Last updated: August 2026
Lago di Braies was one of the places I most wanted to see in the Dolomites, and I used the same day to visit three other lakes in the region: Dobbiaco, Landro and Misurina.
I did this itinerary at the end of June 2026, leaving San Vigilio di Marebbe by car. I started at Lago di Braies early in the morning, then followed the road toward Lago di Dobbiaco, Lago di Landro and Lago di Misurina.
This order worked out really well for me because Braies was by far the busiest place on my itinerary. After it, the rest of the day was calmer and I could make the other stops without rushing.
Lago di Braies and Other Dolomites Lakes in One Day
Route of the Day
Lago di Braies and Other Lakes in the Dolomites
Leaving San Vigilio di Marebbe, I went straight to Lago di Braies.
My priority was to arrive early. Braies is one of the best-known places in the Dolomites and gets much busier as the morning goes on, especially during summer.
After the visit, I continued by car toward Dobbiaco, Landro and Misurina, and found it easy to fit the other three lakes into the same day without turning the itinerary into a rush.
Lago di Braies
Lago di Braies was the first stop and also the place where I spent the most time.
As soon as I arrived, I understood why the lake shows up in so many photos of the Dolomites. The water shifts tone with the light, the mountains surround almost the whole landscape, and the traditional boathouse sits right on the shore.
For me, it's not worth going to Braies just to take that classic photo and head back to the car.
It's worth walking along the shore and moving a bit away from the busiest area near the boathouse. As you keep walking, other perspectives of the lake and the surrounding mountains appear.
That's exactly what I liked most about the visit: being able to see the same place from different angles instead of simply making a quick stop.
If I went back, I'd try to arrive early again. Besides finding fewer people, it's much more pleasant to walk and take photos without so much foot traffic.
Parking and Reservations at Lago di Braies
When I made my trip, at the end of June 2026, I didn't need to book parking in advance.
Access rules change depending on the time of year.
In 2026, the main regulation period runs from July 1 to September 15. During those dates, between 9am and 4pm, car access to the Valle di Braies depends on an online reservation or a valid permit. Outside that period, there's no such reservation requirement for car access.
That's why whether you need to book depends on the exact date of your trip. Before going, I'd always check the rules that apply to the period you plan to visit the lake.
During the 2026 regulated period, the official system offers a combined €44 ticket for cars, roughly R$264 using the conversion applied in this guide. The ticket includes access to the area and a guaranteed parking space according to the reservation conditions.
If you're traveling between July and mid-September and already know the day you plan to visit Braies, I'd book in advance.
Rules and availability should be checked through the official Lago di Braies mobility and parking channels before the visit.
There are different parking areas near the lake, with their own rates and conditions. So the parking cost isn't necessarily the same year-round.
Lago di Dobbiaco
After Braies, I continued by car to Lago di Dobbiaco.
The change of atmosphere was one of the things I liked most about this itinerary. After starting the day at one of the most famous and busiest places in the Dolomites, Dobbiaco felt much calmer to me.
It's worth walking a bit along the shore and taking in the mountains without the same crowds you'll usually find at Braies.
I didn't need to organize parking in advance. During my trip, I sorted it out when I arrived.
The stop can be relatively short, but I'd allow some time to walk instead of simply parking, photographing the lake and driving on.
Lago di Landro
The next stop was Lago di Landro.
This was the easiest lake to fit into the itinerary because it sits practically right by the road. My visit here was quicker, but exactly because it required so little detour, I felt it was worth stopping.
The scenery is quite open and the mountains rise right behind the lake.
I didn't need to book parking in advance and didn't plan to spend much time here. For me, Landro worked better as a stop between Dobbiaco and Misurina than as a place to spend several hours.
Lago di Misurina
I finished the itinerary at Lago di Misurina.
After spending the day getting in and out of the car between different lakes, I liked leaving Misurina for last because I could take the final stop at a more relaxed pace.
The lake is surrounded by mountains and you can walk calmly along the shore while taking in the scenery.
I also didn't need to book parking in advance during my trip.
After visiting Misurina, I drove back to San Vigilio di Marebbe.
Is It Worth Seeing All Four Lakes on the Same Day?
Yes.
If the idea is to spend several hours at each lake, I'd split the itinerary over more than one day. To see the four places with enough time to enjoy them, though, I felt this sequence worked well.
The most important thing is to prioritize Lago di Braies.
That's where I spent the most time and where I think it's most important to arrive early. Dobbiaco, Landro and Misurina are easier to fit into the rest of the day.
I also liked how the itinerary got progressively calmer. I started at Braies, the most anticipated and busiest place, and ended at Misurina without having to watch the clock the whole time.
If I repeated this day, I'd keep the exact same order.
Do You Need a Car for This Lakes Itinerary?
To see the four lakes on the same day, I'd recommend doing this itinerary by car.
There are public transport options for some areas, especially during the tourist season, but combining four different lakes on the same day becomes much simpler with a car.
That freedom is what let me leave San Vigilio di Marebbe early, start at Braies and decide how long to stay at Dobbiaco, Landro and Misurina without depending on connections or schedules.
If your goal is to see only Lago di Braies, public transport can also be a good alternative.
To do all four lakes on the same day, I'd rent a car again.
This day is also part of my 4-day Dolomites itinerary, where I show how I organized the lakes within the full trip.
Practical Tips for Visiting Lakes in the Dolomites
For this itinerary, I'd mainly organize the arrival time at Lago di Braies and check the access rules for the date of the trip. The other lakes required much less planning during my visit.
How to Get There
- I left San Vigilio di Marebbe by car
- I started at Lago di Braies
- I continued to Lago di Dobbiaco, Lago di Landro and Lago di Misurina
- To combine the four places on the same day, I consider a car the most practical option
Lago di Braies
- At the end of June 2026, I didn't need to book parking
- From July 1 to September 15, 2026, specific access rules apply between 9am and 4pm
- During the regulated period, there's a combined €44 ticket for cars
- Check the rules that apply to the exact date of your trip before going
Other Lakes
- Lago di Dobbiaco: it's worth setting aside time to walk along the shore
- Lago di Landro: a simple stop, easy to fit into the drive
- Lago di Misurina: I left this one for the end of the itinerary
- I didn't need to book parking in advance at these three lakes during my trip
Best Time
- Start with Lago di Braies
- I'd arrive as early as possible
- Leave Dobbiaco, Landro and Misurina for the rest of the day
- Don't treat Braies as a quick stop: it's worth walking and seeing other parts of the shore