Your guide to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy

10 November 2025

The countdown is on for one of the most exciting global sporting events, the Winter Olympics in Italy, taking place from 6th to 22nd February 2026. Known officially as Milano Cortina 2026, this will be the first Winter Games hosted across multiple cities, giving you a chance to experience both the sleek buzz of Milan and the snow-covered allure of Cortina d’Ampezzo in one unforgettable trip. While your Travel Counsellor can’t book official Olympic tickets, they can help you plan an incredible trip around the host locations.

Your guide to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy

Skates, style, and city lights in Milan

If you’re drawn to the buzz of the big arenas and the energy of the crowds, Milan is your spot. The city will host many of the ice-based sports such as figure skating, ice hockey, curling, and short-track speed skating, all within easy reach of its cafés, boutiques, and world-famous landmarks. Between events, you can wander through the fashion quarter, sip espresso on the Navigli, or cheer alongside locals in sports bars and piazzas that will be alive with Olympic spirit. Milan knows how to throw a party, and during the Games, it’ll be electric.

Alpine escapes and Olympic thrills in Cortina

If snow, slopes, and alpine air are more your scene, head for Cortina d’Ampezzo, where the mountain events will take centre stage - skiing, snowboarding, and the heart-stopping bobsleigh runs that will echo through the Dolomites. Here, the pace slows a little, and life revolves around crisp mornings, open-air celebrations, and long, delicious dinners by the fire. The mountain lodges and boutique hotels have that perfect balance of comfort and style, like a glass of red wine, a steaming bowl of pasta, and snow falling softly outside your window.

And if you can’t decide between the city and the mountains? A split stay might be your golden ticket with a few days of high-energy Olympic fever in Milan, followed by a retreat to the mountains for a slower, scenic finish to your trip. It’s the best way to experience both sides of the games.

Beyond the games

Between events, give yourself time to explore. In Milan, take in Da Vinci’s Last Supper, browse the designer streets of Via della Spiga, or simply linger over a long lunch in Brera. Up north, the Dolomites invite you to slow down and enjoy spa afternoons and mountain walks. Why not speak to your Travel Counsellor and add on a few extra days afterwards? Hop to nearby Lake Como or Venice for a post-games escape; both are easy to reach and offer a whole new side of Italy in winter.

A taste of the season

Winter here is made for food lovers. In Milan, expect rich truffle risottos, warming bowls of risotto alla milanese, and a glass of Franciacorta to toast the day’s winners. Up in Cortina, the menus shift to mountain comfort: creamy polenta, slow-cooked stews, and apple strudel shared by the fire. You’ll still find panettone in bakery windows at this time of year and baristas serving espresso with a grin.

To book your Italian Winter Olympic escape, speak to your Travel Counsellor today.

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