Inside the olympic village: a sneak peek at italy’s 2026 hostels
Forget the glamour of the podium; what’s it really like to live as an Olympian? Thanks to a flurry of social media posts from athletes preparing for the 2026 Winter Olympics, we’re getting an unprecedented glimpse behind the scenes—and it's surprisingly varied.
Six villages, six experiences
Unlike the singular Olympic Village often seen in Summer Games, the 2026 Winter Olympics across Northern Italy present a unique logistical challenge. To keep athletes close to their competition venues, six distinct villages have sprung up, each with its own character and quirks. From the bustling hub of Milan to the serene alpine setting of Livigno, the accommodations range from modern high-rises to cozy, converted lodges.
Milan, unsurprisingly, boasts the largest village—a sprawling complex of six residential buildings housing around 1,500 athletes. These aren’t temporary structures; they’re brand-new additions to the city's skyline destined to become student housing post-Olympics. The Village Plaza, a vibrant gathering space, will transform into a bustling marketplace once the Games conclude.
Rooms in Milan offer single, double, or accessible occupancy, and a thoughtful design feature ensures restful downtime: soundproof walls. The layout evokes a collegiate feel, with private bathrooms and showers attached to each room, much like a traditional dorm. Beyond the bedrooms, a network of kitchens and wellness spaces provides essential amenities for athletes.
Venturing into the Dolomites, Cortina d’Ampezzo presents a starkly different scene. This village is entirely temporary, comprised of modular rooms that create a unique, pop-up town. The central gathering point is a striking yurt – a truly fitting addition to the alpine environment. Here, the focus is on flexibility, with open-plan rooms featuring one or two beds and private bathrooms. Each room has its own exterior entrance, contributing to a feeling of individual space rather than dormitory life. The entire village stretches nearly a mile, connected by pathways weaving between the temporary structures.
A recurring theme across the villages is the prevalence of “wet rooms”—a European design choice prioritizing space efficiency. Rather than a separate shower stall, the entire bathroom is waterproofed with a drain near the showerhead. While some Olympic rooms feature traditional shower doors, athletes seem to favor the streamlined wet-room aesthetic.
Livigno takes a different tack altogether, utilizing three existing alpine lodges converted for the Games. These traditional-style lodges, situated close together, provide 800 beds. The rooms are airy and comfortable, offering stunning mountain views. Some have been adapted with two twin beds, and a few boast open-concept floor plans where the bathroom (excluding the toilet) is visible from the rest of the room—a bold design choice.
Bormio follows suit, leveraging existing hotels complete with dining and fitness facilities. Rooms here vary but often include spacious open shelving for gear, en suite bathrooms, and, of course, those coveted views. Anterselva also embraces the hotel approach, selecting establishments with common areas to foster a sense of community among athletes. Finally, Predazzo has undergone significant upgrades, with new structures and renovated facilities adding 700 beds, all offering glimpses of the surrounding town through tall ceilings and, again, those distinctive wet-room bathrooms.
The 2026 Olympic Villages offer a surprisingly diverse range of accommodations, proving that even the world’s elite athletes appreciate a touch of comfort and convenience. While the concept of an Olympic Village typically conjures images of dorm-style living, these locations showcase a thoughtful consideration of both functionality and aesthetic appeal. It’s a far cry from the training grounds, and a welcome respite before chasing glory.