An Insider’s Guide To Cortina D’Ampezzo

Thanks to a thousand-year history and a century-long tourism tradition, Cortina, ‘The Queen of the Dolomites’, has long been a point of reference for winter tourism and hospitality. Its state-of-the-art ski slopes, are immersed in the majestic landscape of the Ampezzo Dolomites. The current talk of the town is the recently announced Winter Olympics 2026 which will be held in three years.

Rosapetra Spa Resort

Just minutes from the centre of Cortina, Rosapetra Spa Resort has 33 stunning rooms and a superb spa with a pool, saunas, a Turkish bath, a massage zone, and a fitness room. The resort places an emphasis on well-being and provides a broad range of treatments from thalassotherapy to Hatma massa. With a beautifully decorated restaurant, that serves local cuisine accompanied by excellent wines, this is the ideal place to relax and enjoy the beauty of Queen of the Dolomites.

De Len

The sister of Puglia Palace Borgo Egnazia, Hotel de LEN was born following major renovations of the historic Hotel Impero, in the centre of Cortina. Its philosophy is inspired by the “Rules of Ampezzo”, created with the aim of balancing the relationship between man and nature, to allow a respectful, collective and far-sighted use of the territory, aimed at the survival and wellbeing of the population. Everything at Hotel de Len is sustainable, what we love most about this stylish stay.

• Tivoli - located outside the town centre on the road to the Falzarego pass. Using top-quality ingredients, as well as fresh fish sourced daily from the markets at Venice and Chioggia, owner Graziano Prest creates delicious dishes.

• SanBrite - recently awarded a Michelin star, farm-to-table seasonal menu.

• Rifugio Averau - a must for lunch. Order the beetroot ravioli.

• Hotel de la Poste - meeting place at any time of the day.

120km of ski slopes surround Cortina. Don’t miss the famous Armentarola run, of the most beautiful runs in the world, leading to a horse sleigh that takes you to the next lift. From San Cassiano to the Falzarego pass you will need to catch the ski bus or a taxi.

Cross-country skiing pistes at all levels of difficulty, snow in impeccable conditions, and breathtaking views of the Dolomites.

Italy held its first Olympic games here in 1956; the games return to Italy in 2026, co-hosted by Cortina and Milan.

Dolce Vita in the snow. A quintessentially Italian scene rolls out along its mountain terraces and cobbled Corsa Italia – its legendary designer stretch populated by the fur brigade.

For Your Eyes Only – the 12th in the James Bond spy series, and the 5th to star Roger Moore as James Bond – prominently features the Cortina d’Ampezzo ski resort in the 1981 film. Many of the winter facilities in Cortina were built for the 1956 Winter Olympics. From Bond’s meeting with his arch-enemy at the Olympic Ice Stadium, the Via Dello Stadio, to the famous ski chase that ensues down Cortina’s Olympic Ski Jump and on the Olympic Bobsleigh Run, you can’t recognize Cortina in this film!

Peak season runs from Christmas to the end of February.

Nearest airports are Venice (2h) and Innsbruck (2 1/2h) drive.