Enjoy the Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo: here's what you need to know about traffic and parking.
This February, the “Queen of the Dolomites” will host the women’s alpine skiing, curling, bobsleigh, skeleton, and luge events of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. If you’re planning to attend this legendary sporting event perhaps alternating cheering with a glamorous stroll along Corso Italia or a panoramic hike between the Tofane and the Cristallo we’ve prepared a short vademecum on Cortina’s traffic system, with tips on where to park and how to manage your car travel to and within the Ampezzo basin as smoothly as possible.
How to get to Cortina in winter (and during the Olympics)
To reach Cortina from Veneto and the rest of Italy, the main access route is State Road 51 of Alemagna, which you take from the A27 Venice–Belluno motorway exit; those coming from South Tyrol can instead travel through Val Pusteria and descend via the Cimabanche Pass. During the summer season, the Falzarego and Giau passes offer breathtaking views, but in winter they require extreme caution and full winter equipment.
How to get to Cortina without stress? Timing is everything: it’s crucial to avoid late Friday afternoons, Saturday mornings, and the major Sunday return flow, time slots when the SS51 often turns into a long snake of cars. During the Games, traffic will be heavy: setting off before 6:00 a.m. or after 8:30 p.m. is the winning move for a smooth journey. One option worth considering if you’re coming from farther regions, to travel with greater comfort and flexibility, is renting a car in Friuli Venezia Giulia or Veneto and then driving from there to Cortina.
Cortina: where to park
Cortina’s historic center is a limited traffic zone, monitored by electronic gates and dedicated to pedestrian use; access is allowed only to residents and hotel guests for luggage unloading. During the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics, city traffic will undergo structural changes: an “Olympic Mobility Plan” will be implemented, featuring differentiated restricted zones (Red Area and Yellow Area) near competition venues such as the Olympia delle Tofane or the Sliding Centre. To circulate in certain sensitive areas during competitions, it will be essential to hold an Accredited Pass or a spectator ticket.
As for parking in Cortina, the paid areas closest to the center are the Ice Stadium car park and the Via dei Maestri del Lavoro car park, but they tend to fill up quickly. Those looking for free options can try the more peripheral areas, such as near the train station (with limited spaces) or toward the Fiames area. During the Olympic period, however, the most effective strategy will be to leave your car at the designated parking hubs in Acquabona or Pian da Lago and use the free circular shuttle services the fastest way to dive into the Olympic atmosphere without getting stuck in traffic in the basin.
