Headed to the 2026 Winter Olympics? Here’s the place to remain to keep away from the crowds.

The 2026 Winter Olympics will happen in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, often known as the Queen of the Dolomites. While the opening ceremony and most indoor sporting occasions will happen in Milan, the vast majority of the out of doors occasions will likely be held within the breathtaking Dolomites.

Whether you are touring right here for the Olympics or one thing else, this is the place to remain to get pleasure from the most effective of the area.

(All eyes will likely be on the Dolomites and Milan in 2026. Here’s why it’s best to go to.)

Alta Badia

Alta Badia provides winter sports activities and culinary delights simply 30 miles from the joy of the XXV Winter Olympic Games. Connected to the Sellaronda ski route, Dolomiti Superski is the driving power in Alta Badia’s winter tradition.

“Alta Badia is the ideal solution for those who want to see the Olympics and those who want to ski,” says Nicole Dorigo of Alta Badia Tourism Cooperative. “For those who want to feel the spirit of the games up close, the events are just a few kilometers away, and enthusiasts can reach the venue by skiing. For those who simply want to enjoy the mountains, as every winter, everything remains the same.”

The area is understood for its Ladin tradition and traditions. You can discover ways to bake puccia, a Ladin bread that may final for years, and style Ladin dishes throughout Road dles Saus, every week the place skiers can pattern conventional fare at varied mountain huts on the slopes. You may also expertise Gourmet Skisafari, the place award-winning cooks create particular gourmand dishes at a number of Alpine huts; and take part in a Wine Skisafari, the place skiers ski from hut to hut sampling South Tyrolean wines.

It’s price eating at Maso Runch Farm, providing Ladin delicacies like pink turnip dumplings in a family-run Ladin residence; tasting native wines at Rifugio Ütia Bioch, the very best wine cellar in Italy at 6,820 ft; and pinning banknotes from your house nation to Jimmi Hut’s ornamental worldwide wall of foreign money.

Spend your nights at Hotel Marmolada, akin to a mountain lodge within the coronary heart of the city and inside minutes strolling distance of the slopes. The rooms are easy but cozy, with views of the Alps; breakfast and dinners supply quite a lot of scrumptious meals from worldwide to conventional; and the workers turn out to be household by departure time. 

“Don’t forget to look at the mountains during sunset; if you are lucky, you’ll see the Enrosadira, a natural phenomenon that turns the Dolomites pink, red, and orange,” says Dorigo.

How to get there
There are several ways to reach Alta Badia. The closest airports are Bolzano Airport (BZO), Treviso Antonio Canova Airport (TSF), and Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE). The nearest train station is Brunico-Bruneck, approximately 19 miles outside of Alta Badia, with a connecting bus service several times a day. Additionally, the South Tyrol Guest Pass allows cardholders to travel on South Tyrol’s public transportation services free of charge.

(Follow the footsteps of champions in Italy’s Winter Olympics host resorts)

Moena

Located within the Trentino region and Val di Fassa valley lies Moena, a town of approximately 2,000 residents and part of Dolomiti Superski, the largest ski area in the world. Known for being an Alpine Training Center for the Italian State Police, the San Pellegrino Pass connects the towns of Moena and Falcade, making this town a ski-lover’s paradise. Cross-country skiers will enjoy Centro del Fondo Alochet’s tracks through snow-covered woods. To watch the games in Cortina d’Ampezzo, it is best to drive. When not on the slopes or watching the games, spend your time exploring the old district of Turchia with its decorative barns, wooden sculptures, and colorful flowers. Stroll the streets of Antico Rione di Moena’s historic center, or watch a performance at Teatro Navalge. For an unexpected tasty treat, foodies should try Puzzone di Moena, a washed-rind cheese made with raw cow’s milk. 

InAlto Alfio Ghezzi Dolomites, a Michelin-recommended restaurant in Moena accessible by cable automotive on the San Pellegrino Pass, provides breathtaking views of the mountain vary. Foresta Restaurant serves typical flavors of the Trentino area, whereas Ciasa dò Parè gives a menu primarily based on what’s in season on their natural farm. Hotel Patrizia Moena points every visitor a Val di Fassa Guest Card, offering reductions for museums, spas, excursions, and complimentary public transportation.  

How to get there
The closest airports are Bolzano (BZO), and Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE). By train, it’s best to stop in Trento, Auer, or Bolzano and continue to Moena by bus.

(Where the professionals are snowboarding this winter)

San Vito di Cadore

Seven miles from Cortina d’Ampezzo, one of the host sites for the 2026 Winter Olympics, lies the mountain town of San Vito di Cadore. It sits at the foot of the Monte Antelao, the second-highest mountain in the Dolomites. The town is known for the mesmerizing Lake Mosigo. Other attractions include the Ethnographic Museum of Popular Traditions, a deep-dive into the culture and customs of the Cadore region; and Cibiana di Cadore, a traditional village that is home to 15th-century stone houses and a population of less than 500 people. Some of the homes feature murals that depict local life, legends, and folk festivals. 

Winter enthusiasts can enjoy skiing, including cross-country skiing and ski mountaineering. It’s also a great destination for families, as there is a plethora of designated slopes and snow games for children. Ski pass holders can take a complimentary shuttle to the Cortina d’Ampezzo ski resort. 

Enjoy eating on the terrace of Rifugio Larin, tasting contemporary pasta at Baita Prà Solìo, and cannoli from Panificio Fiori. Hotel Fiori Dolomites Experience is a boutique resort with visitor experiences that embody an evening climb to an Alpine hut and snowshoeing within the Dolomites. 

How to get there
The closest airports are Treviso Airport (TSF) and Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE). The nearest train station is 12 miles away in Calalzo. Direct buses operate between the station and the town center.

Olang

Tucked deep in the Trentino region and Puster Valley, and 30 miles from the Winter Olympics, Olang is a quaint reprieve from the crowds and chaos. Visitors can ski at Kronzplatz, toboggan, ice skate, snowshoe, and snow tube at night. Test your athleticism on a Rennböckl, a non-motorized device consisting of a seat with handles mounted to a ski. Drivers steer by shifting body weight from side to side and breaking with their feet. Visitors can ask their accommodation for a Südtirol Guest Pass, which provides complimentary access to public transportation and admission to over 80 museums and activities. 

For an distinctive expertise, dine at Atelier Moessmer Norbert Niederkofler, situated in what was previously a Moessmer fabric manufacturing facility, for seasonal dishes by Michelin-starred chef Norbert Niederkofler. Have lunch at Restaurant Lamp, a couple of minutes’ stroll from the practice station, and dine at Oberraut, located inside lush meadows and forests.

The Alpin Panorama Hotel Hubertus is a wellness lover’s dream. Perched on the side of a mountain with panoramic views of the valley and mountaintops, the hotel is near the slopes for daytime adventures and serves as a spa for evening relaxation. In addition to its renowned spa, visit its wellness park with five outdoor pools, saunas, and a cave steam bath.

How to get there
The closest airports are Bolzano (BZO) and Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE). It’s easily accessible by train; Olang’s station, Stazione Valdaora-Anterselva, is located near the town center. 

Milan

A co-host city of the 2026 Winter Olympics, Milan will be the site of the opening ceremony and indoor events, including figure skating, speed skating, and ice hockey. There are plenty of activities to keep you busy in Milan, outside of the Olympics. Visit the jaw-dropping Duomo di Milano, a Gothic cathedral with intricate particulars and designs. It’s price it to pay to climb to the roof for views of town. Dress as much as watch a efficiency at Teatro alla Scala, one of many world’s most well-known opera homes the place musical masterminds like Bellini have carried out; e-book tickets prematurely. Admire Leonardo da Vinci’s well-known mural, “The Last Supper.” Restoration for this piece of art entailed 20 years of daily work.

The metropolis has limitless eating choices, together with Sadler, a one-Michelin-starred Italian restaurant nestled in a 1913 Art Nouveau constructing. For an area scorching spot, strive Zio Pesce, or style sustainable superb eating at 28 Posti, one of many World’s 50 Best Restaurants. Discreetly tucked away inside an condominium advanced is Vico Milano, a boutique hotel with a rich history. Before becoming a hotel in 2021, it was once a factory that designed and produced Legnano racing bikes and then became a showroom for a fashion label.

How to get there
It is best to fly into Milano Malpensa Airport (MXP).