A Backpackers Guide To The Winter Olympics 2026 (Everything You Need to Know)

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The year of 2026 is blessing us with both the Winter Olympics and the Winter Paralympics in the same locations over back to back months. If you time your trip to Italy right, you could just about make it to both 🙂

2026 Winter Olympics:

The 2026 Winter Olympics officially kick off on Friday, February 6, with the opening ceremony set to take place at Milan’s legendary San Siro Stadium in the heart of Lombardy.

However, the action actually starts a little earlier than this, with curling getting underway in Cortina on Wednesday, February 4, followed by ice hockey in Milan and snowboarding in Livigno on Thursday, February 5. 

Over the following two weeks, multiple events will take place across northern Italy. From alpine skiing in Bormio to ski jumping in Val di Fiemme. The Games wrap up on Sunday, February 22, with a closing ceremony held at Verona’s Roman amphitheatre in the Veneto region.

2026 Winter Paralympics:

A few weeks later, the spotlight will shift to the Winter Paralympics, kicking off on Friday, March 6, back in Verona. These Games run through Sunday, March 15, with competitions in para alpine skiing, wheelchair curling, and more. The closing ceremony will be held at Cortina’s Olympic Ice Stadium.

The 2026 Winter Olympics are happening in Italy – but not just in one place.

They’re being co-hosted by two of the best places to visit in Italy: Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. This means you’ll get the best of both worlds: the big-city buzz of the world’s fashion capital and some snowy mountain magic <3

Milan is Italy’s fashion and design capital, you can expect flash hotels, top-tier shopping, smooth train links and ridiculously cool-looking Italians. This is where the Opening Ceremony will kick off, at the iconic San Siro Stadium.

Then there’s Cortina, a dreamy mountain town in the Dolomites, known for its EPIC ski slopes and cosy mountain vibes. That’s where you’ll catch events like alpine skiing, bobsledding, and curling.

Other events are spread across northern Italy in places like Livigno, Anterselva, Bormio, and Val di Fiemme. If you’re planning to follow the action of the Winter Olympics, you might want to rent a car or plan a few scenic train rides to get between the events.

To wrap things up, the Closing Ceremony is set to take place in Verona’s ancient Roman amphitheatre. How freaking cool is that?

A simple breakdown of which events are held where:

• Milan: Ice hockey, figure skating, short track, opening ceremony
• Cortina: Alpine skiing, curling, bobsleigh
• Livigno & Bormio: Snowboarding, freestyle skiing
• Val di Fiemme: Cross-country skiing, Nordic combined
• Verona: Closing ceremony

Where are the 2026 Paralympics Being Held?

And just when you think it’s all over, you get to experience the magic all over again with the Winter Paralympics. The Games will feature six sports, including para alpine skiing, para ice hockey, and wheelchair curling (with a new mixed doubles event making its debut).

Most of the action happens in the same venues used for the Olympics, but the vibe is a little different. It’ll be more intimate, inspiring, and often easier to navigate. The Closing Ceremony lands in Cortina, at the Olympic Ice Stadium, which actually hosted the opening of the 1956 Winter Games back in the day.

A simple breakdown of which events are held where:

• Milan: Para Ice Hockey
• Cortina d’Ampezzo: Para Alpine Skiing, closing ceremony
• Livigno: Para Snowboard
• Val di Fiemme: Para Cross-Country Skiing, Para Biathlon
• Verona: Opening ceremony

If you’re heading to Italy for the Winter Olympics, getting around each of the events will take a bit of planning… but it’s totally doable!

Public Transport – Buses and Trains

Milan is your easiest starting point. The city’s metro, tram, and bus systems are fast, frequent, and well-connected, especially around Olympic venues. Although the routes might be busy, you’ll be able to pop between the events and your accommodation relatively easily. 

For longer distances, say, getting from Milan to Verona or Bolzano, Italy’s high-speed trains are a solid option. They’re comfortable, quick, and actually pretty scenic! 

Verona, where the Closing Ceremony will be held, is less than two hours away by train, so it’s perfect for a day trip or overnight stay. As it’s being held in the ancient Roman amphitheatre, it’ll no doubt be iconic and worth the trip!

Renting A Car

Now, if you’re heading into the mountains, places like Cortina d’Ampezzo, Livigno, or Bormio, you’ll need to think ahead. Public transport thins right out in these mountain areas, and while shuttle buses will be running, they won’t get you everywhere. 

Renting a car gives you more freedom, especially if you’re following events across multiple alpine towns. Just be ready for winter road conditions and limited parking near main venues. Check with your rental company if they include chains and relevant winter equipment. 

We recommend using DiscoverCars to select your car rental and book your transport. These guys collate the best options on one platform, making it easier to compare and find the best option for you. Go with a company that has a rating of 8/10 or above.

Organisers are expected to roll out dedicated Olympic shuttles between key sites, which should help. But either way, book early, check your routes, and leave room for a few scenic detours… you’re in the Dolomites for goodness sake!!

General ticket sales opened in April, and let’s just say, people didn’t muck around. Approx 40% of tickets were booked up during the early-access window back in February!!

If you’re hoping to catch the figure skating, ice hockey, or alpine skiing, you can expect premium prices and limited availability. That said, you miiight still score seats to watch a triple axel or downhill sprint without selling a kidney 😉

More ticket releases are expected in the months leading up. Keep an eye on the Winter Games ticketing website. This is the only place you should be buying from. Although Third-party sellers might look tempting, they’re always risky business. 

For the Winter Paralympics in March, I’ve got much better news! Tickets are generally more affordable, and the vibe of the Games is overall a lot more relaxed. You’ll find seats for para alpine skiing, wheelchair curling, and para ice hockey at a fraction of Olympic prices.

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If you’re planning to follow the action of the Winter Olympics, this might involve staying in a few different places in Italy. I’ve put together my top recommendations on where to stay in each below:

1. Milan – Best for Ice Sports, Ceremonies, and Fast Connections

Milan is home to the Opening Ceremony and key indoor events like figure skating, ice hockey, and short track speed skating. It’s also your main transport hub, with high-speed trains linking you to Verona, Bolzano, and the mountain towns. Staying in Milan is great for convenience, but it will be expensive.

• Best Hotel in Milan: Park Hyatt Milano
• Best Hostel in Milan: Babila Hostel & Bistrot
• Best Airbnb in Milan: Duomo Getaway (with stunning roof terrace)

2. Cortina d’Ampezzo – Best for Alpine Skiing, Curling, and Paralympic Finals

Cortina hosts alpine skiing, bobsledding, skeleton, and curling, plus the Paralympic Closing Ceremony. It’s in the heart of the Dolomites, so you can expect impressive alpine views and a proper mountain vibe.

• Best Hotel in Cortina d’Ampezzo: Hotel Aquila
• Best Airbnb in Cortina d’Ampezzo: Apartment on Croda da Lago

3. Verona – Best for Ceremonies, Day Trips, and Downtime

Verona will host the Closing Ceremony of the Olympic Games and the Opening Ceremony of the Paralympic Games at Milano Cortina 2026. Staying in Verona is ideal for those who want to experience the ceremonies, then head back to the city’s iconic wine bars and cobbled streets.

• Best Hotel in Verona: Arena Suite
• Best Hostel in Verona: The Hostello
• Best Airbnb in Verona: Luxury Apartment

4. Bolzano and Trento – Best for Cross-Country Skiing and Scenic Escapes

These towns are nestled into the Trentino-South Tyrol region and are closest to Val di Fiemme, where cross-country skiing and Nordic combined events take place. They’re quieter, more affordable, and offer easy access to nature and regional trains.

• Best Hotel in Bolzano: Parkhotel Mondschein
• Best Hostel in Trento: Ostello Giovane Europa di Trento
• Best Airbnb in Bolzano: Stachelburg residence

Getting to the 2026 Winter Olympics is surprisingly straightforward, especially if you start in Milan. Milan is one of the main transport hubs in Europe.

As Italy’s main international gateway, Milan has two major airports (Malpensa and Linate) with direct flights from most European cities, plus long-haul routes from North America, Asia, and beyond. If you’re flying in from overseas, Malpensa is likely to be your landing spot.

It’s going to be a busy and expensive time to travel. I’d consider arriving slightly earlier and leaving slightly later, and try to avoid KEY opening and closing dates, as these will likely be the most popular. Keep an eye on your flights through comparison platforms like Skyscanner and lock in your flights asap.

That’ll depend on what passport you’re travelling with. If you’re an EU national, you’re good to go – no visa required!

Travellers from the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand can also enter Italy visa-free for up to 90 days within any six-month period. That’s more than enough time to catch the Olympics, explore a few mountain towns, and maybe squeeze in a wine tour (or two).

If you’re coming from a country that doesn’t have visa-free access to the Schengen Area, you’ll need to apply for a short-stay Schengen visa before you travel. Visa rules can shift, so it’s best to check the latest info on SchengenVisaInfo.com.

The 2026 Winter Olympics might sound like a huge ol’ wallet drainer… BUT with a bit of planning, you can experience the magic of the event without completely draining your savings.

Here are a few budget travel tips on how to keep costs down for your trip to the Winter Olympics in 2026:

• Skip the headline events: Figure skating and alpine skiing are mega pricey and sell out insanely fast. But sports like biathlon, cross-country skiing, and curling often have cheaper tickets. You’ll be able to get that Olympic rush, without the €800 price tag!
• Stay outside the hotspots: Milan and Cortina will be expensive over the Olympics. Considering looking for accommodation in nearby towns with train access: places like Bergamo, Trento, or Verona. You’ll save money and get a quieter base 🙂
• Use regional trains and Olympic shuttles: Italy’s train network is reliable and affordable. Book in advance for the best fares, and use free or low-cost shuttles between venues, when available.
• Eat like a local: Skip the expensive hotel breakfasts and overpriced restaurants. Instead, head to local bakeries, trattorias, and aperitivo bars for delish meals at half the price. The food is often 10x better at these spots anyway.
• Travel light and off-peak: Flying midweek, avoiding checked luggage, and booking early can literally save you hundreds on travel costs! If you’re flexible with dates, you’ll have more options and be able to find better deals.
• Consider the Paralympics: Held in March, the Winter Paralympics offer lower ticket prices, fewer crowds, and, tbh, even more heart and inspiration.

It’s no secret that the Winter Olympics are going to be held over a rather chilly time. So, our packing list is going to comprise a few essential warm items! Here are a few key items you’ll want to take with you for both mountain and city days:

• Insulated, waterproof boots with good grip
• Power adapters (Type C and F for Italy)
• Reusable water bottle (many towns have public fountains)
• Compact daypack for events and travel days
• Windproof outer jacket or shell
• Touchscreen-compatible gloves
• Warm hat or beanie
• Sunglasses or snow goggles for mountain glare
• Portable phone charger or power bank
• Travel-size toiletries and hand warmers
• Lightweight scarf or neck gaiter
• Event tickets, ID, and travel insurance documents

Here are the questions that I get asked most commonly about travelling to the Winter Olympics:

Don’t Forget Insurance for Your Trip to the Winter Olympics

Unfortunately, things can go wrong when you least expect them. This is why good travel insurance is essential before you head on your trip to Italy.

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.

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SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

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And there you have it… Everything you need to know before heading to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy! From where to stay, which events are on, and how to get around. It’s going to be a crazy, busy time in this part of Italy, so I’d recommend putting together your plan and locking in accomodation asap rocky.

Whether you’re just dipping your toes in while on a budget or ready to drop some dosh on making this an experience of a lifetime, I hope you have an absolutely amazing time at the Winter Olympics.

See you there 🙂