As of: March 28, 2024, 9:00 a.m
By: Franziska Kaindl
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South Tyrol is a popular holiday destination for German tourists. However, in some places access restrictions apply during peak season.
In Italy, many areas and cities are struggling with mass tourism. A glowing example of this is Venice, whose picturesque lagoons attract more tourists every year than the city has residents. For this reason, there is an entry fee for day guests on some weekends this year. But the impressive nature, from paradisiacal beaches to dreamy mountain lakes, also attracts huge swarms of visitors. Access restrictions for tourists have also been in effect for a lake in South Tyrol since 2021.
Book in good time: Access to the popular mountain lake in the Dolomites is limited in summer
Lake Braies is a popular photo motif among Instagrammers. © Pond5 Images/Imago
We're talking about Lake Braies in the middle of the Dolomites. One look at it makes it clear why it is such a popular photo motif: framed by a rocky cirque, with the majestic Seekofel mountain behind it, it is also considered the “Pearl of the Dolomite Lakes”. Its popularity is also reflected in the number of tourists: 1.2 million visitors are said to have come to the Braies Valley from July to September 2018 alone, as the Autonomous Region of Bolzano-South Tyrol reported in a statement in 2020. On a peak day in August there were even 17,874 people.
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How to visit Lake Braies in the summer months
In order to make visitor flows more sustainable and to protect the sensitive ecosystem, it was decided to restrict access during the main season. Therefore, this year from July 10th to September 10th from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Braies Valley can only be reached by public transport, on foot or by bike. A shuttle (line 439 from Welsberg and line 442 from Toblach and Niederdorf) is available for day tourists who choose public transport. A ticket for this should be booked online in advance. Places are limited.
But there are also options for tourists with private cars to drive to Lake Braies. To do this, however, they must be able to show an online parking space reservation or a passage permit. The transit permit applies, for example, to guests who want to visit a restaurant or shop. The deposit of 20 euros will be offset against the purchase or food.
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However, a visit is most relaxed for overnight guests, as they are exempt from the regulations. You will receive a passage permit for the entire duration of your stay and can go to Lake Braies at any time without restrictions. But if you would rather try something new, you can simply take a look at the holiday regions in Italy that are most popular with the locals.