How to go to Lago di Braies: the complete guide

Lake Braies, with its unspoilt beauty, is a popular destination for tourists. But how to get to this jewel of the Dolomites? Let's take a look at the different options together.

By car:
The most convenient way is by car. Definitely the most flexible means of transport to reach the lake in total autonomy. Route: From the A22 Brenner motorway, take the Bressanone/Varna (Val Pusteria) exit. Then continue along the state road (SS49-E66) to the entrance of the Braies Valley. From there take the provincial road 47 to the lake.

Parking: There are ample parking spaces in the vicinity of the lake. It is advisable to arrive early, especially in the high season, as spaces can sell out quickly. Car park P4 is 100 metres away, P3 300 metres and P2 800 metres from the lake.

How much does it cost to park my car?
Parking P4: €15 for 3 hours; €1 for each additional half-hour. The maximum daily rate is 20€.
Parking P3: 10€ for one day
Parking P2: 6€ for one day

By public transport:

Buses: There are bus lines connecting Lake Braies with the main towns in the area, such as Bolzano and Brunico. Line 442, in particular, connects Dobbiaco/Villabassa directly to the lake.

Train: You can reach the railway station in Dobbiaco/Villabassa and from there take the bus to the lake. The cost of public transport varies depending on the route and company.

Please note that children up to the age of 6 travel free of charge. Travellers aged 6 and over pay. On all public transport, four-legged friends travel at the normal price. On all public transport and thus also on the shuttle bus, dogs must be muzzled.

Some useful tips:

High season: In the summer months and during holidays, the lake is very crowded. It is advisable to book accommodation in advance and arrive at the lake in the early morning hours to avoid the crowds.

Before leaving, it is always advisable to consult the official websites of the tourist area for up-to-date information on timetables, fares and any traffic restrictions.

The train is certainly one of the most comfortable and suggestive ways to reach the Dolomites and Lake Braies. Here are some sample routes from major Italian cities.

From Bologna: take a direct train to Bolzano. From here, change to a regional train in the direction of Fortezza/Franzensfeste. In Fortezza, take the last available train to Villabassa Braies/Niederdorf Prags. From Villabassa, there are regular buses that will take you directly to the lake.

From Turin: Take a direct train to Bolzano. From here, follow the same route as from Bologna.

From Venice: Take a direct train to Bolzano. From here, follow the same route as for those departing from Bologna.

From Milan: Take a direct train to Bolzano. From here, follow the same route as for those departing from Bologna.

From Naples: Take a high-speed train to Rome. From Rome, take a direct train to Bolzano. From here, follow the same route as for those departing from Bologna.

From Bari: Take a high-speed train to Rome. From Rome, take a direct train to Bolzano. From here, follow the same route as for those departing from Bologna.

From Rome: Take a direct train to Bolzano. From here, follow the same route as for those departing from Bologna.

If you prefer travelling by plane, the closest airports to Lake Braies are Verona, Bologna and Innsbruck. From these airports, you can rent a car or take a bus to the nearest train station and continue by train.

From Verona: Verona airport is well connected to the Verona Porta Nuova train station, from where trains run to Bolzano.

From Bologna: The Bologna airport is well connected to the Bologna Centrale railway station, from where trains run to Bolzano.

From Innsbruck: Innsbruck airport is a good option if you also want to visit other parts of the Alps. From here, you can take a train to Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof and then continue on to Bolzano.

If you love freedom of movement, you can reach Lake Braies by car. The journey is long and scenic, but will allow you to stop along the way to admire the scenery. From all major Italian cities, take the motorway in the direction of Bolzano. Once in Bolzano, follow the signs to Val Pusteria and then to Villabassa. From Villabassa, follow the signs for Lago di Braies.

Choosing where to stay in order to visit the Braies Valley and its lake is not an easy choice because accommodation can be very expensive, so it is best to decide on the high or low season and where to stay. 

The Alta Pusteria area is recommended. This is the upper part of Val Pusteria, and includes several unique nature parks, such as the Braies, Fanes and Sennes parks, the Dolomites park, and the Tre Cime di Lavaredo nature park.

The municipalities included in this part of the valley are Villabassa, Sesto, Dobiacco, San Candido and Braies.

The village of Braies is the closest to the lake and offers a wide choice of accommodation, from small family hotels to bed and breakfasts. Here you can fully immerse yourself in the Alpine atmosphere and enjoy spectacular mountain views. Of course, the price of accommodation may be higher. 

As an alternative you can choose to move to Dobbiaco, a little further away but well connected to the lake, Toblach is a larger centre with a greater range of services and activities. Here you will find luxury hotels, residences and flats.

San Candido, a pretty town in a strategic location, offers a wide range of accommodation and services. It is an excellent starting point for exploring not only Lake Braies, but also the other wonders of the Pusteria Valley.

The area of Bassa Pusteria, includes the municipalities of Valles, Maranza, Alpe di Rodengo and Valle di Fundres. These are all good places to stay if you want to visit Lake Braies, which is more or less 50 km away. The area is generally suitable for skiers, as there are many ski resorts, and for lovers of hiking, trekking and walking.

What to consider when choosing accommodation

Time of year: In high season (summer and winter) it is advisable to book well in advance, especially if you are looking for accommodation in a strategic location.

Budget: The cost of accommodation varies depending on the season, category and services offered.

Holiday type: If you are looking for a relaxing holiday, you might prefer a hotel with a spa. If, on the other hand, you love adventure, you might choose a farmhouse or a flat in a more isolated location.

Let's start by saying that admission to Lake Braies is free of charge. Lake Braies offers a wide range of activities for all tastes and all seasons.

During the summer period, walks around the lake are possible. The classic route allows you to admire the lake from every angle, with its crystal-clear waters and the majestic Dolomites in the background.

Boats can be hired. A relaxing way to explore the lake and enjoy the tranquillity of the place. Boat hire is open from May to November and it is not possible to book a boat in advance but depends on availability. Boats can be shared at a price of about 15€ per person or you can choose to hire a boat privately, this is bookable but the price is higher. The boat ride takes about 45 minutes.

There are numerous paths starting from the lake and leading to mountain huts, refuges and panoramic peaks. You can enjoy beautiful long walks and hikes or you can relax and enjoy a picnic lunch in the open air while admiring the landscape.

For enthusiasts, the lake offers the possibility of sports fishing.

During the autumn period, when the park and the valley become warmly coloured, it is possible to admire the foliage, taking long walks in the woods, collecting mushrooms - for nature lovers, a pleasant activity to enjoy together. Autumn is the ideal season to capture the wonders of the landscape with your camera.

Winter is perhaps the most magical time of all to visit Lake Braies. You can go ice-skating. When the lake freezes over, it becomes a large natural ice rink. You can go snowshoeing in the snow-covered forests or cross-country skiing, as there are centres for cross-country skiers or ski slopes near the valley. A fun activity for young and old is sledging and tobogganing.

Spring is a great time to visit the lake because nature is once again taking over in its green and pastel colours. Various species of birds and wild animals can be spotted, making it suitable for birdwatchers. For cycling enthusiasts, there are numerous routes to explore by bike or mountain bike.

If you fancy other activities, the valley will certainly satisfy you with carriage rides: A romantic way to discover the area in both summer and winter.

Tastings of local products: Tasting local cheeses, cold cuts and wines is an experience not to be missed.

There is no best time to go to Lake Braies, of course! The period totally changes the appearance of the lake and the surrounding valley. The advice would be to visit the lake in all seasons in order to fully enjoy it, but obviously this is not always possible. Let us analyse together the pros and cons of the various seasons.

Spring: Suitable for excursions or bike rides;

Pros: Nature awakening; mild climate;

Cons: Can be rainy;

Summer: Swimming, sunbathing, hiking;

Pros: Bathing lake and long days;

Cons: Can be very crowded;

Autumn: Admiring the foliage and warm colours;

Pros: Walking in the woods, photography

Cons: Cooler temperatures, appropriate technical clothing;

Winter: Snowshoeing, Christmas markets, ice skating;

Pros: Enchanted landscape, winter activities;

Con: Cold, short days.

Tips:

During the low season you can enjoy tranquillity, few people, the peak of visitors and crowds is in July and August. Especially in high season, book accommodation and activities in advance.

The weather is variable and you should always check the forecast during the spring it may rain and during the winter it may snow, so you need suitable clothing. Equipment is essential. Bring suitable clothing for the season and hiking shoes.

In conclusion, there is no absolute best time to visit Lake Braies. The choice depends on your tastes and the activities you wish to do.

A little bit passion, a little bit magic, but winter at Lake Braies leaves a vibe that places have in the world. During the cold season, in the period that accompanies and follows Christmas, the lake becomes surreal.

Although the popular Christmas in the mountains at Lake Braies has not taken place for some years now, the Advent season on the shores of the lake remains wonderfully romantic. In winter, Lake Braies freezes over and turns into a glittering expanse, inviting you to atmospheric hikes or snowshoe hikes.

Snow crystals dance in the air, creating a magical atmosphere. If you look closely, you might spot the tracks of some animal that has crossed the frozen expanse. Lake Braies, even without the Christmas market, offers a unique winter spectacle, an experience to be experienced first-hand.

The entire area around Alta Pusteria, the cities of Bolzano and Merano, become magical during the Christmas season, and it is here that the Christmas markets attract tourists from all over the peninsula and beyond. Always a great idea for those who do not know where to go on holiday in December in Italy.