The XXV Olympic Winter Games will take place from 6 to 22 February 2026 in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, with the Olympic Torch making a stop in Liguria this January.
Before the athletes take to the slopes, the Olympic Torch will be travelling across Italy. It was lit in Olympia in Greece on 26th November 2025 and reached Rome on 4th December, from where the Italian section of the torch relay began. It will pass through all 20 regions of the country over a period of 63 days,
For two days, it will travel along the coast, connecting towns and villages and showing the region from a special perspective – between sea and mountains, tradition and contemporary life.
Viideo via @MilanoCortina2026WinterGames on YouTube
Focus on Liguria: 9th and 10th January 2026
The Ligurian stage starts in eastern Liguria, in the area of La Spezia and the Cinque Terre. From there, the Flame travels along the Levante coast through Lavagna, Chiavari, Rapallo and Portofino before stopping in Genoa. Here, the Flame passes the historic old town and the Porto Antico, a place where history, harbour life and modern cityscape meet.
On 10th January, the journey continues westwards. Via Savona and Imperia, the flame finally reaches Sanremo, the city of flowers and music. The route continues from Dolceacqua and Ventimiglia near the French border, through regions such as Piedmont, Lombardy and Veneto, with further stops at the Olympic venues.
Courtesy lamialiguria.it
Riviera, Sport and Culture
Liguria may not be hosting the Winter Games, but the torch relay shows the diversity of the region: sometimes urban, sometimes Mediterranean, sometimes tranquil. The flame combines culture, landscape and community – and makes you want to discover Liguria in winter, when towns, coasts and villages are bathed in Olympic light, if only for a moment.
Via milanocortina2026 on Instagram
PHOTO CREDITS
- Lead image RIVIERA BUZZ
- All other images and videos as credited
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