The Dolomites in November: Cortina and Bolzano Weather, Merano WineFestival and Chestnut Festivals

November in the Dolomites suits travelers who come for wine and chestnut festivals, mountain museums and quiet valleys.

The catch is the cold and the light: Cortina d’Ampezzo is below freezing at night, daylight lasts only about nine and a half hours, and some lifts and high huts may be winding down for the year.

At a glance

• Cortina d’Ampezzo, afternoon high: 42°F (6°C)
• Cortina d’Ampezzo, night low: 29°F (-2°C)
• Bolzano, afternoon high and night low: 52°F (11°C) and 37°F (3°C)
• Rainy days: 7 in Cortina, 7 in Bolzano
• Sunshine in Bolzano: 3 hours a day
• Daylight on November 15: 9 hours 33 minutes in Cortina
• Merano WineFestival: November 6 to 10, 2026

What is the weather like in the Dolomites in November?

*Long-term monthly averages.*

November is cold in the mountains and cool in the valleys. In Cortina d’Ampezzo the afternoon high is 42°F (6°C) and the night low is 29°F (-2°C), so mornings start frozen. Bolzano, in the valley floor, reaches 52°F (11°C) in the afternoon and drops to 37°F (3°C) at night.

Both towns see about seven rainy days in the month, and Bolzano gets only 3 hours of sun a day on average. Plan the outdoor sights for the middle of the day and keep a waterproof layer in the bag. Daylight on November 15 is 9 hours 33 minutes in Cortina and 9 hours 28 minutes in Bolzano, so a long hike needs an early start.

The month is a clear step down from October. Cortina’s October high is 53°F (12°C) and Bolzano’s is 64°F (18°C), with 11 hours of daylight in both on October 15. December goes colder again: Cortina’s high is 34°F (1°C) with a low of 20°F (-7°C), and Bolzano’s high is 44°F (7°C). Bolzano’s December has only 4 rainy days, against 7 in November.

Where to go in the Dolomites in November

Cortina d’Ampezzo

Cortina d’Ampezzo is called the Queen of the Dolomites and sits among the mountains. It’s the colder base of the two weather stations, with a November high of 42°F (6°C). Two roads cross the town, the S.S.51 di Alemagna north to south and the S.R.48 bis delle Dolomiti east to west. Dress for freezing nights.

Val Gardena

Val Gardena is in Alto Adige (South Tyrol) and has three villages: Ortisei, Selva di Val Gardena and S. Cristina. Ortisei has a lively pedestrian zone with shops, food and Ladin tradition, and the valley is known for wood carving. That makes it a good choice for a cool, damp day. In winter the valley joins the Dolomiti Superski area.

Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm)

The Seiser Alm region has churches, chapels, castles, ruins, museums and viewpoints. Castle Prösels is in Völs am Schlern, the Salegg ruins and the Holy Cross parish church are in Seis am Schlern, and the church steeple is in Kastelruth. Base yourself in one of those villages for a lower-altitude day.

Tre Cime di Lavaredo

The three peaks lie between the Province of Belluno and South Tyrol, inside the Tre Cime Nature Park. Check the conditions on the day before driving up.

Seceda

Seceda rises to 8,264 ft (2,519 m) in the Odle Group. It’s a hiking area in summer and a ski area in winter, and November falls between the two. The mountain is partly steep and crumbly, though it rises gently to a high alp on the south-east side. Confirm lift status before going up.

What to do in the Dolomites in November

Merano WineFestival, November 6 to 10

The Merano WineFestival runs from November 6 to 10, 2026 in Merano.

Chestnut festivals and autumn food weeks

Chestnut season runs into early November. The Festa della castagna in Lana runs to November 8, and the Settimane delle Castagne in Velturno also ends on November 8. Autunno Gourmet in Naturno continues to November 20, and MagnAmour Autumn in Malé and Cles runs to November 15.

LUMEN Museum of Mountain Photography at Plan de Corones

LUMEN sits at 7,431 ft (2,265 m) on Plan de Corones, in a former upper station of the cable car. It’s a museum of 1,800 square meters, so it works as a covered stop on a cloudy day.

The Tre Cime loop hike

The Tre Cime loop runs from Rifugio Auronzo to Rifugio Lavaredo, Forcella Lavaredo and Rifugio Locatelli, then back on a scenic return loop. It’s about 6 miles (9.5 to 10 km), takes 3 to 4 hours and is rated easy to moderate.

With only 9 and a half hours of daylight in the month, start in the morning and choose a dry, clear day.

Ossana nativity scenes, from November 27

Ossana, in the Val di Sole, is the hamlet with almost 1,000 nativity scenes. The display runs from November 27 to January 6, 2027.

It opens in the last days of the month, so it suits a late-November trip.

Are the Dolomites busy in November?

Seiser Alm offers 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.

Every accommodation in South Tyrol adds a tourist tax to the room rate, paid on site by guests aged 14 and over. In Kastelruth, Seis am Schlern, Seiser Alm and Völs am Schlern it’s €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’s €3.90, €3.40 and €2.90 for the same three tiers.

What to pack for the Dolomites in November

November asks for warm layers and rain protection.

• A warm coat, hat and gloves: Cortina’s night low is 29°F (-2°C).
• A waterproof jacket: both towns see 7 rainy days in the month.
• Hiking boots with good grip: the Tre Cime loop takes 3 to 4 hours and Seceda is partly steep and crumbly.
• Layers you can shed: Bolzano’s afternoon high is 52°F (11°C), while Cortina’s is 42°F (6°C).
• A headlamp or phone light: daylight is only about 9 and a half hours.
• A thermos for the lifts and huts at 7,500 ft (2,300 m) and above.

What to know before visiting the Dolomites in November

Car access to the Tre Cime di Lavaredo parking at Rifugio Auronzo has needed online booking since May 23, 2026, so reserve before driving up. Lifts under the Dolomiti SuperSummer program are listed as open from May to November, so confirm the final operating dates for the lift you plan to use.

The U.S. State Department rates Italy Level 2, Exercise increased caution, because of terrorism, in an advisory issued September 10, 2026. It recommends enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) and buying travel insurance before you go.

Is November a good time to visit the Dolomites?

Yes, November is a good time for travelers who want food, wine and quiet valleys, and who don’t mind cool, short days. It’s a weaker choice for high-altitude hiking.

Compared with October, you lose warmth and light. Bolzano’s October afternoons reach 64°F (18°C) with 5 hours of sun a day, against 52°F (11°C) and 3 hours in November. December is colder still, with Cortina at a 34°F (1°C) high, but Bolzano has only 4 rainy days.

For food and wine, pick the first week: the Merano WineFestival runs November 6 to 10, and the chestnut festivals in Lana and Velturno end on November 8. For a quieter late visit, the Naturno food weeks run to November 20, and Ossana’s nativity scenes open November 27.

For a rainy day, LUMEN gives you a museum visit, and Val Gardena’s Ortisei has a pedestrian zone with shops and food.

Sources

• dolomiti.it (https://www.dolomiti.it/en/passes-and-mountains/tre-cime-di-lavaredo), checked 2026-10-30
• valgardena.it (https://www.valgardena.it/it/), checked 2026-10-30
• seiseralm.it (https://www.seiseralm.it/en/plan-your-holiday/search-book/all-accommodations.html?%3Futm_source=seiseralm.it), checked 2026-10-30
• dolomiti.it (https://www.dolomiti.it/de/sospirolo/veranstaltungen/gefuhrte-besichtigungen-der-cadini-del-brenton), checked 2026-10-30
• cortina.dolomiti.org (https://cortina.dolomiti.org/en/event-details-en/?id=588503dc-99cd-40f1-a06c-13722494ad58), 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
• seiseralm.it (https://www.seiseralm.it/en/enjoyment-experience/experience/sights.html), checked 2026-10-30
• dolomiti.it (https://www.dolomiti.it/en/alta-badia/news/alta-badia-summer-food-wine-and-alpine-experiences-in-the-dolomites), checked 2026-10-30