Are you trying to decide if you should visit San Cassiano as part of your Dolomites itinerary?
While San Cassiano isn’t as well-known as some of the other towns and villages in the area, it’s definitely worth a visit for its gorgeous setting and Ladin culture. And, it makes an excellent base for exploring the area – on foot, on skis, by bicycle, or with your car.
In-the-know travelers who want a quiet and relaxing visit in the Dolomites choose San Cassiano in Alta Badia – set between the sporty and lively Corvara in Badia and the chic and busy Cortina d’Ampezzo.
San Cassiano is popular in the winter, as it’s easy to access so many of the lifts and ski runs. It’s also a lovely spot in the summer, and that’s when I’ve spent most of my time in the area (dating back to 2004). So, this guide will focus on the warmer months of the year, when you can trade your skis for hiking boots or a bicycle!
IMPORTANT FOR 2025: If you’re hoping to stay at Rosa Alpina, you’ll need to wait. The 5-star luxury hotel is now a member of the Aman Group and is undergoing a major renovation. The hotel’s 3-star Michelin restaurant, St. Hubertus, is also closed while the hotel is renovated.
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Where is San Cassiano?
San Cassiano is in the Alta Badia, a valley area in the Dolomites that includes five other villages: Corvara in Badia, Colfosco, La Villa, Badia, and La Val.
San Cassiano sits at just over 1,500 meters above sea level in the province of Bolzano in the Italian region of Trentino-Alto Adige.
It sits between the Santa Croce range and the Pralongià alpine plateau.
Who Will Love San Cassiano?
A visit or stay in San Cassiano is perfect for you if you’re looking for:
- A quiet base in the Alta Badia
- Access to beautiful hikes that can be reached on foot or by cable car
- A small village – San Cassiano has less than 1,000 permanent residents
- Ladin culture
- A nice base for exploring the area by bicycle
- A place to call home while you visit the area’s excellent restaurants
- A family-friendly village – We love San Cassiano for its family-friendly accommodation options, quiet center, and easy access to Pralongià and its playgrounds
Who Should Skip a Stay in San Cassiano?
San Cassiano isn’t the place for you if you want a busy town with a lot of shopping, restaurants, or nightlife (although there is a little bar/pizzeria in town, along with a few shops).
Best Things to Do in and Around San Cassiano
Take the Piz Sorega Cable Car up to Pralongià
The Piz Sorega cable car runs from San Cassiano up to Pralongià, an alpine plateau full of hikes, mountain huts, and belle viste (beautiful views).
If you want to have lunch on Pralongià, stop at Rifugio Ütia de Bioch (closed summer 2023) or Ütia Saraghes (great kids play area so if you want peace and quiet, not your best bet… but the food is great!).
One of the things I love most about Pranlongià is that you can stroll, check out the views, relax on a bench – you don’t have to have an epic hike to enjoy the area.
Visit the Ladin Museum
There are a few Ladin museums in the area, but San Cassiano’s is unique for its cave bear exhibit. You can see the skeleton of a bear that was found nearby and there are also displays that show what the bear’s life was like.
If you want info in English, be sure to get the audioguide.
This is a tiny museum, and a visit of 30-60 minutes is plenty of time to enjoy it.
Fun Fact: San Cassiano is called San Ciascian in Ladin, and Sankt Kassian in German.
Hike Santa Croce
This is one of my favorite hikes in the area. Take the chairlift and gondola from nearby Pedraces up to the Santa Croce church. The 15th century church has a dramatic backdrop – the Santa Croce range, and it’s worth a peek before you start the hike.
Follow trail #15 to San Cassiano. Along the way, you’ll see the stations of the cross, examples of traditional wood fencing, mountain scenery (including the Marmolada glacier).
The trail is well-worn and well-marked, and it passes through forest, fields, and grassy areas. It’s a quiet, peaceful trail.
Good To Know: There is a lot of downhill, so if you have achy knees like me, bring walking sticks.
Have Aperitivo and Watch the Alpenglow
Grab a seat at an outdoor bar or café in San Cassiano, order a cocktail (like the local hugo) and watch the Santa Croce range turn a rosy pink as the sun sets.
We like La Vedla, just across the church, and Café Ploner, on the pedestrian street. Hopefully Rosa Alpina will still have an outdoor dining area when it reopens.
Go For a Bike Ride
You’re in a prime cycling area! Alta Badia is home to one of Italy’s biggest granfondos, the Maratona dles Dolomites – an epic ride that attracts 9,000 riders from around the world. I’ve ridden it twice, and if you have the chance to enter and win a spot in the ride – go for it! The scenery and atmosphere can’t be beat.
Mountain bikers can ride the HERO Dolomites.
If you don’t want to join an organized ride, there are plenty of routes in the area, including the Sella Ronda, and climbs up and down nearby passes.
Lagazoi Cycling in San Cassiano rents bikes and can help you decide which routes to take.
Go For a Hike
I mentioned the Santa Croce hike above, but there are so many more amazing hikes in the area. You can do some straight from San Cassiano, while others require a short bus or car ride.
Some of our favorites around San Cassiano include:
- Malga Valparola out-and-back – try the fresh cheeses!
- Rifugio Fanes – spend the night if you can
- Pranlongià – explore the alpine plateau
- Seceda – some of the most dramatic scenery in the Dolomites
- Passo Gardena – Lake Crespeina – Rifugio Edelweiss – Colfosco – lunar landscape, epic views
- Cinque Torri – check out the towers (torri) and the WW1 open-air museum
Sample Freshly-Made Cheese at Bio Lüch Ruances
A new and welcome addition to San Cassiano is this organic farm-hotel-café. Stop in to sample the freshly-made cheeses (using the milk from the on-site farm) and cakes, or have aperitivo with a cocktail and a meat and cheese platter.
The passionate owners give a warm welcome and will make sure you’re well-fed!
Where to Eat in San Cassiano
With the renovation of Rosa Alpina, the three Michelin-starred St. Hubertus is closed, along with the hotel’s other restaurants.
La Vedla, in the main piazza in town, offers Ladin dishes, appetizers, and pizzas.
Ciasa Salares s just outside of the village in neighboring Armentarola. If you’ve got a car, drive to its Cocun Cellar restaurant – and thank me later. There’s also a more casual restaurant upstairs.
If you take the Piz Sorega lift up to Pralongià, have a mountain meal at Rifugio Malga Saraghes.
Pack a picnic! You can get supplies in the small Despar grocery store in town and the specialty food shop just across the hallway.
Where to Stay in San Cassiano
Rosa Alpina – Luxury hotel; member of Aman Group; reopening in 2025. I’ve always loved my stays at Rosa Alpina – it’s an elegant, family-run hotel, and I look forward to seeing its new look.
Ciasa Ai Pini – Casual, lovely, spotless B&B/hotel just outside the center of San Cassiano. It’s family run and I appreciate every stay here and leave feeling refreshed. Ciasa Ai Pini – info and rates.
Hotel Fanes – Another luxury option up the hill in town; pool with epic views; nice green area for relaxing. Hotel Fanes – info and rates.
Lagació Hotel Mountain Residence – New-ish on the scene in San Cassiano; convenient location in the pedestrian area; good option if you want to have a kitchen; choose rooms with Santa Croce views. Lagació Hotel Mountain Residence – info and rates.
Ciasa Salares – Just down the road from San Cassiano in Armentarola; classy and unique hotel. I highly recommend a visit to the wine cellar! Ciasa Salares – info and rates.
Check out my general guide to Accommodation Options in Italy – From Agriturismos to Villas
San Cassiano with Kids
San Cassiano is an ideal place to visit for an afternoon, or to use as a family-base for the area. The village center is small, and you can easily access our favorite playground in the area, at the top of the Piz Sorega lift. Plus, there are a few excellent family hotels.
Read more about Visiting San Cassiano with Kids
You may also like to read
Best Things to Do in the Dolomites
Driving in the Dolomites
Visiting the Dolomites Without a Car
San Cassiano (Dolomites, Italy) FAQ
St Hubertus, the 3-star Michelin restaurant is closed while Rosa Alpina (hotel) is being renovated. La Siriola (at nearby Ciasa Salares) has been replaced with Cocun Cellar. If you want to dine at a Michelin-starred restaurant, head to La Stüa de Michil in Corvara in Badia or Tivoli, just up the hill from Cortina d’Ampezzo.
