- Belluno is a pretty, low-key city above the Piave river
- The province covers much of the Veneto's Dolomites, including Cortina d'Ampezzo
- Classic sights include the Tre Cime di Lavaredo and Lake Misurina
- Venice airport is about 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes away by road
- Airports
- Venice Marco Polo (VCE), Treviso (TSF)
- Best time to go
- June-September for hiking, December-March for skiing
- Type
- Province
Belluno is a small city on a bluff above the River Piave, with Venetian-style squares and the mountains filling every view. It is the capital of the Veneto's northernmost province, which covers a large part of the Dolomites, including Cortina d'Ampezzo, the Cadore valleys, Arabba and the southern side of the Marmolada.
For UK visitors the province is all about the mountains: summer hiking, via ferrata routes, lakes and cycling passes, then skiing from December. Belluno itself is a quiet, affordable base with good links to Venice. The province is part of the Veneto, and our Dolomites guide covers the wider range. For the rest of the country, see our Italy guide.
Things to do in Belluno and its mountains
- Belluno old town – Piazza dei Martiri, Piazza del Duomo and views across the Piave valley.
- Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park – wild, uncrowded mountains just north of the city, with marked trails and mountain huts.
- Cortina d'Ampezzo – the Dolomites' most famous resort, a co-host of the 2026 Winter Olympics, with skiing, hiking and stylish shopping.
- Tre Cime di Lavaredo – three rock towers circled by one of the Dolomites' best-known walks, reached via a toll road from Lake Misurina.
- Lake Misurina and Lake Sorapis – a lake ringed by peaks, and a turquoise tarn reached on a popular hike.
- Arabba and the Sella Ronda – Arabba sits on the famous ski circuit around the Sella massif.
- Feltre – a walled hill town with painted facades in the south of the province.
- Pieve di Cadore – birthplace of Titian, with a house museum.
The Vajont dam, scene of a devastating landslide and flood in 1963, can be visited on guided tours.
Where to stay
| Area | Why stay there |
|---|---|
| Belluno | Affordable city base with trains towards Venice |
| Cortina d'Ampezzo | Upmarket resort for skiing and the classic Dolomites hikes |
| Arabba | Ski base on the Sella Ronda |
| Auronzo or Misurina | Closest bases for the Tre Cime |
| Alleghe | Lakeside village at the foot of Monte Civetta |
Getting there
Fly to Venice Marco Polo or Treviso. Belluno is roughly 1 hour 30 minutes by car from Venice airport, and Cortina about 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes. Trains from Venice reach Belluno in about 2 hours, often with a change. In winter and summer, coach transfers run between Venice airport and Cortina.
Best time to visit
Mid-June to late September is best for hiking, when most huts and lifts are open; July and August are busiest. Skiing generally runs from December to March. Late spring and late autumn are quiet, but many mountain facilities close.
The road to the Tre Cime and some high passes have summer traffic restrictions or tolls, and parking fills early. Start at dawn or use buses where they run.
Top attractions in Belluno
LandmarkColosseum
Rome's great amphitheatre, where up to 50,000 spectators once watched gladiator fights, is the city's most iconic sight.
LandmarkFlorence Duomo
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NatureMount Etna
Europe's tallest active volcano, with lava fields, craters and sweeping views over eastern Sicily.
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LandmarkPompeii
The Roman town buried by Vesuvius in AD 79, Pompeii is the most complete ancient city in the world and an unforgettable…
ViewpointSeceda
A grassy ridge above Val Gardena that drops away in a dramatic wall of jagged peaks, reached by cable car from Ortisei.
Belluno on the map
Frequently asked questions
Is Belluno a good base for the Dolomites?
It is a good, affordable base for the southern Dolomites and the national park, though Cortina and Arabba are closer to the most famous sights.
How do I get from Venice to Cortina?
By car it takes around 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes. There are also direct coaches and private transfers.
Can beginners hike the Tre Cime?
The loop around the Tre Cime is a well-marked walk of several hours on good paths at altitude. It suits fit walkers, but take warm layers and check the weather.
When is the ski season?
Usually from early December to late March or early April, depending on snow.
Written by
Thomas Ski, mountains & expeditions editor
Thomas is happiest above the tree line or below the Antarctic Circle. He writes our ski, mountain and polar expedition guides.
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