Cortina d’Ampezzo has long been a popular destination in the Italian Alps, known as the Queen of the Dolomites for its stunning scenery, glamorous setting and above all, its winter sports opportunities. It’s also known as the “Sophia Loren of ski resorts: gorgeous and glamorous”.
Part of the UNESCO Dolomiti Superski area, it has slopes for all levels of skiers and snowboarders, as well as other activities such as cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ski mountaineering, fat biking and snowkiting. It also hosts international events such as the Alpine Ski World Cup and the Winter Olympics.
In 2026 Cortina d’Ampezzo will welcome the world as it hosts the Winter Olympics in conjunction with Milan. This will be the fourth Olympic Games hosted in Italy, which previously hosted the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, the 1956 Winter Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo and the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome. It will be the first Olympic Games officially featuring multiple host cities and will be the first Winter Olympics since Sarajevo 1984 where the opening and closing ceremonies will be held in different venues.
Cortina has a charming atmosphere, with elegant shops, restaurants and hotels, as well as cultural and wellness attractions. It’s a winter paradise for anyone who loves snow, nature and adventure. Not to mention shopping and the warm pleasures of “apres-ski”, even if you don’t ski.
For many, it is Italy’s most fashionable and glamorous skiing resort town, attracting visitors from all over the globe who want to experience the thrill of winter sports.
Avid skiers will find many famous ski trails in Cortina, suitable for different levels of skiers. Some of the most challenging and rewarding trails are:
Scoiattolo: a steep and narrow run with a maximum slope of 55%, located in the Tofane ski area.
Bigontina: a long and scenic run that descends from the top of Faloria to the valley, passing through forests and open fields. It offers panoramic views of the Dolomites and the town of Cortina.
Ciastel: a fast and fun run that starts from the Cristallo ski area and ends at Rio Gere. It has some sharp turns and bumps that make it exciting and challenging.
Perhaps the most spectacular is the Punta Nera, that follows the ridge of Faloria, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. It is exposed to the sun and wind, so it can be icy or soft depending on the conditions.
But Cortina is not only a winter destination. It also offers many historic sites, scenic hiking trails, dreamy lakes, and quaint villages to explore. Whether you’re looking for adventure, culture, or relaxation, this is the place to visit.
Not surprisingly, with all the natural beauty and sophistication that Cortina has to offer, it has been a magnet for Hollywood and Cinecittà, as many films have been shot in Cortina and the Dolomites, both romantic and action genres. Some of the best-known films are:
The Pink Panther (1963), a comedy starring Peter Sellers and David Niven, set partly at the Hotel Cristallo and Casa Menardi, a villa designed by architect Edoardo Gellner.
A Place for Lovers (1968) a melodrama starring Faye Dunaway and Marcello Mastroianni, filmed between Treviso and Cortina.
007 – For Your Eyes Only (1981), the twelfth film in the James Bond saga, starring Roger Moore. The film shows some of Cortina’s Olympic facilities, such as the ice stadium, Olympic trampoline and bobsled run. Bond stays at the Miramonti Majestic Grand Hotel, the same hotel used in the film The Pink Panther.
Cliffhanger – The Last Challenge (1993), an action film starring Sylvester Stallone, who plays a mountain guide. The film was partly shot in Cortina, on the Three Peaks of Lavaredo and on Mount Cristallo.
If you’re looking for still more attractions, you’re in luck.
Some of these are related to World War I when the valley was on the border between Italy and Austria-Hungary and was the scene of bloody battles. You can walk the trails and ski slopes that take you to the 5 Torri Open Air Museum, where you can see the restored trenches and soldiers’ posts, or to the Lagazuoi Refuge, where you can enter the tunnels carved into the rock. You can also visit the Pocol Military Memorial, where Italian fallen soldiers rest, or the Valparola Fort, an Austrian fortress turned into a museum.
Sightseers can admire the Parish Church of Saints Philip and James, with its detached bell tower and richly decorated interior, or the Chapel of the Blessed Virgin of Lourdes, a pretty little Alpine-style church. You can also drop by the Olympic Ice Stadium, where the 1956 Winter Olympics were held, the first edition to be televised live internationally.
If, on the other hand, shopping is your delight, and you prefer to discover the more elegant and worldly side of Cortina, you can stroll along Corso Italia, the main street of the historic center, where you’ll find luxury boutiques, cafes, restaurants and posh hotels.
In Cortina d’Ampezzo you can find dishes from the Venetian tradition like polenta with cheese, sausage, goulash, or grilled vegetables, as well as typical Tyrolean specialties such as canederli (dumplings) and spaetzle.
For recommendations covering different price points and specialties, see here.
For a comprehensive list of accommodations of various types, as for example, for families, for luxury or for adventure, see here:
No matter where you decide to sleep or eat, you will always be in sight of the glorious mountain scenery.
