3-DAY DOLOMITES ITINERARY – Using Fiè allo Sciliar as a Base

If you’re planning a visit to Italy and want to visit the montane più belle del mondo (the most beautiful mountains in the world) – do it! 

The Dolomites (aka le dolomiti) are incredible, and worth at least a week’s visit.

But, what if you can only manage to squeeze a few days into your itinerary?

No problem!

I’m a mamma of three boys and I’ve been visiting the Dolomites since 2004.  I’ve:

• worked in the area as a cycling and hiking guide
• planned Dolomites vacations for families, couples, and groups
• explored as a solo traveler, with my now-husband, and with my family

I adore the Dolomites and just can’t seem to get enough!  We try to visit for long vacations, but also make time for quick trips from our home in Tuscany.  That means I’ve got plenty of experience with short trips to the area.

Let’s take a look at a 3-Day Itinerary for the Dolomites, using Fiè allo Sciliar as a base.  I’ll go over:

• Why Fiè allo Sciliar makes a great base for a 3-day trip to the Dolomites
• 3-Day Fiè itinerary (what you can see and do each day)
• A few alternative activities
• Where to stay in Fiè allo Sciliar
• Packing tips for 3 days in the Dolomites

This is a summer-focused itinerary, but I’ll be sure to write up a winter 3-day itinerary too.  Hold tight!

You may also want to check out
Our Favorite Things to Do in the Dolomites
Dolomites with Kids
7-Day Family Itinerary for the Dolomites
10-Day Italy Itineraries for Families

Why Fiè allo Sciliar Works Well for a Quick Dolomites Trip

If you’ve been following me at all, you know we use Fiè allo Sciliar as a base for many of our Dolomites adventures.   It’s a great base because:

• Ease of Access – It’s easy to reach Fie by the Autostrada and by train.  This is important if you don’t have much time, as you don’t have to spend hours making your way deep into the mountains.  Fiè is just a 25-ish minute drive from the Autostrada.  And, if you’re traveling by train, you can arrive in Bolzano and make your way up to the village by car, bus, or taxi.
• Public Transport – You don’t need a car to visit the Dolomites if you’re using Fiè as your base!  You can access many villages and hikes using the area’s excellent public transport network (buses, lifts, and gondolas).
• Authentic Village – Unlike many villages in Italy, Fiè isn’t focused on our desperate for tourism and full of postcard shops and trinkets.  It’s a functioning village and you can see it when you visit.
• Accommodation Options – Fiè’s accommodation options include B&Bs, rooms for rent, simple hotels, family-friendly hotels and apartments, and a 4-star unique hotel.
• Natural Beauty – Fiè allo Sciliar is at the base of the Sciliar mountains, and you get views of the towering range from all parts of Fiè.  The green hillsides in the summer months will remain in your memories.  You’re just a quick drive or bus ride from trails that showcase some of the most epic and gorgeous mountains and views in the Dolomites (or Italy, or the planet!).
• Activities Within Reach – From Fiè allo Sciliar you can hike on gorgeous trails, visit charming mountain villages, visit luxurious spas, cycling Dolomites valley bike paths, explore Bolzano and its museums, swim in a crystal clear lake, and more.
• Family-Friendly – Fiè has two playgrounds, a walkable pedestrian center, and there are walks and hikes you can do from town with kids (like the stroll up to St. Peter’s church to look for goats).  There’s even art on the path now (you can sit on enormous metal antlers!).  You can also walk to the grocery store and pharmacy, and there are kid-friendly restaurants in town (like Pitschlmann with its kids play area and farm animals).  There are also affordable (and luxe) family accommodation options.

Good To Know:  Fiè allo Sciliar also goes by Völs am Schlern (German).  In fact, you’ll hear plenty of people speaking German in the village.  This area was part of Austria before WW1.

Read more about
Driving on Toll Roads in Italy (Autostrade)
Paying Autostrada Tolls in Italy
Driving in Italy
Driving in the Dolomites
Taking the Train in Italy
Taking the Train in Italy with Kids

3-Days in the Dolomites (with Fiè allo Sciliar as Your Base)

This itinerary is for 3 full days (it doesn’t include travel to/from the Dolomites). 

DAY 0 – ARRIVE IN THE DOLOMITES

Make your way to Fiè allo Sciliar. 

We usually arrive via Bolzano, whether we’re coming by train or by car.

Fiè allo Sciliar Details:
Visiting Fiè allo Sciliar
Fiè allo Sciliar with Kids

You may want to check out
Visiting the Dolomites Without a Car
Traveling to the Dolomites from Venice
Florence to Bolzano by Train
Renting a Car in Italy

DAY 1 – ALPE DI SIUSI

Explore one of the Dolomites’ most spectacular places – Alpe di Siusi, Western Europe’s largest alpine plateau.  You’ll have gorgeous views wherever you look!

Take the bus or drive to start your day on Alpe di Siusi. If you take the bus, you’ll catch it at the main traffic circle in Fiè and take it about 10 minutes to the Seiser Alm gondola base.  If you drive, you can park at the gondola base.  If you want to drive all the way up to Compatsch (the main village on Alpe di Siusi), you’ll need to drive up before 9:00 am (check here for any updates) and pay for pricey parking at the top.

Take the Seiser Alm gondola up to Compatsch on Alpe di Siusi.  It takes about 15 minutes, so enjoy the views on the way up and see if you can spot the Alps in the distance.

Welcome to Alpe di Siusi!  You can spend your day:

• Hiking (get a trail map at the gondola)
• Walking (you can even bring your stroller on many paths!)
• Cycling (rent at the base of the gondola)
• Eating (we love the mountain hut food)
• Saying hi to farm animals and exploring playgrounds
• Riding on the horse carriages
• Paragliding (you can go with a guide)
• On a via ferrata or rock climbing
• Identifying wildflowers
• Photographing the landscape
• Relaxing at a spa

There really is something for everyone, but I highly recommend you take a walk or hike.  There are options for all levels.  My kids have hiked here from toddler age, and I’ve hiked with clients in their 80s!

Alpe di Siusi Details:  
Visiting Alpe di Siusi
Tips for Visiting Alpe di Siusi with Kids

Good To Know:
The Dolomites in general are getting much more popular, so you won’t be the only person on Alpe di Siusi.  If you are looking for ‘the path less traveled,’ contact Heidi or Brigitte and they’ll take you on an adventure.

Many accommodations will offer transport cards with your booking, which will include bus passes.  If you aren’t offered one when you check in, ask if they’re available.

Like Fiè, Alpe di Siusi goes by another name in German – Seiser Alm.  It’s even got a third name – Mont Sëuc, in Ladin (the third official language of South Tyrol, the area you’re in).

Helpful Tip:  Keep an eye on the weather.  If the forecast shows rain or storms, delay your visit to day 2 or day 3.  You’ll want clear skies to see the mountains, and to walk safely on the trails.

DAY 2 – TUFF ALM & LAGHETTO DI FIÈ

After a busy day on Alpe di Siusi, stick closer to home (Fiè) and visit a mountain hut and a lake you can swim in.

Rise and shine and then put on your hiking shoes for a walk uphill to Tuff Alm and Laghetto di Fiè.  Get a trail map from the Fiè tourist office by the traffic circle (where the your hike happens to begin).  You’ll pass the Laghetto di Fiè on your way up to Tuff Alm.

At Tuff Alm, enjoy the live music (usually on Thursdays) and a mountain meal!  If it’s hot, order a skiwasser. 

Walk back down via the fire road (gravel), and finish at Laghetto di Fiè for a swim.  There are a couple of places to eat there, and there are toilets and changing areas.  Don’t miss the Kneipp Walk, especially if you’re sore from hiking yesterday.

Make your way back down to Fiè on foot (or by car if you parked in the lot at the lake). 

Enjoy dinner in town and toast to your 3 days in the Dolomiti!

Tonight, get some snacks and lunch at the Despar grocery store for your bike ride tomorrow.

Kids Note:  Tuff Alm has a playground and animals!  There’s also a swingset at the lake, and you can take a boat onto the lake (no lifejackets though). The lake has a small, shallow area fenced off for little kids to swim in.

Take a Shortcut:  If you’ve got small kids with you, you’re tired from yesterday, and you have a car, you can drive and park at Laghetto di Fiè.  From there you can walk up to Tuff Alm and then finish back at the lake.

DAY 3 – VALLEY CYCLING PATHS

It’s time to get active again!  Today you’ll ride bicycles (regular bikes or e-bikes) along the Val Venosta bike path, on the 30-35 kilometer long section between Merano and Bolzano. 

Drive or take the bus down to Bolzano in the morning. 

Then, take the train to Merano.  If you didn’t get snacks or lunch supplies last night in Fiè, you can stop in at a grocery store in Bolzano before you take the train.

In Merano, walk across the street to the Südtirol Rad location to pick up your bikes and get fitted to them. 

Enjoy the gently-trending-downhill ride to Bolzano! 

You can stop at a picnic table along the way to eat your packed lunch, or stop at a café along the route.

You’ll finish in Bolzano, and drop your bikes at the location near the Renon cable car.  Be sure to get a gelato at Gelateria Eccetera before you take the bus (or drive your car) back up to Fiè.

If you feel up to it, you can also stay in Bolzano in the afternoon.  Keep in mind that you’ll be in your clothes you cycled in, but don’t stress about it, because it’s an active area and you’ll see others in mountain or cycling gear too.

Have dinner in Fiè or head to nearby Castelrotto for the evening.

Cycling Dolomites Bike Path Details:
Cycling Dolomites Valley Paths
Cycling from Merano to Bolzano with Kids

Kid Note:  You’ll pass multiple playgrounds along the route.  Stop and play!

Good To Know:  If you want to do this activity, it’s best to reserve your bikes (and other equipment like helmets, child seats, etc) in advance. 

If you want to ride more than 30 kilometers, rent your bikes further out on the path.  We’ve done the route between Mals/Males with a baby in a trailer and a small child riding part of the route (he then rode in the trailer and we bungeed his bike to the other trailer).

Helpful Tip:  If you’d like to visit Merano, I’d recommend saving it for another day.  The train station is about a 15-minute walk from the town center and you could easily spend all day checking out the Merano.

DAY 4 – DEPART THE DOLOMITES

If you have time to spare, make your way to Bolzano.  It’s a beautiful city with a very walkable historic center.  Leave your luggage at the luggage storage on binario (track) 1 at the Bolzano train station.  Walk into the center and see Piazza Walther, stroll past the shops on Via dei Portici, and say hello to Ötzi the Ice Man.  If it’s a sunny day, grab supplies at a market or grocery store and have a picnic in the Talvera Park (it has an amazing playground too!).

Read more about
Visiting Bolzano
Bolzano with Kids
Bolzano Restaurants

Alternative Activities

You can switch out any of the days above with the options below.  I really recommend keeping the Alpe di Siusi day though, as it’s a spectacular place and you can find something interesting/fun to do for everyone in your group.

Bolzano and the Ice Man – I’ve listed this above as something to do if you have time before you depart the Dolomites on day 4.  But, you can easily make a day of visiting Bolzano. 

Spa Day in Fiè – Buy a day pass for Romantik Hotel Turm’s spa and use the swimming pool, saunas, and the salt cellar.  Get a massage, a facial (they use Guinot products) or try a hay bath.  You can even buy a day spa package that includes breakfast or dinner.

Ortisei – Get an early start and take the bus or drive to Ortisei.  You’ve got plenty of options, including exploring Ortisei, taking the funicular up to Resciesa to walk, or taking the cable cars up to Seceda to hike.  Pick Seceda for spectacular views. 

Read more about
Visiting Ortisei
Ortisei with Kids
Seceda or Alpe di Siusi?
Hiking Seceda with Kids
Hiking Resciesa with Kids

Chill Day in Fiè – Walk up to St. Peter’s church on the hill above town and say hello to the goats.  Have aperitivo at Hotel Turm (get the Hugo spritz) or at Paul’s Café by the tourist office.  Enjoy a pizza with the locals at Tschafon or sip wine with your meal at Binderstube.  Kids can visit both of Fiè’s playgrounds.  If you have a car, take a quick trip to Prösels Castle.

Pflegerhof Herb Farm – You’ll need a car to visit Pflegerhof Herb Farm near Castelrotto.  Check out the family-run, organic herb farm and be sure to buy some of the Dolomites herbal teas (one of my favorite Dolomites souvenirs, and you can bring it back to the US).

Visit Merano – Soak in the Terme Merano (thermal baths), check out the city center, wander around the Trauttmansdorff Gardens, or head up to Merano 2000. 

You may want to check out
Things to Do with Kids in Merano 
How to Spend One Day in Merano with Kids

Where to Stay in Fiè allo Sciliar

There are so many great places to stay in Fiè, it’s hard to go wrong.  Still, I have some favorites (below).  I also try to check out new places when I can. 

I recommend staying near the main traffic circle in town or in the village center so you can easily walk to everything (restaurants, hike starts, bus stop, shops, pharmacy, grocery store, etc).  Here are my top picks.

ROMANTIK HOTEL TURM

My favorite hotel in the Dolomites (and possibly all of Italy).  Stefan and Kathi run a beautiful and unique hotel in the center of Völs am Schlern.  The hotel is full of interesting art (inside and outside) and plenty of nooks and crannies for relaxing and enjoying the views of the mountains.  Amazing breakfasts with local products, delicious dinners (sit outdoors), large and beautiful sauna and spa area (the facials, massages, and hay baths are my favorite), indoor/outdoor swimming pool, climbing wall and gym.  I could go on and on.  I recommend rooms on level -2 (minus 2) – spacious rooms with modern mountain décor, balconies, and views of the Sciliar.  Or the tower suite if you feel like splurging (it’s worth it).

Romantik Hotel Turm -> info & rates.

BED & BREAKFAST RESIDENCE HUBERTUS

Daniela and her family run this B&B and apartment building (next door to each other) on the edge of Völs am Schlern.  It’s meticulously clean and has a nice grassy area for relaxing.  The apartments have more modern décor with beautiful pine and balconies for enjoying the views.  The B&B is perfect if you’ll be doing a lot of hiking and just need a quiet, clean place to sleep at night.

Bed & Breakfast Residence Hubertus -> info & rates.

APPARTMENTS VIKOLER

Family-run, clean, nice grassy area for relaxing, balconies with amazing views of the Schlern, excellent location in town.  We stay here with our family, but it would also make a perfect apartment stay for couples.  There are one- or two-bedroom apartments.  The décor is kind of ‘old school South Tyrol,’ and they are amazingly clean.  We love this place. 

Appartments Vikoler (there are four apartments for rent) -> info and rates: Apt 1, Apt 2, Apt 3, Apt 4. 

CASA SCILIAR BLU CENTRO PAESE

Excellent budget option if you’re going to be doing a lot of exploring and you mainly need a place to rest your tired body at night.  It’s in an excellent location in the village center (next to Hotel Turm), but it doesn’t have views (unless you sit out on the shared patio).  I stayed here on a winter visit with my son and it was perfect for us (clean, plenty of space, kitchen area, everything worked).

Casa Sciliar Blu Centro Paese -> info & rates.

Best Kid-Friendly Options in Fiè allo Sciliar

If you’re coming to Fiè for a few days with kids, these are some of the best options (including why they’re good options). 

B&B Residence Hubertus (listed above) – We like for our family because it has a grassy area; it’s near the pond which kids love; it’s walking distance to grocery store, main piazza, playground, restaurants; Daniela and her crew are wonderful and helpful

B&B Residence Hubertus -> info & rates.

Romantik Hotel Turm (listed above, for older kids and teens) – I’ve stayed here with my own kids and with client families.  Kids will love rock climbing on the indoor wall; walkable location on the main piazza; a little too quiet for small kids, but we’ve stayed here with babies and toddlers and been fine (hotel is great with kids)

Romantik Hotel Turm -> info & rates.

Hotel Emmy – This is a family hotel option in ‘upper’ Fié, so a little bit further of a walk to town, but gorgeous setting and kid-focused.  I’ve stayed here, but before the family-focused renovation.

Hotel Emmy -> info & rates.

Florerhof – Nice location with small kids play area and indoor playroom; near the main playground in Fiè; it’s a working farm and kids can feed the cows and meet other animals like rabbits and goats

Florerhof -> info & rates.

Moarhof – In ‘upper’ Fiè but still easy to walk everywhere; small kids play area; swimming pool; gorgeous views

Moarhof -> info & rates.

Apartments Pitschlmann – Also a nice choice (gorgeous views, great restaurant, kids play area, farm animals) but best with a car because it’s downhill from town.

Apartments Pitschlmann -> info & rates.

Learn more about
Accommodation Options in Italy
Where to Stay with Kids in the Dolomites

Packing Tips for 3-Days in the Dolomites

I’ll include some of my packing lists below, but for this 3-day itinerary you’ll want to make sure you have:

• Comfortable hiking shoes or boots
• Quality socks
• Layers (yes, even in the summer the weather can change quickly)
• Light jacket (for evenings)
• Rain jacket
• Swimsuit
• Sunscreen, sun hat, sunglasses
• Camera
• Ziploc bags (rain protection, to put your phone and valuables in while you’re hiking/cycling)
• Small backpack that you could use for hiking, cycling, and city walking

Good To Know: 
The Dolomites is a really casual and sporty area, so your clothing can be too.  You won’t look out of place if you skip fancy clothing during the day or in the evening.

There’s a pharmacy at the Fiè traffic circle with blister treatments and other first aid items and medicines you may need.

Be sure to check out
Italy Packing List
Italy Packing List for Kids
Italy Packing List for a Baby or Toddler
Best Shoes for Italy
Essential Italy Travel Tips

I hope you’ve found this 3-day Dolomites itinerary to be helpful.  Let me know how your trip goes, and wave if you see a mamma with three energetic boys on the trail or the bike path!