6 best places to spend Christmas in Italy 

Christmas in Italy holds a special place in my heart.  

Starting in late November, the streets come alive with festive decorations and delightful scents. It's a season brimming with plenty of festive food, festive spirits and time-honored customs. 

If the idea of an Italian Christmas piques your interest, read on. This post lists 5 of the best places to spend Christmas in Italy.  

Festive ideas for your Italy bucket list, use this post to help plan your trip to Italy. 

Best places to spend Christmas in Italy 

1. Rome 

Spending Christmas in Rome is an illuminating experience.  

The streets in and around the historic center come alive with the enchanting glow of Christmas lights and festive decorations. Grand Christmas trees grace the piazzas throughout the capital, leaving no doubt that the holiday season is in full swing. 

Combine this with the mild December weather, and you have the perfect setting for an ideal Christmas getaway. 

Christmas markets and more 

What makes Rome one of the best places to spend Christmas in Italy are its Christmas markets (mercatini di Natale). Dotted close to major attractions in the city, a Christmas visit would become a 2-in-1 kind of trip. 

Some Christmas markets in Rome worth noting include: 

Il Natale a Roma

Probably the largest Christmas event in Rome. The space includes over 100 market stalls, a Christmas village, Santa Claus’ house and an ice-skating rink. Free entrance, the event typically takes place at the centrally located Lake Park of the EUR (Parco del Lago dell’EUR). 

Giftland

Stock up on Christmas gifts for the entire family with a visit to Giftland. The colorful vintage market sells everything from vintage home décor and records to children’s clothing and toys. 

Piazza Navona Christmas market

One of Rome’s most recognized locations, the Christmas market at Piazza Navona is a long-standing tradition. Revel in the festivities and come to visit a Christmas market loved by Romans. 

Map of Italy

2. Florence 

Soak up the festive spirit by savoring an Italian Christmas in Florence. 

Known for its renaissance art and remarkable architecture, Florence transforms into a colorful spectacle during the Christmas season. 

Like Rome, Florence also plays host to numerous Christmas markets scattered throughout its historic heart. Among these, the most renowned is the Christmas market nestled in the charming Piazza Santa Croce, just outside the Basilica of Santa Croce.  

A Christmas village with wooden chalets, come here to indulge in mouthwatering Italian Christmas food and a few glasses of vin brulé. 

A Florentine Christmas 

In Piazza Duomo around 8 December is when they light the grand Christmas tree. An event to delight the whole family, make sure to visit the nativity (presepe) afterwards. 

The nativity scene is usually set up in front of Florence Cathedral (Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore). One of the best places to spend Christmas in Italy the nativity is brought to life with life-sized terracotta statues.  

Christmas in Tuscany 

Numerous cities and towns in Tuscany provide the opportunity to experience an authentic Italian Christmas. For instance, Piazza Matteotti in Siena has several Christmas markets while Arezzo typically hosts a Tirol-style Christmas village during the holiday season. 

All beautiful places to visit in Tuscany, you’ll be spoiled for festive choice. 

3. Bolzano 

No other location in Italy puts me in a more Christmassy mood than spending winter in the Dolomites.  

Situated in the far north and bordering Austria, it's one of the best places to spend Christmas in Italy. 

The city of Bolzano, along with Bressanone, both hold the title of having the oldest Christmas markets in Italy. The mercatini di Natale in Bolzano boasts around 80 stalls, selling only locally produced items. It’s a great market to visit given its history as well as its support for the local sellers.  

Merano, Brunico, Vipiteno, the charming village of Chiusa and the enchanting Lake Carezza all offer delightful Christmas escapes. 

4. Lake Carezza 

Exchange the dazzling Christmas markets in busy urban areas for the peaceful ambiance of a serene lakeside setting. 

Just 20 minutes’ drive from Bolzano, the picturesque Lake Carezza (Lago di Carezza) provides a cozy and intimate Christmas setting. 

One of the most beautiful places in South Tyrol, Christmas is a special time to visit.

The event features wooden huts resembling oversized lanterns, traditional food and beverages from Trentino-Alto Adige and a life-sized nativity scene. 

With its lakeside location and charming atmosphere, Christmas at Lake Carezza is one place you’ll always remember. 

5. Milan 

The city of fashion, art and architecture puts on an impressive show come Christmastime.  

In Piazza Duomo, the magnificent Duomo di Milano plays the perfect backdrop to Milan’s Christmas markets. The largest market in the city, the piazza is filled with around 60 chalets selling traditional gifts, Christmas decorations and more. 

Christmas by the castle 

Head west from Piazza Duomo to visit another of Milan’s largest Christmas markets.  

Oh Bej! Oh Bej! (meaning how beautiful) takes place during the feast of Milan’s patron saint, St. Ambrose. Located in front of Castle Sforzesco (Castello Sforzesco), the event’s a mishmash of Christmas combined with a standard market. 

Expect everything from Christmas decorations and toys to bric-a-brac and antiques. An excuse to get out, browse, buy and eat, it’s one of Milan’s most beloved Christmas events. 

6. Sicily

Should the sound of celebrating Christmas in warm temperatures better float your boat, consider visiting Sicily in December.

My detailed guide on the best places to spend Christmas in Sicily lists the top cities and provinces to enjoy the festive period.

It also includes information on various Christmas activities and events in December that are solely unique to Sicily.

What makes an Italian Christmas? 

If you’ve never experienced Christmas in Italy but wonder what it involves, the following gives you a good idea.  

If you've never had the opportunity to experience an Italian Christmas, these are some Italian Christmas traditions. 

Presepi 

The nativity scene is one you’ll find across all cities and even smaller towns across Italy. Using handcrafted figurines, you’ll typically find many nativity displays in large public spaces. 

Panettone and pandoro 

No Christmas table in Italy is complete without a box or two of Panettone and Pandoro. Panettone is a sweet, fruity bread with candied peel while Pandoro is a soft, golden cake dusted with powdered sugar. 

Christmas Eve bonfires (Falo di Natale) 

In some regions, particularly in Southern Italy, they light bonfires on Christmas Eve to symbolize the light of Christ. 

Midnight Mass (La Messa di Mezzanotte) 

Many Italians like to attend Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. St. Peter's Square at the Vatican in Rome is probably one of the most famous locations to observe it.  

The Befana 

On the night of 5th January, the Befana, an old woman in Italian folklore, delivers ‘gifts’ to children. These gifts are usually candies rather than bigger presents. 

Epiphany (La Befana) 

The Epiphany, celebrated the next day, marks the visit of the Three Wise Men to the baby Jesus. Children usually receive their small gifts from La Befana on this day.  

However, not all children may receive the same sweets. Children that haven’t been so well behaved may instead receive some carbone della Befana. Made from powdered sugar and black food coloring, the sweets resemble pieces of coal. 

What do you think of these best places to spend Christmas in Italy? Is there anywhere in particular you’d like to visit? Let me know in the comments below.  

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