What to Know Before Visiting Italy for the 2026 Winter Olympics

The countdown is on for the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, that are set to kick off in Milan with the opening ceremony at San Siro Stadium on Feb. 6 and run till Feb. 22. And although the video games are known as Milano-Cortina, they may really happen throughout an enormous swath of Northern Italy, with athletes competing for medals in alpine snowboarding, cross-country snowboarding, curling, determine skating, snowboarding, ice hockey, and extra.

“The Olympics have at all times been a time of gathering for individuals from totally different cities and cultures below the banner of peaceable competitors—and this yr, being hosted in my nation, Italy, they provide the world a shocking window into one in all our most outstanding areas,” says Fulvio De Bonis, Journey + Leisure A-Record journey advisor and co-founder of Imago Artis Travel. We tapped De Bonis and Zoe Shapiro, one other A-Record journey advisor, to share their skilled journey suggestions forward of the video games.

Finalize journey preparations ASAP.

When you’re planning to journey to Italy in the course of the Olympics and haven’t but booked lodging, achieve this instantly. “Accommodations, leases, and even Airbnbs will probably be in very excessive demand, particularly in central areas,” De Bonis warns. He suggests wanting past Milan, including, “Contemplate close by cities like Monza, Bergamo, or Como for extra availability and higher charges.” 

When you plan to attend any of the video games, although, be certain to calculate the gap you’ll should journey to get out of your lodging to the occasion. Due to the winding mountain roads, it might take wherever from two to 5 hours to journey between the cities internet hosting the occasions.

Use public transportation.

De Bonis warns towards driving in Milan, the place site visitors will probably be heavy, and there are lots of restricted zones (often called ZTL in Italian). “Milan’s public transport will possible prolong hours and frequency, particularly close to Olympic venues,” he notes. 

He additionally suggests shopping for a multi-day transport go with entry to Trenord trains when you’re planning to go to occasions in close by cities. In the course of the Olympics, there will probably be additional connections via Trenord to Livigno and Bormio, the place a number of the competitions will happen. Italian trains are clear, environment friendly, reasonably priced, and straightforward to navigate.

Be prepared for elevated safety.

De Bonis notes that “high-profile occasions imply elevated safety screening, particularly close to Olympic zones and main vacationer websites.” You should definitely arrive at occasions early so as to permit time for safety screenings and to search out your seats.

Expertise totally different aspects of regional tradition. 

“Apparently, these are probably the most geographically expansive Winter Olympics which have ever been held, occurring throughout a number of Italian areas with the opening ceremonies in Milan, the closing in Verona, and occasions in Veneto, Trentino-Alto Adige, and Lombardy. It might be a downright disgrace to not exit of your approach to expertise the variety of Italian culture in these totally different locations,” says Shapiro, founding father of Stellavision Travel. “Have some after-event cicchetti in  Veneto and you’ll want to order a risotto in Lombardy. In fact, this is applicable to way more than meals, however Italy’s variety will probably be on present—do not miss it.”

Contemplate shopping for a ski go.

“Act like an Olympian—the downhill occasions are happening on one mountain in Cortina, which implies the opposite mountain runs will probably be open for enterprise as standard. Be a part of Italy’s ski season whereas the Olympians are doing their factor,” Shapiro says. “When else would you’ve the chance?”

Ski passes can be found through Dolomiti Superski, one of many largest ski networks on the planet, which covers round 750 miles of ski slopes with 450 lifts throughout the Dolomites. You should purchase passes for your entire community or simply particular resorts, like Cortina d’Ampezzo.

Add a cease in Venice for Carnival.

“The Olympics formally conclude on Feb. 22. Venice’s Carnival, one of many greatest celebrations within the nation and definitely the area, runs concurrently, ending on Feb. 17. Take the chance to expertise some Italian tradition alongside along with your sports activities!” Shapiro suggests.

Venice is barely about 2.5 hours from Milan and about 1.5 hours from Verona, the place the closing ceremony will happen. Vacationers visiting Italy in February can have the uncommon alternative to witness these two main occasions occurring concurrently.