The Dolomites are a must visit destination, especially for landscape photography but also if you are a traveller that loves nature. The Dolomites are home to so many incredible mountains and alpine meadows in such a small area, which is what makes it unique. You don't have to travel far between locations for another spectacular scene. Here in this article we will name the top five places you have to go!
1. Seceda
The first place I recommend has to be Seceda. For both landscape photographers and tourists, this place is a must-visit! In fact, it is such a good spot that I have written a whole article on shooting this area for landscape photography: Ultimate Photography Guide to Seceda. But if you are just here for the important details, I have listed them below.
Seceda at sunrise is best for this light.
Hike: 10–20 minutes uphill from the upper cable car station to the highest viewpoint.
Parking: Paid parking at the lower lift station in Ortisei.
Drones: No. Seceda is in the Puez-Odle Nature Park, where ordinary recreational drone flights are prohibited.
Finding free parking nearby can be difficult because the lift station is in a busy part of town. Unless you plan to hike up and skip the lifts, the easiest parking is at the paid car park. There is both undercover and outdoor parking. The spaces are small, so check the garage’s height clearance before entering with a larger van.
The easiest and most common way to get there is to take the Ortisei–Furnes gondola, then transfer to the Furnes–Seceda cable car. Allow around 20 minutes for the lift journey, plus any waiting time at the stations.
I recommend to book your ticket a day or two beforehand online from the official website here: Official booking website. You can also buy tickets at the ticket office when you arrive. It is located beside the parking area, inside the lift station building.
When you take both lifts to the top, you arrive at a restaurant area. There are bathrooms at the upper cable car station. From there, the highest viewpoint is about a 15–20-minute uphill walk. It really depends on how fit you are and how fast you hike. It can also take just 10 minutes if you’re speedy.
To walk further along the ridge towards the main photo spots, allow another 15–25 minutes, depending on how far you go. There are connecting paths that let you make a short loop rather than returning exactly the same way. Stay on the marked trails rather than cutting across the meadows.
From the highest point, you can get some good landscape photography shots. For selfies and tourist pictures, most people go a bit closer to the mountains. On a really misty day, you can also get some cool shots looking out to the right of the famous ridgeline as you face it from the trail.
For more detail about shooting Seceda in different seasons, or hiking there without taking the lifts, read in our Ultimate Photography Guide to Seceda.
2. Drei Zinnen
Drei Zinnen, also known as Tre Cime di Lavaredo, is another area known for its epic mountain views. You can often see spectacular clouds and misty mountain scenes here. There is also the famous Cadini di Misurina viewpoint, which you can reach from the same parking area at Rifugio Auronzo. Just be careful you don’t get stuck waiting there as a landscape photographer. Sometimes you can wait up to an hour for a chance to pose at the end for a selfie.
To visit the Cadini di Misurina viewpoint, follow the first section of trail 117 towards Rifugio Fonda Savio, then take the side path to the viewpoint. Allow around 30–45 minutes each way, not including time spent waiting or taking photos. The final approach is narrow and exposed, so take care, especially in wet or windy conditions.
It is in the opposite direction from the usual Tre Cime walking route, so leave yourself plenty of time for the hiking to both locations. You do not need to continue all the way to Rifugio Fonda Savio to reach the viewpoint.
In my opinion, there are better selfie spots from underneath the three peaks, overlooking the mountain landscape, such as this one!
A selfie from Drei Zinnen with incredible mist and sunset conditions.
Hike: Around 20–40 minutes on a wide, mostly flat gravel path from Rifugio Auronzo to Rifugio Lavaredo. Allow another 20–30 minutes uphill to Forcella Lavaredo for views towards the north faces of the three peaks and the selfie spot pictured above.
Parking: Paid, with advance booking required.
Drones: No.
When you book the Tre Cime car park, your ticket is valid for 12 hours from your reserved entry time. So if you book entry at 8 am, you have until 8 pm to leave. Arriving late does not extend that time, and leaving early does not allow you to re-enter on the same ticket.
For a specific entry time, I recommend booking at least a week ahead, as time slots can sell out. When I booked recently, five days in advance, most of the time slots had already been taken.
3. Alpe di Siusi
Alpe di Siusi gets more and more popular every year, but for good reason! The mountains are incredible for photography, and as a traveller, you have the perfect picturesque scene for a selfie or simply to hike around and enjoy the alpine views.
Alpe di Siusi in autumn.
In autumn, I have found it busier with photographers, but in summer I have been the only person at my chosen spot at sunrise! You can also get some cool shots using the well-known barns as foreground.
The parking and access rules need a bit of planning. For ordinary day visitors, you can drive up as far as Compatsch before 9 am or after 5 pm during the main season. There are designated paid car parks at P1 Spitzbühl and P2 Compatsch, and advance online booking has been required since 29 June 2026. A parking booking does not let you drive up during the restricted hours.
Use the designated car parks and walk to your chosen viewpoint rather than looking for roadside pullouts or driving further onto the plateau to drop people off. Hotel guests have separate access arrangements, which should be checked with their accommodation.
Hike: Depends on your starting point and chosen viewpoint. Plan the walk from your actual car park rather than assuming every photo spot is 30–40 minutes away.
Parking: Paid at P1 Spitzbühl or P2 Compatsch, with advance booking required. Parking is prohibited between 11 pm and 5 am, which is important when planning sunrise photography.
Drones: No. The official tourism website states that drone use is prohibited across Alpe di Siusi. However I always see people using them here
4. Lago di Limides
This is one of my favourite spots in the Dolomites, and it is easily accessible with a 30–40-minute hike from the Col Gallina area. Follow trail 419 towards Forcella Averau. One thing to watch out for is the water level, which can be very low in autumn. This means the lake almost disappears and you lose your reflection shot, which is an important part of the midground. Actually, this can also happen in summer, especially after hot, dry weather. The lake is fed by rain and melting snow and can dry up towards the end of summer.
When I visited in summer 2025, the lake was slightly lower than usual but still good for photography. However, when I visited in summer 2026, it had completely dried up.
Lago di Limides in winter time.
The good news is that in summer there can be plenty of wildflowers growing in the surrounding area. Since the mountains here are so good for photography, especially when they catch the mist and evening light, I recommend not giving up if the lake has dried up. Have a look for some flowers to use as foreground instead.
Hike: Around 30–40 minutes uphill from the Col Gallina area.
Parking: Free parking near Col Gallina. Check the signs when you arrive for any changes or restrictions.
Drones: Check the current D-Flight map and local restrictions before flying.
5. Passo Gardena
Passo Gardena is great for exploring. In summer, there are plenty of flowers, and you can photograph the Sella group, the Cir peaks and Sassolungo, which is visible to the west. This place is good for both sunrise and sunset. The difficulty in autumn is that some of the mountain faces can stay in shadow, depending on your viewpoint and the time of day.
Passo Gardena flowers in summer.
Parking at the pass is limited. In saying that, whenever we are there shooting at sunrise or sunset, it is outside the busiest hours, so most people either haven’t arrived yet for hiking or are already leaving. Use the designated parking areas, as parking along the road is not permitted.
The parking beside the restaurant is convenient, and there is a restroom there. Check the current charge if you aren’t buying anything.
Hike: No long hike needed. Just explore the surrounding area from the car park, keeping to the paths.
Parking: Paid parking at the pass.
Drones: Restrictions apply. The Puez-Odle Nature Park is immediately to the north, and ordinary recreational drone flights are prohibited inside the park. Check D-Flight and local rules for your exact location.
Final Thoughts
Those are the top five places I recommend visiting as a landscape photographer or traveller. For more information on which season is right for you, check out our Dolomites in Summer vs Autumn Guide. Or, if you are planning a serious landscape photography trip, check out our Ultimate Photography Guide to the Dolomites.
Max Rive is most driven by seeking new perspectives in the natural world and capturing them in his own distinguished style. Max's powerful portrayals of his interactions with the mountains has earned him international recognition in the outdoor community.
Madison McCardle is a passionate landscape photographer driven by curiosity and a desire to capture the true essence of each place she explores. Through her lens, she seeks new perspectives that reveal the beauty and authenticity of the world.
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