Milan Is Packed for the 2026 Winter Olympics, but These Tips Helped Me Avoid Spending Hours in Line

"On my first day in Milan for the 2026 Winter Olympics, I wandered to the heart of the city to admire the stunning marble facades of the Duomo and window-shop through the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. The Piazza del Duomo was filled with Olympic spectators decked out in their countries' colors, and on one end, a long line snaked outside the official Milano Cortina 2026 Megastore, with hundreds of customers waiting to buy some of the event merch."

"Of course, it's no surprise the host cities for the 2026 Winter Olympics are busy right now. Expedia shared with Travel + Leisure that Sondrio province, Cortina d'Ampezzo, and Milan saw a 215 percent, 160 percent, and 115 percent year-over-year increase in demand, respectively. Though these are the most spread out Winter Games in Olympic history, covering 8,500 square miles throughout northern Italy, each destination still feels densely packed with fans eager to cheer on their home country's team."

"Being immersed in that buzzing energy is part of the fun, but no one wants to spend hours-time you could be watching the Games-waiting in lines to buy an Olympic souvenir. After stalking the lines for several days this week and exploring shopping beyond the official Olympic stores, we've come up with a few tips to help you navigate the crowds."

Milan's Duomo area is crowded with Olympic spectators wearing national colors and a long line forms outside the official Milano Cortina 2026 Megastore. Expedia reports year-over-year demand increases of 215% in Sondrio province, 160% in Cortina d'Ampezzo, and 115% in Milan, reflecting high visitor volume. The 2026 Winter Games are the most geographically spread out in Olympic history, covering 8,500 square miles across northern Italy, yet each venue feels densely packed. Visitors can avoid long waits by visiting the Megastore early on weekday mornings, shopping at department stores like Rinascente, and choosing official outlets farther from main tourist attractions.

Read at Travel + Leisure