{"id":168781,"date":"2025-05-18T14:09:00","date_gmt":"2025-05-18T14:09:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/smilingway.cz\/lago-di-braies-the-most-beautiful-lake-in-the-dolomites-complete-guide\/"},"modified":"2024-05-19T15:04:44","modified_gmt":"2024-05-19T15:04:44","slug":"lago-di-braies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/smilingway.cz\/en\/lago-di-braies\/","title":{"rendered":"Lago di Braies: the most beautiful lake in the Dolomites | Complete Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Lago di Braies (German: Pragser Wildsee) is the most famous lake in the Italian Dolomites<\/a>. It is rightly one of the most beautiful and most visited lakes in the Alps and Italy. In this article, we’ll cover all the information and tips you’ll need before your visit to Lake Braies – where to park at Lago di Braies, how much it costs to rent a wooden boat, where to hike in the area, and other Lake Braies attractions. <\/p>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t

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  1. Lago di Braies<\/a>
  2. Basic facts about Lago di Braies<\/a>
  3. How to get to Lago di Braies?<\/a>
  4. Parking at Lago di Braies<\/a>
  5. When to visit Lago di Braies?<\/a>
  6. Boat rental on Lago di Braies<\/a>
  7. Accommodation in the surroundings of Lago di Braies<\/a>
  8. Where to eat around the lake?<\/a>
  9. Swimming in Lago di Braies<\/a>
  10. Hiking around Lake Braies<\/a>
  11. Map of Lago di Braies<\/a>
  12. More information about Dolomites<\/a><\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\n\n
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    Lago di Braies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Lago di Braies is an Italian lake in the Dolomites, famous for its turquoise to emerald water reflecting the mighty peaks of the surrounding mountains. The atmosphere is completed by green pines and larches, which in autumn envelop the lake in warm colours. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The whole lake is literally like a magnet for visitors. Everyone wants to take a ride on an iconic wooden boat and enjoy an iconic place in the Dolomites. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"lago<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    In the photos, the lake appears to be a peaceful place to enjoy the atmosphere with just a few other tourists. But the idea here is quite different from the reality. So much so that the local authorities have created restrictions for the high season, which we’ll talk about as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Hundreds of tourists, large parking areas and refreshment stands make the lake a place for mass tourism. Unfortunately, not everyone behaves with respect for nature and disturbs the sensitive ecosystem of the lake and its surroundings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The good news is that most of these visitors take a photo at the beginning of the lake by the wooden boathouse, have a hot dog and move on. If you have more time, be sure to take a tour around the lake or head to the local mountains. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"lago<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Basic facts about Lago di Braies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The lake is located in the Braies valley at an altitude of 1,496 metres at the northernmost point of the Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park, adjacent to the Tre Cime National Park<\/a>. It covers an area of 31 hectares (1.2 km in length and 300-400 m in width) and with a depth of 36 m it is the deepest lake in the Dolomites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Lago di Braies is a natural lake created by a landslide that blocked the Braies River. The clear water reflects the northern side of the imposing Croda del Becco (Seekofel in German, 2810 m). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The lake is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its beauty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"lago<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    On the west side of the lake behind the Pragser Wildsee Hotel you will find the church that played its role at the end of the 2nd World War. World War II. Some 137 political prisoners were taken from concentration camps in Germany on the orders of the SS commander, who hoped to exchange them for his own safety. The exchange took place at the Pragser Wildsee Hotel and the freed prisoners then prayed in the church on the shores of Lake Braies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    According to legend, miners mined gold and precious stones in the local mountains. Local herdsmen tried to steal their treasure. They failed to do so, however, because the miners opened an underground spring that created Lake Braies, where the miners subsequently hid their treasure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"lago<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    How to get to Lago di Braies?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Lago di Braies by car<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    The lake is located in northern Italy in South Tyrol. The journey from Prague and Brno will take you about 7 and a half hours (670 km). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    On the way, you will be charged for an Austrian vignette. <\/strong>In 2024, a 10-day vignette for Austria costs \u20ac11.50 (\u20ac4.60 for motorcycles), a two-month vignette \u20ac28.90 and an annual vignette \u20ac96.40. A new one-day pass is also on offer for \u20ac8.60, but it’s not worth it given the other prices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You can buy the vignette at official sales points such as petrol stations, post offices and some kiosks at the border, or online at the official ASFINAG website<\/a>. The easiest option is to buy online, which works similarly to the Czech Republic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"lago<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    In addition to the vignette, Austria is known for its toll sections (so-called section tolls), for which you have to pay separately. <\/strong>Travellers from Prague and the Czech Republic will mostly be charged \u20ac13 for crossing the Brenner Pass. From Moravia you can probably avoid the toll sections, but you can still check your route on the map below (toll sections are marked in green). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You can pay in cash or by card directly at the tollgate, or you can pay by credit card at the tollgate. online on the ASFINAG website<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Even though the entire Fanes-Sennes-Braies National Park is inaccessible by car, the lake can be reached comfortably via the SS49 national road, from which you turn off to Schmieden-Ferrara. After a few minutes you are a few steps from the lake. See the article below for more about parking at the lake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    By bus to Lago di Braies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Buses are a great option if you are staying nearby or parking further away from the lake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Bus line no. The 442 from Dobbiaco runs all year round (every 30 minutes in high season) and costs \u20ac5 (children under 6 free). Payment is only possible in cash directly with the driver and in high season between 10th July and 10th September then you must book at prags.bz<\/a>. From Dobbiaco it takes 30 minutes by bus. Mobilcards, HolidayPass or Almencard are valid on bus routes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This line is supplemented in high season by line 439 from Monguelfo, which runs for 20 minutes. Advance booking<\/a> required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"lago<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Restrictions for period 10th July to 10th September<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    If you plan to visit Lake Braies and the Pragser Tal valley between 10th July and 10th September, restrictions on car travel apply. To avoid these restrictions, you must arrive before 9:30 or after 16:00. For this reason, I recommend that you plan your visit to the lake for early morning or later in the afternoon – even in high season there will be only a fraction of tourists at these times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If you come here between 9:30-16:00, you must book parking in advance, use public buses, cycle or walk. We’ll talk more below. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"lago<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Buses in the period 10th July to 10th September 9:30-16:00<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    If you plan to take the bus (see above), you must reserve your seat \n book your seat in advance. <\/a>\n<\/strong>Outside these times you can take any bus towards Lake Braies and no reservation is needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Parking during the period 10th July to 10th September 9:30-16:00<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    If you arrive at Lago di Braies between 09:30-16:00, you must reserve a parking space in advance.<\/strong> This booking confirmation will then be presented on site. <\/strong>Outside of this period and time, reservations are not required. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    There are several parking lots to choose from and prices are valid for prime time (outside of this time they are lower): <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n