Visiting Northern Italy in 2026 and How to Avoid the Olympic Crowds

You Should Still Visit Northern Italy in 2026 — Even Though the Olympics Are On

Imagine it: you’re sipping a hot espresso, snow-covered peaks surround you, and your bags are resting in a cozy alpine room you booked months ago. You’re not dodging crowds, you don’t need a special access pass, and you’re free to enjoy Italy at your own pace. If you thought the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics might wreck that dream, think again — because with a little savvy planning, this could be the perfect year to go.

The Olympic Wave: Good, Bad, and How You Ride It

With the 2026 Winter Olympics serving as a backdrop, many mountain towns are undergoing massive upgrades — new lifts, improved trains, smarter roads. These are real wins for anyone heading north. But alongside the perks comes the twist: some hosts will be packed, pricey, or tightly regulated during the peak competition dates.

Take certain resort zones, like Bormio, where you’ll need tickets or even municipal approval just to access your own holiday apartment. It’s true: accommodations that sit in a race-zone may require extra steps. On the flip side, improved rail links—especially those feeding from Milan up into the peaks—mean getting there has never been smoother. So while one town may feel like the epicentre of Olympics chaos, just over the ridge you’ll find a quieter valley enjoying all the behind-the-scenes infrastructure benefits.

Where to go to get the most out of winter 2026 travel season

Instead of battling hordes in the headline Olympic towns, consider the quieter corners of Northern Italy. For instance, the region of the Aosta Valley is a perfect example of what you’re after: less frenetic, beautifully scenic, and recently included in major ski-pass networks that unlock multiple resorts with fewer crowds. 

Or look at the area around Lake Como: the main rail line to get to Bormio, where the Men’s alpine skiing race is going to be, is the same one you would take to get to Lecco, Varenna and many other incredible locations. Yes, the train might be crowded if you go in February, but even so, it will be more efficient with fewer delays or even cancelled trains.

If you want to go skiing the majestic Italian Alps, read our article for the best places to visit without the Olympic crowds!

Make smart choices

• Pick your dates: If you go before the main competition window or after, you’ll enjoy upgraded infrastructure without the full-on event mode.
• Choose your resort: Aim for valleys just off the main host hubs. They’ll benefit from the Olympics but won’t be the centre of it.
• Book early: Even quieter resorts will feel the ripple effect of the Olympics.
• Think transport: The rail and road upgrades mean places like Milan are better than ever as launch points.
• Embrace the bonus: You’ll get world-class slopes, fewer lift queues, and still the magic of Italy—for much less hassle.

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