Milan Cortina 2026
Italy transforms into the World Capital of Sport and Beauty
From the adrenaline of snow-covered slopes to the timeless magic of art cities: discover how to experience the most exclusive Olympic adventure in history, turning it into the trip of a lifetime.
From February 6 to 22, 2026, Italy will experience sixteen days that will transform the face of national tourism. The XXV Winter Olympics Milan Cortina 2026 will not just be a sporting event: they will represent the most spectacular showcase ever presented to the world of Italian beauty, excellence, and hospitality. For the first time in Olympic history, the Games will take place in two co-hosting cities, creating a corridor of emotions that spans the Alps, metropolises, and the most beautiful art cities on the planet.
The Record Games
Mind-Blowing Numbers
Milano Cortina 2026 will mark several milestones in Olympic history. With over 3,500 athletes from 93 nations competing for 195 medals in 16 disciplines, these will be the Winter Games with the highest gender balance ever achieved (47% female participation). For the first time, alpine skiing will make its Olympic debut, while curling will return to the renovated Olympic Ice Stadium in Cortina.
The big news? Two ceremonies in different venues: the opening at the historic San Siro in Milan and the closing in the magical Arena di Verona. An innovation that will transform the entire Italian territory into an Olympic stage spread over more than 22,000 km².
The Geography of Emotions
From the Peaks to the Cities of Art
Milano: The Metropolis that Embraces the World
Milano, already a global capital of fashion and design, is set to become the beating heart of the Games. The opening ceremony on February 6 at the legendary San Siro Stadium will feature a show created by Balich Wonder Studio, with the participation of approximately 1,800 volunteers. The city will host ice sports: hockey, figure skating, and short track, transforming its venues into temples of international sport.
📍 FOCUS MILAN
- Quadrilatero della Moda: Via Montenapoleone, Via della Spiga, Via Sant’Andrea
- Duomo and Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II: Timeless symbols of Italian elegance
- Leonardo’s Last Supper: A masterpiece of world art
- Navigli: The heart of Milan’s nightlife, perfect for post-match aperitifs
Cortina d'Ampezzo
The Queen of the Dolomites Shines Again
Seventy years after its first Olympics (1956), Cortina d’Ampezzo takes the global stage once again. The “Queen of the Dolomites” will host competitions in women’s alpine skiing, curling, and sliding sports (bobsled, skeleton, luge) at the new Cortina Sliding Center.
The Dolomites, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009, provide a breathtaking natural backdrop with peaks exceeding 3,000 meters and the phenomenon of Enrosadira, when the mountains are bathed in shades of pink and purple at sunset.
The Valtellina
Land of Champions
Bormio and Livigno will be the hub of Olympic excitement. The iconic Stelvio slope in Bormio, stretching 3,186 meters and featuring a drop of 987 meters, will host the men’s alpine skiing events and mark the Olympic debut of ski mountaineering. Livigno, dubbed the “little Tibet of Italy,” will present as many as 26 medals in freestyle and snowboard events.
🎿 SPORTS FACT
The Stelvio slope is renowned as one of the most technical and breathtaking in the world, with gradients of up to 63%. Here, unforgettable moments in world alpine skiing history have been created.
Verona
A thrilling ending
The closing ceremony on February 22 will take place in the millennia-old Arena di Verona, a Roman amphitheater that has hosted unforgettable performances for over 2,000 years. With its 15,000 seats and perfect acoustics, the Arena will provide a breathtaking finale, combining sports and culture in an eternal embrace.
Journey through Italian Excellence
The Olympic Grand Tour
The Olympic event represents the perfect opportunity for a Grand Tour that combines sports and culture, Alps and art, tradition and innovation. Here is the exclusive itinerary proposed by Argiletum Tour to fully experience this unforgettable adventure.
Leg 1: Milan and Lake Como
Begin your Olympic adventure in the Lombardy metropolis, where you can watch ice competitions.
Just a few kilometers away, the Lake Como awaits you with its historic villas: Villa del Balbianello, film set for “Casino Royale” and “Star Wars”, Villa Carlotta with its botanical gardens, Villa d’Este, named “best hotel in the world” in 2009.
💎 EXCLUSIVE EXPERIENCE
Private boat tour on Lake Como including a visit to historic villas, gourmet lunch, and tasting of local wines. An experience that combines nature, history, and sophistication.
Leg 2: Venice, the Serenissima
From Milan, reach Venice by high-speed train. The lagoon city welcomes you with its 400 bridges and unique canals. St. Mark’s Square, the Bridge of Sighs, the Doge’s Palace, and gondolas gliding silently create a magical and unforgettable atmosphere.
🗝️ VENETIAN SECRET
The Bridge of Sighs gets its romantic name from Lord Byron. Originally used by prisoners to reach their cells, it is now a symbol of eternal love for couples who pass beneath it in a gondola.
Leg 3: Verona, City of Love
After attending the Olympic closing ceremony at the Arena, explore Verona, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the home of Romeo and Juliet. The Arena, built in the 1st century A.D., is one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheaters in the world and has hosted the prestigious Lyrical Festival since 1913.
Leg 4: Florence, Cradle of the Renaissance
Continue to Florence, which houses 30% of the world’s most important artworks according to UNESCO. The Uffizi Gallery, featuring masterpieces by Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael, represents the temple of Renaissance art.
🎨 ART & NUMBERS
The Accademia Gallery in Florence receives over 1.5 million visitors a year, primarily attracted by Michelangelo’s David, a sculpture standing 5.17 meters tall carved from a single block of marble.
Leg 5: Rome, Eternal City
Conclude your journey in the Eternal City, where history and modernity have coexisted for over 2,700 years. Colosseum, Imperial Fora, Vatican Museums, and Sistine Chapel represent the culmination of a journey through human history.
Tailor-made trips
Exclusive Services Argiletum Tour
Argiletum Tour, with its team of Italian experts, is the ideal partner to transform your Olympic trip into an unforgettable experience. We specialize in creating tailor-made trips that combine sports, culture, and culinary traditions.
EXCLUSIVE OLYMPIC PACKAGES
🥇 GOLD PACKAGE MILAN CORTINA
- Tickets for 3 Olympic events
- 7 days/6 nights in 4-5 star hotels
- Private tours of Milan, Como, Venice, Verona, Florence, Rome
- Multilingual private guide
- Luxury car transfers
- Gourmet dinners at Michelin-starred restaurants
🥈 SILVER GRAND TOUR PACKAGE
- 5 days/4 nights
- 1st class high-speed train
- Guided tours in Milan, Venice, Florence, Rome
- Priority museum entries
- Culinary tastings
🎯 CUSTOMIZED SERVICES
- Private Guided Tours: Discover the secrets of art cities with our expert guides
- Tailored Travel: We create your ideal itinerary
- Corporate Events: Full organization for groups and incentives
- VIP Experiences: Exclusive access and unique activities
Box Curiosities: The Secrets of the 2026 Olympics
🏅 THE MEDALS OF THE FUTURE
The medals for Milan-Cortina 2026, unveiled on July 15, 2025, in Venice, are created by the Mint and State Printing Institute. They weigh 506 grams (500g + 6g of gold for the winning versions) and symbolize “two halves that come together,” reflecting the connection between Milan and Cortina.
❄️ NATURAL HERITAGE
The Dolomites were formed over 200 million years ago from ancient tropical marine basins. “Dolomite,” the rock that gives the characteristic light color, was discovered by the French geologist Déodat de Dolomieu in the 18th century.
🎭 CULTURAL TRADITION
The Arena di Verona has hosted operas since 1913, when the first “Aida” was performed to celebrate Verdi’s centennial. Since then, over 100 seasons have established the amphitheater as a global temple of opera.
Practical Information
📅 OLYMPIC SCHEDULE
- February 6: Opening Ceremony (Milan, San Siro)
- February 6-22: Olympic Events
- February 22: Closing Ceremony (Verona, Arena)
- March 6-15: Winter Paralympics
🚄 TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS
- High-Speed Train: Travel from Milan to Rome in just 3 hours
- Regional Connections: Easy access to all Olympic venues
- Private Car: Exclusive transfers available via Argiletum Tour
🏨 LODGING
Argiletum Tour offers charming hotels, historic accommodations, and unique locations in every destination of your trip.
Milan Cortina 2026 represents more than just an Olympics: it’s Italy’s invitation to the whole world to discover an extraordinary heritage of beauty, history, and hospitality. Don’t just watch the Games on TV: join us in experiencing them firsthand, transforming sixteen days of competition into an unforgettable adventure you’ll treasure always.
Get in touch with Argiletum Tour today to start planning your Grand Olympic Tour: we will be here to design the most exciting travel experience of your life.
“Italy isn’t simply a destination; it’s a place to call home. And the 2026 Olympics offer the perfect chance to experience it in style.”
