For better or worse, Milan and the Dolomites will be two of the most popular destinations for tourists in 2026, according to Travel + Leisure magazine. Ahead of the Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina, the Lombard capital is preparing to host prestigious sporting events, such as ice skating, as well as hundreds of champions and tens of thousands of tourists and sports fans. Milan presents itself to visitors as a great cultural center, modern but retaining a certain chic charm linked both to its history and its role in fashion and design.
Milan: the great metropolis among natural beauty
Milan is certainly not the city for nature lovers, but it is an important starting point for those who want to stay in a large population center that really lacks nothing and is not too far from the natural gems of northern Italy. For this very reason, many tourists will choose it next year as a base town from which to explore the great lakes that surround it and, of course, the Dolomites.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2009, the Dolomites need no introduction. Between majestic peaks and scenic landscapes, this mountain range is one of the most beautiful in the world, visited by thousands of people every year. 2026 will be an even more special year, as Travel + Leisure points out, as Cortina d’Ampezzo, a city located right in the heart of the mountain range, will host the Winter Olympics. Between the Olympic atmosphere and new infrastructure, the two resorts will be the heart of next year’s event and winter tourism. This opportunity will be the perfect chance to bring up, once again, Italian gastronomy, design, and innovation.