🚫 2024 SEASON UPDATE: DATES FOR SEPTEMBER THROUGH MID OCTOBER ARE SOLD OUT.

🚫 The Lago di Braies hotel and the boathouse are two separately run businesses. One will not have information about the other.

🚫 A photographer IS NOT INCLUDED in the boathouse reservation

🚫 A new “elopement” package is available for €380 — I do NOT recommend it. More below.

✅ Currently, the boathouse is bookable from 18th, May – 3rd, November, 2024

✅ The booking platform for 2025 is not yet open (it usually opens in JAN/FEB)

✅ You are able to access the parking area and lake year round, just not the boats/boathouse.

✅ Lago di Braies is beautiful in the winter also – I am available for photography sessions year round.

The rules for renting boats at Lago di Braies for photos changed in 2023.

Be careful of the information you read in older blogs – most content out there is now inaccurate!

At the end of 2022, the 50 year lease which permitted the boathouse to operate expired. The lease was quickly renegotiated, but with some significant changes.

As of May 2023, pricing and availability looks a lot different than in the past. Any information about renting boats for photos before this year is now outdated.

What do these changes mean for your Lago di Braies boat photoshoot?

Mainly, the new boat rental website outlines a fresh booking process and higher pricing for private boat rentals. There are also now fully private sunrise slot where you can rent the boathouse entirely for yourself. This is ideal for wedding or elopement ceremonies!

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: 7 tips for engagement photos at Lago di Braies

#1 Private boathouse reservations for photoshoots on Lago di Braies are €400

Yes, you read that right. Exclusively renting boats at Lago di Braies for photos is now €400. Considering this is one of the few “venues” at a location like this available for exclusive rental — it’s a very good price.

Lago di Braies sees between 10k and 15k visitors A DAY in the high season of July and August. That’s a lot of people in a very small area.

Sustainability has been a huge topic in Süd Tirol due to the mass tourism in the area, and this is a step in the right direction. Raising prices to minimize the impact of tourism on the ecosystem of the lake is the only way to keep this place the way it is.

If you’re a casual traveller to the area, please consider biking up to the lake from the Papin bike rental shop nearby to reduce traffic and parking issues near the lake.

#2 Sustainable tourism for the Süd Tirol region is IN

Overtourism has been an issue in Italy for a long time, but reached a peak in recent years. Süd Tirol is following in the steps of Venice and restricting travel to certain areas by capping numbers and blocking roads during midday hours.

The mountain culture in all of the Alps is about a oneness with nature. This goes back ages for the people who live here. Tourism means more people, and more people means less of that oneness we all come to the area to experience.

The carbon emissions of increased traffic, infrastructure and an exploding Airbnb scene have led to out of control air, water, light and noise pollution levels.

The people and wildlife who call this area home thank you for doing what it takes to help us keep it clean, quiet and beautiful!

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Sustainably Eloping at Cadini di Misurina, Tre Cime National Park

Here is a breakdown of the time slots and new pricing structure for renting boats on Lago di Braies:

SUNRISE TIME SLOTS:

MAY 25 TO JUNE 15: 07.00 – 08.30 a.m.

JUNE 16 TO SEPTEMBER 8TH: 06.30 – 08.00 a.m

SEPTEMBER 9TH TO SEPTEMBER 29TH: 07.30 – 09.00 a.m.

SEPTEMBER 30TH TO NOVEMBER 3RD: 08.30 – 10.00 a.m.

PRO TIP – THE €400 EXCLUSIVE RENTAL IS BEST FOR: wedding ceremonies, elopement vows, proposals, bespoke floral setups, first looks, vows and undisturbed reflections in the water.

Lago di Braies “ELOPEMENT” package, normal hours, not private

Cost: €380

Advanced booking: yes; time slots are typically 10:30, 12:30 and 14:30

Time: 90 minutes

Number of boats: 1

What you also get: a bouquet, a bottle of champagne, one private section of the boat ramp and deck, and no wait in line

WHY I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS OPTION: they still have a lot of work to do to make this option attractive, based on my experience with it. It costs the same as the 100% private sunrise booking, but with no exclusivity. Instagrammers, families, tourists and their dogs will be crawling all over the dock and rowing in the water. It’s chaos. In my opinion, as it currently is, it should be half the cost. The decorations are hideous and cheap, and you have zero control over the type of bouquet you recieve. The worst part is they are branding it as an “elopement” package, demonstrating they still really don’t know what an “elopement” is, but are keen to make money off of it. Do not book this option, especially if you are an eloping couple wanting privacy. It’s a harsh review, but you deserve to know (La Palafitta, if you read this, please consult some elopement planners and photographers to dial this one in, we have thoughts…)

Lago di Braies e-Bike and Boat rental

Cost: €69 per person

Advanced booking: Yes, advanced bookings open 4 days before.

What’s included: an e-Bike from the Papin bike rental shop, a mean from Tuscherhof, 30 minute seat on a shared boat rental during normal opening hours

How to get to Lago di Braies with this option: 6.3km (4 miles) straight up the road to Lago di Braies. It’s a 15 minute bicycle ride with a slight bit of elevation on the way up.

Why this option: it reduces traffic to the lake, which sees up to 15k visitors a DAY in high season. It also allows you to skip the line at the boathouse with your reservation.

NOTE: DURING HIGH SEASON BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 09:00 AND 16:00, YOU’LL STILL NEED TO BOOK A TICKET TO GO UP THE ROAD ONCE YOU TURN OFF THE SS49 HIGHWAY AT THE ROUNDABOUT!!!

From July 10th to September 10th, you must book a reservation to reach Lago di Braies by car between the hours of 9:00 am and 4:00 pm. Hotel guests at any of the valley hotels are an exception.

https://www.prags.bz/en

READ MORE BLOGS ON PLANNING ELOPEMENTS IN THE DOLOMITES:

• Dolomites Elopement Budget Guide
• What are Adventure Engagement photos?
• What to wear for a Dolomites elopement
• MORE DOLOMITES GUIDES