The village at the head of Val di Fassa, at the foot of the Sella and the Marmolada, a base for the Sellaronda and the Vajolet Towers.
A short history
Canazei, Cianacei in Ladin, closes Val di Fassa at 1,465 metres, where the valley narrows beneath the great peaks. It is the highest and most touristic village in the valley, ringed by the Sella, Pordoi and Fedaia passes and by three of the most famous Dolomite massifs.
For centuries it was a village of Ladin farmers and herders, with scattered mountain farms and life set by the summer pastures. The turning point came with mountaineering: between the late 1800s and early 1900s the first climbing parties chose Canazei as their base for the Catinaccio, the Sassolungo and the Marmolada.
Today the village lives on tourism all year round. In winter it is a stop on the Sellaronda, the ski circuit around the Sella group; in summer it is the starting point for the cable cars up to the Pordoi and towards the Queen of the Dolomites. The Ladin language and festivals stay alive in the centre and the hamlets.
The people of Canazei are called Pazedins, after the pazeida, the wooden vessel once used to prepare cajoncìe, the filled ravioli of Fassa tradition. They remain one of the signature dishes of the local kitchen, along with canederli dumplings and torta de fregoloti. The village name instead comes from the Latin cannacetum, the bed of reeds that recalls the old marshy valley floor.
Every September Canazei hosts the Gran Festa da d'Istà, the gathering that brings the five Ladin valleys together for three days of music, costumes and traditional food. In winter the old Ladin carnival returns, the Carnascèr de Fascia, with its Laché and Marascon masks. The Marmolada, which closes the valley, is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Dolomites.
How to fit Canazei into a three, five or seven day trip: The Dolomites in 3, 5 or 7 Days: How to Plan Your Trip.
What to see
- The Marmolada glacier, the highest peak in the Dolomites, reached by cable car from the nearby Fedaia Pass.
- The Vajolet Towers and refuge, in the heart of the Catinaccio, a classic goal for those setting out from the valley.
- The Sella and Pordoi passes, with their cable cars and the Sellaronda, the famous loop that circles the Sella group.
How to get to Canazei
By car you leave the A22 Brenner motorway at Egna/Ora and drive up Val di Fiemme and then Val di Fassa to the head of the valley, where Canazei lies. Those coming from South Tyrol can climb from Bolzano along the main road, or cross the Sella, Pordoi and Fedaia passes in the warm season. The nearest railway station is Bolzano; from there line buses run up the valley to the village.
When to go
Summer, from June to September, is the best time for the cable cars, the walks towards the Marmolada and the Vajolet Towers, and the tours over the passes. In winter Canazei is a stop on the Sellaronda and a ski centre, with snow guaranteed at altitude. Spring and autumn are quieter, but several lifts stay closed between one season and the next.
Frequently asked questions
What to see in Canazei?
The Marmolada glacier by cable car from the Fedaia Pass, the Vajolet Towers in the Catinaccio, the Sella and Pordoi passes with their cable cars and, in winter, the Sellaronda circling the Sella group.
How do you get to Canazei?
By car you leave the A22 Brenner motorway at Egna/Ora and drive up Val di Fiemme and Val di Fassa to the head of the valley. You can also climb from Bolzano or over the Dolomite passes. By train the nearest station is Bolzano, then you continue by bus.
What is the Sellaronda?
It is the skiing and cycling loop that circles the Sella group, linking four valleys and their passes. Canazei is one of the classic bases to set off from, on skis in winter and by bike over the passes in summer.
What do you eat in Canazei?
The signature dish is cajoncìe, the filled ravioli of Fassa tradition. With them you find canederli dumplings, polenta, mountain-hut cheeses such as Tosella and Puzzone di Moena, and desserts like strudel and torta de fregoloti.
Why is Canazei famous?
It is the highest and most touristic village in Val di Fassa, a base for the Sellaronda, the Marmolada and the Vajolet Towers. It is also a lively centre of Ladin culture, with the Gran Festa da d'Istà in September and the Carnascèr de Fascia carnival.
How do you reach the Marmolada glacier from Canazei?
You reach the nearby Fedaia Pass and from there the cable car climbs in several sections to Punta Rocca, near the summit. It is the easiest way to get up high on the tallest mountain in the Dolomites.