We’ve found 12 beautiful homestays with the likes of natural biopools, ancient timber walls, and their own farm shops stocked with fresh local produce

Few places on Earth match the natural beauty of the Dolomites, and Airbnbs across the region bring you up close and personal with its unparalleled scenery. Comprising 18 imposing peaks and a number of deep valleys in between, the northern Italian mountain range has earned recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its unique rock formations, and now is home to a charming medley of sprawling ski resorts, crystal-clear lakes, and Alpine villages.

Whether you’re looking to recharge after adrenaline-fuelled snow sports or soak up the scenery in all its summer glory, Airbnb is your best bet for a comfortable base in the midst of nature. These homestays range from traditional chalets to stylish design apartments, but all have one simple, irresistible thing in common: incredible mountain views. Below are 12 of the best Airbnbs in the Dolomites for your next Alpine adventure, hand-picked by our editors.

• For couples: Aumia Apartment, Völs am Schlern
• For families: Chalet Castanea, Dickerhof
• For big groups: Maria 1936, Colle Santa Lucia
• For interior design fans: Chalet Apis, Dickerhof
• For a room with a view: Ciasa Lachin, Lungiarü

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  Chalet Castanea, Dickerhof

  What a dream for outdoorsy families – this three-bed chalet is swept up high on a working farm, for a relaxing break at altitude with wholesome farmstay sensibilities. While little ones explore the treehouse, dig in the sandpit, and say hello to the animals, parents can relax in the biopool, Finnish sauna, or the dedicated relaxation space in the lounge. The whole place is stylish in the way that Italians do best, with a separate living and kitchen space, perfect for preparing a big family supper after a bucolic day hiking through South Tyrol’s imposing pine forests. Alternatively, scrap the washing up and head out to the terrace for a barbecue over the crackling fire pit instead – much more fun.

  Sleeps: Five
  Price: From around £619 for a four-night stay

• 

  NICOLAS SCHANUNG

  Woodland retreat with spa facilities

  When an Airbnb receives a five-star rating from over 180 users, it’s hard not to have high expectations – but this private apartment in a woodland farmhouse does not disappoint. The state-of-the-art spa room has a wood-burning hot tub, spacious sauna, and unique straw bed for those who want the literal ‘touching grass’ experience. The generous hosts deliver breakfast to your doorstep each morning using deliciously fresh products from their own farm. Interiors also embrace a rustic vibe, with lightwood floors, ceilings and walls complemented by chequered red tablecloths and woolly bedroom furnishings. But it’s the outdoor spaces which really steal the show here, as the magical forest in your back garden drifts from fiery golden to sparkling white to lush green alongside the changing seasons, and a myriad of enchanting walking trails and ski resorts are all in close reach.

  Sleeps: Five
  Price: From around £327 per night

• 

  Aumia Apartment, Völs am Schlern

  The Sciliar peak looms large right beyond the full-length windows in this dreamy two-bed apartment, which mixes glimmers of gold and green within its smart contemporary interiors with endless bucolic vistas. Ask your hosts and they can send fresh bread rolls to your door for breakfast, best enjoyed on the sweeping wraparound terrace, where you’ll enjoy more panoramic views of what the Dolomites do best. After a day’s stomp around the mountains, return to a bubble bath in the deep freestanding soaking tub, then tuck up in the hotel-worthy bedsheets ready to do it all again the next day.

  Sleeps: Four
  Price: From around £740 per night

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  Maria 1936, Colle Santa Lucia

  Talk about a room with a view: this beautifully restored hay barn from the 1930s has truly unobstructed views of Mount Pelmo from every angle. Folded into the hillsides in the Dolomites’ idyllic Superski region, this feels as authentic as stay as you’ll ever find, with traditional Stube wood heaters, three elegant bedrooms looking out over more rugged peak vistas, and bright velvet sofas in warm shades of mustard and olive. Get ready for a jam-packed break, too. With world-class hiking trails straight from the front door and endless ski slopes within touching distance, this is a characterful bolthole for adventurous types who prefer to spend their holidays taking in great gulps of fresh air.

  Sleeps: Seven
  Price: From around £1,456 for a four-night stay

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  Maso Florindo, Vermiglio

  Just a 10-minute stroll from Passo Tonale, a family-friendly ski resort with 46 pistes, this Airbnb is the ideal Dolomites base for snowsports enthusiasts. A lovely mixture of cobblestone and wood-panelled walls, this cosy barn dates back to the 1800s, noticeable through details like the traditional alpine stove and nostalgic oak furniture. A pretty fenced garden wraps around the property, providing panoramic mountain views, plus there’s a small patio with a built-in stone barbecue and dining bench. Unwind after endless hours of soaring down slopes in either the double or bunkbed room, both with pretty oil paintings and plenty of wardrobe space.

  Sleeps: Four
  Price: From around £436 per night

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  Dahoam, Schenna

  Snowy landscapes mean outdoor swimming pools are a rare sight in the Dolomites, but this Airbnb is not stopped by the cooler climates. The stylish loft is found in a small complex of five apartments, all available to rent on Airbnb and sharing the wonderful garden. Surrounded by stripy farmland, find a roomy Finnish sauna, jacuzzi tub and, best of all, sweeping natural swimming pool which peers across the Scena valley. The apartment itself neatly slots all the necessary amenities into one bright room: sleek kitchen, leather sofa, round dining table, queen-size bed. From the sustainable lightwood interiors to the roof blanketed in solar panels, this stay receives a stamp of eco-approval, too.

  Sleeps: Two
  Price: From around £656 for a three-night stay

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  Rene Gruber

  Aura Chalets, Castelrotto

  Travellers seeking a quintessential alpine experience should consider a stay at this Airbnb, found in one of the region’s loveliest towns with a Germanic touch. Explore pastel-painted homes, German-speaking locals, and heart-warming fusion menus in the centre, before returning to your very own cabin on the outskirts. Here you will find a queen-size bedroom, swish living-dining area (with the option to add a sofa bed), and a rain shower bathroom with two sinks. For soothing baths with a view, there’s also a free-standing tub in the bedroom, where you can gaze upon flower-speckled meadows during the summer, and piles of gleaming snow during the winter.

  Sleeps: Four
  Price: From around £1,670 for a four-night stay

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  The Treehouse, Völs am Schlern

  Sometimes less is more, and this Airbnb emulates the earthy simplicity of a treehouse to create a cosy yet sophisticated design. Natural hues and handcrafted furniture bring the vision to life, not to mention lots and lots of wood, while the slightly elevated position is ideal for admiring the Dolomites scenery. Spaces are centred around this stunning view, with a dainty garden table on the front-facing balcony, and a large sofa facing the window walls inside. In the same room, there’s also a semi-equipped kitchenette with a fridge-freezer, toaster, and electric cooker, while the plush bed is tucked behind curtains in the corner. Don’t miss the incredible swimming pond a short stroll away either, perfect for refreshing morning dips and evening paddles beneath the stars.

  Sleeps: Two
  Price: From around £959 for a six-night stay