Braies

Introduction

Prags, known in Italian as Braies, is a village and municipality in South Tyrol, in northern Italy. It sits roughly 60 kilometres northeast of Bolzano, placing you in the German- and Ladin-influenced alpine north of the country rather than in its Italian-speaking heartland.

What to see and do

Braies is best known for Lago di Braies, the lake that anchors the area and gives the surrounding valley its character. Make the lake your first stop: the water and the mountain backdrop are the main draw, and the shoreline is where most visitors spend their time.

• Lago di Braies — the defining sight of Braies and the focal point for any visit.

Three days in Braies

Day one: Arrive in Braies, in South Tyrol, where Italian, German and Ladin are all spoken. Settle into the village and take an easy walk to Lago di Braies, the lake that gives the area its name. Make your first day a gentle one, getting your bearings in the valley before anything more ambitious.

Day two: Give the whole day to the lake and its surroundings. Walk the shoreline paths at an unhurried pace, stopping to take in the water and the mountains around it. This is the heart of Braies, and it rewards a slow visit rather than a rushed one.

Day three: Head out from Prags, the wider valley in which Braies sits, and use the day to explore more of the landscape on foot. If you want a change of scene, Bolzano is the nearest city and makes a contrast to the quiet of the valley. Return to Braies for your last evening.