With the much‑anticipated Winter Olympics on the horizon, northern Italy is suddenly being talked about as one of the world’s best travel destinations for 2026. National Geographic’s Best of the World selection and Forbes have finally caught up with what skiers and hikers have been whispering for years.
National Geographic’s top travel destination in Italy for 2026
The Dolomites have gone from “nice if you like hiking” to full‑blown global crush, and 2026 is the year the rest of the world properly catches up. The mountainous region was mentioned on National Geographic's Best of the World selection and Forbes' list of top destinations for 2026, and with one specific sporting event taking pride of place.
The 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games are split between Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, with events scattered across a huge swathe of the Dolomites. Most competitions play out in this nature‑rich sub‑range of the Alps, which is UNESCO‑listed for its distinctive geology and cinematic, serrated ridgelines.
Why visit the Dolomites in 2026
Part of the appeal is how easy it is to build a proper holiday around the mountains without spending your whole time in motion. One ski pass links a spread of valleys and sought-after ski resorts, so in winter you can spend your days gliding between different slopes and villages.
The area suits all sorts of travellers, from full‑on outdoor lovers chasing off‑piste lines and long‑distance hikes, to non-skiing, relaxed souls who are happiest nursing a coffee on a terrace and watching clouds drift past a jagged ridgeline.
Winter in the Dolomites is having a real moment thanks to snow‑shoeing, cross‑country trails and skimo joining the classic downhill scene. At the same time, there is a growing food and wine story, with everything from rustic mountain huts serving classic Northern Italian pasta dishes to ambitious, field‑to‑table kitchens showing off local produce.
Is the Dolomites buzz for 2026 worth it?
If you like big landscapes, mountain food and that blend of Italian and Alpine culture, then it honestly earns the hype. The scenery really does live up to the photos, and the mix of villages, valleys and passes gives you loads of choice in how intense or relaxed you want your days to be.
It is not a bargain destination, and some of the big‑name resorts can feel overrun, so it pays to be realistic about crowds and costs.
Best places in the Dolomites to have on your radar
You will see the same place names pop up again and again, and it helps to know roughly what each area offers.
- Cortina d’Ampezzo – a chic winter holiday destination with big‑ticket scenery. It has a spread of ski areas and easy access to passes like Giau and Falzarego.
- Val Gardena and Alpe di Siusi – a mix of lively villages and wide, high‑altitude meadows with huge panoramas and good lift links for both walkers and skiers.
- Alta Pusteria – the more northeasterly corner with Lago di Braies, Tre Cime and plenty of scenic valleys, great for a first trip if you like trains and buses.
- Val di Funes – a smaller, bucolic valley with those postcard views of church spires against jagged ridges, much calmer than the big resorts.
When to visit the Dolomites in 2026
The Dolomites are not just a winter story, but 2026’s buzz is definitely giving the colder months a bit of a crown. From December to March, the mountains turn into a proper snow‑dusted playground, with long‑standing ski culture, atmospheric mountain huts and plenty going on even if you do not ski.
June to September is the classic hiking and wild swimming window, with long days and most lifts running. It is busy around peak spots in late July and August, so a lot of people are nudging into June or September for a calmer, slightly cheaper trip. Meadows bloom with purple snowbells and yellow poppies, and the long sunsets extend the alpenglow.
Living in the Dolomites
Day‑to‑day life up here feels quite different to the glossy ski‑holiday version, in both good and slightly challenging ways. Winters are long, snow‑dusted and genuinely beautiful, especially if you end up in one of the most beautiful snowy villages in Italy.
Around hotspots like Cortina, luxury in the Dolomites comes with a serious price tag as property prices soar. It is also worth knowing that the region is getting more attention from high‑net‑worth buyers drawn to five winter destinations for luxury homes, which is pushing some areas further upmarket.
Long term, living in the Dolomites suits people who genuinely like seasons, do not mind a bit of weather drama, and are happiest when mountains are the backdrop to pretty much everything.
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