Here are some of the best fall photography spots in the Italian Dolomites (or really, in the world because they are that stunning). Autumn in Italy is truly unmatched. Larches, a coniferous tree found in the cool regions of the Northern Hemisphere, which turn yellow in the fall, blanket a significant portion of the landscape and transform the mountains.
Of course, there are way more incredible places to see in the fall in Italy—but this is a good starting point.
If you are thinking of extending your trip, check out my favorite spots in Switzerland for more inspo. It’s super easy to drive between Italy, Switzerland, Austria, France, and more.
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How to get To the Italian DolomiTEs
I’ve been to the Italian Dolomites a few times now and find flying into Venice or Milan to be the easiest (and cheapest) way to get to Italy. From there, I rent a car and drive a few hours north.
Know that the the roads are small and windy in the Dolomites so choose whatever car you feel comfortable with. I tend to go with a small hatchback or SUV (which are much smaller than you’d get in Canada or the US) so I feel confident driving.
Where to stay in the Italian DolomiTEs
When I travel I prefer to stay in one place for at least two nights. Moving your things every day makes your trip less fun and brings more hassle. Now, with photography and conditions, that’s not always possible.
Cortina d’Ampezzo is one of the main towns in the Dolomites which are close to a few spots I mention in this post (and many others!) which makes it a great place to stay.
Note: The Olympics will be in Cortina between Feb 6-22, 2026 so there has been a lot more construction than usual.
There are other towns like Corvara, Sesto and San Candido that I’ve stayed in while exploring the Dolomites as well—but it all depends on what you want to do. I tend to look at stays while on the road and find a hotel or homestay in between towns and found that I could easily book a day or two in advance.
When to Visit the Italian DolomiTEs
Peak colors are usually mid to late October. I went October 14-27th, and it was perfect. Every year is different and it may shift earlier or later but it will be beautiful nonetheless.
When enjoying the outdoors, it’s essential to follow the Leave No Trace principles to help protect our natural landscapes for future generations. By packing out everything you bring, staying on designated trails, and respecting wildlife, we can all contribute to keeping nature pristine and beautiful. Learn more about LNT here.
Best Fall Photography Spots in the Italian Dolomites
Passo Giau
Mountain passes are some of the best fall photography spots in the Italian Dolomites because they can give you stunning, 360-degree views. Passo Giau is one of those passes that is absolutely worth a stop. There are endless beautiful larches, super accessible and seemingly endless views to see and trails to hike.
Photo tip: I started shooting at the top of the pass at sunrise (not pictured). Then, when driving down toward Pocol, we pulled over when we saw the view below, which ended up being one of my favorites from the trip especially with the sidelight we got.
Dürrensee
Also called, Lago di Landro, Dürrensee is a stunning lake that is off the side of the road. I feel like this lake is overlooked because I don’t see as many people here as I do other spots. I was driving by it on my way to Tre Cime di Lavaredo which was perfect.
Photo tip: I shot this lake twice, at sunrise and a few hours after sunrise. I personally prefer more light in this scene so the color of the water pops (second photo). You risk it getting windier as the day goes on but on this day the wind gods were on our side!
Lago Welsperg
Lago Welsperg is a hidden gem and one of the best fall photography spots in the Italian Dolomites. It’s a small alpine lake tucked away in the Paneveggio-Pale di San Martino Nature Park. I was running low on time when I arrived so I only took a few videos, but if you need a visual, you can see it in the first clip in here.
Photo tip: Sunset was a beautiful time to shoot. The lake is small enough that it should have a reflection and be still quite a bit.
Lago Federa
Fair warning, this one of the most popular and busy spots in the Italian Dolomites in the fall. I went on a weekend and it took me a a bit to be comfortable with how many people there were running around and how many drones were in the sky. But… even with that, I’d go back.
It is absoleutly stunning and one of my favorite views I’ve ever seen in the fall. Larches completly blanket the area and during peak all you can see is yellow!
Make sure to get a coffee and snack at the rifugio at the other end of the lake when you visit.
Photo tip: Sunrise is the move here. The light hits the peaks and illuminates the entire landscape as the sun rises. I loved finding vantage points above the lake to get more larches in the shot.
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Gardena Pass
Gardena Pass is another mountain pass that is a must-see and one of the best fall photography spots in the Italian Dolomites. There are tons of hikes you can start from here but even if you want to drive up and take in the views there’s a lot to see.
Photo tip: I loved shooting at sunset here. I was lucky and got some insane conditions!
Alpi Di Susi
This is an iconic spot on any Italian Dolomites fall itinerary because it’s picture-perfect and postcard worthy.
Unless you are staying at one of the hotels in this area, you can’t drive here. I always park my car in in Compatsch and then walk the 4km to Alpi Di Susi. Last time I stay at Piccolo Hotel and rented e-bikes from there to use and it was awesome if you didn’t feel like walking (we had been hiking for days on end so this was such a hack!).
Photo tip: This is one of those places you can shoot at any time of the day. At sunrise, you will get more side light (and potentially some fog) and sunset you will get (a bit of) the light hitting the moutanins.
Cinque TorrI
This hike is the one you can do if you don’t want to be around so many crowds or do something a bit different. There are a ton of dramatic rock formations (I haven’t even shown them all) and nearly 360 views.
It was fun hiking around and exploring. There are a ton of trails!
Photo tip: I shot these at sunset but I perfer sunrise as the light would be flowing from the side making the entire landscape light up. There were a lot of harsh shadows at sunset for my liking (but of course it was still incredibly beautiful).
Baita Segantini
The Italian Dolomites is known for its dramatic peaks and these are a great example of that. There’s a short hike to get here but for little effort the views are incredible.
Like many spots here, it can get busy with photography groups but remember to be patient and kind.
Photo tip: This is definetly a sunset spot as the light hits the peaks. I shot the below at sunrise and while it’s pretty, with more light it would have made it much better!
Lago di Braies
Also known as, Pragser Wildsee, this is one of the most popular lakes in the Italian Dolomites, but it is definitely worth a stop. It’s easily accessible, a short walk away from the parking lot. There are four parking lots, and the further away you park, the cheaper the cost is.
I recommend contiuing to walk around the lake and not just stop at the first view (which I don’t even have a picture of—oops!).
Photo tip: I love shooting Lago Di Braies at sunrise on a clear day and anytime on a moody day—completely different vibes but equally beautiful.
More Spots to Visit in the Fall
Don’t just see these photos and think that’s all there is to the Italian Dolomites. There are so many more incredible spots. More rifugios to stay at. I have just scratched the surface.
Here are other spots that would be gorgeous in the fall!
- Seceda—This iconic spot is beautiful in the fall (especially at sunrise). Popular, but for good reason.
- Val Di Funes—There is the most iconic church here and an incredible photography spot in the fall. I believe sunset is the move here but don’t quote me!
- Rifugio Lagazuoi—This is an incredible rifugio that stays open during this time (a lot of places start to close in the fall) and I’ve seen some incredible photos from up here.
- Col de la Puina—I had this on my list but never made it while on the trip. It’s another trail that is lesser-known if you want to escape the crowds.
- Tre Cime di Lavaredo—This is one of the main parks in the Italian Dolomites and a great place to visit any time of the year.
- Lake Sorapis—The larches along the first part of the trail are great but the actual lake may have low levels by the time fall comes around.
I worked with my sweet friends Chris, Julia, Meghan and Brendin for these photos. Check out their work!
