{"id":11383,"date":"2025-11-07T18:08:04","date_gmt":"2025-11-07T10:08:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/1000journey.my\/en\/?p=11383"},"modified":"2026-03-16T09:17:20","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T01:17:20","slug":"seven-winter-olympics-cities-to-visit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/1000journey.my\/en\/seven-winter-olympics-cities-to-visit\/","title":{"rendered":"Seven Winter Olympics Cities to Visit"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Photo: Tyrol.com<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

2026 is coming, and so is the Olympics\u2026the Winter Olympics in Milan!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For obvious reasons (ahem, a lack of snow and related sports perhaps), the Winter Olympics just doesn\u2019t get Malaysians as fired up as the Summer version.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But, although we won\u2019t be breaking the speed skating record or creating toboggan superstars, we can visit the wintry host cities that witnessed the world\u2019s greatest sporting event on ice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, here\u2019s a look at some former (and a future) Winter Olympic cities, their sporting legacy as well as some cool attractions on the side!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grenoble (1968)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Photo: Marc Wieland<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Nation: France<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Countries Participating: 37<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Competitors: 1,158<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most Gold Medals: Norway<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the first major sporting events to grace postwar France, the Grenoble 1968 Winter Olympics was also the first to introduce doping tests as well as colour broadcasts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite some controversy in the women\u2019s luge event, the event saw the US earn a gold medal after the tragedy of Sabena Flight 548 and the first non-Scandinavian to win cross-country skiing in Italian Franco Nones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As for the city of Grenoble itself, like most French cities, its origins stretch back as far as the Roman forts of the 3rd<\/sup> century.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It would grow in importance thanks to its glove-making industry and blossom during the leadership of Fran\u00e7ois de Bonne, Duke of Lesdigui\u00e8res. Today, it is a major hub for scientific research and development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Thierry Chenu<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Its three main venues were the Stade de Glace<\/strong> (Palais des Sports Pierre Mend\u00e8s France), the Anneau de Vitesse<\/strong> and the Municipal Ice Rink<\/strong> (Halle Cl\u00e9menceau). The Olympic cauldron also still stands at the Parc Paul Mistral Park<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Besides Olympic attractions, the city also features many relics and museums related to its long and proud history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Bastille Grenoble<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The most prominent of these is the Bastille fort<\/strong> – no, not the one in Paris – perched atop a peak in the centre of town. Make sure to take the scenic cable car ride<\/strong> up!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right at the foot of the Bastille hill is the fascinating Grenoble Archaeological Museum<\/strong>. Built out of a former 19th<\/sup>-century church, its star attraction is the expansive Roman crypt that visitors can walk through and explore up-close!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Related: Malaysia\u2019s Ten Most Beautiful Churches<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And of course, being called Capital of the Alps, Grenoble is home to a ton of prime skiing slopes<\/strong>, particularly near the alpine region of Is\u00e8re<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Get Here<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Both Lyon and Geneva offer access to Grenoble via plane, bus, train or taxi. However, train rides from Paris or Lyon are much more frequent and affordable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Innsbruck (1976)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Photo: Luca<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Nation: Austria<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Countries Participating: 37<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Competitors: 1,123<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most Gold Medals: Soviet Union<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of Austria\u2019s many chic cities<\/a>, Innsbruck is the alpine capital of the mountainous Tyrol region which borders Germany, Switzerland and Italy \u2013 a strategic position which has granted it trade, wealth and tons of snow!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, Innsbruck was a last-minute replacement for the 1976 Winter Games, as Denver was rejected after local outcry. The Swiss city had only just hosted a Winter Games just nine years earlier in 1964.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Innsbruck 1976 was also the first to feature ice dancing, a subset of figure skating. American Terry Kubicka was also the first person to perform a backflip in his figure skating run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Tyrol.com<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Nine venues were featured in these Winter Olympics, with the most prominent venues being the Bergiselschanze<\/strong> ski jump, Patscherkofel<\/strong> ski resort and the Axamer Lizum<\/strong> ski resort – which boasts a state-of-the-art, ten-seater funicular.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you\u2019re had your fill of skis and slopes, make sure to stop by the city proper as Innsbruck boasts many landmarks and palaces related to the storied Habsburg dynasty of Austria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Anachronista<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s the Golden Roof<\/strong>, an iconic gilded roof that overlooks an ivory balcony as well as sumptuous frescoes. But much more impressive is the Imperial Palace<\/strong>, a massive gleaming complex that once housed luxurious staterooms and apartments for the royal family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For mountain lovers, there\u2019s also the Nordkette mountains<\/strong>, a cable car-accessible peak that provides stunning views of the highland city. Really, Austria has no shortage of beautiful cities and attractions<\/a>. First-timers might be better served visiting the palaces, museums and cafes of the capital Vienna<\/a> though.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Get Here<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dozens of coaches and trains depart for Innsbruck from the Austrian capital Vienna as well as neighbouring countries. For more info, take a look at their official tourism guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sarajevo (1984)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Photo: Funky Tours<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Nation: Bosnia and Herzegovina (formerly Yugoslavia)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Countries Participating: 49<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Competitors: 1,272<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most Gold Medals: East Germany<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, most of us only know Sarajevo and the nation of Bosnia and Herzegovina as one of the bloodiest battlegrounds of the Bosnian War (1992-1995) and the countless civilian lives it took.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But once upon a time, Sarajevo – then part of Yugoslavia – was known as a symbol of hope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Amidst the Cold War and sandwiched between the boycotts of the 1980 and 1984 Summer Olympics, it was one of the few international sporting events that brought both East and West together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Offbeat Travelling<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Among Sarajevo 1984\u2019s surviving venues, one of the most iconic is the long and winding Bobsled & Luge Track<\/strong> located atop Trebevi\u0107 Mountain, which was one of the most innovative of its day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite suffering war as well as decades of neglect, the track is still remarkably structurally sound and is considered a fascinating if eerie sightseeing spot thanks to its huge stretches of graffiti and surrounding nature. Other notable surviving venues include the angular Zetra Olympic Hal<\/strong>l, the imposing Skenderija Hall<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sarajevo can also lay claim to one of the most beautiful Olympic museums in the Sarajevo Winter Olympics Museum<\/strong>, housed within a rebuilt neoclassical mansion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond the Olympic glories, visitors to Sarajevo will find one of the Balkans\u2019 most historically rich cities thanks to its proximity to and control under the Ottomans, Austro-Hungarians and Yugoslavia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Yukof<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s the Ottoman-era Ba\u0161\u010dar\u0161ija bazaar<\/strong> with its bustling streets, mosques and the iconic Sebilj fountain<\/strong>. In a testament to the city\u2019s diverse religious fabric and history, the city counts the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque<\/strong> and Ashkenazi Synagogue <\/strong>among its many houses of faith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking for more destinations with Ottoman heritage and culture? Check out our in-depth Time-Travelling Itinerary Through Turkey<\/a> and the Ottoman relics of Northern Greece<\/a> (best in autumn!).<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For a macabre stop on your Sarajevo journey, you can also visit the very street near Latin Bridge<\/strong> where Archduke Ferdinand was assassinated, the very event that would spark World War I.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Get Here<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines operate flights to Sarajevo International Airport via Singapore\/Frankfurt and Istanbul.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nagano (1998)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Photo: Chloe Evans<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Nation: Japan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Countries Participating: 72<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Competitors: 2,176<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most Gold Medals: Germany<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

After hosting Asia\u2019s first ever Winter Olympic Games in Sapporo, Japan came roaring back with a thrilling sequel with Nagano 1998.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deep within the snowy mountains of central Japan, Nagano, formerly called Shinano, was a hub for linen, pottery, and horse-breeding that was fiercely contested by warlords during Japan\u2019s Sengoku period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fast forward to Nagano 1998, the Winter Olympics would see the debut of snowboarding as an Olympic discipline, the return of crowd-favourite sport curling and Tara Lipinski \u2013 the youngest figure skater champion at just 15 years old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, most of the Olympic venues are still intact and in use. Olympics fans should first stop by the M-Wave arena, which hosts the Nagano Olympic Museum<\/strong> within its carapace-shaped building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: \u304f\u308d\u3075\u306d<\/a><\/code><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Games\u2019 Hakuba Ski Jumping Stadium<\/strong> and its neon-green slopes are a tourist attraction in their own right too, providing a bird\u2019s eye view of the town of Hakuba and the mountains of Nagano.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a world-famous alpine destination that rivals many of Japan\u2019s national parks<\/a>, Nagano is home to countless mountain ranges and sleepy heritage towns and temples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the one hand, you have Zenkoji Temple<\/strong>\u2019s awe-inspiring eaves sheltering centuries of Japanese Buddhist tradition. On the other, you have the world-famous Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route<\/strong> which carves its way through solid walls of snow and gorgeous alpine scenery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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