What Italy is really like in December, from the Alps to Sicily
I’ve spent over nine Christmases in Italy, mostly in the north and once in Sicily, so December is a month I know well.
It has a character of its own: short days, frosty mornings in the north and soft, mild afternoons in the south. It also rewards a little planning.
To help with that, I’ve pulled together daily weather data from two Decembers, a dated holiday calendar and what I’ve seen and learned along the way.
Use the tables to compare cities, and follow the links to my longer guides when you’re ready to dig deeper.
Jump to:
- Is it worth going to Italy in December?
- What’s the weather like in Italy in December?
- Does it snow in Italy in December?
- What should you wear and pack for Italy in December?
- Where is the best place to go in Italy in December?
- What is open and closed in Italy in December?
- Are Italy's Christmas markets worth planning around?
- How short are the days in Italy in December?
- Map of Italy in December: weather, markets and places to know
- What I wish I knew
- December in Italy FAQs
- 💬 Comments
Is it worth going to Italy in December?
December works well if you want a holiday atmosphere, cold-weather cities and mild days in the south. It suits you less if you want long daylight or beach weather. Il Meteo data (Italian weather website) for two Decembers shows average highs from 8.3°C (47°F) in Bolzano to 16.8°C (62°F) in Palermo. The sun sets before 5pm everywhere.
| What works in December | What's harder in December |
| Christmas markets: Bolzano's market takes place from November 27th, 2026, to January 6th, 2027 | Short days: sunset falls between 4:28 and 4:56pm |
| Mild weather in Sicily: Palermo's average low was 11.1°C (52°F) | Fog in the north: Milan had 16 foggy days in 2024 and 19 in 2025 |
| Skiing: Dolomiti Superski lifts start opening on November 28th, 2026 | Closures: the Vatican Museums close on December 8th, 25th, 26th and 31st |
| Opera: La Scala opens its season on December 7th | Cold nights: Bolzano's average low was -1.7°C (29°F) |
December isn’t the month for long evenings outdoors.
If that’s what you picture, my guides to Italy in November and Italy in February show how the shoulder months compare.
If you like crisp days, wholesome, hearty meals and towns dressed for the holidays, December has a lot going for it.
For budgets and trip costs, see my guide on how to plan a trip to Italy.
What’s the weather like in Italy in December?
Northern Italy is cold and often foggy, central Italy is cool, and Sicily is mild. Il Meteo data for December 2024 and 2025 gives average highs of 8 to 10°C (47 to 50°F) in Bolzano, Milan and Venice. Rome averaged 14.2°C (58°F) and Palermo 16.8°C (62°F). Two Decembers are a snapshot, not a guarantee.
December weather in Italy depends on where you are. I’ve pulled daily data for 7 cities, from the Alps down to Sicily.
| City | Dec 2024 high/low (°C) | Dec 2025 high/low (°C) | Two-year average (°C) | Two-year average (°F) |
| Palermo | 16.4 / 11.0 | 17.3 / 11.1 | 16.8 / 11.1 | 62 / 52 |
| Naples | 15 / 6.6 | 15.9 / 6.4 | 15.5 / 6.5 | 06 / 44 |
| Rome | 13.7 / 4.5 | 14.7 / 5.9 | 14.2 / 5.2 | 58 / 41 |
| Florence | 11.8 / 2/1 | 13.2 / 4.0 | 12.5 / 3.0 | 54 / 37 |
| Venice | 9.3 / 1.8 | 10.5 / 3.4 | 9.9 / 2.6 | 50 / 37 |
| Milan | 9.2 / 0.3 | 10.1 / 3.5 | 9.6 / 1.9 | 49 / 35 |
| Bolzano | 8.1 / -2.1 | 8.4 / -1.3 | 8.3 / -1.7 | 47 / 29 |
Source: il Meteo (ilmeteo.it) daily archives for December 2024 and December 2025
Palermo’s reading for December 2nd, 2025 was a high of 28°C. This is 11°C above the 17°C highs on December 1st and 3rd, so treat it with caution. Without it, the two-year average high is 16.7°C (62°F).
Frost, fog and rain in Italy in December
Il Meteo daily data for December 2024 and 2025 shows average highs of 8.3°C (47°F) in Bolzano, 9.6°C (49°F) in Milan, 14.2°C (58°F) in Rome and 16.8°C (62°F) in Palermo. Bolzano's lows fell to 0°C or below on 26 days in 2024 and 25 in 2025. Two years is a snapshot, not a forecast.
| City | Days with a low at or below 0°C (2024/2025) | Foggy days (2024/2025) | Days flagged as rain (2024/2025) |
| Palermo | 0 / 0 | 0 / 0 | 21 / 12 |
| Naples | 0 / 0 | 1 / 2 | 16 / 7 |
| Rome | 1 / 0 | 1 / 3 | 14 / 9 |
| Florence | 11 / 6 | 8 / 16 | 12 / 9 |
| Venice | 10 / 6 | 4 / 13 | 5 / 11 |
| Milan | 17 / 9 | 16 / 19 | 7 / 11 |
| Bolzano | 26 / 25 | 1 / 4 | 1 / 6 |
On December 24th, 2025, Il Meteo recorded 28.8mm of rain in Naples, 19.4mm in Rome, 16.9mm in Venice, 13.6mm in Florence and 10.8mm in Milan. On December 24th, 2024, Rome, Florence, Venice and Milan reported no rain. Again, treat this as a snapshot, not a pattern.
One thing the averages hide is that the north keeps getting colder as the month goes on.
In 2025, Venice’s average high fell from 11.5°C (53°F) in the first 10 days to 8.8°C (48°F) from December 21st to 31st.
Milan recorded 92.9mm of rain that month, including 42.5mm on December 16th.
📌 Lisa's tip: check the overnight low before you pack. Florence reached highs of 13°C (55°F) and lows of -5°C (23°F) on December 24th, 2024.
Does it snow in Italy in December?
Snow is rare in Italian cities in December and more likely in the mountains. In Il Meteo data for 2024 and 2025, only Bolzano recorded snow days: two in December 2024 and none in 2025. Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan, Naples and Palermo recorded none in either year. Il Meteo’s flag may miss light snowfall.
If you’re hoping for a white Christmas in a city, the data isn’t on your side.
Bolzano’s snow days took place on December 14th and 22nd, 2024. Its lows reached 0°C (32°F) or below on 26 days in 2024 and 25 in 2025, so cold weather is more consistent than snow.
If skiing is the goal, the lifts start opening in late November, but each area sets its own date.
Dolomiti Superski planned a start on November 28th, 2026 for Plan de Corones, Val di Fiemme/Obereggen and San Martino di Castrozza/Passo Rolle.
Alta Badia, Val Gardena/Alpe di Siusi, Val di Fassa/Carezza, Rio Pusteria-Bressanone, Alpe Lusia-San Pellegrino and Arabba/Marmolada follow on December 4th.
Cortina and several other areas were still to be confirmed on Dolomiti.it.
For where to stay and what to do, read my guides to the Dolomites in winter and where to stay in the Dolomites.
What should you wear and pack for Italy in December?
Pack layers, a waterproof jacket and shoes with a grip. Average highs across two Decembers were 47 to 50°F in Bolzano, Milan and Venice. Florence and Rome reached 54 to 58°F, and Naples and Palermo 60 to 62°F. Il Meteo recorded fog on 13 to 19 days in Milan, Florence and Venice in December 2025.
I’m someone who’s always cold, more so when it’s winter in Italy. That said, I live by the adage of 'more is more' when it comes to wearing the right clothing, outerwear and footwear in December.
Here are items that I personally wear, and use, in northern Italy throughout this season:
- Thick wool/cashmere coat (sometimes a waterproof jacket)
- Thermal base layers (usually wool/cashmere)
- Thick wool/cashmere sweaters and cardigans
- Jeans or wool trousers
- Knee-high socks (wool/cashmere)
- Heavy long scarf, cashmere beanie and wool gloves
- Waterproof winter boots, white sneakers with a grip for wet streets
- Accessories: compact umbrella
For Naples and Sicily, where highs average in the low 60s°F, swap the coat for a mid-weight jacket. Add a scarf and boots/sneakers with a grip. You won’t likely need thermal layers or wool sweaters/trousers, unless you’re like me and always feel the cold.
For more tips on what to pack season by season, see my guide to what to wear in Italy as a local.
Where is the best place to go in Italy in December?
Go to the Dolomites or South Tyrol for snow and markets, Rome or Naples for milder days, and Sicily for the warmest weather. Venice, Milan and Florence are cold and often foggy, so plan indoor stops and early sunsets. The averages below are from Il Meteo data for December 2024 and 2025.
| City | Average high/low | What December feels like | Sunset on December 21st |
| Palermo | 62 / 52°F (16.8 / 11.1°C) | Mild, with rain flagged on 12 to 21 days | 4:49 pm |
| Naples | 60 / 44°F (15.5 / 6.5°C) | Cool to mild, with rain on 7 to 16 days | 4:37pm |
| Rome | 58 / 41°F (14.2 / 5.2°C) | Cool, with rain on 9 to 14 days | 4:41pm |
| Florence | 54 / 37°F (12.5 / 3.0°C) | Cool and foggy, with fog on 8 to 16 days | 4:40pm |
| Venice | 50 / 37°F (9.9 / 2.6°C) | Cold, with fog on 4 to 13 days | 4:29pm |
| Milan | 49 / 35°F (9.6 / 1.9°C) | Cold and foggy, with fog on 16 to 19 days | 4:42pm |
| Bolzano | 47 / 29°F (8.3 / -1.7°C) | Frosty, with lows at or below 0°C on 25 to 26 days | 4:29pm |
Rome
Rome has plenty to offer in December, if you dress for the cool air and plan around a few closures.
Highs sit around 58°F and lows around 41°F, based on the two Decembers I checked.
The Vatican Museums close on December 8th, 25th and 26th, so save those days for exploring the city instead.
On Christmas Day 2025, buses, trams and the metro ran from 8:30am to 1pm and 4:30 to 9pm, per The Local Italy. Timetables for 2026 haven’t yet been released at the time of publishing, so check again closer to the date.
Florence
Florence is easy to enjoy in December if you pack for the damp.
Highs average around 54°F and lows around 37°F, and fog is common, with 8 foggy days recorded in 2024 and 16 in 2025.
Gray mornings are part of the season, so save museums and cafes for those hours. To read more about Florence’s Christmas markets, see my guide to visiting Christmas in Italy.
Venice
I love visiting Venice in winter and never miss an opportunity to do so. We first visited in early December 2019, and experienced freezing temperatures mixed in with plenty of winter sunshine.
Saying that, you must dress warmly if you’re planning on visiting in December. Unlike Rome and further south, it gets extremely chilly, and it won’t be enjoyable if you’re not dressed properly.
Venice averaged 50°F for highs and 37°F for lows, with fog recorded on 4 days in 2024 and 13 in 2025.
One of the downsides of traveling to Venice in December is the risk of flooding (acqua alta).
Check sites like tide-forecast.com to see the risk of flooding before your visit. Alternatively, download the official app, Hi!tide Venice.
Venice's official access fee ended on July 27th, so no day-trip fee applies in December 2026. It typically runs from April to July every year. See 11 things to know before visiting Venice for more on the topic.
Milan
Milan in December is cold, foggy and misty, and planning indoor activities is essential.
Book skip-the-line tickets for the Duomo and terraces, go shopping in the galleria and visit a museum or two.
Highs average around 49°F while lows hover around 35°F. It’s also the foggiest place in my data, with 16 foggy days in 2024 and 19 in 2025.
Opera fans should make a note for 7th December. La Scala opens its 2026 to 2027 season, the same day as Sant’Ambrogio, Milan’s local holiday.
Naples and the Amalfi Coast
Naples is the mildest of the mainland cities in December, with highs of around 60°F and lows of around 44°F.
It’s a city that doesn’t get the best rap, but for me, it has so much to offer. We spent one day in Naples before spending 4 days on the Amalfi Coast and honestly, we wanted to stay longer.
The culinary scene is delicious, affordable and heavy; something perfect for colder temperatures. What’s more, Naples has some of the most beautiful churches in Italy with no entrance fee.
They include the Duomo and San Gregorio Armeno; located on the street famous for its nativity (presepe) shops. In short, it’s a sound choice for a December break.
Rain comes and goes, with 16 flagged days in 2024 and 7 in 2025, so keep a compact umbrella handy.
Christmas Eve 2025 was a wet one in the city, recording 28.8mm, while Christmas Day was dry.
Naples is the closest city to the Amalfi Coast in my data, though the coast itself may differ.
For more on traveling within the region, see the following guides:
Sicily
In 2022 we spent Christmas at our family home in Santa Teresa di Riva, a small coastal town near Taormina.
December is an interesting time to visit Sicily. Though it doesn’t get cold like it does in the north, temperatures can drop quickly from afternoon to early evening.
The crowds can also be bigger than you might imagine when visiting Sicily in winter.
On Christmas Day afternoon we went to Taormina, only to find that the main square, Piazza IX Aprile, was packed. The crowd was mainly Sicilians home for the holidays.
That doesn’t mean that other Sicilian cities, towns and attractions will be just as busy. It’s simply a reminder not to expect them to be quiet.
Palermo is the only Sicilian station in my data.
In December 2024 and 2025, it averaged 62°F for highs and 52°F for lows, with no days at or below 0°C.
The coast near Taormina may feel different, especially when the winds pick up. For more, see Christmas in Sicily and Sicilian Christmas food.
The Dolomites and South Tyrol
For a true wintry December break, anywhere in the Dolomites and South Tyrol is ideal.
Choose a popular alpine town, like Cortina d’Ampezzo, as your base in the Dolomites, and explore some of the region’s nature.
Lifts open from late November, as the snow section explains.
In 2025, Bolzano averaged 47°F for highs and 29°F for lows.
⏩️ Read: things to do in Bolzano
What is open and closed in Italy in December?
Italy's public holidays fall on December 8th, December 25th and December 26th, plus January 1st and 6th. The Vatican Museums close on all these dates. Most offices and supermarkets are closed on December 25th and 26th, while many restaurants are open by reservation only.
Milan's local holiday, Sant'Ambrogio, falls on Monday, December 7th, the day La Scala opens its season with Verdi's Otello.
For the full list, see my guide to every public holiday in Italy.
| Date | Event | What to expect |
| December 7th | Sant’Ambrogio, Milan’s local holiday | La Scala opens its season with Otello |
| December 8th | Immaculate Conception, national holiday | Vatican Museums closed |
| December 24th | Christmas Eve, not a national holiday | Many employers give workers the day off; check regional train timetables |
| December 25th | Christmas Day, national holiday | Vatican Museums closed; most supermarkets and offices are closed, some pasticcerie and bars may open in the morning |
| December 26th | St. Stephen's Day, national holiday | Vatican Museums closed |
| December 31st | New Year's Eve | Not a holiday, book dinner early |
| January 1st | New Year's Day, national holiday | Vatican Museums closed |
| January 6th | Epiphany, national holiday | Vatican Museums closed |
Christmas at home: what is open
Christmas in Italy is a family affair, and that explains most of the closures.
In our house, the Christmas Eve dinner (cenone della vigilia) is the main celebration. We start with a fish first course, maybe antipasti too, and we spend it with family or relatives.
In the days before we had our daughter, my husband and I would sometimes meet friends for a drink in the center. Nowadays, we stay in.
Christmas Day varies for us.
Some years it’s lunch with the extended family, other years just our immediate family.
We open presents in the morning, then go out for breakfast and a walk. Lunch follows with every course, then dessert, panettone, fruit, panna, crema pasticcera, wine and liquori.
Our local pasticceria is usually open on Christmas morning, though not every shop is, but it closes early (before 1pm).
In the afternoon we sometimes visit friends who are having a big celebration, and we might eat something there too. However, since having our daughter, we’ve been staying in so she can have her nap.
In Sicily at Christmastime, many of the local bars, rosticcerie and shops we visited were open. Again, this might not be the case in other Sicilian towns and cities.
It’s always wise to check which services and amenities will be open during the holiday period.
Public transport
Getting around Italy during the holidays is a different matter.
Regional and local trains tend to run reduced timetables over the holidays, especially on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Inter-regional and long-distance trains generally keep standard timetables, with dozens of high-speed services even on December 25th. Service varies by route.
When I searched in October 2026, Rome to Florence on Friday, December 25th showed 6 Frecciarossa and Italo departures between 9:08 and 10:30am, and Milan to Como also showed frequent trains. However, my search for regional trains from Vicenza to Verona on December 25th showed none.
Trenitalia’s current timetable ends on December 12th, so the holiday regional timetable might not yet be published.
Check your exact route for December 2026 and read my guide on taking trains in Italy for more helpful tips.
📌 Lisa's tip: book Christmas Day lunch or dinner as soon as your dates are fixed. Many restaurants don’t accept walk-ins on December 25th.
Are Italy's Christmas markets worth planning around?
Yes, if you choose the town and check dates first. Bolzano's market runs from November 27th, 2026 to January 6, 2027, with an opening ceremony on November 26th. Dates vary by town and city, so confirm with each organizer.
In Vicenza, our Christmas market typically begins in early December.
The center is filled with wooden stalls selling an array of different goods, alongside food and drink stalls. The aroma of chestnuts roasting (calderoste) is a fragrant reminder that the festive season has arrived.
If you want a unique Christmas market experience, consider visiting Lake Garda, specifically Riva del Garda. We were there in December 2025 and my husband and I were so impressed by the quality of the local food and drink being sold in the wooden chalets.
Then there’s Bolzano, the market I would plan a December around next time.
Its tourism office calls it 'the very first one ever held in Italy.' We visited Bolzano and Bressanone at the end of November and missed the start of both markets, so check the dates before you go.
📌 Lisa's tip: check each market's official dates before booking your visit. See my guides to spending Christmas in Italy and what traditional Christmas foods to try.
How short are the days in Italy in December?
Sunset falls between 4:28 and 4:56pm across Italy in December, and sunrise comes between 7:04 and 8:03am. On December 21st, Milan, Venice and Bolzano get about 8.5hrs to 8hrs 45mins of daylight. Palermo gets around 9.5hrs. Times are calculated for each city in local time.
| City | Dec 1st sunrise/sunset | Dec 21st sunrise/sunset | Dec 31st sunrise/sunset | Daylight on Dec 21st |
| Palermo | 7:04am/4:46pm | 7:19am/4:49pm | 7:22am/4:56pm | 9.5hrs |
| Naples | 7:08am/4:35pm | 7:24am/4:37pm | 7:27am/4:44pm | 9hrs 13mins |
| Rome | 7:18am/4:39pm | 7:34am/4:41pm | 7:37am/4:48pm | 9hrs 7mins |
| Florence | 7:28am/4:38pm | 7:45am/4:40pm | 7:49am/4:46pm | 8hrs 54mins |
| Venice | 7:30pm/4:28pm | 7:47am/4:29pm | 7:50am/4:36pm | 8hrs 42mins |
| Milan | 7:42am/4:41pm | 8am/4:42pm | 8:03am/4:49pm | 8hrs 41mins |
| Bolzano | 7:37am/4:29pm | 7:55am/4:29pm | 7:58am/4:36pm | 8hrs 33mins |
📌 Lisa’s tip: plan around daylight. See the outdoor stop/s you care about most in the middle of the day. Save museums, shopping and dinner for after dark.
Map of Italy in December: weather, markets and places to know
I put the places from this guide on one map, so you can see how far apart they are.
It shows average December highs and lows and sunset times for 7 cities, four Christmas markets and the stops that matter most in December.
Tap any pin for details, then use the layers to switch between them.
What I wish I knew
- I wish I’d checked the market dates before my first trip to Bolzano and Bressanone. Two stops part of our Dolomites road trip, we visited at the end of November and missed the openings. Had I known Bolzano’s tourism office bills its market as the first in Italy, I would have moved the trip.
- In Taormina in 2022, the main square was packed with Sicilians home for the holidays. Don’t assume that all southern towns will be quiet in December.
- Two more lessons come from the data that I found. Sunset arrives before 5pm, so plan the best outdoor stop for the middle of the day. Lastly, the north cools later in the month, so December 21st to 31st can feel much colder than the first week.
What are your thoughts on this guide to visiting Italy in December? Are you planning on traveling this month? Let me know in the comments.
This guide may contain affiliate links. If you book through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Written by Lisa Rivera: Italy traveler and resident for 10+ years. First-hand researched for 2026.
December in Italy FAQs
Palermo is the warmest place in my data, averaging highs of 62°F (16.8°C) and lows of 52°F (11.1°C) across December 2024 and 2025, with no freezing days. Naples came next at 60°F (15.5°C). Sicilian coastal towns may differ. 
Yes. Dolomiti Superski planned a November 28th, 2026 start for Plan de Corones, Val di Fiemme and San Martino di Castrozza. Val Gardena and Alta Badia follow on December 4. Cortina’s date was still to be confirmed, so check each resort before booking.
Offices, banks, post offices and most supermarkets close on December 25th, and the Vatican Museums are closed. Many restaurants stay open, usually by reservation, and some pastry shops and bars open in the morning. Local buses and regional trains tend to run reduced timetables.
Acqua alta, Venice’s high-water events, can flood low parts of the city in winter. Check official tide websites, or download the official app, Hi!tide Venice. Check the forecast the day before you visit.
Rome is cool, not cold, with December highs averaging 58°F (14.2°C) and lows of 41°F (5.2°C) across 2024 and 2025. No snow days were recorded in either year, but one day was flagged with a low at or below 0°C on December 22nd 2024. Rain was flagged on 14 days in 2024 and 9 in 2025.
Yes, though regional trains tend to run reduced timetables on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. High-speed services still connect major cities. Check your exact route ahead of time.
Yes, if you want to see how Italians celebrate. Many families have Christmas Eve dinner and Christmas Day lunch at home, so plan meals ahead. I’ve spent more than 9 Christmases here. The trade-offs are sunsets before 5pm and closures on December 25th and 26th.
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