It's no secret: in the run-up to the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics , house prices in the Dolomites have soared by more than 200%, and for many, the dream of seeing the games live could be dashed. In reality, you don't have to spend a fortune to attend the Olympics in Veneto , especially if you plan ahead and carefully.
For example, taking advantage of short-term apartment rentals , where you can maintain autonomy and independence, without the traditional constraints of hotels and fixed schedules. Furthermore, you can travel freely by car without having to deal with the surge in train and bus fares in anticipation of the event. Sleeping in the city also allows you to take advantage of the sporting event by visiting an art city like Venice, Padua, Vicenza, or Verona , and perhaps attend the closing ceremony of the games, which will be held at the Verona Arena on February 22, 2026.
In short, the strategies for saving money and experiencing the thrill of the Olympics in Veneto are at your disposal; it's up to you to decide!
Strategic base: why choose the cities of the plain
Staying directly in Cortina d'Ampezzo during the two Olympic weeks is prohibitively expensive and the availability of real estate is now saturated. Moving your base camp to the Veneto capitals (Verona, Vicenza, Padua, or Venice-Mestre) is the most rational alternative for those on a budget.
A solution that offers three practical advantages:
- Lower costs : Short-term rentals in the city maintain more stable rates than in the mountain areas, which are subject to seasonal speculation.
- Full services as usual : unlike small Alpine resorts that will be under pressure from the influx of tourists, cities guarantee immediate access to supermarkets, restaurants and services without excessive queues.
- Cultural flexibility : in the event of race postponements due to bad weather or free days, you'll already be immersed in a high-level tourist environment with museums and lively historic centers, rather than isolated in the valley.
Cities like Verona deserve priority consideration. Besides being a key motorway hub (A4/A22 intersection), it will host the Closing Ceremony on February 22, 2026.
If you decide to stay in Verona, you can experience the final Olympic event from the comfort of your own home by walking to the Arena or taking a short city trip, avoiding the traffic returning from the mountains that will plague those staying elsewhere.
Getting to Cortina by car: logistics and times
Having your own car is essential for those who choose to sleep far from the slopes, but it requires planning. The Olympic road plan includes severe restrictions on direct access to the competition venues. Therefore, it's best to focus on the interchange : simply depart from the cities by taking the A27 towards Belluno, park in the designated parking lots, and continue on the official spectator shuttles that connect the parking lots with the Cortina facilities.
The free bus service between Livigno and Trepalle is extremely convenient for attending the Mottolino Snowpark competitions and freestyle skiing competitions.
To organize overnight stays and car trips, it is essential to know the calendar of events that will be held in the Cortina d'Ampezzo area between 6 and 22 February 2026.
The competitions are concentrated in three specific areas:
- The women's alpine skiing event on the Olympia delle Tofane slope will host downhill, super-G, giant slalom, slalom, and combined races. It is undoubtedly the highlight for ski enthusiasts.
- Ice Sports (Track) : Bobsleigh, Skeleton and Luge competitions will take place on the new dedicated Sliding Centre.
- Curling : the historic Olympic Ice Stadium (already the venue for the 1956 edition) will be the stage for curling matches, one of the most popular sports due to its tactical component.
By planning your stay in the lowlands, you can select individual race days to attend, climbing to altitude in the morning and returning to the city in the evening, thus optimizing both your spending and your overall tourist experience.
Where to stay in Verona for the closing ceremony
If you're planning to attend the final performance on February 22, 2026, at the Verona Arena , choosing your neighborhood is crucial to avoid the post-event traffic. Choose Cittadella or Porta Nuova, the neighborhoods located between Piazza Bra and the train station, allowing you to walk to the Arena in less than 15 minutes and guaranteeing access to major roads for those arriving by car.
Borgo Trento, separated from the historic center by the Adige River, is also full of attractive apartments close to the Arena, while the Fiera or Borgo Roma area offers the most competitive rates and is just a short bus ride to the center: this way, you can experience the event in the city like a true local and enjoy a strategic location.
