What to Know Before Visiting Italy for the 2026 Winter Olympics

"The countdown is on for the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, which are set to kick off in Milan with the opening ceremony at San Siro Stadium on Feb. 6 and run until Feb. 22. And though the games are called Milano-Cortina, they will actually take place across a massive swath of Northern Italy, with athletes competing for medals in alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, curling, figure skating, snowboarding, ice hockey, and more."

"If you're planning to travel to Italy during the Olympics and have not yet booked accommodations, do so immediately. "Hotels, rentals, and even Airbnbs will be in very high demand, especially in central areas," De Bonis warns. He suggests looking beyond Milan, adding, "Consider nearby cities like Monza, Bergamo, or Como for more availability and better rates." If you plan to attend any of the games, though, make sure to calculate the distance you'll have to travel to get from your accommodation to the event."

Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics open Feb. 6 at San Siro Stadium in Milan and run through Feb. 22, with competitions across Northern Italy. Events include alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, curling, figure skating, snowboarding, and ice hockey. Travelers should finalize accommodations immediately because hotels, rentals, and Airbnbs will be in high demand, especially centrally. Consider lodging in nearby cities such as Monza, Bergamo, or Como for better availability and rates. Calculate travel times between towns carefully, as winding mountain roads can make trips two to five hours. Avoid driving in Milan and use public transportation.

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