Milan–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics guide: destinations, venues, and how to plan your trip

The Winter Olympics are returning to Italy in February and March 2026, bringing together the energy of Milan and Verona, and the alpine magic of Cortina, Bormio, Livigno, Val di Fiemme, and Anterselva.

As a Milanese who grew up ice skating — and practiced for a few years at what’s now becoming an Olympic venue — this edition feels especially close to my heart. I still ski in the Alps every winter, and I can already feel the excitement building across the country!

So if you’re thinking of coming to Italy for this once-in-a-lifetime event, here’s all you need to know to plan it smoothly and enjoy every part of it.

Where the Games will take place

Despite the name, the Milan–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics will actually be spread across several destinations in Northern Italy, not just Milan and Cortina:

It’s a very wide area!
Here’s an overview of all the venues, the sports they’ll host, and where they’re located 👇

Practical tips for planning your Olympic stay

Choosing your base

The Olympics are super spread out, so it’s important to pick a base (or two!) that makes sense — otherwise, you’ll end up spending most of your time on transport. Cortina, for example, is about a 5–6-hour drive from Milan, so don’t plan to stay in one and commute to the other.

You can check my full guide on where to stay during the Games, but here’s a quick rundown. Wherever you stay, book early — places will fill up months in advance once ticket sales ramp up.

Milan

Perfect if you love big-city energy, great food, and being right in the middle of the action. Most of the ice events and the opening ceremony happen here, and there’s always something going on when you’re not watching competitions, even in winter. Milan is often overlooked by tourists, but trust me — it’s worth it. Plus, it’s a great starting point for exploring Northern Italy.

Cortina d’Ampezzo

Go here if you want mountain vibes. Cortina hosts alpine skiing, bobsleigh, and curling and it’s one of the best ski resorts in the Dolomites if you plan to hit the slopes yourself.

Valtellina (Bormio & Livigno)

Great if you want to ski between events or prefer smaller alpine towns. Bormio’s thermal baths are perfect after a long day out, and Livigno is where all the freestyle and snowboard fun happens. They’re also super popular as ski day trips from Milan.

Verona

Ideal if you’re here for the closing ceremony but if you’re planning to see any events in other areas, I’d skip it as a base.

Tickets and program

Tickets for the Milan–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics officially went on sale in April and the only place to buy them is the official website.

Here’s some details you should know:

• Tickets are nominative and sold on a first-come, first-served basis.
• You can buy up to 25 tickets in total and 10 per session (4 for high-demand events like the ceremonies).
• You can get them for yourself or for friends, and you can change names later for free if plans shift.
• There will be an official resale platform opening in December 2025. That’s the only safe place to resell or buy secondhand tickets.

If you want to get a feel for pricing or plan your days, here are the price list and the full competition schedule.

Entry requirements

Visitors from the USA, UK, Canada, and Australia can stay for up to 90 days without a visa, which is more than enough for a full Olympic trip (and a little extra exploring too).

Just make sure your passport is valid for at least six months after your arrival date, and check your airline’s website before flying for any last-minute travel requirements.

You can double check your entry requirements with this official tool.

What to expect during the Games

Travel reality

Italy looks small on the map, but Milan and Cortina are about 6 hours by car apart, so you can’t really stay in one and attend events in the other on the same day.

Safety

Italy is generally very safe, and Milan is no exception. Just use common sense like you would in any big city, so keep an eye on your bag in crowded areas, especially around stations or tourist spots.

Crowds & prices

It’s going to be busy. Expect trains, hotels, and restaurants to fill up very quickly, especially in Milan and Cortina. Prices will likely go up closer to February, so book early.

Weather

February is proper winter here — around 0°C in Milan and below freezing in the Alps. You’ll definitely see snow in the mountains, maybe even a few flakes in the city. Bring layers, waterproof shoes, and a warm jacket so you can actually enjoy being outdoors.

Atmosphere

The vibe is going to be incredible. In Italy we love a big celebration, and the mix of city life and mountain energy will make this edition of the Olympics feel truly special!

How to combine the Olympics with a Northern Italy trip

If you’re flying all the way to Italy for the Olympics, it’s the perfect excuse to turn it into a real trip! 

The Games only last a couple of weeks, but Northern Italy has so much to see and most destinations are easy to reach from Milan by train or car.

Here are some ideas:

Short trips (5–7 days)

• Milan + Venice
  You can pair Milan with a slower couple of days exploring canals and local cicchetti bars. If you’ve never been to Venice, you absolutely should! It’s one of those places that really is worth visiting at least once. Plus, the Olympics overlap with Venice Carnival, which is an amazing time to visit the city 🎭
  
• Milan + day trips
  Use Milan as your base and take easy day trips to places like Lake Como, Venice, Florence, Verona, or even spend a day skiing in one of the ski resorts close to Milan.
  
• Cortina and the Dolomites + Venice
  Enjoy Olympic events and skiing in the Dolomites, then, if you have time, add a day trip to Venice, or even a couple of nights, before heading home.

Longer trips (10–14 days)

• Milan + Verona + Dolomites + Venice
  Mix city life, mountain winter adventures, and canal views. Start in Milan, stop in Verona, head to the Dolomites for skiing and attending some competitions, and end in Venice.
  
• Milan + Bologna + Florence + Rome
  Explore the highlights of northern and central Italy: enjoy Milan’s buzz, Bologna’s food, Florence’s art, and Rome’s timeless charm.

FAQs

Ready to plan your Olympic trip?

The Milan–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics will be a once-in-a-lifetime moment for Italy.

Whether you’re planning to cheer at the opening ceremony, ski between events, or just experience Italy in winter, now’s the time to start planning. You can read more about where to stay during the Olympics, or start dreaming about the Dolomites in winter and the best ski resorts there.

And if you’d love to experience the Olympics without stressing over logistics, I can help you plan it all!

From the best places to stay and how to move between venues to adding a few unforgettable Italian moments along the way. I’ve helped travelers design trips that blend famous highlights with those little local details that make Italy so special, and I’d love to do the same for you.

Plan your Olympic trip with me, so you can just show up and enjoy every second of it! ✨

• Where to stay for the Milan–Cortina 2026 Olympics (from a local!)
• Visiting Milan in winter: ultimate guide from a local (2025)
• Dolomites in winter: a complete guide (2026)
• Best ski resorts in the Dolomites