7 unique things to do in Italy in winter

Whether you’re looking for some winter sun or a ski holiday, Italy’s got you covered! Italy boasts an incomparable historical, artistic, cultural, and gastronomic heritage. From head to toe of the peninsula, each region boasts world-famous cities and landscapes worth discovering. Even in winter, when everything is calmer and more relaxed, Italy offers countless things to do, see and experience.

Why visit Italy in winter

If you’re picturing polar temperatures and boring rainy days, you are very wrong. A winter holiday in Italy can be a lot of fun and I honestly believe most Italian cities don’t get much better than on a sunny winter day.

There are several benefits to traveling to Italy in winter; fewer crowds, lower prices, and seasonal festivities. Plus winter sports and winter comfort food.

A more authentic experience sans the crowds

Winter in Italy gives you an opportunity to discover some of the most beautiful cities in Italy without the masses. There will be no waiting in line to see the attractions, you’ll get to share the streets with the locals. You’ll have the chance to sit down at the bar and chat with someone who knows the city inside and out. You’ll get to experience Italy as the Italians know it.

Low season means lower prices

The colder months are generally considered low season, and therefore cheaper. Winter is the perfect time to snag a great deal on your accommodation and activities. A lot of the attractions will actually have flexible pricing that changes with the seasons according to demand.

And on top of that, January and February are a great times for shopping as the Saldi (sales) season starts.

The holiday spirit

In Italy, Christmas is a serious matter. You can expect a month filled with festivities, Christmas songs, nativity scenes, twinkling lights, and a country filled with Christmas markets.

Winter sports

The Italian Alps and above all the Dolomites, are renowned for their great ski slopes and fantastic snow conditions. The ski season in Italy generally runs from December to March.

A very popular place to spend your skiing holiday is Cortina d’Ampezzo, also known as the Queen of the Dolomites. Following the Winter Olympics in 1956, Cortina has become one of the most famous and popular ski resorts in Italy.

Unique things to do in Italy in winter

Italy sees less tourism in winter so you’ll get to enjoy this beautiful country without the crazy crowds and for a more affordable price. On top of that, you’ll get to experience some really special events and festivities that only happen during the winter period.

Below is a selection of the best things to do in Italy in winter as suggested by Milijana of World Travel Connector, Lori of Travlinmad, Catrina of 24 Hours Layover, Linn of Brainy Backpackers, Lisa of Waves and Cobblestones, Cris of LooknWalk, and yours truly.

The Venice Carnival

Venice is beautiful any time of the year and the main sights like Piazza San Marco and Doge’s Palace should be visited no matter the season, but winter in Venice also presents itself with the opportunity for some incredible experiences that are only possible during winter.

The Carnival of Venice is an incredible event that runs each year for 10 days leading up to Ash Wednesday. It usually occurs in February or early March but the exact dates vary each year.

The Carnevale in Venice kicks off with The Flight of the Angel at midday on the first Sunday of the carnival when an acrobat jumps off the San Marco Bell Tower and flies down a zipline landing on Saint Mark’s Square. Followed by a plethora of fun events like parades, balls, competitions, and historical traditions. During this time, Venice feels like a walk back in time with costumes from seventeenth-century Venice.

The best area to base yourself in Venice is the San Marco district since it’s the most central and home to the majority of attractions in Venice. While excruciatingly expensive in season, the prices here are lower in winter so you’ll be able to afford a once-in-a-lifetime stay in the heart of Venice. My all-time favorite is Baglioni Hotel Luna.

Day of Love festival in Verona

Verona has been a symbol of eternal love ever since the love story of Romeo and Juliet got written. It is often referred to as the City of Love and Little Rome and is considered to be one of the most romantic destinations in Italy.

Beautiful Verona was the setting for Shakespeare’s love story and thanks to it, Verona is a popular destination among couples and honeymooners who seek lifelong romantic memories.

St Valentine’s Day, or the Day of Love, is a fabulous time for visiting Verona. Every February the city hosts the famous Verona in Love festival. This 4-day festival is a must-attend for romance seekers in Italy in winter. The entire city of Verona transforms into a love fairytale.

The city streets get decorated in shiny red and the entire city center soaks in the love-theme atmosphere. A large red heart-shaped carpet gets spread out on the Piazza dei Signori. The Lamberti Tower, the tallest building in Verona, gets illuminated in red. The entire Verona is wrapped in a red love vibe.

There is so much to do in Verona during the festival: from buying love-themed products and gifts on the street stalls and shops to listening to live music and concerts, as well as dining in love-themed restaurants in Verona.

Still, there is no visit to Verona without seeing the balcony and the statue of Juliet. The iconic stone balcony of Casa di Guileta that overlooks the statue of Juliet in the courtyard in the center of Verona is a must-visit site for lovers. Lovers touch the right breast of the statue of Juliet, wishing for eternal love.

Fantastic L’Evangelista Ristorante & Enoteca near Piazza Bra is a top-rated restaurant that serves traditional Italian food in Verona. A romantic dinner with risotto all Amarone, the famous dish from Verona, with local Amarone red wine, is a must. Or, bigoli pasta (the spaghetti of Verona) with anchovies or duck ragu! For the ultimate foodie experience make sure to join this food tour.

If you wish to celebrate love in Italy for Saint Valentine’s Day, head to Verona for Verona in Love festival! For a romantic getaway stay at Hotel Milano & SPA  which offers a rooftop jacuzzi in the heart of the city.

Christmas Markets in wintery Bolzano

Italy conjures up visions of quaint cobblestoned streets and amber-hued landscapes, but winter in Italy is an especially magical time to visit, especially in the North.

If your plans include a visit to Italy this winter, don’t miss the city of Bolzano (Bozen in German). Located close to the border with Austria in South Tyrol, Bolzano sits nestled in a valley between the scenic Italian Alps that dominate the landscape.

With train service from major cities like Venice, Verona, Bologna, and Florence, Bolzano is easy to get to.

Many travelers to South Tyrol in winter come for the snow sports. Downhill and cross-country skiing on the nearby slopes in the Dolomites is mindblowing. And this snowshoeing excursion is a must winter activity in the area.

Another highlight of the winter season in Italy is a visit to one of the festive markets filled with delectable holiday foods, traditional gifts, and festive decor.

As the night sets in Bolzano, the Bolzano Christmas market lights up. Carolers are heard singing, and twinkling lights make their appearance in shop windows and on the facades of buildings all over town. Grab a mug of hot mulled wine and enjoy the scene at the largest of all the Christmas markets in Italy.

Because of its proximity to Austria and Switzerland, local restaurants in Bolzano also serve traditional German-style foods and other local seasonal favorites of the region. Peters Patisserie is a must-stop around the holidays for sweets and hot chocolate.

The Parkhotel Laurin is a great choice for where to stay. It’s centrally located and just steps to the holiday market!

Witness the Presepe in Rome

Discovering Rome in winter offers you a completely different experience compared to if you visit during the busy summer months. In winter you get to enjoy the city and sights without any tourists and get to see the special Christmas decorations and celebrations that are unique to Rome! Plus it often snows in Rome in winter, and seeing Rome covered in a white blanket of snow is simply magnificent!

There is a special magic and air of excitement in Rome during the festive period. Wander around the Christmas Markets during the day and then enjoy the spectacular Christmas trees and lights lit up after dark in all their glory.

The Christmas Market at Piazza Navona (open from early December until 6th January) has a really festive and lively vibe with children’s carousel and musicians all around. Wander around the stalls and admire the handmade gifts and nativity crafts. Be sure to try some of the delicious seasonal street food as well!

At St. Peter’s Square you’ll find the life-size nativity scene (“presepe”) – this is the largest and most elaborate Nativity Scene in Rome and is definitely worth a visit. Other churches in Rome also have their own smaller presepe – the best ones being around Piazza del Popolo and Santa Maria d’Aracoeli. You can visit them on this Christmas walking tour.

Visiting Rome in winter means you get the opportunity to do and see so many special things that aren’t available throughout the rest of the year.

For example, you can spend a magical evening ice skating at the beautiful Castel Sant’Angelo overlooking the River Tiber, or attend Christmas Mass held by the Pope at St. Peter’s Basilica. You can also enjoy experiencing the famous sights and Instagrammable places in Rome such as the Colosseum, Palatine Hill and Roman Forum to yourself without the crowds!

When planning your Rome trip, make sure to book a central hotel such as H10 Palazzo Galla so all the main sights are just a short walk away. Rome is definitely best explored on foot!

Escape underground in Orvieto

One of the best things to do in Italy during the winter is to escape underground in Orvieto, where the temperatures are consistent year-round.

Only an hour and a half by train from Rome, Orvieto is a lovely excursion in the cooler winter months. Especially if it rains, it is better to spend the time underground, and most of the best things to do in Orvieto happen to be underground,

The main attractions are the Etruscan wells, the St. Patrick’s Well and the Pozzo della Cava. The walk down to the Pozzo di San Patrizio is incredible – winding down one way, and returning up the other so that the working animals wouldn’t collide on their way up and down. Pozzo della Cava includes two different wells, one Etruscan and one Renaissance well.

The other main attraction below the ground is, the aptly named, Orvieto Underground. This ancient town is jam-packed with tunnels and caves carved out in the limestone cliff where Orvieto is situated. The oldest rooms date back to Etruscan times, but the locals used the undergrounds for centuries after that.

Today, most of the underground labyrinths are privately owned, but there is a section that you can visit as part of this guided tour.

There are also many wonderful restaurants in Orvieto where you can fuel up with a pizza and a glass of wine. A great place to stay in Orvieto is the elegant Hotel Palazzo Piccolomini.

Explore the crowd-free Naples

Naples is an excellent choice for a vacation in Italy in the winter. You’ll avoid the heat and the crowds of summer, and be able to enjoy Naples’ many attractions at a more leisurely pace.  Since Naples is on Italy’s Mediterranean coast, winter temperatures are mild compared to Northern Italy.

There are many fantastic things to do in Naples, so you’ll want to spend a couple of days exploring the city.  Naples is chock-full of incredible monuments and architecture, and the historic center of Naples has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. You can spend a full day just wandering through Naples’ historic center and marveling at the architecture.

Start in Piazza del Plebiscito, Naples’ largest piazza. On one side you’ll find the stunning Basilica Reale Pontificia San Francesco da Paola, with Greek-style columns flanking the basilica’s entrance. And on the other side stands the restored Royal Palace of Naples, a lavish 17th-century palace. While you can see the gardens for free, book this tour to really experience this beautiful palace and its rich history.

Historic fortresses dot the cityscape and are must-see attractions during your stay in Naples. Admire Castel Nuovo, with its magnificent Renaissance triumphal arch, explore the imposing seaside Castel Dell’Ovo, or take a funicular to view the star-shaped hilltop fortress of Castel Sant’Elmo. From this hilltop vantage point, you’ll enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of Naples, the harbor, and Mount Vesuvius.

Naples is, of course, famous for being the birthplace of pizza. Why not take a street food tour and sample delectable Neapolitan cuisine while you learn about some of the city’s cultural attractions?

One of the perks of visiting Neaples in Italy are the lower hotel prices, so splurge a bit and enjoy a luxurious stay at the Grand Hotel Vesuvio for a fraction of the price. This 5- star hotel has a terrific location overlooking Castel dell’Ovo, the historic marina, and the beautiful azure waters of the harbor.

Catch some winter sun in Puglia

The main reason to visit Puglia (Apulia) in winter is to take advantage of the balmy Mediterranean climate. From December to February, the daytime temperatures stay around 10-16C (50-61F) with regular sunny days.

How warm the winter is in Puglia depends on your tolerance, of course. Someone used to colder temperatures (around 0C or below) would gladly walk around in a light jacket, while someone used to tropical weather, would add a couple more layers. However, the longer you stay in the area, the faster you adapt to the temperature and fewer layers are needed.

If you want to see the real Puglia, want to have the beaches for yourself (and share it only with locals who jog or walk their dogs), or avoid the summer crowds, winter is the best time to explore this magnificent Italian region.

Christmas is magical in the area. In Vieste you can witness living nativity scenes (presepe vivente), depicting Jesus’ birth. For this occasion, the entire Old Town turns into Bethlehem, with volunteers dressed up. Other towns where you can see living nativities include Alberobello, Polignano a Mare, Tricase, and Matera.

Of course, there are Christmas Markets in the area too, and a charming one to visit takes place in Bari’s Old Town.

When in Puglia you should definitely take make some time to discover the local cuisine. The best way to do this is at a masseria. These are historic farmhouses, tucked away in the mountains and hills, where you can find olive, orange, and lemon groves. Eating here is a delight and a very elaborate affair where a lunch stretches well into the night.

You should also explore the local markets, which are bursting with produce even in winter. This market tour will take you through a market and end with a delicious dining experience, a must when in Puglia!

Bari is a great place to choose as your base to explore Puglia from. From Bari you can easily do day trips to Alberobello, Polignano a Mare, Matera, Lecce, Ostuni, Treni, and more.

Winter holidays and events in Italy

There are many events and celebrations all throughout winter in Italy and they can provide a truly unique experience.

These events can also impact the opening hours of shops, attractions, bars, and restaurants. Availability of accommodation and tours, as well as prices, might also be affected.

Below is a list of the most prominent dates you should be paying attention to when planning your winter trip to Italy and depending on where you’re heading there might be more local events and festivities to consider

24th of December
Christmas Eve (La Vigilia di Natale)
Expect shops and attractions to close earlier on this day. Dinner reservations are essential.

25th of December
Christmas Day (Natale)
Expect shops, restaurants and tours to function in a limited fashion. Christmas lunch reservations are essential.

26th of December
St. Stephen’s Day (Il Giorno di Santo Stefano)
Shop, restaurant and tour operating hours might be affected.

31st December
New Year’s Eve (La Vigilia di Capodanno)
Expect shops and attractions to close earlier on this day. Dinner reservations are essential.

1st of January
New Year’s Day (Capodanno)
Shop, restaurant, and tour operating hours might be affected.

6th of January
Epiphany (La Befana)
Shop, restaurant and tour operating hours might be affected.

14th of February
Valentine’s Day (San Valentino)
Opening times are not affected. Dinner reservations are recommended.

School holidays
Exact dates vary, expect a higher influx of visitors. Italian kids have their school break between Christmas and the Epiphany (exact dates vary each year). Other European countries will also have school holiday breaks during this time.

Carnival
Exact dates vary, expect a higher influx of visitors, especially to Venice. The Carnevale di Venezia runs each year for 10 days leading up to Ash Wednesday and attracts visitors from all over the world.

Italy winter temperature & weather

Officially winter in Italy starts on the 21st of December and lasts till late March. There are big differences in temperatures and weather in the North and South of the country as well as between coastal towns and in the mountains.

Generally speaking winter in Italy is fairly mild but quite grey and humid, with the exception of higher altitudes where it can get fairly cold and snowy.

The coldest month is January with temperatures averaging between 12˚C (54˚F) in Sicily and -7˚C (19˚F) in Aosta in the North.

In the northern regions, there may be quite a bit of snow, especially if you want to travel in January. Central Italy has a slightly warmer climate, with a less intense winter season. The temperatures in the South, on the other hand, are never excessively low and you’ll begin to notice the first cold only from December onwards, while November can still be T-shirt weather.

Despite the calendar winter dates, keep in mind that November can often feel quite wintery too while March can often feel like spring. Make sure to check the specific weather data for the towns and areas you intend to visit as climate changes considerably throughout Italy.

Does it snow in Italy?

Italy does get snow every winter. The northern and higher altitude areas get a lot of snow and are famous for their ski fields while coastal and Southern towns don’t often get snow. Therefore we can say that it will be difficult to find snow in Naples in winter, while maybe you will have a white Christmas when traveling to Bolzano.

What to pack for winter in Italy

Winter in Italy can wear many hats and can be pleasant and sunny one day, grey and foggy the next or rainy and wet the day after. As already mentioned, there is also a big difference in the weather across the country so you have to be prepared for it all.

Make sure to pack some good quality waterproof boots, a (preferably long) winter coat, a compact umbrella, gloves, scarf and hat, warm layers, but also sunglasses and sunscreen as the winter sun can be especially sneaky.

Shop these Winter essentials:

HUNTER Tall Boots

Columbia Long Down Jacket

Merino Socks

Columbia Winter Jacket

Wool Blend Wrap Coat

Windproof Travel Umbrella

USB Hand Warmer

Chelsea Boots

Hat Scarf & Gloves Set

Planning a trip to Italy?

Italy is such a stunning country that packs beautiful nature, astonishing architecture, rich history, interesting culture, loads of hand gestures, and delicious food. Oh, don’t even get me started on Italian food!

I’ve prepared a whole plethora of articles to help you plan your Italian adventure and if you’re planning a trip to Venice make sure to check out the relevant resources below: