Seiser Alm – A Must-Visit Gem in the Dolomites
The Seiser Alm (Alpe di Siusi) is one of the most famous locations in the Dolomites and rightfully so! It’s also one of my absolute favorite places. With its vast, rolling meadows and stunning mountain backdrop, it offers some of the most breathtaking scenery you can find in the region.
Best Time to Visit
Seiser Alm is a fantastic destination year-round, but for me, summer is the absolute best time to go. That’s when the meadows are lush and green, creating the perfect contrast against the dramatic peaks. If you visit too early in the season, such as in May, you might still find patches of snow or brown spots in the grass—not ideal, but still beautiful in its own way. To get a real-time impression of the conditions, I highly recommend checking the webcam before your visit!
Sunrise or Sunset?
Both sunrise and sunset are magical here, but if you have to choose one, sunrise is the winner. The first light hitting the peaks of the Dolomites is simply spectacular and well worth the early wake-up call (and if you are lucky, you will get some fog as well). If you plan to photograph the sunrise, I recommend staying overnight on the Seiser Alm (more below).
Getting to Seiser Alm – Important Information
Access to Seiser Alm has changed in recent years, and it's not as simple as it used to be. Here’s what you need to know:
Road Restrictions: The road to Compatsch, the main entry point to Seiser Alm, is closed to private vehicles from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM during the summer season (typically from June to October). This means you cannot drive up between these hours unless you are staying overnight at one of the hotels on the plateau. Especially in summer, on weekends, or during good weather, the parking spaces in Compatsch can fill up early. When this happens, the road might be closed even before 9:00 AM! If you plan to drive up, make sure to arrive as early as possible to secure a spot.
Parking & Gondola: If you’re not staying overnight, you have two options:
Drive up before 9:00 AM and park at the P2 parking lot in Compatsch or P1 parking lot Spitzbühl (The P2 parking lot is the closest to Seiser Alm but expensive. P1, on the other hand, has been free so far and is about a 20-minute walk from P2. If you plan to spend the whole day at Seiser Alm, I recommend parking at P1 and using the saved money to enjoy some food or drinks at one of the alpine huts instead).
Park in Seis am Schlern and take the gondola up. The cable car operates from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM (check exact seasonal times here). Price 28,50€
Parking Fees at P2 Compatsch (keep in mind P1 parking is for free):
0–3 hours: €10
3–6 hours: €15
6–9 hours: €20
9+ hours: €25
Traveling with a Camper? If you plan to visit with a camper van, be aware that overnight parking is not allowed on Seiser Alm. However, there are designated campsites in the valley where you can stay overnight before heading up in the morning.
Sunrise at Seiser Alm: If you want to capture the sunrise on Seiser Alm in summer but aren’t staying at a hotel up there, you’ll face the following problem (which I’ve personally experienced as well! 😄). Parking on Seiser Alm is officially prohibited between 11 PM and 6 AM, and the barrier at the paid P2 parking lot is supposedly locked during these hours.
This means you’ll have to park at the slightly more distant P1, which is technically not allowed before 6 AM there as well. Sleeping in your car or van is strictly forbidden in the parking areas and is reportedly checked quite often in summer.
We arrived before sunrise (and thus before 6 AM), parked at P1, and then hiked to the marked sunrise spot on Seiser Alm, which took us about 1 to 1.5 hours. I have to point out that this is not officially permitted, but at the moment, it seems to be the only way to photograph the sunrise unless you stay overnight in an accommodation up there.
That being said, we did see a few people sleeping in their cars and camper vans that morning. However, it wasn’t summer anymore, so enforcement might have been more relaxed at that time.
Check here all information about getting to Seiser Alm
Hikes
There is so much to explore on Seiser Alm, with plenty of hiking trails that are easy to walk and often feel more like scenic strolls. There’s something for everyone here, no matter the age or fitness level. The hike to the spot shown in the photos takes around 1 to 1.5 hours (one way), depending on your pace (use google maps or maps.me and this coordinates (46°33'00.0"N 11°39'27.9"E). If you want hike longer check the following routes.
My Personal Recommendation
If you’re serious about capturing the perfect sunrise shot, consider staying overnight on the Seiser Alm. Most accommodations here tend to be on the pricier side, but if you book early or during the shoulder seasons, you might find a good deal. Staying up there will save you the hassle of navigating the restricted road access in the morning, and you’ll have the best possible experience capturing the stunning alpine glow at dawn.
No matter when or how you visit, the Seiser Alm is a place you won’t forget. Enjoy your trip!
