Every few years, a single event reshapes the travel map of an entire region. In 2026, that event is the Winter Olympics, jointly hosted by Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, with events spread across the dramatic peaks of the Italian Dolomites. The Games have thrust this corner of northern Italy into the global spotlight — and the smart money says the appeal won't melt with the snow.
The Dolomites have always been one of Europe's most spectacular mountain ranges, but they've lived somewhat in the shadow of the French and Swiss Alps for international visitors. That's changing fast. Here's why the region is having its moment, and how to experience it whether or not you're there for the sport.
What the Olympics Changed
Hosting an Olympics brings a wave of infrastructure investment — upgraded roads, expanded rail connections, new and renovated hotels, and a level of global media attention money simply can't buy. The Milano-Cortina 2026 Games have accelerated all of this across the Veneto and Trentino-Alto Adige regions. The practical upshot for travellers is a region that's now easier to reach, better equipped to host visitors, and firmly on the radar in a way it wasn't five years ago.
The Olympic Effect
The 2026 Winter Olympics span Milan, Cortina d'Ampezzo, Bormio, Livigno and the Val di Fiemme. Travel forecasters expect the "snowball effect" to drive year-round interest in the Dolomites well beyond the Games themselves, as the region's hiking, cycling and summer appeal gets discovered by a new global audience.
The Dolomites Are Not Just for Skiers
Here's the thing most people miss: while the Olympics have spotlighted the winter sports, the Dolomites may be even better in summer. Once the snow melts, the region delivers some of the finest hiking, cycling and mountain scenery anywhere in Europe — jagged limestone spires glowing pink at sunset (the famous enrosadira phenomenon), emerald alpine lakes, and a network of mountain huts (rifugi) serving hearty food at altitude.
The summer hiking here ranges from gentle lakeside strolls to serious multi-day treks along the Alta Via routes. The via ferrata — protected climbing routes using fixed cables and ladders, originally built during the First World War — let non-mountaineers access genuinely vertiginous terrain safely. And the cycling, particularly around the legendary Sella Ronda loop of mountain passes, draws riders from around the world.
Cortina d'Ampezzo: The Glamorous Heart
Cortina d'Ampezzo, the "Queen of the Dolomites," is the region's most famous resort and a co-host of the Games. It has a long history of glamour — it hosted the 1956 Winter Olympics and appeared in the 1981 James Bond film For Your Eyes Only. Expect elegant boutiques, excellent restaurants and a sophisticated après-ski scene alongside the serious mountain access. It's not the cheapest base, but it's the most atmospheric.
A Cuisine Caught Between Italy and Austria
One of the great surprises of the Dolomites is the food. This region was part of Austria-Hungary until 1919, and the culinary heritage reflects that dual identity. You'll find canederli (bread dumplings) and speck (smoked cured ham) alongside fresh pasta and Italian wines. The South Tyrol produces excellent whites — particularly Gewürztraminer and Pinot Grigio — and the mountain rifugi serve a robust, warming cuisine perfect after a day on the trails or slopes.
The Dolomites at sunset — when the pale limestone walls blaze pink and orange — are among the most beautiful sights in Europe. The phenomenon even has a name: enrosadira.
How to Visit in 2026 and Beyond
During the Olympics (February 2026), the region will be busy and expensive — book far ahead if you're going for the sport. For everyone else, the best advice is to time your visit around the Games rather than during them. Late spring (May-June) brings wildflowers and quiet trails. Summer (July-September) offers the best hiking weather. Autumn (late September-October) brings golden larches and the year's clearest air.
The nearest major airports are Venice (about two hours from Cortina), Verona and Innsbruck across the border in Austria. A car gives the most flexibility for exploring the valleys and passes, though the regional bus network is surprisingly good.
Explore Italy's Great Cities
Pair the Dolomites with our guides to Venice, Verona and the cities of northern Italy.
Read the Venice Guide →The Verdict
The Olympics will pass, but the Dolomites' moment in the global spotlight is likely to outlast the Games by years. If you've ever wanted to see one of Europe's most dramatic mountain landscapes before it becomes as crowded as the French Alps, the next few years are the window. Go in summer, hike between the rifugi, watch the peaks turn pink at dusk, and understand why this corner of Italy has captured the world's attention.
Where to Base Yourself
Beyond Cortina, several other bases offer different characters. Bolzano, the capital of South Tyrol, combines Italian and Austrian cultures with a vibrant market town atmosphere and the remarkable Ötzi Museum (housing the 5,300-year-old Iceman). Ortisei in the Val Gardena is a woodcarving village turned ski resort with direct lift access to the Sella Ronda circuit. Bressanone (Brixen) is a charming episcopal town with a stunning cathedral, cobbled streets and a strong wine tradition. Each offers a different slice of Dolomite life.
For budget-conscious travellers, the network of mountain huts (rifugi) offers remarkable value — hearty meals and dormitory beds at altitude, booked through the Italian Alpine Club (CAI). A hut-to-hut hiking itinerary along the Alta Via routes is one of the great European walking experiences, combining spectacular scenery with simple, convivial accommodation. The Dolomites reward planning, but they also reward spontaneity — some of the finest moments come from taking a random trail that catches your eye and finding yourself alone among peaks that feel almost otherworldly.