Yes, for hikers and bike riders who want the lifts running: the Dolomiti SuperSummer lifts open in May and stay open until November, and they put the UNESCO landscapes within reach.
The stake is the weather at altitude. Cortina d’Ampezzo has nights of 41°F (5°C) and 11 rainy days in May.
At a glance
- Cortina d’Ampezzo, May high: 62°F (17°C)
- Cortina d’Ampezzo, May low: 41°F (5°C)
- Cortina d’Ampezzo, rainy days in May: 11
- Bolzano, May high and low: 75°F (24°C) and 54°F (12°C)
- Bolzano, rainy days in May: 9
- Lifts of Dolomiti SuperSummer: open from May to November
What is the weather like in the Dolomites in May?
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rain | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April | 53°F (12°C) | 33°F (1°C) | 1.7 in (44 mm) | 7 |
| May | 62°F (17°C) | 41°F (5°C) | 2.9 in (74 mm) | 11 |
| June | 69°F (21°C) | 48°F (9°C) | 3.8 in (96 mm) | 12 |
*Long-term monthly averages.*
May is mild in the valleys and cool up high. In Cortina d’Ampezzo the afternoon high is 62°F (17°C) and the night low is 41°F (5°C). Bolzano, in the valley, reaches 75°F (24°C) in the afternoon and 54°F (12°C) at night.
Cortina has 11 rainy days in May, meaning days with at least 1 mm of rain, and Bolzano has 9. That is roughly one day in three with some rain in the mountains. Plan the long outdoor sights for the first dry morning and keep a rain layer in the daypack.
April in Cortina is cooler, with a high of 53°F (12°C) and 7 rainy days. June is warmer at 69°F (21°C) but wetter, with 12 rainy days. Bolzano follows the same pattern: 67°F (19°C) in April, 82°F (28°C) in June. May sits in the middle, with warmer afternoons than April and less rain than June.
Where to go in the Dolomites in May
Tre Cime di Lavaredo
The three peaks lie between the Province of Belluno and South Tyrol, inside the Tre Cime Nature Park. The area stretches between Auronzo di Cadore, Misurina and Dobbiaco, so pick the village that fits your base.
Val Gardena
This South Tyrol valley has three villages: Ortisei, Selva di Val Gardena and S. Cristina. Ortisei has a pedestrian zone for shopping and food, S. Cristina is the sunny village at the foot of Sassolungo, and Selva is the highest, at the foot of the Sella massif.
Seceda
The Seceda meadows lie beneath 8,264-foot (2,519 m) Mt. Seceda in the Odle Group.
Cortina d’Ampezzo
Cortina d’Ampezzo is called the Queen of the Dolomites.
What to do in the Dolomites in May
The Tre Cime loop
The loop runs from Rifugio Auronzo to Rifugio Lavaredo, Forcella Lavaredo and Rifugio Locatelli, then returns by a scenic loop. It is about 6 miles (9.5 to 10 km) and takes 3 to 4 hours, easy to moderate.
Pack a layer, since nights are near 41°F (5°C).
LUMEN, the museum of mountain photography
LUMEN stands at Plan de Corones at 7,431 feet (2,265 m), in a former upper station of the cable car. It was turned into a museum of 1,800 square meters.
It is a good plan for a wet day, indoors but still in the mountains. Check that the lift to the museum is running before you go, since lifts open from May.
Castles and churches around the Seiser Alm
The region offers churches, chapels, castles, ruins, museums and viewpoints. Castle Prösels is in Völs am Schlern, the Salegg ruins and the Parish Church of the Holy Cross are in Seis am Schlern, and the church steeple is in Kastelruth.
The Visitor Center of the Schlern-Rosengarten Nature Park is in Seis am Schlern. Stop there first for route ideas, then link two or three sights on foot or by bike in one day.
The Cadini del Brenton
These cliffs belong to the Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park. The meeting point for the free guided tours is the Infopoint Cadini in Valle del Mis, in Sospirolo, near the botanical garden Campanula morettiana.
Are the Dolomites busy in May?
Rooms in the Seiser Alm region include hotels, holiday apartments, guesthouses, private rooms, farm holidays and mountain huts. The 3 Zinnen region has five holiday villages: Prags/Braies, Niederdorf/Villabassa, Toblach/Dobbiaco, Innichen/San Candido and Sexten/Sesto. Book ahead if you want a particular hut or village.
South Tyrol charges a tourist tax on top of the room rate, paid on site by guests aged 14 and over. In Kastelruth, Seis am Schlern, Seiser Alm and Völs am Schlern it is €3.50 per person per night in 4-star and 5-star places, €3 in 3-star places and €2.50 elsewhere. In Tiers am Rosengarten it is €3.90, €3.40 or €2.90 for the same categories.
What to pack for the Dolomites in May
May asks for layers: warm valley afternoons, cold mornings up high and rain on about a third of the days.
- A warm fleece or light down jacket for nights near 41°F (5°C) in Cortina.
- A waterproof shell for the 11 rainy days of the month.
- Sturdy hiking shoes for high trails and the Tre Cime loop.
- A daypack with water and a snack for the 3 to 4 hour loop.
- Light shirts for Bolzano, where afternoons reach 75°F (24°C).
What to know before visiting the Dolomites in May
The lifts of Dolomiti SuperSummer open in May, so check the opening date of the lift you need before you plan a high-altitude day. The free guided tours of the Cadini del Brenton begin July 5, 2026.
Val Gardena’s slopes and ski lifts belong to winter, when it joins Dolomiti Superski. The tourist tax is charged per night on top of the room rate.
Is May a good time to visit the Dolomites?
Yes, for hikers and bike riders who want mild valley days and the first lifts of the summer, and who can live with some rain.
Compared with April, May gives warmer afternoons: 62°F (17°C) in Cortina against 53°F (12°C). It also gives more rain days, 11 against 7.
For valley walks, castles and museums, May works well. Pack for cold nights if you plan to stay in Cortina.
Sources
- seiseralm.it (https://www.seiseralm.it/en/plan-your-holiday/search-book/all-accommodations.html?%3Futm_source=seiseralm.it), checked 2026-10-30
- valgardena.it (https://www.valgardena.it/it/), checked 2026-10-30
- seiseralm.it (https://www.seiseralm.it/en/enjoyment-experience/experience/sights.html), checked 2026-10-30
- ncei.noaa.gov (https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/wmo-climate-normals), checked 2026-10-30
- dolomiti.it (https://www.dolomiti.it/de/sospirolo/veranstaltungen/gefuhrte-besichtigungen-der-cadini-del-brenton), checked 2026-10-30
- dolomiti.it (https://www.dolomiti.it/en/passes-and-mountains/tre-cime-di-lavaredo), checked 2026-10-30
- valgardena-groeden.com (https://www.valgardena-groeden.com/en/highlights/the-dolomites/high-plateaus-and-alpine-pastures/seceda-meadows/), checked 2026-10-30
- suedtirol.info (https://www.suedtirol.info/en/en/experiences-and-events/plp-experiences/regions/dolomites/culture-sights.page4), checked 2026-10-30