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The 2026 Winter Olympics are almost upon us and many people are planning on visiting Italy – northern Italy, where the games are – Milan and Cortina are the host cities. The Olympics run from February 6-22, 2026.
Northern Italy, is nothing like southern Italy, which most people are familiar with.
Here are the 10 biggest mistakes people make when visiting Northern Italy — and the easy ways to avoid them:
🇮🇹 1. Only visiting Venice, Milan, and Florence
Northern Italy is full of incredible regions—Lake Como, the Dolomites, Piemonte, Emilia-Romagna, Verona, Trieste—many travelers miss them completely.
Fix: Include at least one smaller town or mountain/lake region.
Check out hotels and resorts in Northern Italy here.
🚗 2. Underestimating driving rules (and ZTL zones)
Visitors often get surprise fines for driving into ZTL (restricted traffic zones) in historic centers.
Fix: Research ZTL zones, use official parking lots, and trust your GPS warnings.
🕒 3. Expecting everything to be open all day
Shops, smaller restaurants, and cafés often close in the afternoon (roughly 14:00–17:00).
Fix: Plan meals and shopping around local schedules.
🍝 4. Eating at tourist-trap restaurants
Especially near canals in Venice or main squares in Milan.
Fix: Look for places without photos on the menu, or those with locals eating inside.
☕ 5. Ordering coffee “wrong” and feeling awkward
Northern Italians mainly drink cappuccino only in the morning. Asking for it after lunch isn’t “wrong,” but it’s not typical.
Fix: Order espresso (caffè) or macchiato in the afternoon if you want to blend in.
Here is a complete guide to ordering coffee in Italy.
🧳 6. Not packing for microclimates
Northern Italy has mountains, lakes, coastlines, and big cities—all with very different weather.
Fix: Bring layers and waterproof gear, especially if visiting the Dolomites or Lake District.
📸 7. Not booking popular attractions in advance
The Last Supper in Milan, Doge’s Palace in Venice, Dolomites cable cars, and Lake Como ferries can sell out.
Fix: Book key tickets 1–3 weeks early (more in summer).
💶 8. Expecting Italy to be cheap
Northern Italy—especially Milan, Venice, and the lakes—can be expensive.
Fix: Budget realistically and look for aperitivo deals (drink + buffet snacks).
Expedia has wonderful deals on stays. Check them out here.
🥾 9. Underestimating the Dolomites
Mountain trails may look easy in photos but can have steep ascents, narrow ridges, or sudden weather changes.
Fix: Bring proper hiking shoes, check trail difficulty, and monitor weather.
🛥️ 10. Trying to do Lake Como as a rushed half-day trip
The ferries take time, and the towns are best enjoyed slowly.
Fix: Stay one night (or more) if possible, or stick to just 1–2 towns if going for a day.
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