Val Gardena is one Dolomite valley located in South Tyrol and among the most important tourist and mountain vacation areas in Italy. Tourism is always there, either in winter and in summer. If the destination is definitely one of the most popular destinations, then let's see what the best places to stay and where to go on vacation.
I countries of Val Gardena are located at an altitude between 1.200 and 1.700 meters above sea level, the mountain pastures and ski slopes reach 2.500 meters above sea level, while the vette they exceed 3.000 meters of altitude.
Le three main holiday resorts of Val Gardena are: Ortisei, Selva di Val Gardena e Santa Cristina in Valgardena. Located just 6 km from each other, immersed in one wonderful nature and surround by a breathtaking landscape, staying in one of these three locations is great holidays guarantee at any time of the year, both in winter and in summer.
Find offers and book a hotel or accommodation in Val Gardena
In addition to the intact nature and postcard landscapes that in summer allow to do pleasant and wonderful excursionsin winter the holiday resorts of Val Gardena and the whole area become a paradise for lovers of snow and winter sports. Selva di Val Gardena, Ortisei and Santa Cristina Valgardena are in fact among the major ski resorts in Italy, hosting numerous competitions of international importance, such as the Alpine Ski World Cup.
All the Val Gardena ski area it offers 175 km of slopes, 80 ski lifts and about 120 km of cross-country trails. In addition, all ski areas are connected to the mega ski area Dolomiti Superski, reaching over 1.200 km of skiable slopes of varying difficulty.
Selva in Val Gardena
Selva in Val Gardena is the last municipality in Val Gardena, as well as the most famous. With nearly a hundred hotels, it is the place with the most tourist presences of the area e the place par excellence to stay in Val Gardena. Located at almost 1.600 meters above sea level, and set in wonderful and evocative landscape of the Dolomites, is a splendid place to spend beautiful holidays in both summer and winter.
In winter the direct connection with the Sella Ronda area makes the locality a paradise for ski and winter sports enthusiasts. In summer, but also during the intermediate seasons, it is a perfect place to do pleasant walks and excursions among nature.
Check availability and book an accommodation or hotel in Selva di Val Gardena
Selva di Val Gardena, located in a beautiful valley, just below the Sella massif, is part of the Dolomites ski area "Sellaronda", a part of the larger Dolomiti Superski ski area. Inside the city passes the Sellaronda ski circuit, undoubtedly the most famous Italian ski route in Italy. A fenced park and served by 2 treadmills is available for children where they can have fun and learn to ski.
This picturesque village is a perfect destination for those looking for an active holiday. There are many activities you can do outdoors at any time of the year. Indeed, this location is a perfect destination for sports lovers. These mountains are an open-air "gymnasium" where you can practice many activities.
The ski lifts of the Selva di Val Gardena Ski Area there are 32 (1 cable car, 2 cable cars, 13 ski lifts and 16 chair lifts). The cost of the ski pass is the one Skipass Val Gardena & Alpe di Siusi which includes 80 ski lifts and 175 km of slopes throughout Val Gardena and Alpe di Siusi.
Ortisei
Ortisei in Val Gardena, also known only as Ortisei, is one lively tourist resort and largest holiday center of this splendid valley. Located at 1.236 meters above sea level and capital of Val Gardena, it is a wonderful place to stay at any time of the year, even for the suggestive and characteristic city atmosphere.
In the city center is characterized by a beautiful pedestrian area. The central pedestrian avenue, which connects the Church of Sant'Antonio to the Church of Sant'Ulrico and of the Epiphany of the Lord, is considered the most beautiful shopping street in the Dolomites. Walking along the boulevard is very pleasant, there are beautiful shops where to shop e many coffees where to relax, enjoy drinks and sweets typical of the area. In December, a beautiful one takes place in the pedestrian zone Christmas market.
Surrounded by numerous mountains and situated in a picturesque location in the heart of the Dolomites, Ortisei is an excellent starting point in summer for excursions on foot or by mountain bike between a beautiful and intact nature. In winter the town becomes a perfect destination for lovers of snow and winter sports.
Ortisei offers two ski areas: the one of Alpe di Siusi and that of Seceda. The first offers wide and not very steep slopes, and is more suitable for families even with very little children and inexperienced skiers. The second area is more suitable for more experienced skiers. It also includes the longest downhill run in the Dolomites, a track over 10 km long.
Some lifts are in operation even during the summer, such as the double cable gondola that connects Ortisei to the Alpe di Siusi dolomitic plateau or the Rasciesa funicular, one of the longest in Europe (2.422 meters in length).
To stay, Ortisei offers dozens of characteristic hotels traditional where you can spend a nice and relaxing vacation at any time of the year. Having the most characteristic and beautiful center of the whole valley, the central area of the city is the best area to stay, being also the closest to all the ski lifts in the town.
Find deals and book a hotel or accommodation in Ortisei
Santa Cristina in Val Gardena
Although the one with fewer accommodations, Santa Cristina in Val Gardena is equally an interesting holiday resort all the year. Located halfway between Selva di Val Gardena and Ortisei, at 1.428 meters above sea level, is the perfect choice for those who want to combine the pleasant city atmosphere, to sport and to outdoor activities.
The locality of Santa Cristina in Val Gardena is one splendid destination for hikers, cyclists and skiers. Families with children, young and elderly couples will be able to walk in the nice pedestrian area in the central area of the city or join the many events and parties which take place throughout the year. Among the most important is the Christmas market in December, with a rich program of side events related to the festivities of Christmas and New Year's Eve.
Like Ortisei, the best area to stay in Santa Cristina in Val Gardena is the central one both for being close to the pedestrian area dedicated to walking, shopping and entertainment in general, and for being more or less close to all the ski lifts. Among the accommodations we definitely recommend the hotels, which guarantee comfort and many useful services during the holiday. It is also the location with the lower hotel rates.
Check availability and book a hotel in Santa Cristina in Val Gardena
Santa Cristina in Val Gardena, like all the towns in the valley, is a perfect place in winter for skiing, snowboarding and other winter sports. The Saslong slope is also one of the most popular because it hosts Super-G and Alpine Ski World Cup competitions.
In addition to winter sports, that location also during the summer it offers the opportunity to practice various sports and outdoor activities. Santa Cristina has tennis courts, an indoor swimming pool and a sports field. The city is an excellent starting point for numerous hiking trails and via ferrata, with some of these reaching as far as the Dolomite peaks.
Skipass rates
Cost of Skipass Val Gardena
The Val Gardena & Alpe di Siusi Skipass includes 79 ski lifts and 175 km of slopes of varying difficulty: 52 km of blue slopes (easy for beginners), 105 km of red slopes (medium for intermediate skiers) and 18 km of slopes black (difficult for expert skiers).
The cost of the daily ski pass and of:
- 47 euros for adults (from 16 to 65 years old)
- 42 euros for seniors (65 years and over)
- 33 euros for children (from 8 to 16 years old)
- free for children aged 3 to 8 accompanied by an adult
The cost of the weekly ski pass and of:
- 255 euros for adults (from 16 to 65 years old)
- 230 euros for seniors (65 years and over)
- 179 euros for children (from 8 to 16 years old)
- free for children aged 3 to 8 accompanied by an adult
NB in the middle and high season the cost of the ski pass is slightly higher.
Cost of Skipass Dolomiti Superski
The Dolomiti Superski ski pass includes 450 ski lifts and 1.200 km of slopes of varying difficulty. The area consists of 12 ski areas including Val Gardena and Alpe di Siusi.
The cost of the daily ski pass and of:
- 51 euros for adults (from 16 to 65 years old)
- 46 euros for seniors (65 years and over)
- 36 euros for children (from 8 to 16 years old)
- free for children aged 3 to 8 accompanied by an adult
The cost of the weekly ski pass and of:
- 275 euros for adults (from 16 to 65 years old)
- 248 euros for seniors (65 years and over)
- 193 euros for children (from 8 to 16 years old)
- free for children aged 3 to 8 accompanied by an adult
NB in the middle and high season the cost of the ski pass is slightly higher.
How to get to Val Gardena
By train
Val Gardena does not have a railway line. If you want to arrive by train, it is advisable to reach the railway stations of Bolzano or Bressanone by train, and then take one of the buses that connect the two cities to the localities of Val Gardena.
From Bolzano you could also use a regional train to Ponte Gardena and then continue with one of the buses that depart to coincide with the arriving trains.
By car
If you want to arrive by car, it is advisable to take the A22, the Brenner motorway from Verona, continuing beyond Trento to Bolzano. Exit at the “Chiusa - Val Gardena” tollbooth and follow the road signs. In about twenty minutes you will reach Ortisei, the first town in Val Gardena. Still continuing after 6 km there is Santa Caterina in Val Gardena and after another 6 km Selva di Val Gardena.
By plane
The closest and most convenient airports to reach Val Gardena are: Bolzano, Verona, Treviso, Bergamo, the Milan airports, and the Innsbruck airport in Austria and Munich in Germany.
Search for a flight
From the airports you can reach the centers of Val Gardena with the Südtirol Altoadige Bus service or with the company Flixbus. Or a good choice could be the car rent, to move comfortably and more easily.
By bus
If you want to arrive by bus from the various areas of Italy, it is advisable to check the availability of buses to Bolzano on the FlixBus site. Once in Bolzano it will then be possible to continue by bus to the various centers of Val Gardena.
