No. Swimming in Lake Misurina is not allowed, and it never has been. If you’ve read somewhere that the “calm waters” make it perfect for a dip, ignore that — it’s not accurate, and I’ll explain exactly why below, plus what you can actually do here instead.
I’ve lived and worked around this lake for over twenty years, and the swimming question comes up almost every week in summer. So let’s deal with it properly.
Why swimming is prohibited at Lake Misurina
Two separate reasons stack up here, and either one alone would probably be enough.
First, Lake Misurina is part of a protected water reserve. It’s not just a scenic pond for tourists — it feeds into a system that needs to stay clean, and unrestricted swimming isn’t compatible with that. A local ordinance formally bans swimming in the lake, and the local police enforce it.
Second, and just as important: there’s no lifeguard, no beach staff, no supervision of any kind. If someone got into trouble in the water, there’d be no one on hand to help immediately. At 1,754 metres (5,755 feet) above sea level, that’s not a small detail — help from outside takes time to arrive.
Put those two together and the ban makes complete sense. It’s not bureaucracy for its own sake.
What the water is actually like
Even if swimming were permitted, I wouldn’t recommend it casually. Lake Misurina sits at altitude, and the water temperature in summer typically runs around 12-18°C (54-64°F). This year, with less water in the lake than usual, it might be a degree or two warmer, but that’s still cold enough to cause real problems.
The specific risk is thermal shock — your body reacting badly to sudden cold immersion. This is more dangerous than people expect, especially if you’ve just finished a hike and arrive at the lake sweating and overheated. Jumping into water that cold in that state is genuinely risky, not just uncomfortable.
In winter, the lake freezes over on the surface. That should tell you something about how cold this water stays even outside the coldest months.
If you want to feel just how cold it actually is without any risk, walk to where the streams come into the lake from the north, a short way past Hotel Miralago. You can dip a hand in there, or at one of the fountains around the shore, and get the point without going anywhere near “swim.”
A story that sums it up
A few summers ago I watched a group of American tourists arrive at the lake with beach chairs and an umbrella, clearly planning to set up for the afternoon like they were at the seaside. They didn’t get far. Other visitors — not police, not any official — told them to pack it up. No one had to call anyone; the other people at the lake handled it themselves.
That’s the level this rule operates at here. It’s not just a sign nobody reads. Visitors themselves treat it as obvious, which tells you how deeply it’s understood locally.
What you can actually do at Lake Misurina
The lake itself isn’t off-limits — just swimming in it. Two things are genuinely worth your time:
Renting a rowing boat. This is the one activity that puts you on the water itself, legally and without any grey area. It’s a good way to see the lake from a different angle, especially with the Tre Cime di Lavaredo (Three Peaks) group visible in the background on a clear day. Details on availability and how it works are on our boat rental page.
Walking the lake circuit. A flat, easy loop around the shoreline, doable by almost anyone including families with young kids. It’s the simplest way to get a proper look at the lake without needing any gear or planning. We cover the route in detail on the lake circuit page.
If you’re after background on the lake itself — history, how to get here — that’s covered on the main Lake Misurina page.
Fishing is a different story
Unlike swimming, fishing is allowed on the lake and in the nearby Popena stream, for anyone with the right paperwork. You’ll need an Italian fishing licence plus a daily permit (around €16 for the 2026 season), which you can buy at the Despar shop in Misurina, just below the Grand Hotel, or online through the Hooking website. There are catch rules in place (some zones are catch-and-release only), and Tuesdays are a no-fishing day. If fishing interests you, it’s worth checking current details before you go, since permit costs and rules can shift year to year.
If you want an actual swim nearby
Lake Misurina isn’t the place for it, but there is a real option in the area. Lake Issengo (Issinger Weiher), in the Val Pusteria/Pustertal valley, is about an hour’s drive from Misurina. It’s small, but it’s set up for swimming — shallow water, and playgrounds nearby, which makes it a decent choice if you’ve got kids and want a low-key afternoon by (and in) the water rather than just looking at it.
It won’t have the same backdrop as the Dolomites peaks around Misurina, but it does what Misurina can’t: let you actually get in.
Same question, different lake
If you’re planning a wider Dolomites trip, you’ll likely ask the same question about Lake Braies, Lake Sorapiss, Lake Landro or Lake Carezza. I can’t give you a blanket answer for all of them — rules and conditions vary lake by lake, and I’d rather not guess at what I haven’t checked myself. What I can tell you is not to assume anything based on photos: a lake that looks like a postcard doesn’t necessarily behave like one. Check the specific rules for whichever lake you’re heading to, the same way you just did for this one.
Worth visiting even without a swim
If you came here specifically hoping to swim, I get that it’s a letdown. But the lake is still worth the stop for the walk around it and the view toward the Tre Cime, and it works well as a base for heading further into the area — toward the Cadini di Misurina viewpoint or the trails around Sorapiss, both accessible from Auronzo di Cadore.
If it’s your first time on these trails and you’d rather not handle route-finding and logistics yourself, GetYourGuide lists guided Dolomites hikes departing from Cortina and Auronzo — a sensible option for turning the missed swim into a proper mountain day.
Either way, know before you arrive: this is a lake to look at, walk around, and maybe row across — not one to swim in.
Frequently asked questions
Is swimming allowed in Lake Misurina?
No. Swimming in Lake Misurina is prohibited by a local ordinance, enforced by the local police, and it has never been allowed.
Why can’t you swim in Lake Misurina?
Two reasons: the lake is part of a protected water reserve, and there is no lifeguard or supervision of any kind. On top of that, the water is cold enough to cause thermal shock.
How cold is the water in Lake Misurina?
Around 12-18°C (54-64°F) in summer — too cold for a safe swim even in August. In winter the lake freezes over on the surface.
Where can you swim near Lake Misurina?
The closest real option is Lake Issengo (Issinger Weiher) in the Val Pusteria valley, about an hour’s drive away: small, family-friendly and set up for swimming.
Can you fish in Lake Misurina?
Yes, with an Italian fishing licence plus a daily permit (around €16 for the 2026 season), available at the Despar shop in Misurina or online. Tuesdays are a no-fishing day.
Last updated: August 2026
