Milano Cortina 2026 will take place from 6-22 of February, but Milan and Cortina offer two very different Olympic experiences. Milan gives visitors the convenience, restaurants and attractions of a major city, while Cortina puts you in the scenic Dolomites and closer to several of the Games’ mountain events.
If you are deciding between the two, start with the events you wish to see. Then consider accommodation, transportation and what you want to do away from the competition.
Milan
Best for: Ice sports, easier public transportation, delicious restaurants and sightseeing
Which Olympic Events Are in Milan?
Stay in the Milan area if your priority is:
- Figure skating
- Short track speed skating
- Speed skating
- Ice hockey
- Opening Ceremony at San Siro
Figure skating and short track will take place at the Milano Ice Skating Arena in Assago, while ice hockey and speed skating are spread across other venues in the Milan cluster.
Accommodation
Milan gives visitors a much wider choice of accommodation styles and neighborhoods. Areas worth considering include:
- City Centre/Duomo: Best for major attractions and sightseeing.
- Brera: Restaurants, cafés and a more traditional Milan neighborhood atmosphere.
- Porta Garibaldi/Isola: Convenient transportation with plenty of restaurants nearby.
- Porta Romana: Useful for visitors who want to stay outside the busiest tourist centre.
Because the Olympic venues themselves are spread around the Milan metropolitan area, check the Metro and rail connections from your hotel before booking.
Getting Around
Milan is the easier option if you do not want to rent a car. The Metro, trams, buses and suburban trains connect the city with its Olympic venues.
The Milano Ice Skating Arena in Assago can be reached using the M2 Metro, while Rho Fiera is connected by the M1 and regional rail. San Siro has its own M5 Metro station.
Activities for Between Events
Milan works particularly well if you want your Olympics trip to double as a city vacation. Between competitions you can:
- Visit the Duomo di Milano
- Walk through the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
- Explore Brera
- Visit Sforza Castle
- See a performance at Teatro alla Scala
- Have an aperitivo around Navigli
- Shop around the city centre and fashion district
You can easily fill a free morning or afternoon without travelling far from your hotel.
Cortina d’Ampezzo
Best for: Mountain scenery, Alpine events and a traditional winter resort experience
Which Olympic Events Are in Cortina?
Cortina is the better base if your priority is:
- Women’s Alpine skiing
- Curling
- Bobsleigh
- Skeleton
- Luge
The Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre will host Alpine skiing, while curling takes place at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium. Bobsleigh, skeleton and luge will be held at the Cortina Sliding Centre.
Accommodation
Cortina has a very different accommodation scene from Milan. Instead of large city hotels, visitors can choose from:
- Central Cortina: Best for restaurants, shops and easy access to local services.
- Tofana: Convenient for spectators attending women’s Alpine skiing.
- Fiames: A quieter area just north of central Cortina.
- San Vito di Cadore: A nearby alternative with additional accommodation options.
Staying in central Cortina puts restaurants, shops and services close by, while properties outside the centre can offer easier access to ski areas and a quieter mountain setting.
Accommodation is more limited than in Milan, so booking early is especially important during the Olympics.
Getting Around
Cortina requires more planning than Milan because there is no railway station in the town itself.
The nearest railway stations are: Calalzo di Cadore (around 35 km away) and Dobbiaco/Toblach (around 31 km away.) Bus connections link Cortina with the surrounding area, while direct services also operate from Venice and Treviso.
For the Games, spectators should expect to rely heavily on public transport and dedicated Olympic shuttle services rather than driving directly to competition venues.
Activities for Between Events
Cortina is the stronger choice if you want outdoor activities to be part of the trip. Away from Olympic competition, visitors can:
- Ski or snowboard
- Go snowshoeing
- Try cross-country skiing
- Go ice skating
- Explore central Cortina
- Visit mountain huts
- Enjoy local restaurants and Dolomite cuisine
- Spend time at spas and wellness facilities
The main attraction, however, is the setting itself. Cortina sits in the Dolomites, giving the trip a very different atmosphere from staying in Milan.
