Few events can connect the elegance of Italian cities with the majesty of our alpine landscapes like the Milan–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
From February 6 to 22, 2026, Italy will once again be in the global spotlight, with competitions spread across a territory that is itself a journey: the energy of Milan, the Dolomite paradise of Cortina d’Ampezzo, the traditional food culture of Valtellina, and the timeless charm of Verona.
📌 The Territory: four identities, one experience
Milan is the gateway.
A capital of design and fashion, a dynamic international city, hosting opening ceremonies and indoor events. Walk through the Duomo, the Vittorio Emanuele Gallery, Brera, and the Navigli district: here you’ll feel the heartbeat that makes Milan unique in Europe.
Cortina d’Ampezzo is winter poetry.
The Dolomites—UNESCO World Heritage—surround the town like a crown. Here, winter sports are not just competitions: they are culture. Stay long enough to catch the enrosadira, when the mountains turn pink at sunset.
Valtellina is alpine tradition, nature and hearty cuisine.
From Bormio to Livigno, passing through Santa Caterina, the journey becomes sensory. Not only slopes and snow: terraced vineyards, stone villages, mountain lodges and refuge huts. It is Italy at high altitude.
Verona, finally, is history embracing the present.
Roman amphitheaters, medieval palaces, river bridges: a living museum where the past blends beautifully with contemporary elegance.
🍝 Food & Wine Tips: what to eat and where
Milan
- Don’t miss the classic risotto alla milanese and the crisp cotoletta.
- For an authentic experience: trattorias in Porta Venezia, Isola, Brera.
- For memorable aperitivos: Navigli or Piazza XXV Aprile.
Cortina
- Try the iconic casunziei all’ampezzana (beetroot ravioli with butter and poppy seeds).
- Alpine cheeses, polenta with game, apple strudel.
- In mountain huts, follow the daily specials: quality is exceptionally high.
Valtellina
- Pizzoccheri (with cabbage and Bitto cheese), sciatt (fried cheese bites), bresaola IGP.
- Local red wines: Sforzato, Inferno, Grumello — perfect after a day on the snow.
Verona
- Amarone della Valpolicella and risotto all’Amarone.
- Handmade pasta, slow-cooked meats, and traditional sauces.
🥇 How to Experience Milan–Cortina 2026
Tickets
Tickets will be released online in phases: ceremonies first, then individual sports.
👉 Tip: Qualification rounds tend to sell out slower and offer closer access to athletes.
Where to Stay
- Milan: book near metro lines (M1, M2, or M3). Don’t focus only on the historic center: Bicocca, Città Studi, Porta Romana, Bovisa are great and well-connected.
- Cortina: consider nearby areas like San Vito di Cadore, Borca, or Auronzo; shuttle buses typically connect them.
- Valtellina: Tirano, Sondrio, Bormio, Livigno. Hotels fill fast—apartments and chalets are excellent alternatives.
- Verona: ideal if you want to balance culture, food and competition days.
Getting Around
- In Milan: public transport (metro, trams, suburban trains) is efficient and frequent.
- In the mountains: many venues will offer dedicated shuttle services — parking will be limited.
- Connections: trains Milan–Verona and Milan–Valtellina are regular; from Verona there are buses to Cortina.
🧳 When to Book
Now.
The Olympics are not just a sporting event; they are a global magnet. The best accommodations and authentic experiences are booked 6–12 months in advance. If you want a truly Italian trip—not just a technical visit—start planning immediately.
🌟 Why see the Olympics in Italy?
Because here sport is more than performance.
It is landscape, culture, cuisine, art and history. Milan–Cortina 2026 won’t be a pause from everyday life—it will be a story of identity, where mountains meet cities and visitors become part of the scenery.