Things to do in Italy at Christmas

Are you thinking about visiting Italy at Christmas, but you don’t know if it is worth it? When you think about Italy, you immediately think about sunny beaches and villages on the Mediterranean coast. However, Italy is much more than that, and visiting Italy at Christmas could be an excellent opportunity to experience some fantastic traditions. Today, we will give you five things you should do if you visit Italy at Christmas.  Andrea and I live in Italy, and we love the Christmas celebrations here during the holidays. That’s why today, we want to tell you five things you should do if you visit Italy at Christmas.

Many of you think that Italy should be visited in the summer when you can experience the long sunny days, the outdoor dining, and the Mediterranean vibe. However, Italy has a lot to offer in the winter as well, and around Christmas time could be the perfect time to visit. Also, in the winter, prices for flights and hotels are cheaper. Cities are less busy (usually), and there are a few things that you can only do and see at Christmas time. 

Let’s see what our first thing to do in Italy at Christmas is, and we will talk about:

Christmas Markets

Starting at the beginning of December, every major city in Italy has Christmas markets. However, if you want to experience the best ones, you must travel to the South Tyrol area of Italy, right in the Alps. Cities like Bolzano, Merano, Bressanone, and Brunico take the Christmas market tradition to the next level. These markets sell Christmas decorations, arts and crafts, and traditional food. Also, you can sip some delicious Vin Brule (sweet and spicy wine served hot by the glass) to warm you up while you shop at these stunning markets. 

When visiting South Tyrol, you should also try some of the local specialties, such as speck, a delicious cured and smoked pork meat served thinly sliced with bread and fresh horseradish. Another specialty of the area is Canederli, a bread and cheese dumpling served with melted butter and more cheese. Seriously, this is comfort food at its best!

To reach Bolzano, the capital of South Tyrol, you can take the train from Rome, Florence, or Bologna. 

From Bolzano, you can do our next thing to do in Italy at Christmas, and it is:

Visit the Dolomites

The Dolomites are some of the most stunning peaks of the Italian Alps. Some of the most famous ones are the Seceda Mountain or the Tre Cime di Lavaredo. Also, in the Dolomites, you can admire some stunning alpine lakes. Visiting the area in the winter and at Christmas can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. From Bolzano, you can tour some of the most famous peaks in the Dolomites.

Also, if you like skiing, the Dolomites area is pure heaven for skiers. In the area, you will find some of the best ski slopes in Europe, and skiing surrounded by the majestic Dolomites is a true dream.

Time to move to our next thing to do in Italy at Christmas, and we have:

Walk in San Gregorio Armeno

San Gregorio Armeno is a street in the historic city center of Naples. This street is famous all over the world for its artisanal nativity scenes. In fact, on this street, you can buy some of the best and most elaborate figurines for nativity scenes. Around Christmas time, the area is jam-packed with people shopping or simply enjoying the amazing Christmas vibes.

If you have never been to Naples, this is an excellent opportunity to visit one of Italy’s most vibrant and lively cities. Also, in Naples, you can try some of the best food in Italy and experience Pizza right where it was invented. From Naples, you can also visit the famous cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, which are less than half an hour away from the city center. Visiting Pompeii in the winter could be a great opportunity to explore the site with fewer tourists and way less heat. If you want to know more about visiting Pompei,i take a look at this video up here. 

Moving on to our next thing to do in Italy at Christmas, we will talk about:

Christmas shopping in Milan

Shopping in Milan is an unforgettable experience any time of the year, but the city is even more beautiful at Christmas. In Milan, the Christmas decorations are amazing. In the Galleria and the Piazza del Duomo, you will find some stunning Christmas trees. The famous Rinascente department store is always completely lit with thousands of lights for Christmas, and every major street is beautifully decorated. Also, at Christmas in Milan, you can try a slice of the famous panettone, the typical Christmas cake in Milan. Every bakery or pastry shop makes its version of this dessert, and you should try it. 

Time to move on to our last thing to do in Italy at Christmas

Enjoy the Holiday Spirit

In every city in Italy, you will experience an incredible Christmas spirit. Every city or town is beautifully decorated. In the streets, it is common to see performers who play and sing Christmas music. Walking around in Italy around Christmas is a true magical experience, and you will feel the holiday spirit. The weather might not be great like it is in the summer, but believe us, the atmosphere will make up for it.

Well, folks, that is what we have for you today; if you have any questions, please leave a comment below. We would love to hear back from you and answer your questions as best we can. Also, let us know how your trip goes, what you liked here in Italy, and what you didn’t like. This will inspire us to come up with new videos for you. Lastly, if you see us around, please say hi; we love to meet you all. In the meantime, we will see you in our next video.

Ciao