From the 6th to the 22nd of February, Northern Italy’s cities and mountains will be transformed into a sporting playground for the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics 2026. Winter sports fans from around the world will gather to cheer their olympic teams in their nail-biting race for gold in 14 winter sports, including ski jumping, figure skating, and bobsleigh. The opening ceremony will be held in Milan, which has anticipated the prestigious event with the grand new Porta Romana Olympic Village, while the closing ceremony honors Italy’s roots at the ancient Roman Arena in Verona.
However, the games will be spread throughout the Italian Alps from the slopes of Cortina to the Fiemme Valley, combining world-class winter sports with North Italian culture and adventure. In this guide, not only do we give you the best practical information about visiting Northern Italy for the Winter Olympics 2026, but we also show you how to experience the best of Northern Italy between the games. Read on to find out everything from how to get around during the Winter Olympics 2026 to where to ski, shop, and explore during your stay.
How to Get to the Italy Winter Olympics
Main airports:
- Milan Malpensa (MXP) – best for international flights
- Milan Linate (LIN) – short-haul Europe
- Venice Marco Polo (VCE) – best for Cortina
How to Get Around During the Winter Olympics
Traveling by Train (Best Option for Most Travelers)
Italy has one of Europe’s most reliable rail networks, and trains are the easiest way to move between Olympic host cities. High-speed trains (Trenitalia Frecciarossa and Italo) connect major cities quickly and comfortably. Trains run frequently throughout the day and offer reserved seating, luggage storage, restrooms, and onboard cafés. Cortina d’Ampezzo isn’t reachable by train, but there’s a direct coach from Venice Marco Polo Airport or Venice Mestre train station.
Travel times:
- Milan → Verona: ~1 hour 15 minutes
- Verona → Venice: ~1 hour 10 minutes
- Milan → Venice: ~2 hours 30 minutes
- Venice → Cortina: ~2 hours 30 minutes
Practical tips for train travel in Italy
- Book high-speed tickets early during the Games
- Regional trains don’t require reservations but may be crowded
- Allow buffer time for transfers to buses or shuttles
Olympic Transport (Highly Recommended)
The Olympic Games provide dedicated transportation systems for ticket holders designed to reduce traffic and simplify travel. The official Olympic shuttles connect train stations, park-and-ride areas, and event venues. They will run frequently on competition days with clear signage and volunteers available in English to make getting between events as smooth and seamless as possible.
Renting a Car (Best for Small Mountain towns)
Renting a car can be helpful for certain mountain areas, including Cortina d’Ampezzo, Livigno, and Anterselva, but it is not ideal in bigger cities which is expected to have heavy traffic during the event. In good conditions, the drive from milan to Cortina will take around 4.5 hours, but take these considerations before committing to driving:
Important warnings
- Snow tires or chains are legally required
- Mountain roads are narrow and icy
- Parking in Cortina will be very limited
- Some days may have vehicle restrictions near venues
What Will the Weather Be Like During the Winter Olympics?
February Conditions
- Milan: cold, damp (0–8°C / 32–46°F)
- Alps: very cold, snowy (–10 to 5°C / 14–41°F)
What To Do in Northern Italy During the Winter Olympics 2026
Milan
Best for: Ice sports, opening ceremony, culture, nightlife
Milan is set to host the prestigious opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics 2026 at San Siro Stadium, along with ice sports events, figure skating, and ice hockey, pinning it as the main events hub during the games. In anticipation of the event, the city has developed the new Porta Romana Olympic Village where fans can find events, art installations, exhibitions, and more before and during the games, as well as new shops, cafes, and restaurants to check out. While most olympic events will be limited to this area, the fashion and finance capital of Italy has so much more to show you beyond the games:
Things to Do During the Olympics
Tick Off the Tourist List
Despite being Italy’s most modern city, it permeates with a rich history, too, upheld by iconic landmarks like the Duomo di Milano. Yes, this is as touristy as it gets, but the views of and from the Gothic cathedral are as magnificent as they get. While you’re there, wander through the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the decadent 19th century arcade lined with haute couture shops and luxury restaurants and cafes. Finish off your tourist-essential tour of Milan by viewing the The Last Supper by Leonardo di Vinci at Santa Maria delle Grazie.
Wander Around Brera
Turn off the tourist trail and immerse in Milan’s dreamy daily life by drifting through the romantic cobblestone streets of Brera. Although one of Milan’s most attractive neighbourhoods for shopping and coffee culture, it feels like a quiet, small town where you can happily loose track of time between the galleries, artisan workshops, and cafes.
Get Involved in Aperitivo Culture
Italy loves an aperitivo; it’s an excuse to slow dwn and enjoy the dolce vita. During the Milano Comporta Winter Olympics 2026, the energy will be high as countries compete for gold medals, so indulging in this beloved cultural ritual will help to calm the nerves and enjoy the atmosphere.
Watch Live Screenings in Olympic Fan Zones
To ensure nobody misses out on the camaraderie of watching the live games in an excited crowd, Milan’s Porta Romana Olympic Village will stream live screenings of the events. It’s the perfect opportunity to witness some of the games in a high-energy setting for the games you don’t have tickets for.
Cortina d’Ampezzo
Best for: Alpine skiing, sliding sports, mountain atmosphere
Cortina d’Ampezzo is one of the premier mountain towns in the Dolomites and a major event hub of the Winter Olympics 2026, including skiing, bobsleighing, curling, skeleton, and luge. It’s best known for its traditional alpine architecture, breathtaking mountain views, and top-tier snow sports. During the games, the crisp mountain air will be filled with excitement and anticipation as crowds gather to enjoy the Olympic competitions and events. While most of the competitions will be held in the mountains, the Olympic spirit will trickle down to the town with live music, screenings, fan zones, and much more. When you’re not busy indulging in the Olympic festivities, here’s how to make the most of your time in Cortina:
Things to Do in Cortina d’Ampezzo During the Winter Olympics 2026
Stroll Corso Italia
As the stylish main street running through the heart of Cortina, the Corso Italia is the place to go for luxury shopping, eating, and drinking. With stunning views of the Dolomites and quaint Alpine architecture, the atmosphere ignites that cozy winter feeling while browsing the designer shops like Dior and Moncler, or sipping an aperitivo at The Roof Cortina.
Go Skiing!
Even though some of the slopes will be closed for Olympic events, others will remain open to the public to shoop down, too. Enjoy access to the 5 Torri Ski Area for intermediate skiing with incredible scenery, Auronzo for family-friendly skiing, and San Vito di Cadore for some quieter slopes. If you don’t ski, you can take the Cortina Skyline cable car to the top of the mountain to sit and enjoy the views from the top with an aperitivo.
Lunch at Rifugio Scoiattoli
From the historic to the modern rustic, the traditional Italian rifugio’s dotting the Dolomites are a core part of the region’s character, and therefore a must on your Winter Olympics trip. For one of the best rifugio experiences, stop for lunch at Rifugio Scoiattoli in the 5 Torri Ski Area where the food is just as deliciously traditional as the interiors. Dine al freco for lunch beside dramatic mountain peaks, or head inside the creaky, wooden cabin for a cozy rifugio experience.
Go snowshoeing
Take a well-earned break from attending high-energy Olympic events and high-impact mountain sports with a relaxed, slow-paced snowshoeing experience. There are several scenic walking trails around Cortina where you can get away from the crowds and take more time to appreciate fresh mountain air and gorgeous views of the Dolomites.
Nightlife in Cortina
From rustic bars to fine dining restaurants, Cortina’s buzzing nightlife is a big part of it’s appeal, especially after a thrilling day of Olympic games. Despite being a small town, its standards are high thanks to fine dinign restaurants like Ristorante Tivoli, SanBrite, and Alajmo where you can find modern, classic, and traditional northern Italian dishes. After dinner, stop for a cocktail at Faro, Bar Toto 1970, or Bar Dolomiti, where high spirits from the day’s events will inevitably continue.
Val di Fiemme (Tesero & Predazzo)
Best for: Nordic skiing, ski jumping, nature lovers
Val di Fiemme is a beautiful valley stretching between the two quiet mountain towns of Tesero and Predazzo in the South Tyrol region known for its dramatic Dolomite scenery, rich nordic skiing traditions, and charming villages. Home to world-renowned winter sports facilities like the Lago di Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium and Predazzo Ski Jumping Stadium, this usually sleepy mountain valley will be enlivened by two of the most highly anticipated events during the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics 2026. When you’re not busy gasping at the competitors’ reaching impressive heights while ski jumping, here’s how to spend your free time:
Things to Do in Val di Fiemme During the Winter Olympics 2026
Explore Alpine Villages
Val di Fiemme is in a remote part of northern Italy where tiny villages burst with warmth, charm, and tradition. So don’t stay restricted to the Olympics hub, go and explore the region’s alpine villages like Tesero, Carano, Daiano, and Varena. You’ll find friendly locals, incredible scenery, and some of the best Tyrolian food in the country.
Winter hiking and snowshoeing
Put on your snow shoes and hit the trails for an easy hike around Val di Fiemme to soak up the fresh air, calm atmosphere, and natural beauty. For silent scenes, hike in the quiet, snow-laden woods near towns like Castello-Molina, Panchià, and Predazzo. For exquisite panoramic views, opt for Passo Lavazè instead.
Livigno
Best for: Snowboarding, freestyle skiing, winter sports vibe
Livigno is a small mountain resort town at the very northern tip of Italy near the Swiss border. It boasts a similar prestige to Cortina d’Ampezzo but with a more sporty and youthful vibe, thanks to its top-tier and snowboarding facilities. Expect 115+ km of pistes, wide, well-groomed slopes, and some of the best snow parks in Europe. During the 2026 Winter Olympics, Livigno is set to host snowboarding and freestyle skiing, two of the coolest and most exciting games of the year. Here’s what to when you’re not cheering on your favorite Olympians:
Things to Do in Livigno During the Winter Olympics 2026
Snowboard on Olympic slopes
Although certain slopes and facilities will be closed for events in Livigno during the 2026 Winter Olympics, there will still be plenty of slopes for you to shred, too. Take inspiration from world-class snowboarders or freestyle skiers as you shred your way down.
Shop in duty-free stores
Being on the Swiss border, Livigno has the advantage of being duty-free, making it an excellent place to do a bit of shopping. Alternatively, take advantage of being on the Swiss border with some shopping in the glam alpine town of St Moritz, which is just an hour’s drive from Livigno through beautiful mountain scenery. As one of Europe’s flashiest winter resorts, it’s home to a wealth of designer brands including Versace, Cartier, Hermes, Bulgari and many more.
Lean into the Nightlife
As a fun, youthful ski town, Livigno is pretty lively in the evenings with busy slope-side bars, DJ sets and themed nights, and late-night pubs and clubs bringing the vibes throughout winter. During the olympics, the vibes will be even better as the local pubs, bars, and clubs as spectators rave about the day’s electric events and sportspeople celebrate newly won medals. From casual apres-ski drinks to late night clubs, there’s a spot to suit your ideal evening in the electric mountains of Livigno.
Verona
Best for: Closing ceremony, budget-friendly base, sightseeing
Verona is a small, picturesque city in northern Italy’s Veneto region known as the setting for Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, but its history dates all the way back to the Roman Empire. Verona will play a key role in the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics 2026, hosting the closing ceremony in the beaitufully preserved Roman Arena, which is now almost 2000 years old. Here, Olympians will be honored, the winning country will be celebrated, and the olympic flame will be extinguished for another season before fireworks light up the arena. Watching the spectacle will be a wonderful way to end your Winter Olympics experience, but before you do, tick these off your Verona list:
Things to Do in Verona During the Winter Olympics 2026
Wander Through the Historic Center
As a UNESCO-listed city, the historic center of Verona is very much deserving of your attention whilst visiting for the 2026 Winter Olympics. While a surprising amount of Roman-era architecture remains, much of it represents the city’s flourishing Renaissance period as part of the Republic of Venice, giving it a beautiful blend of characters. It’s best enjoyed by strolling around with your eyes wide open, observing the delightful details of each cobbled street.
Spend a Day in Lake Garda
Drive just one hour east of Verona and arrive in Lake Garda, which is lined by some of Italy’s most beautiful small towns and villages. Although Lake Garda is typically a summer destination, it’s equally enjoyable in the winter months as snow blankets the mountains and the towns and villages become a cosy repite from the cold. If you’re feeling active, hike up the mountains surrounding Lake Garda for the most advantageous viewpoint of the lake and tiny settlements along the waterfront. Afterwards, wander idly through the cobbled streets of its quiet lakeside towns.
See Where Juliet Lived
Yes, it’s touristy but Juliet’s House and Museum is an iconic Italian landmark that’s well worth the effort. Not only will it give you a glimpse inside Shakespeare’s genius poetic mind, and Juliet’s heart, but it will tell you all about the building’s real history as a romantic pilgrimage as the house of the Capulets in the 18th century. The museum is expected to be very busy during the 2026 Winter Olympics so book tickets in advance if you don’t want to miss out.
Indulge in Northern Italian Cuisine
Many of Italy’s dishes like pizza, carbonara, and spaghetti bolognese, have made it onto menus worldwide, but there are many more delicious dishes that northern regions have kept to themselves. Situated near the confluence of three major northern Italian regions, Verona has the best selection of hearty dishes like Bollito con la Pearà, Gnocchi di Malga, and Pastissada de Caval. Try them at local trattorias (family-style restaurants) like Osteria Sottoriva and Osteria Le Vecete or leading fine dining restaurants like Trattoria al Pompiere and Ristorante Il Desco.
Antholz Valley–Anterselva
Best for: Biathlon, dramatic alpine scenery
Located in the remote north of Italy near the Austrian border, Antholz Valley is the quietest and most humble of the Winter Olympics 2026 locations, despite being home to one of the world’s best biathlon venues. Rather than one town, it’s a series of villages and hamlets along a high-altitude mountain valley where Italian heritage merges with its Austrian neighbors, creating a very unique local culture. Just a one-hour drive north of Cortina, it’s easy done as a day trip, but those who are looking for a quiet retreat away from the crowds may want to stay a little longer at one of the area’s luxury hotels, chalets, and guesthouses and immerse in the dramatic alpine scenery.
Things to Do in Antholz Valley During the Winter Olympics 2026
Hike Over the Staller Saddle
Antholz is so close to Austria that you can hike over the border via the Staller Saddle, a scenic 2,052m high mountain pass that forms the Austria-Italy border. It’s no easy feat in the deep winter snow, but manageable for experienced hikers and very worthwhile. The views as you hike through the northern Dolomites into Austria are a beautiful sight to behold, and the silence is so loud you can hear your breath and the crunch of your feet into the snow crisply. After proudly soaking up scenes of the imposing mountain peaks from the top of the pass, hop on a toboggan to whizz your way back down.
Explore Nearby Brunico
The Antholz Valley itself may be remote and quiet, but it’s located less than an hour away from the excitement of Brunico. This small mountain town has become one of the Dolomites’ best resorts, offering year-round outdoor fun, and a town center with undeniable charisma. The pastel-whimsied streets are lined with charming artisinal shops, traditional Italian restaurants, and cafe-bars where you can soak up the leisurely Italian mountain lifestyle. That is, of course, when you’re not testing out the local slopes.
Milano–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics – Events, Locations & Dates
