. Some snow covers the ground and branches. A wooden fence lines the path, and a sign is visible. The sky is blue with a few clouds. — The trail

Of course, there are many hiking opportunities by Lake Braies.

The most popular is the lake Braies Circuit trail. It’s easy and family friendly, and you get to see the lake with the surrounding mountains from different angles. The trail is just under 4km long, so it doesn’t take too much effort.

For some day- or half-a-day hike opportunities, you can go to Hochalpenkopf or Grande Apostolo. Or check out the trails towards Rossalm mountain hut or Seekofel summit.

Photography

A snow-covered landscape with a winding river, surrounded by evergreen trees. In the background, tall mountains are illuminated by golden sunlight at their peaks under a clear blue sky.

Lago di Braies is one of the most photogenic locations in the Dolomites.

The most popular angles would be with the boats and the boathouse in the foreground and the lake and Croda del Becco in the background.

If you want a more unique one, go to the left when you arrive at the lake. It would be towards Rio Braies – and go until the bridge that crosses the river. From there, you get an amazing angle of the lake and the mountain.

The best times for photography are, of course, sunrise and sunset, as that’s when the light is the best and there are less people.

If you want the boats nicely tied in your picture, you need to go when the boat rental is closed. In the main season (July and August), it would be before 8am or after 7pm.

During the day, you’d get the best contrast in your images and the nicest color of the lake water.

Best photo spots in the Dolomites

Tre Cime Nature Park

A hiker with a blue backpack stands on a grassy area, looking towards towering rock formations in the background under a partly cloudy sky. The scene suggests a rugged, mountainous landscape, possibly during a day hike or trek.

The Tre Cime nature park, with its incredible hikes, is close by. Go hike the Tre Cime di Lavaredo loop or the Cadini di Misurina viewpoint, or any other of the incredible hikes!

Information about the Tre Cime hike

Lakes

A serene lake reflecting surrounding pine forest and steep mountains under a clear blue sky. Sunlight casts a shadow on part of the mountain, creating a tranquil and picturesque landscape.

There are also many other lakes in the area! Some of my favourite are lake Dobbiaco, lake Landro, and Lake Valdaora.

If you have a chance, go and hike to lake Sorapis – it has an incredible blue color.

Nicest lakes in the Dolomites

Where To Stay In The Area

A large, alpine-style hotel stands amidst a snowy landscape with towering mountains in the background. The sky is bright blue with scattered fluffy clouds. Pine trees flank the building, adding to the picturesque, serene setting.

If lake Braies is your main goal for visiting the Dolomites, consider staying somewhere really close by. The best hotel for that, of course, is the hotel Lago di Braies, which is on the very coast of the lake.

Otherwise, consider staying in one of the villages nearby.

Dobbiaco

A picturesque street scene with snow-capped mountains in the background. Traditional Alpine houses line the road, and a pharmacy with a green cross sign is visible. A car is parked, and the sky is partly cloudy. Trees and a pedestrian crossing are present.

Dobbiaco is my favorite budget-friendly place to stay in the Dolomites. It has all the amenities a good trip needs, and still has reasonable prices of hotels.

✅Budget option: Hotel Dolomiten – a 3-star hotel with a nice wellness center and tasty breakfast.
✅Mid-range option: Hotel Patris. It looks incredible, to be fair. There’s a rooftop swimming pool, a spa, wellness, sauna, steam room, yoga classes… see for yourself!
✅Luxury option: Romantik Hotel Santner. A great hotel with a view of the Landro valley, pools, saunas, great food. And it’s also close to some of the most beautiful places to visit, including lago di Braies.

Best places to stay on a budget

San Vito and Oberhaus

A snowy mountain scene with snow-covered buildings and trees. The sky is overcast, and mist partially obscures the mountain peaks in the background. The road in the foreground is clear with visible snow piled on the sides.

San Vito and Oberhaus are a tiny little village very close to lago di Braies. They are perfect places to stay if you want to go to lake Braies for sunset or sunrise and can’t stay in Hotel Braies, as they’re literally the last two villages on the way to the lake.

We stayed in San Vito once, and it was nice, quiet, and with bunch of restaurants and cafes available.

✅Budget Option: Residence Trenker Luis in San Vito – a no-frills hotel with nice little rooms and a huuuuge breakfast. We were lucky to find this hotel when there was a storm in the Dolomites and we got stuck.
✅Mid-range Option: Hotel Edelweiss – a nice little hotel with a good Spa and Wellness area. We’ve had lunches and dinners here multiple times, and the place looks great, and the staff are very nice and friendly.
✅Luxury Option: Hotel Trenker – a beautiful 4-star hotel, housed in a historic building. There’s a wellness and spa area, and the pool has just an incredible view.

Hotels with the best views of the Dolomites

Some Interesting Extra Information

kristine and michal at lake braies in the dolomites with a cloud covering the mountains in the background

There are some myths and legends to lake Braies, and it’s also a historically significant place in the Dolomites.

One of the local legends states that lago di Braies is the gateway to the underground kingdom of Fanes, the original people of the Dolomites.

Another one says that the lake was created when savages mined for gold there and the jealous local shepherds tried to steal it. They were not successful, as the savages opened underground springs and sunk all the wealth in the resulting lake.

As for the historical significance, during the WWII, it was a site for prisoner exchange and also a refuge for concentration camp inmates. More information about these events can be found in the little Chapel on the lake and the hotel.

Conclusion

A person wearing sunglasses is taking a selfie in front of a scenic mountain lake Lago di Braies, one of the reasons the Dolomites are worth visiting. Behind them, people are standing on wooden docks, and there are boats on the water. The backdrop features tall mountains and a partly cloudy sky.

Lake Braies is a must-visit destination in the Dolomites for several reasons, each contributing to its reputation as the region’s crown jewel. Whether it’s the views, photography, hiking, or going on a rowboat, the lake should be on your Dolomites itinerary.

Do you have any questions? Ask them in the comments or in the Facebook group!

FAQ about Lago di Braies

Is Lago di Braies worth visiting?

Yes, lago di Braies is definitely worth visiting. Even if you don’t have time for a hike or a boatride, just spending a bit of time there to enjoy the views is worth it.

Can you swim in Lago di Braies?

Although many people swim in the lago di Braies, it’s actually not allowed.

Can you rent a SUP, canoe, or kayak?

No, SUP, Canoe, and kayak rentals are not available at lago di Braies. The only option is a rowboat.