Where To Stay In The Dolomites On A Budget: Best Towns and Areas

ByKristine
Mountain hotel in a scenic alpine valley surrounded by lush greenery and wildflowers. Cars are parked outside the multi-story wooden building. Majestic, cloud-capped mountains rise in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

The Dolomites in the North-East of Italy are definitely a world-class destination, and they’re so beautiful that no one doubts why they’re a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

There’s a number of towns and areas that everyone knows or suggests which are quite popular for staying: Cortina d’Ampezzo, Val Gardena, and Alta Badia. These places are close to most of the famous sights, have all a traveler needs, and unfortunately, come with quite a price tag for the accommodation. If you’re looking for where to stay in the Dolomites on a budget, most likely, these towns will not be it.

We’ve went on many trips to the Dolomites, from budget to luxury, so we’ve searched all over these mountains for places to stay. And when looking into a hotel for us, we still try to find something where the price-to-value ratio is the best possible. Generally, it works for us.

So let’s see what we’ve learned about staying in the Dolomites – and hopefully, you also find something for you!

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Understanding the Dolomites: Regions and Popular Hubs

Small white chapel with a sloped roof and bell tower, surrounded by a grassy area. A leafless tree stands in front. Snow-capped mountains are visible in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
Cortina

Let’s quickly recap what the Dolomites and planning the trip there are all about.

The area is generally divided in two parts – Eastern and Western Dolomites, with Alta Badia being sort of central to it all.

The most popular places to stay are Cortina d’Ampezzo in the East, Ortisei and Selva di Val Gardena and Ortisei in the Val Gardena in the West, and San Cassiano in Alta Badia. And since they’re the most popular, as I said, they get pricey.

Where to stay in the Dolomites on a budget: Area-by-Area Guide

A woman and a child walk along a path bordered by a vibrant wildflower-covered hillside. In the background, there are rustic houses and mountains covered in dense green forest. The sky is cloudy, suggesting a cool, subdued day.
Selva

So now, let’s go through the best budget-friendly alternatives for these pricey towns. Luckily, they are not located far from the popular spots!

1. Val Gardena Alternatives (Western Dolomites)

A winding road passes through lush green hills, with rocky mountains rising in the background under a partly cloudy sky and sunlight streaming from the right. A small cabin sits beside the road in the picturesque landscape.
View of Val Gardena from the Gardena Pass

The most popular towns in Val Gardena are Ortisei, Selva and Santa Cristina. Out of these three, Selva and Ortisei have the most expensive accommodation options. Santa Cristina, on the other hand, is more budget friendly, so it’s an alternative to Val Gardena in Val Gardena.

Other cheaper places are Campitello di Fassa and Moena in Val di Fassa, Colfosco in Alta Badia, and even Val di Funes.

Val Gardena itself is an incredible area that lets you explore places such as Seceda, Alpe di Siusi, and Val di Funes with ease. Hence the popularity.

Santa Cristina in Val Gardena

A scenic mountain village with scattered houses on green slopes, dense forests in the foreground, and rocky peaks rising under a blue sky in the background.
Santa Cristina

Opposed to Ortisei and Selva, Santa Cristina is quieter, not so popular, and thus, more affordable. It still offers central access to Val Gardena and the best places to visit around it, but with a lower price tag.

We stayed in Santa Cristina on one of our trips, and it was really pleasant. Our hotel – Monte Pana Dolomites hotel – had a huge field right by it, you had a view and direct access to Monte Pana mountain, and in winter, it became a ski-in ski-out hotel.

📍Option 1: Smarthotel Saslong – close to chairlifts and a bus stop, making it a great base for exploring the area. The rooms are comfortable and bright.
📍Option 2: Garni Ossi– located centrally in Santa Cristina, a nice hotel with friendly staff and great buffet breakfast. Right next to public transport, so great for those who will use busses.
📍Mid-Range Option: Monte Pana Dolomites Hotel– nice and quiet location, great view. We loved the hotel and the food. The hosts are extremely helpful. And there are hiking trails that start right at the hotel.

Val di Fassa

Scenic mountain village with green grass, benches, and a rock display in the foreground. Rustic buildings line the street with parked cars. Mountains and trees form the backdrop under a cloudy sky.
Canazei

Val di Fassa is still a bit of a hidden gem in the Dolomites, although it is becoming more and more popular. The valley is just gorgeous, but the lower popularity means that it still has that authentic Alpine feel and, of course, lower prices.

Villages such as Campitello di Fassa and Moena are still quite popular, but they do offer a lot of budget-friendly accommodation. So if you need to check your budget, these towns have options.

There are great hiking trails and ski slopes in Val di Fassa, so it’s a great location both in the summer and in the winter.

📍Option 1:  Dolomites Hotel La Meridiana in Moena – it’s centrally located and has excellent views. The breakfast is tasty and abundant. Overall, many guests praise the great value for money.
📍Option 2: Hotel Villa Mozart in Pozza di Fassa, just outside of Canazei, is a chalet-style property. It has simple rooms, but they are nice and clean. There’s breakfast included in the price – and even a sauna!
📍Mid-Range Option: Cesa Planber in Canazei – centrally located, just a couple of minutes from the Belvedere cable car. This bed-and-breakfast has excellent views of the surrounding mountains!

Val di Funes

A wooden house sits on a green hillside garden with red flowers in the foreground, cars parked on a gravel driveway, and mountains in the background under a cloudy sunset sky.
Apartments Kaserott

Val di Funes is a popular place to visit, but for some reason people don’t yet stay there that often. It’s the valley where you’ll find the two very popular viewpoints – Santa Maddalena view with the Puez-Odle in the background and the Ranui Church.

📍Option 1: Apartements Kaserott in Villnoss – located walking distance to the Santa Magdalena viewpoint and the Ranui Church. They have a view of Puez-Odle, sauna with a view, and so much more.
📍Option 2: Hotel Gsoihof in Villnoss – a farmstay hotel with an unbeatable view of the Puez-Odle mountains. The rooms are gorgeous, and there’s even a swimming pool with a view.
📍Mid-Range Option: Wanderhotel Teiserhof in Funes – a hotel with a wellness and sauna, with an incredible view of the mountains. It’s located only 15 minutes from Santa Magdalena and the Ranui church.

2. Cortina d’Ampezzo Alternatives (Eastern Dolomites)

A scenic view of a mountainous landscape with a cloudy sky, showcasing a town nestled in a valley. Traditional Alpine houses with wooden balconies are surrounded by lush green fields and dense forests, with majestic mountains looming in the background.

Cortina d’Ampezzo is at the top of the list for the most famous places to stay in the Dolomites. Everyone recommends it for the Eastern Dolomites. And I generally agree with them – Cortina has a great location and everything a traveller might need for a comfortable trip.

You also get easy access to some of the most iconic sights in the Dolomites, such as Tre Cime di Lavaredo, lakes Misurina and Braies, or Cinque Torri.

Unfortunately, that comes with quite a price tag. Accommodation in Cortina is quite expensive so it’s often not in people’s budget – or it doesn’t make sense to stay there for such a price.

Luckily, there are quite few convenient alternatives in the area which offer the same or similar level of comfort.

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.

As the best alternative to Cortina, I always offer Dobbiaco. It’s a great little town to stay which offers good shops and restaurants, as well as great transport connections. If you need to use public transport, it’s actually in a way a better place to stay than Cortina – there’s a direct train from Bolzano to Dobbiaco and a direct bus (in summer season) to Rifugio Auronzo. The lakes Landro, Dobbiaco, and Braies are also very close – closer than from Cortina.

The accommodation prices are noticeably lower than in Cortina.

If Dobbiaco is getting a bit… full, so to say, other options are Rasun di Sopra and Anterselva and the area around them. They’re approximately 20 minutes’ drive from Dobbiaco in a nice valley.

📍Option 1: Aparthotel Haus Greg – we stayed in this apartment, and were really pleasantly surprised! It’s tastefully decorated, has a full kitchen, and even a coffee machine. The bathroom is huuuuge. And I loved the view from the living room.
📍Option 2: Hotel Stauder – a nice, relaxed boutique hotel with a wellness area. People really enjoy the great service, location, and cleanliness of this bed and breakfast.
📍Mid-Range Option: Hotel Sole – Sonne – a nice alpine hotel with clean, comfy rooms, a great indoor pool, and a relaxing sauna. The location is perfect: just a short walk from the town center and close to hiking trails, ski slopes, and the lakes in the area. Guests love the hearty breakfasts, the tasty dinners (with veggie options!), and the genuinely welcoming staff who make you feel right at home

Rasun di Sopra and Anterselva

Two people relax on a wooden bench, overlooking a scenic valley with green fields and distant mountains. They wear athletic shoes—one green and black, the other pink and black—and jeans, surrounded by lush trees and a cloudy sky.

Rasun di Sopra and Anterselva are quite close to Dobbiaco, also located in Val Pusteria. Just like Dobbiaco, they’re less touristy, thus calmer than the bustling popular times. Rasun di Sopra and Anterselva are some of the most family-friendly places to stay in the Dolomites, with nice playgrounds and kid’s-friendly activities.

📍Option 1: Hotel Bruggerwirt in Anterselva di Mezzo has no-frills rooms, a lounge, and a garden with a terrace where you can relax. Many guests praise the really great breakfast. The view from the hotel is amazing.
📍Option 2: Garni Renzler in Rasun di Sopra – another no-frills hotel with a garden and an outdoor seating area. There’s an excellent breakfast included in the price. One of the things I really like about Garni Renzler is that it has a kitchen that you can use so you don’t have to eat in restaurants all the time.
📍Mid-Range Option: Hotel Messnerwirt in Anterselva di Sotto – a spa hotel with a spa and wellness center, sun terrace, outdoor play area, and rooms with balconies! Hotel Messnerwirt has an “exceptional” breakfast, and you can even get a half-board for a good price.

San Vito di Cadore

A picturesque street in a mountain town with wooden houses and buildings. Snow-capped peaks are visible in the background under a partly cloudy sky. Cars are parked along the street, and the scene has a peaceful, vibrant atmosphere.
San Vito di Cadore

It’s located only 15 minutes’ drive from Cortina, so you still get easy access to all of the main sights in the Eastern Dolomites. On the other hand, it’s more affordable. But the views from San Vito itself are magnificent!

The town also offers good bus connections, so if you don’t have a car, this is a place to consider.

📍Option 1: Hotel Villa Trieste is a cozy, well-rated hotel in San Vito di Cadore, praised for its warm hospitality, clean rooms, and beautiful mountain views. Guests love the friendly staff, good breakfast, and convenient location close to shops and restaurants. It’s a great value choice for couples seeking a comfortable and affordable stay near Cortina.
📍Option 2: Best Western Hotel Nevada offers simple, budget-friendly accommodation in the center of San Vito di Cadore. While the decor is a bit dated, guests consistently praise the cleanliness, great location, and helpful staff. The proximity to restaurants and cafes makes it a convenient and affordable base for exploring the area.
📍Mid-Range Option: Hotel Dolomiti is a classic, friendly Italian hotel with a welcoming atmosphere and clean, comfortable rooms. Visitors highlight the excellent service from the owners and staff, beautiful balcony views, and satisfying breakfast. It’s a popular option for travelers who want a genuine Dolomites experience without overspending.

3. Alta Badia Alternatives (Central Dolomites)

A picturesque scene of Corvara, Italy, featuring a large wooden sign reading "CORVARA" on the left, lush green grass, a cobblestone path, and a wooden bench. In the background, houses are nestled among dense forests with towering jagged mountains under a partly cloudy sky.
Corvara, as you can probably tell

Two of the most popular towns for staying in Alta Badia are Corvara and San Cassiano. Alta Badia is overall a more luxury-oriented location in the Dolomites, so the prices are generally higher no matter what.

There are quite a few Michelin-starred restaurants in Alta Badia, so if you’re into top-notch food, this is your place to stay!

Some more budget-friendly alternatives to Corvara are actually San Cassiano, Colfosco, and La Villa.

San Cassiano

San Cassiano, although it is one of the most popular places to stay in Alta Badia, has a higher number of budget-friendly apartments and mid-range hotels than Corvara.

📍Option 1: Ciasa Antersies – a laid-back aparthotel offering bright, well-equipped units, a spa, and kids’ play areas. The wellness is included in the hotel price, and has a Turkish bath, Finnish sauna, calidarium, and hydromassage and sensory showers. The relaxation area offers panoramic views of the valley.
📍Option 2: Residence Dolomieu – an aparthotel located just in the center of San Cassiano. Each of the apartments has a kitchenette and even a spa bath!
📍Mid-Range Option: Hotel La Stua – a relaxed hotel with a spa and hammam, nice and bright rooms, and great breakfast. It’s also very centrally located, which is great for reaching shops and restaurants.

Colfosco

A scenic view of winding roads leading through a lush, green valley surrounded by forested hills and distant snow-capped mountains under a blue sky with scattered clouds. A metal guardrail lines the roadside in the foreground.
Colfosco from the top

Colfosco is a small town, which is right next to Corvara, but has a higher number of budget-friendly Bed and Breakfasts. It’s your perfect charming alpine-style town in the mountains, so if you’re looking for something like that on a budget, Colfosco is a great option!

📍Option 1: Garni Reutlinger – a low-key hotel that has rooms with stunning mountain views. Guests consistently praise the friendly atmosphere, free breakfast, and warm bar, making it a welcoming and affordable base for exploring Colfosco and the surrounding Dolomites.
📍Option 2: Ciasa Soreghina – a nice little bed and breakfast in the center of Colfosco, just steps from the ski slopes. The views from it are amazing, and the breakfast is full and tasty.
📍Mid-Range Option: Hotel Luianta – a bit out of Colfosco, but on the other hand, you’re right by the Cascate del Pisciadu and the cable cars. The price of Hotel Luianta also includes dinner, and there’s a nice restaurant on site.

La Villa

La villa is a charming quieter village in Alta Badia, but it still offers great access to many hiking trails and ski lifts. There’s a range of budget (for Dolomites standards) accommodation, making it a great place for exploration.

📍Option 1: Albergo Stella offers cozy, alpine-style rooms in a rustic chalet setting, complete with free breakfast. Its location is perfect for both summer and winter activities, and there’s also an incredible view of the surrounding Dolomites.
📍Option 2: Hotel La Villa has both hotel rooms and apartments available. The location is really great – close to the center of La Villa and ski lifts.
📍Mid-Range Option: Hotel des Alpes – a nice family hotel, located near the center of La Villa, but still offering peaceful surroundings. Many of the rooms have balconies and views of the Dolomites, and there’s a wellness center with sauna and steam bath.

4. Other Notable Budget-Friendly Areas

Scenic mountain view with rocky peaks and scattered clouds above. A parking area with numerous cars is surrounded by lush green trees. A wooden information board is in the foreground on the right.
Passo delle Erbe

Here are some other places that you can consider for your stay. They are good as well, just a little bit more inconvenient in different ways than the places listed before.

Tips for Saving Money on Accommodation in the Dolomites

A mountain lodge named Passo Sella is situated against a rocky mountain backdrop. Several sports cars are parked in front, including red and orange vehicles. A group of people are gathered near the building under a partly cloudy sky.

If you’re not convinced by these alternative locations to the most popular hubs, here are some tips for how you can find your cheaper places to stay in the Dolomites.

Book early

Winding road leads to a quaint village nestled in a lush green valley. Snow-capped mountains rise in the background under a cloudy sky. A cyclist rides along the road, surrounded by fields and forests.
View towards Canazei with Sahara sand making the sky hazy

If you’re travelling in the high summer or winter seasons, look for your accommodation early on. Generally, the closer it comes to your travel date, the more expensive the hotels get.

Sometimes, there are good deals if you book later, but unless you are ok with staying in hostels or camps to save on the accommodation, book the hotel as early as possible.

Consider staying in apartments, agriturismo, or guesthouses

A scenic view of snowy mountains during sunset, with orange and pink hues reflecting on the peaks. In the foreground, several houses and buildings are silhouetted against the vibrant sky.
View of an alpenglow from our apartment Haus Greg in Dobbiaco.

This is quite a logical one, but if the hotels seem way too expensive, look into apartments, farmstays (agriturismo), or smaller guesthouses. They tend to be cheaper – and, as an added bonus, you get to enjoy close to real life experiences on your vacation.

Stay in smaller villages

A scenic view of a small village nestled in green hills with pine trees, surrounded by mountains under a blue sky with fluffy white clouds. A road with a metal guardrail runs in the foreground.
Badia in Alta Badia

The main hubs – e.g., Cortina, Selva, Corvara – are popular, and with a high demand come higher prices. Check out hotels just outside of the main towns, whether they’re in smaller villages or just in the middle of nowhere. The only thing is – staying out of the main towns might mean that you need a car to get around.

Go in the shoulder season

A picturesque alpine village nestled in a lush green valley with steep, pointed mountains in the background. A church and scattered houses dot the landscape, surrounded by trees and meadows. The scene is serene and illuminated by soft daylight.
October in Val di Funes

December, January, and February are the high winter season, and July and August are the high summer season. Consider going in other months (except May and November, which are complete off seasons). We went in June and October, and it was really great – price-wise, weather-wise, and even crowds-wise.

Conclusion

A hiker in a red jacket walks along a narrow mountain trail, surrounded by rugged rocky peaks partially covered in snow. The sky is cloudy, creating a dramatic backdrop for the towering mountains.
June – hiking the Cadini di Misurina viewpoint trail

So, as you see, you don’t have to sacrifice scenery or the popular activities to save money on your stay in the Dolomites. Just choose one of the lesser-known towns and get a two in one package – more authentic feel and a more affordable accommodation.

And don’t forget to book your stay as early as possible – to be able to enjoy the Dolomites on more of a budget!

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Budget Accommodations in the Dolomites | Discover the magic of the Dolomites without breaking the bank! Our guide to cheap accommodation options in this stunning Italian region will ensure that you enjoy every adventure on your itinerary. From charming B&Bs to rustic lodges, find a stay that suits your travel style and budget!
The Ultimate Dolomites Cheap Accommodation Guide | Discover the beauty of the Dolomites without breaking the bank. In this comprehensive guide, we'll reveal the best cheap places to stay, from cosy mountain lodges to budget-friendly hotels. You won't believe how affordable luxury can be!

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