✈️ Your Italy 2026 travel update (quick and useful)

Planning a trip to Italy? Start here

January 05, 2026

It's January, which means it's the perfect time to start planning your trip to Italy. While 2025 was all about the Jubilee, 2026 is the year of the Winter Olympics. Italy has already hosted the Olympic Games three times (Cortina 1956, Rome 1960, Turin 2006). This year will be the fourth time.

Whether it's your first or the 10th time in Italy, there is always something new to discover here. Here is what you can expect this year that can affect your trip. And being prepared will make your trip much more enjoyable.

Resources guide:

Useful tools for helping you plan your trip:

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The 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy: what to know

Italy will host the Winter Olympics from February 6–22, 2026, with events spread across several regions rather than centred in one city. Here’s what that means for you:

Host locations

  • Events will take place in northern Italy, with Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo as the main hubs. Competitions will also be held in the Dolomites, Valtellina and other Alpine areas.

What to expect

  • Increased demand for accommodation, higher prices and limited availability in mountain towns during the Games. Transport links in the north are being upgraded, which is good news in the long term but may cause short-term disruption.

How does this affect travel plans

  • If you’re planning a winter trip to northern Italy in early 2026, booking early will matter. If you prefer quieter travel, the central and southern regions may be a better choice during this period.

A brand-new metro station in Rome

If Rome is on your 2026 itinerary, you're in luck. A new Metro Line C station has opened right by the Colosseum and the Imperial Forums, and it’s stunning. Here is why everyone is talking about it.

During the long build, crews uncovered a wealth of artifacts that have been incorporated into the new station. Feeling a bit like a museum, the station features displays such as ceramics, lamps and other everyday objects. It’s also designed as a key connection point, with easier links between Metro lines in one of the city’s busiest areas.

Mount Etna eruption

After several notable incidents in 2026, Mount Etna put on a dramatic reminder of why it’s one of Europe’s most active volcanoes. Following weeks of rising volcanic signals, Etna’s Northeast Crater showed renewed activity after nearly 30 years of dormancy. The eruption is being monitored closely by researchers.

The eruption prompted flight warnings. While airports stay open, this kind of activity can cause sudden delays or route changes. If you’re travelling through eastern Sicily, it’s smart to build in flexibility and keep an eye on local updates, especially if you’ll be flying in or out of Catania.

Travel changes to keep on your radar

A couple of Europe-wide changes are worth noting if you’re planning on visiting Italy:

  • New border checks are rolling out for non-EU travellers. You may be asked for biometric data (like fingerprints and a facial image) when entering the Schengen Area. The rollout caused significant delays and disruptions, which may worsen during peak season.

  • A new digital travel authorization (ETIAS) is scheduled to launch later in 2026. This has been pushed back several times, so don't be surprised if it happens again. Travellers to the EU will need to complete an online pre-approval system and pay a fee of €7. This will apply to visitors from countries like Canada and the US. ETIAS application site

New podcast season coming soon

After a much-needed and slightly longer-than-expected pause, we're getting ready for a new season of the Amongst Romans podcast. You can expect more destination episodes, travel shorts with helpful info, and practical advice to help you plan your trip.

I'm also going to interview a few people I've met on my travels who will share their take on Italy and introduce you to new destinations to add to your bucket list.

Catch up on past episodes:

Something new, inspired by Abruzzo

We’ve recently settled in Abruzzo, and spending time here has sparked an idea I’m quietly working on behind the scenes. It’s rooted in this region, but it’s really about helping travellers discover parts of Italy that feel real, lived-in, and deeply connected to place.

I’ll be sharing more on that soon.

Resources

Thanks for being here and following along. We have a lot planned for the year ahead, and I’m looking forward to sharing it with you.

A presto,

Kasia