{"id":32340,"date":"2019-02-01T06:00:32","date_gmt":"2019-02-01T14:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/?p=32340"},"modified":"2025-08-20T22:34:45","modified_gmt":"2025-08-21T05:34:45","slug":"lago-di-braies-italy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/lago-di-braies-italy\/","title":{"rendered":"THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO VISITING LAGO DI BRAIES, ITALY"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Dolomites are my absolute favourite destination in Italy and Lago di Braies is one of the many stunning places to see here.<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t know about you, but whenever my friends talk about their holidays to Italy, they always mention Rome, Milan, the Amalfi Coast or Venice. Don\u2019t get me wrong, they are all beautiful places, but I noticed that people are a lot less likely to mention a visit to the Dolomites and Lago di Braies.<\/p>\n

If you love breathtaking scenery, a wealth of mythological legends, outdoor activities, photography or just visiting unique places, read on to find out why you should add Lago di Braies to your Italian itinerary!<\/p>\n

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1) LAGO DI BRAIES IS A UNESCO HERITAGE SITE<\/h3>\n

If something is a UNESCO heritage site<\/a>, you know it\u2019s going to be good. After all, a place can only be included on this list if it provides an \u2018outstanding universal value\u2019. Considering Lago di Braies is thought of as one of the most beautiful lakes in the world, I guess we can safely justify that fact.<\/p>\n

The best way I can describe Lago di Braies to you is that it\u2019s magical. It looks just like a fairy tale landscape belonging to the elves and faeries.<\/p>\n

Its pristine turquoise waters provide the most stunning glass-like reflection of the Croda Del Becco, and its shores are framed with perfect emerald-green pine trees and snow-capped mountains. It is just breathtaking.<\/p>\n

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2) IT’S HOME TO ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT LEGENDS IN ITALIAN FOLKLORE; THE KINGDOM OF THE FANES<\/h3>\n

If you\u2019re a sucker for mythical legends then you\u2019re in luck. You see, this area was indeed once home to the elves and dwarves. Even the mountains surrounding Lago di Braies are thought to be hiding the entrance to the underground realm of an ancient kingdom.<\/p>\n

As the legend goes, this area was once home to the peaceful Kingdom of the Fanes people. However, after a marriage gone wrong to an evil foreign king, the tale centres around a powerful warrior princess gifted with invincible dwarven armour and a star-crossed love story that ends in magical warfare.<\/p>\n

The war causes the Fanes Kingdom to fall and the survivors flee inside the mountains surrounding Lago di Braies. It is said that the Fanes people continue to wait there until the rebirth of their Kingdom.<\/p>\n

Interested and want to know more?  You can read the full legend here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

You should be aware that it’s still rumoured that the underground realm of the Fanes Kingdom can still be found today, but only by sailing across Lago di Braies by boat to the base of the Croda del Becco.<\/p>\n

In all honesty, standing on the lake’s shores and looking at the beauty of this place has me thinking ‘hmm, maybe the myths could be true…’<\/p>\n

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3) RE-LIVE THE LEGENDS: HIRE A TRADITIONAL ROWBOAT AND SAIL ACROSS LAGO DI BRAIES.<\/h3>\n

If you were inspired by the legend above why not try to travel to the Kingdom of the Fanes yourself?<\/p>\n

Just like the legend, you can hire a traditional wooden rowboat and row to the base of the Croda del Becco in search of the underground realm\u2019s hidden entrance. In fact, up until 100 years ago, you could only access the southern shores of the lake by boat.<\/p>\n

Hiring a boat is definitely one of the highlights of Lago di Braies and for those who find hiking is really not their thing, exploring Lago di Braies by boat provides a relaxing alternative.<\/p>\n

Boats can be hired<\/a> from June to September from 10am-5pm daily. They cost 12 euros for half an hour and 20 euros for 1 hour.<\/p>\n

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4) THERE ARE PLENTY ACTIVITIES TO MAKE FOR A GREAT DAY OUT IN THE SUN<\/h3>\n

No matter if your thing is a casual walk, experienced hike, rock climbing, rowing, fishing or simply lazing by the shore and taking the occasional dip in the pristine alpine waters \u2013 you can do all of it at Lago di Braies.<\/p>\n

The area boasts 34 different hikes from easy to difficult and two climbs. The most well known and easiest of the hikes is the route around the lake, suitable for adults and children over 7.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t underestimate it though, the route does involve going beneath a mountain, up and down a large number of stairs and can get pretty high at times. It\u2019ll also set you back 1.5 \u2013 2 hours.<\/p>\n

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5) LAGO DI BRAIES IS THE PERFECT PLACE FOR A MAGICAL PICNIC<\/h3>\n

Lago di Braies might be quite well known, but if you\u2019re expecting it to be a tourist friendly hotspot with numerous cafes, restaurants and places to buy drinks, think again. It is highly recommended you pack plenty of food and water for your time here.<\/p>\n

In saying this though, the best thing about Lago di Braies is that it\u2019s not built up which makes it the perfect excuse to have a picnic! And amongst such a gorgeous setting, could anything be more ideal?<\/p>\n

Around there lake, you\u2019ll find various places with picnic tables, but if they are all full, you can always set up your picnic by the water.<\/p>\n

Psst \u2013 there are no bins in the area, so make sure to take all rubbish with you!<\/p>\n

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6) IT HAS IMPORTANT TIES TO WWII AND THE HOSTAGES OF THE SS<\/h3>\n

If modern history is more your thing, you should visit inside Lago di Braies Chapel and Hotel Lago di Braies<\/a>. Both are closely linked to the hostages of the SS, during the end of World War II<\/a> which, just like the fairy tale legend, is also a fascinating story.<\/p>\n

The hostages were a group of 139 prominent aristocrats, politicians and clerics from 17 European countries. The reason for being held hostage? To be used as Hitler\u2019s human shields in the last days of the war.<\/p>\n

Hitler\u2019s plan was to send them to his \u201cAlpine Fortress\u201d as they made their last stand against the Allies. The SS was given the orders that if the German military weakened, they were to execute all the prisoners.<\/p>\n

As the days passed, Germany\u2019s military grew fragile causing the situation to become more and more volatile. In response, the US Army launched a desperate rescue effort to save the hostages before they we killed.<\/p>\n

When the prisoners were liberated, they were brought to the lake where Hotel Lago di Braies<\/a> owner Emma Heiss-Hellenstainer welcomed the prisoners and was key in their rehabilitation.<\/p>\n

To this day, you can experience this piece of history through the memorabilia on site.<\/p>\n

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7) CAPTURE THE MOST BREATHTAKING MEMORIES<\/h3>\n

Leaving the best \u2018til last, my favourite thing to do at Lago di Braies was take photos. No matter the weather or the season you visit, Lago di Braies is always looking beautiful, so come prepared with your camera.<\/p>\n

As a keen photographer, my top tip is to arrive early to avoid the crowds, especially if you\u2019re visiting in peak season. I made sure I was staying close<\/a> to Lago di Braies so it was easy to start my day bright and early at 7am.<\/p>\n

Yes, I know it\u2019s early, but it was so nice and peaceful to walk around the lake and really take my time with my photography. Definitely worth it, especially because I couldn\u2019t have asked for better memories to look back on!<\/p>\n

I hope this post has inspired you to add Lago di Braies to your list of Italian destinations. It truly is a beautiful area no matter where you look and there\u2019s a myriad of things to see, do and explore in the Dolomites region. Can\u2019t wait to hear all about what you discover here too!<\/p>\n

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GENERAL INFO<\/h3>\n

Price<\/h4>\n

Entry to Lago di Braies is free, however, if you\u2019ve travelled by car you will need to pay for parking. There are a few paid carparks located very close to the lake, but I can imagine in peak season it would get crowded.<\/p>\n

Parking costs 2 euros for the day if you arrive before 7am, 6-8 euro if you arrive between 7am – 5pm and costs 4 euro after 5pm.<\/p>\n

Opening Hours<\/h4>\n

The lake is open at all hours of the day and night, all year round.<\/p>\n

Site Facilities<\/h4>\n