How to Visit the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics

Where to stay during the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics

The Winter Olympic Games span across northern Italy, from Milan to Cortina d’Ampezzo, Bormio, Livigno, Predazzo, Tesero, Anterselva, and Verona, making it one of the most dispersed Winter Olympics ever. Depending on which event you are attending, travel times between venues can range from one to 12 hours, depending on connections, so selecting the right home base is crucial.

Organize your trip by these geographical clusters:

• Milan (Milan, Rho, Assago) for the opening ceremonies and indoor ice sports like ice hockey, figure skating, and speed skating

• Valtellina (Bormio, Livigno) for freestyle skiing, snowboarding, and men’s Alpine skiing

• Val di Fiemme (Tesero, Predazzo) for ski jumping and cross-country skiing

• Cortina area (Cortina, Anterselva) for luge sports and women’s Alpine skiing, plus curling and biathlon

• Verona for the closing ceremonies

Getting around Milan-Cortina Winter Olympic events

For Milan, arrive via Malpensa, Bergamo, or Linate airports. For Cortina and alpine areas, Venice (Marco Polo), Verona, Bergamo, Bolzano, or Innsbruck may be convenient airports.

Italy’s high-speed trains (Trenitalia, Italo) connect major cities. Regional lines serve some alpine towns. Park-and-ride and train-and-ride facilities will serve mountain venues with dedicated shuttle buses timed to events.

Renting a car gives flexibility, but beware of traffic, limited parking, and winter road conditions. Snow tires or chains are mandatory in mountain zones. Private chauffeurs are a stress-free alternative for airport to alpine transfers.

Tickets & accommodation during the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics

Ticket registration is open now to the general public. Some events will sell out quickly, so it is best to secure your tickets immediately.

Accommodation in Milan and Cortina centers will be extremely in demand and expensive. Some of my favorite local hotels in Milan had already sold out for the duration of the games by early summer. Early booking is essential to secure your place at events and accommodation and maintain a budget amid surge pricing.

Places to eat & drink during the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics

• Bela Tusa: Escape the Milan center to the neighborhood of Isola, a haven without many tourists. Bela Tusa is a modern trattoria offering comforting Milanese classics, from Mondeghili meatballs to Riso al Salto, a crispy dish made from leftover risotto.

• Ratanà: Alongside Milan’s beautiful BAM park and just down the block from the towering Bosco Verticale skyscrapers, Ratanà is located in a humble former train station. The long menu ranges from modern innovations to typical dishes like creamy Risotto alla Milanese.

• Røst: For modern small bites packed with big flavor, and a curated wine list, visit this chic spot on the buzzing east side of Milan. The modern vibe is still cozy, perfect for taking refuge on a crisp winter evening.

• La Latteria: This Milan institution reopened last year after a mysterious period of closure, to much fanfare and discussion. The famed spaghetti al limone will be in high demand, and they typically do not accept reservations, so arrive early to secure a spot.

• Da Aurelio: In Cortina, this contemporary chalet with a scenic veranda offers a seasonal menu, including extra cheesy dishes and the flavor of the forest itself.

The implementation of required ETIAS authorization for non-EU travelers to enter the Schengen area is scheduled for late 2026, and therefore should not impact travel for the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympic Games in February 2026.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Milan page.