From 6-22 February 2026, Italy will be catapulted onto the world sporting stage as it hosts the highly-anticipated Winter Olympics. The result of a joint bid by the city of Milan and the ski resort of Cortina d’Ampezzo, it marks Italy’s third winter games but the first time the Olympics has been held across two cities. Throughout February, and into March for the Paralympics, Milan will host all ice-based events while the mountainous regions of Cortina and its neighbours will come alive with snow, spectators and skiing. Not sure which events to look out for and where to stay? Our 2026 Winter Olympics travel guide has everything you need to know to enjoy the storied sporting games in serious style. 

Milan

Hosting: Opening Ceremony and ice sports

The cosmopolitan city of Milan is, at first glance, an unconventional locale to host the Winter Olympics, but Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo’s joint bid swayed the committee thanks to its blend of urban and rural backdrops. The city’s storied San Siro stadium, which has hosted countless championship football games, will eschew turf for ice as it gears up to host the majority of the Winter Olympics’ ice sports, including figure skating, speed skating, short track, and ice hockey. 

Elsewhere, don’t miss sporting fixtures at PalaItalia Santa Giulia, Fiera Milano, Forum di Milano Ice Skating Arena and at the temporary rink at Fiera Milano. Of course, once the games close, head out to discover Milan’s bustling trattorias and historic sights – a trip to the Santa Maria delle Grazie convent, home to Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper, is a must. 

Where to stay: Hotel Principe di Savoia

Perfectly located for those looking to travel in and out of the city during the Winter Olympics, this Dorchester Collection hotel is within walking distance of Repubblica underground station and five minutes from Milan’s main station, Stazione Centrale. Aside from its prime location, Hotel Principe di Savoia is also the place to see and be seen, with the 301-key property’s Presidential Suite, featuring three bedrooms, a living room, spectacular views and its own Pompeii-style spa and private swimming pool, considered the place to stay in Milan.

Earlier this year, all-day dining destination Il Salotto reopened following a soft refurbishment; offering coffee, light lunches, afternoon tea, and evening aperitivo, this is Hotel Principe di Savoia’s central gathering space, perfect before or after a day of Olympic events. Elsewhere, the top-floor Club 10 Fitness and Beauty Centre offers incredible views across Milan, which can be enjoyed from the heated swimming pool or state-of-the-art gym, making this the perfect place to unwind after a day at the Olympics.

From £820 per night. 

Cortina d’Ampezzo

Hosting: Women’s alpine skiing, sliding sports and curling 

One of Italy’s most beautiful, popular and oldest ski destinations, it was no doubt Cortina d’Ampezzo’s history and glamour that helped win the Italian Olympics bid. Cortina came to prominence in the 1950s and even welcomed Roger Moore as James Bond when he famously skied here during filming for 1981’s For Your Eyes Only – but that’s not to say it’s all about looks. Cortina first hosted the Winter Olympics in 1956 and has been no stranger to international events since, including the FIS Para Alpine Ski World Cup, Snowboard Cross and motor event, WinteRace. 

Marking its return to the lauded games after a whopping 70 years, Cortina will set the stage for all of the women’s skiing events at the Olimpia delle Tofane slope, including downhill, Super-G and slalom. Bobsleigh, skeleton and luge will be hosted at the specially-built Eugenio Monti track, while curling competitions will take place at the renovated Olympic Ice Stadium.

Where to stay: Grand Hotel Savoia Cortina d’Ampezzo

One of Cortina’s most famous properties, Grand Hotel Savoia has hosted many illustrious figures since it opened in 1912, ranging from Sophia Loren and Brigitte Bardot, to Winston Churchill and Ernest Hemingway. It will once again host well-heeled clientele come February, as anyone who is anyone will want to stay here during the Winter Olympics. 

As the largest five-star hotel in the region, its prime location offers adrenaline-fuelled outdoor pursuits and picturesque skiing for all abilities. Inside its 135 rooms, decor is cosy while nodding to the natural elements beyond its four walls, while three unique culinary locations showcase regional cuisine and Italian classics (hello, Pizza Palace). 

From £640 per night. 

Rasen-Antholz

Hosting: Biathlon

The quaint and sleepy mountain municipality of Rasen-Antholz, nestled in the picturesque South Tyrol in northern Italy, will transform into anything but at the beginning of February. It will become home to Anterselva: an Olympic Village of Milano Cortina 2026 which will host the biathlon (cross-country skiing and rifle shooting). Biathlon has been an essential part of the Antholz Valley since 1971, when the area hosted the first-ever international competition, and has since been recognised as a world-renowned centre of excellence for the sport. The area comes alive with spectators and athletes for the annual IBU Biathlon World Cup every January, so expect spectacular sports in an even more spectacular alpine setting. 

Where to stay: Alpin Panorama Hotel Hubertus

An 11-minute drive from Anterselva, Alpin Panorama Hotel Hubertus is, above all, an architectural masterpiece. Built into the rockface of the Puster Valley, the five-star hotel sits at an altitude of roughly 1,350m and tapped design studio Noa to create a striking tiered facade underpinned by native larch tree trunks. Add to that a 25m sky pool that suspends above the property and offers unrivalled views of the mountains beyond, and you have a seriously stylish stay on your hands. 

Offering 74 pristine rooms and delectable cuisine under the direction of chef Thomas Mayr, the real highlight here is the spa. The Alpenreych Spa, which offers soothing massages, ayurveda, and pampering alpine herbal treatments, has just heralded a new addition: Heaven and Hell. A floating steel platform designed as one upright house, and one upside down house, it quite literally turns the meaning of wellness on its head. Kick back and relax in three whirlpools, two saunas, rain showers and relaxation rooms. Make sure to snap a shot for the ‘gram while you’re at it. 

From £635 per night. 

Verona

Hosting: Olympic Closing Ceremony and the Paralympic Opening Ceremony

It only makes sense that the Winter Olympics culminates in a city as storied and romantic as Verona. Famed as the setting for Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet (don’t miss a trip to Juliet's House) and for being filled with Roman ruins and medieval charm, Verona is busy at the best of times – but will be especially so in February. It will host the grand finale of the Winter Olympics in its historic Arena di Verona, an ancient Roman amphitheatre, before serving as the location for the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Winter Games in March 2026, marking the first time a Paralympic opening will be held at a World Heritage Site.

Where to stay: Vista Verona

Housed in a restored 19^th-century building, Vista Verona is the five-star address to know in the Italian city. However, it only offers 16 rooms and thanks to its prime position just moments from Arena di Verona and Juliet's Balcony, we recommend booking this boutique bolthole sooner rather than later. Renowned for its opulent design, it has recently been awarded a Michelin key and is part of the Small Luxury Hotels portfolio, so expect great things. 

The exclusive rooftop, which offers panoramic views across the city’s skyline, is a must-visit. Home to the Infinity Bar, sip on Italy’s best bottles before heading inside to the Sottovoce Restaurant. Helmed by executive chef Fabio Aceti, these Michelin-worthy menus feature stand-out dishes of red tuna ceviche, Brogna sheep raviolo with Westcomb cheddar, and tarragon-spiked risotto with a ragout of giblets and fig brulee compote. Bellissimo. 

From £525 per night. 

Livigno

Hosting: Freestyle skiing and snowboarding

26 of the 116 gold medals awarded during the 2026 Winter Olympics will be decided in Livigno – so this is definitely the place to soak up all the action. This famous ski resort will be transformed into the Olympic home of freestyle skiing and snowboarding, hosting the Big Air, halfpipe, slopestyle, ski cross, snowboard cross, moguls and aerials across two main venues: the Livigno Snowpark and the Aerials and Moguls Park. The latter has been built specially for the games and will herald in a new category of dual moguls: a freestyle skiing event where two skiers race head-to-head down a bumpy course (moguls) with two jumps, performing aerial tricks, with scoring based on turns, airs, and speed.

Where to stay: Hotel Larice

With bright wooden interiors, a wellness focus and an eco-friendly ethos, Hotel Larice is a no-brainer for those after a relaxing break amid the hustle and bustle of Livigno. Offering 15 spacious and clean rooms, the real raison d'être here is access to the slopes, with the hotel boasting ski-in, ski-out access and the Livigno cable car just metres away. 

Delve a little deeper to discover more than meets the eye, such as the pet-friendly offering, in-room massages thanks to a new partnership with local spas, and an inventive Japanese-Italian restaurant serving sushi and sashimi, nigiri, hossomaki and uramaki all sourced from the Milan Fish Market. Free bicycles, bookable babysitting services and hearty breakfasts come as standard – we doubt you’ll be disappointed. 

From £340 per night. 

Val di Fiemme

Hosting: All Nordic ski events such as cross-country skiing and ski jumping

Aside from its ski potential, Val di Fiemme is a true sight to behold. Surrounded by two natural parks and boasting stunning views of the Dolomites, this sunny ski area offers roughly 120km of downhill slopes and an additional 150km of cross-country trails – which is why it was a natural choice to host the cross-country skiing, ski jumping, and Nordic combined: a winter sport where competitors race in both of the former. The majority of the events will be staged at the Lago di Tesero Cross-Country Stadium and Predazzo Ski Jumping Stadium, before hosting the Para Biathlon and Para Cross-Country Skiing a month later. 

Where to stay: La Roccia Wellness Hotel 

Just 13 minutes from the Fiemme Valley, this family-run hotel epitomises alpine living. Boasting panoramas of the valley and the Dolomites beyond, La Roccia is located just 300 metres from the Alpe Cermis ski lifts and offers a free shuttle bus in the winter. Return after a day of skiing or spectating to make the most of the world-class wellness facilities, including a swanky spa – expect a sauna, Turkish bath, hot tub and relaxation areas – as well as a fitness centre, and indoor and outdoor pools, including one infinity pool offering unrivalled views. 

Elsewhere, at the in-house restaurant helmed by chef Antonio Lepore dine on delectable regional dishes paired with handpicked Trentino wines, before retreating to one of 48 rooms designed to help you unwind. Furnished with soothing textures of fir and stone pine wood from Passo di Lavazè, book Suite Deluxe to enjoy your own private balcony, an in-room infrared sauna and a soothing whirlpool bath for the ultimate R&R. 

From £230 per night. 

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