Italy is full of places to visit in winter: among the perfect Italian destinations for a trip, an outing, or a weekend, many spots are ideal even for the winter season. But in particular, what are the best cities to visit in Italy in winter? For a city tour in winter, there are many places offering breathtaking historic centers. We have chosen five for a winter holiday in the Bel Paese. From the charm of Christmas markets to the mild climate of the center-south, here are 5 destinations to explore as a tourist in Italy.
Five Cities to Visit in Italy in Winter
Turin
Turin is renowned for its Christmas lights: the Luci d’Artista is an initiative aimed at strengthening Turin's reputation as a center of contemporary art in northern Italy, and the entire city shines during the winter months. Traditional illuminated signs of shops and restaurants join true contemporary art installations, with neon lights suspended over streets and nestled between buildings, creating an undeniable magical atmosphere.
Museums, Cafés and Walks
The city is also home to the Egyptian Museum, thanks to several generations of Piedmontese Egyptologists who have amassed a treasure of mummies, artworks, and other artifacts. Perfect for a winter visit if it's too cold outside for a stroll.
After visiting the Egyptian Museum, you can satisfy your appetite at Eataly, which opened here in 2007. Although now a global phenomenon, this unique food emporium celebrating the taste and grace of Italian gastronomy was born right here in Turin. In this city, you'll find some of Italy's best food.
There are many beautiful churches in Turin, and you could always visit the Shroud, but another pilgrimage you should make is to Caffè Al Bicerin. In this charming café, open since 1763, you'll find the traditional Piedmontese drink, the “Bicerin”: a hot combination of espresso, chocolate, and cream, served in a special cup. This drink will warm your heart in the winter cold!
Still in the historic center, you can also visit La Mole, which houses the National Cinema Museum. And if the weather is mild (or you feel warmed enough by your Bicerin), take a walk in Valentino Park, on the banks of the Po River. The park hosts the botanical gardens of the University of Turin and the 17th-century Valentino Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The castle once belonged to the Royal House of Savoy and is now a university architecture building.
Rome
It's hard to beat the excitement that Rome inspires in every visitor in December.
When the Colosseum and the Vatican don their “Christmas” attire, they are even more magical. And considering how beautiful they are normally, you can imagine how truly special they are at this time!Rome is usually not cold in December: the capital often enjoys mild and sunny days compared to northern Italian cities, so much so that the holiday weekend of December 8th and the entire Christmas week are considered high tourist season, and early booking of accommodation and attractions is mandatory.
Rome is usually not cold in December: the capital often enjoys mild and sunny days compared to cities in northern Italy, so much so that the holiday weekend of December 8th and the entire Christmas week are considered peak tourist season, making early booking of accommodations and attractions essential.
The Colosseum Without Crowds
What makes Rome a perfect city to visit in winter? Certainly the chance to enjoy the Colosseum without crowds!
If it's your first time in Rome, you can't miss its most famous building, the Colosseum. When traveling in summer months, it can be very difficult to visit this architectural masterpiece due to endless lines of tourists and the hot, even scorching, weather. That's why a winter visit to Rome is pleasant and allows you to stroll among the Roman ruins without gasping for breath. Put on comfortable shoes, a windbreaker, and go discover the Eternal City!
Verona
To be honest, Verona is fantastic at any time of year. It's like a sort of miniature Rome, where history is written in the streets. Walking through the center of Verona, the sense of how the city evolved over the centuries is palpable – but compared to Rome's grandeur, it's cozy, small enough to navigate on foot, perfect for a day trip or a weekend.
It is the quintessence of Italy: elegant, romantic (after all, it's the city of Romeo and Juliet!), the local food is excellent as are the wines of Valpolicella and the perfectly crafted spritz.
But what makes it special during winter in particular? First of all, the city has won several awards for its elegant Christmas lights and festive illumination of its main buildings.
Moreover, Verona has collaborated with the Nuremberg Christmas Market, the most original and traditional Christmas market, to bring a small taste of a traditional German Christmas market to the streets and squares of this northeastern city. So, besides experiencing an entirely Italian atmosphere, you can buy beautiful Christmas decorations from beyond the Alps and handcrafted items while savoring bratwurst, freshly baked pretzels, and that spicy alcoholic hug known as good gluhwein, a kind of spiced mulled wine to enjoy hot.
Verona and Its Gastronomy
Also: Verona is the city of Pandoro! The modern version of the Christmas cake descends from Nadalin, Verona's special Christmas sweet. Delicious, sweet, leavened, Nadalin is dusted with sugar on top and traditionally served with a large spoonful of mascarpone, flavored cream, or melted chocolate. It's Christmas in Verona, on a plate.
You can certainly find them in every supermarket, but if you really want to treat yourself (it's Christmas, after all), buy one from Perbellini, a renowned historic pastry shop. They cost more than the supermarket version, but for a good artisanal sweet, it's absolutely worth it.
Discover authentic Veronese traditions during winter: delicious food combined with excellent wine like Amarone or Valpolicella Classico will make you enjoy this city that combines Roman, medieval, and Austrian atmospheres all at once.
And don't forget: during the Carnival Verona lights up with traditional parades, bonfires, and masked parties. Discover the “venerdì gnocolar” and the fantastic handmade gnocchi, perhaps accompanied by “pastissada de caval,” an ancient Veronese recipe attributed to King Theodoric the Great.
Naples
Naples is one of the cities in Italy, if not THE city, with the strongest Christmas tradition, especially when it comes to nativity scenes and handcrafted figurines. There's no better time to experience this tradition than during the Christmas holidays.
The right place to visit to admire the figurines is Via Gregorio Armeno, but take the opportunity to also visit all the other wonders this city has to offer, starting with the incredible local food. In Naples in December, you can't miss struffoli, roccocò, and mostaccioli, as well as, of course, Naples' signature dish for all seasons: perfectly crafted pizza. Naturally, don't miss the museums, from the National Archaeological Museum to the Bourbon Gallery.
The Sea in Winter
From Naples, you can take a trip and explore the surroundings. The Amalfi Coast, for example, is beautiful at any time of year and winter is no exception. This period is considered low season: visiting the Amalfi Coast in winter is a wonderful time to sip excellent Neapolitan coffee while watching the sea up close. If you like the coastal atmosphere in winter, this can be a good time to visit: Naples is usually very sunny in winter, and its climate is quite mild.
You can expect delicious food as always and, generally, lower prices, fewer crowds and traffic, as well as surprising sunny days to enjoy the fantastic views the whole area offers.
Venice
Venice in winter is certainly not the warmest city in Italy, but it is also charming, romantic, and evocative. Moreover, in spring and summer Venice is extremely crowded with tourists from all over the world, while in winter it is mostly populated by locals and students.
In this season, you can enjoy all the beautiful museums of Venice, take advantage of the cozy atmosphere of the bacari, the typical rustic and casual Venetian taverns, and you can still enjoy the lagoon by taking trips to the islands of Burano and Murano.
Just be sure to plan indoor activities regularly to take breaks from the weather, which is characterized by high humidity.
There is no better way to end winter than with a party at the Venice Carnival, held every February in the heart of the city. In Venice, it is one of the main events of the year: crowds are guaranteed, so if you don't want to miss this festival, you should book a hotel in advance.
Discover the magic of an elegant and timeless carnival among the canals and alleys of the Lagoon!
Bonus: Christmas Markets
Why visit Italian cities in winter?
Well, first of all because Christmas is one of the best times to travel in our peninsula, at least for Christmas enthusiasts.
From north to south, cities dress up for the holidays and Italy is full of markets where you can find a great number of gifts and handcrafted items you won't find in usual shops, and taste some of the most delicious Italian Christmas sweets, which each city offers according to its own tradition.
We highly recommend visiting the markets of Northern Italy, as well as those in Bolzano and Trento, but the center and south are no less impressive: Arezzo hosts the largest Tyrolean market outside South Tyrol, while Ferrara celebrates Christmas at the Estense Castle with many activities for the whole family. Gubbio has the largest Christmas tree in the world, while Salerno will amaze you with its Luci d’Artista.
So, what's your next winter destination? Discover Italy in the cold season and treat yourself to a unique atmosphere.