What to do in Cortina, a 2026 Winter Olympics host metropolis

Is this essentially the most spectacularly set city within the Dolomites? There is fierce competitors between the eight northern Italian locations chosen to host the Winter Olympics, however solely the huge Ampezzo Valley surrounding Cortina permits for epic street-to-summit views of the craggy massifs, rising like sheer partitions from surrounding forest.

Big-name trend shops like Dior, Prada and Moncler line its Corso Italia, however even past this pedestrian artery the city has glitz. As a favoured retreat amongst Italy’s outdated cash — and, more and more, loads of new — the city has attracted funding since lengthy earlier than the 2026 Olympics.

The Games had been additionally held right here in 1956, and a revamp of current infrastructure has seen an overhaul of its Olympic Ice Stadium — retaining the unique picket seating, to create a comfortable wood-cabin vibe for the curling occasions. The stadium can also be an excellent spot to strive an introductory lesson to the idiosyncratic sport, or to catch a hockey game. The city’s ski soar, in the meantime, stays a monument to Cortina’s mid-century Olympics; this February’s leaping occasions will as an alternative be held within the city of Predazzo, two hours south west.

Just above the stadium, snaking up the hillside like a large Scalextric monitor, the brand new Eugenio Monti Sliding Centre — named after an Italian Olympic champion — will host the bobsleigh occasions, plus its shut cousins skeleton and luge. The undertaking has been controversial due to its environmental influence and value — estimated at €118m (£103m) — however its legacy ought to embody public entry, for the courageous.

The Freccia nel Cielo cable-car, simply behind the stadium, provides aerial views of the monitor’s extreme-angled sidewalls and vertiginous incline. This 30-minute, three-stage journey ascends from 1,216m (3,990ft) to the three,244m Tofana, Cortina’s loftiest peak, climbing above dense forest and over the ridges of the Tofane massif.

Hop off at Col Druscié station for lunch at Masi Wine Bar, the place dishes are served with a facet of epic mountain views. Standout orders embody potato gnocchi with a roe ragout, enriched with native Fojaneghe crimson. There are tons of of different regional wines, served by the glass. In the centre of city, there’s a brand new department of Milan’s meals emporium-deli Le Eccellenze di Esselunga, which showcases high-end native and Italian merchandise, from blu di capra goat cheese and Lagrein crimson wine to house-made pasta and connoisseur panettone. Its sensible cafe with mountain views is a superb spot for lunch; alternatively, choose up some treats for a picnic on the piste.

More fast-tracks to the piste: the brand-new Apollonio-Socrepes cable-car reaches the summit of Cinque Torri (‘Five Towers’), named for its distinctive rock formations, whereas Faloria cable-car, inbuilt 1939, and its summit rifugio (mountain hut) are being modernised.

Hotel de Len is the place to appease ski-worn muscle tissue, a classy, treehouse-like spa atop a cool, wood-clad resort. Finnish and salt saunas, a steam tub, sensory showers and a part-outdoor sizzling tub all have panoramic views of the peaks, whereas the signature therapeutic massage is aromatic with native Alpine herbs. Private night-spa classes come full with a three-course dinner, whereas downstairs in Len’s low-lit restaurant, chef Andrea Ribaldone serves up a tempting menu of refined native dishes together with the likes of bigoli pasta with guinea fowl ragu, plus multi-course conventional breakfasts — additionally open to non-residents — that gasoline you up for a day on the slopes.

Apres-ski in Cortina is extra refined than a ski-boot stomp to a pub. At enrosadira — native Ladin language for the ‘turning pink’ of the peaks at sundown — it’s time to hit Corso Italia for the night passeggiata, or stroll. During Advent, the road hosts Christmas market stalls, however native crafts together with intricate silver filigree jewelry and inlaid wooden containers may be discovered year-round at Artigianato Artistico Ampezzano, a store close to the city’s lofty white bell tower. Just reverse, head to the American Bar at Hotel de la Poste, the place Ernest Hemingway as soon as supped. Its signature drink is the mimosa-like Puccini, named after the Italian composer.

And certain to lift the bar for cocktails, the super-luxe Mandarin Oriental is slated to open within the palatial, artwork nouveau-style former Hotel Cristallo, on the outskirts of city, later in 2026. However, the sundown spot of selection is Corso Italia, so head to the verandah of Hotel Ancora, a landmark resort just lately revamped by former Soho House designer Vicky Charles and new proprietor, Diesel trend empresario Renzo Rosso. With a sweeping terrace overlooking the Corso — aka ‘Italy’s crimson carpet’ — that is the place for an aperitivo and a spot of people-watching. Try a Count Lucano with Campari, Amaro Lucano, Fernet Branca or gin and orange bitters, and proceed the celebration inside at Ancora’s New York chic-style cocktail bar or bijou Club Brave, which bans telephones, however not exhibitionism.    

Chic new bar-bistro The Roof Cortina, above swanky division retailer Cooperativa, serves jeroboams of top-notch prosecco from the encircling Veneto area to a backdrop of DJ units. The dinner menu options dishes from Michelin-starred sister restaurant Tivoli, together with the flavours of Venice, two hours south, with the likes of crimson tuna tartare and fritto misto (combined fried seafood).