Cortina d’Ampezzo, a location associated with the jet-set, is actually a tourist destination suitable for everyone, including families, and to be enjoyed in any month of the year. Here is all the useful information for those who want to stay there or take a memorable day trip.
Cortina d’Ampezzo: where it is located and what the landscape is like
Cortina d’Ampezzo is a highly sought-after tourist resort, located in Veneto and precisely in the province of Belluno. It is called the Pearl or Queen of the Dolomites and is also the only Italian resort to be part of the Best of the Alps, a group of the best national alpine areas.
Cortina is located in the Conca d’Ampezzo in the Valle del Boite and to the South lies the Cadore, to the North the Val Pusteria, while to the East the Val d’Ansiei and to the West the Alto Agordino. It has more than 5,800 inhabitants and is considered an ideal destination for both summer and winter holidays, a perfect place to practice many sports and to recharge.
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The climate is typical of the mountains, characterized by cool but short summers and long, harsh winters. The vegetation is stunning, the views and panoramas breathtaking, capable of offering incomparable emotions on their own.
Don’t miss the opportunity to create precious memories in this dream destination, whether you are planning a family holiday or a romantic getaway.
The most popular activities in Cortina
For all information and to best organize your holiday or stay in Cortina, we recommend visiting the official website, an authoritative reference point and great source of inspiration. Yes, because you can also view images, videos and peek at real-time webcams.
Winter sports
Cortina d’Ampezzo is part of the Dolomiti Superski complex, equipped with state-of-the-art slopes and facilities, ideal for both professionals and beginners. You will also find a snowpark, a reference point for all snowboard enthusiasts, also welcoming both newcomers and experts of all ages. The snowy landscapes provide a splendid backdrop for all winter sports activities, such as sledding, snowshoeing, mountain biking and fat biking on snow, snowkiting, skating, and much more.
Christmas markets
During the Christmas season, a must-see is also the characteristic Christmas market. This stretches along the entire Corso Italia, right in the center of Cortina d’Ampezzo, where, among the evocative wooden houses of vendors and artisans, you can find Christmas gifts and more with an authentic and warm flavor. The atmosphere is memorable and full of joy and magic, capable of involving both adults and children.
Summer activities and sports
In summer too, Cortina offers landscapes of great beauty, for practicing sports or fully enjoying the outdoors. Among the favorite activities are trekking, mountain biking, climbing and mountaineering, golf, tennis, excursions, including paths that can be done even with a stroller. The activities are truly endless, all viewable on the website of Cortina d’Ampezzo.
The Bonfire of Ferragosto
During the summer holidays, Cortina d’Ampezzo is also visited for its characteristic bonfire, every August 14th many fires are lit to celebrate the Madonna. Many mountain huts light them and organize themed events, an original idea to celebrate this occasion at high altitude.
The coppa d’oro delle Dolomiti
The famous and historic car race in Cortina, featuring vintage cars of all kinds, is another summer attraction not to be missed. It takes place in July and is an ideal event even for those who are not car experts.
Tastings
In Cortina d’Ampezzo, it is impossible not to be won over by the good cuisine, by tastings of local products and dishes. Restaurants and mountain huts all offer different and top-notch proposals, we recommend trying several to savor both the most traditional and the most avant-garde culinary culture.
Shopping
Shopping in Cortina d’Ampezzo appeals especially to women of all ages, and you can take advantage of the typical shops, handicrafts, and high-end stores and famous brands, all year round. At least one typical souvenir is a must and will bring you luck.
Cultural and artistic visits
Cortina offers an Open-Air Museum, namely the museum of the Great War and many attractions of artistic and cultural interest. A perfect destination all year round to learn more about the history and culture of this magnificent territory. We point out the Nicolò Cusano Planetarium, the Rinaldo Zardini Paleontological Museum, the Museum of Modern Art and the Re Gole d’Ampezzo Ethnographic Museum. On the website of Cortina you will find many other suggestions and must-see destinations.
Wellness centers
Immersed in the relaxing atmosphere of Cortina, you cannot miss a moment of total wellness. Here you will find many SPAs and wellness centers, where you can enjoy targeted treatments also made with native mountain herbs and strictly organic local products, perfect for beauty and health of mind and body. Many of these facilities are inside hotels where you can stay and enjoy a relaxing holiday.
Local events
In Cortina d’Ampezzo, you can take advantage of your holiday to enjoy one, or even more than one, of the events organized by the town. In addition to sports events, exhibitions and film screenings, Cortina hosts car races, summer bonfires, winter torchlight processions and patron saint festivals. Visit the official website to choose which one to attend, you won’t regret it.
Cortina d’Ampezzo child-friendly
Cortina is also the ideal place for holidays for the little ones, as there are many activities dedicated specifically to them. There are many activities and entertainments designed for children of all ages, workshops and also easy trails for safe walks.
Skiing and winter sports designed for them, always supervised by qualified and attentive instructors, outdoor playgrounds for the summer seasons, trips on the Trenino delle Dolomites, the Adventure Park, the Baby Tofana Land nursery and many other child-friendly centers will welcome you in Cortina.
The town aims to be a reference point for the stay of the whole family, so no member is neglected, each will find their favorite activity and can enjoy highly equipped facilities and safe, well-organized spaces. Children are certainly not excluded, on the contrary, they will be spoiled for choice on activities to do.
What to eat in Cortina
In Cortina d’Ampezzo you will find many typical dishes, cooked according to recipes handed down for generations and all genuine and natural products, capable of tempting even the most refined customers. Many typical dishes have German names, due to cultural and culinary contamination.
Casunzei
These handmade stuffed pasta ravioli are typical of Cortina d’Ampezzo. The most famous are those filled with red beets, strictly served with melted butter and sprinkled with poppy seeds, but each family has its traditional recipe. Also highly appreciated and with a less sweet taste are the green casunzei, filled with spinach and chives.
Canederli
Among the best known and most appreciated dishes in local cuisine, also called Knödel, which belong to Tyrolean cuisine. They are similar to spherical meatballs, made of bread, speck and cheese, recipes vary by family. Canederli are served in meat broth, or dry with melted butter.
Spätzle
They are small gnocchi of Tyrolean tradition, irregular in shape and with an unmistakable dough of spinach, eggs, flour and water. Excellent as a first course, generally seasoned with melted butter or with speck, alternatively you can find them as a side dish with game dishes.
Main courses
Typical ones in Cortina feature meat as the protagonist, among the favorite dishes are roasts and stews, especially game. Interesting and typical are the combinations with mushrooms, berries and seasonal fruit, berries are a must and the accompaniment with lingonberry jam is typical.
Austrian Grostl
It is a typical dish made with potatoes and meat, very tasty and absolutely to try in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Cold cuts and cured meats
As in all mountain locations, a selection of typical cold cuts and cured meats is a must, to be enjoyed as an appetizer or as a single dish on the famous cutting board. Speck, Soppressa, Ossocollo and Salami dominate in Cortina.
Cheeses
In Cortina there are many typical cheeses, the town boasts a great tradition especially for cow’s milk and alpine cheeses. These have a medium-soft consistency and among the best known we mention Contrin, Fodòm, Tosela, Zumelle and Zigher, and Renàz which must be aged for at least 6 months. Schiz, on the other hand, is produced from curd, dried for only a couple of hours and after salting it is ready for consumption.
Patate all’Ampezzana
Among the side dishes we must mention patate all’ampezzana, seasoned with olive oil, onion and Speck.
Desserts
There are many typical desserts to enjoy in Cortina d’Ampezzo, including Nighele, which are doughnuts without filling, or the better-known Krapfen, which are filled with apricot jam especially. Also delicious are the famous Sacher Torte, Apfelstrudel, ricotta cakes, and Fartaies.
Wines
The town does not have a great wine tradition, but all Veneto wines are available for tasting. So there is no shortage of Prosecco, Cabernet, Sauvignon, and Pinot Grigio del Piave. The wines from the Alto Adige side are Gewürztraminer, Kerner, Müller-Thurgau, Riesling, Sylvaner and Lagrein.
Grappas and distillates
Throughout the province of Belluno, China-Coca is highly appreciated, made with China and with the addition of aromatic herbs such as kummel and juniper berries. It is a must to end the meal with a grappa or typical herbal distillate, many mountain huts and restaurants produce their own alcoholic products using secret, or almost secret, blends.
