5 Best Places to Visit in Italy in December

1. Bolzano

Bolzano is one of Italy's most unique cities. As the capital of the South Tyrol region in Northern Italy, this city effortlessly blends Italian with its Austrian heritage. Up until the end of WWI, Bolzano (and the rest of the region) were part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire so in the grand scheme of things, they're nearly Italian.

You'll notice this in the language, the food, the architecture, and the Christmas markets.

This is the main reason I'm recommending a trip to Bolzano - for those that want Austrian-style Christmas markets yet within Italy. Most cities and towns in Italy will have Christmas markets set up for the season but not all markets are created equally. I've heard from Italians and foreigners that Bolzano and the neighboring towns, like Vipiteno, are home to some of the best.

On top of the Christmas cheer you'll find around the city, Bolzano also sits as the base of the Dolomites, giving you ample day trip options to the ski resorts in the area.

If you're chasing a snowy December trip, Bolzano is sure to be a great choice. A 3-day trip to Bolzano should give you enough time to enjoy all the best things to do in Bolzano, although if you're motivated by skiing, I'd suggest more time.

Where to Stay in Bolzano

Don't know yet where to stay in Bolzano? I recommend staying somewhere central so you can easily walk around the markets and hop on the bus, train, or cable car to explore more of the area:

• Budget Stay: Stay COOPER l Tivoli: This is where we stayed in Bolzano with our 2 pets and loved it. The apartment was big, bright, clean, and perfectly located.
• Mid-Tier Stay: Pepper Lounge & Suite: Set in the city center, just a few minutes from the central park, this luxury apartment is more spacious and meticulous than the budget option.
• Luxury Stay: Meta Suites: Enjoy great views and a one-of-a-kind breakfast at this luxurious hotel right in Piazza Walther.

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2. Venice

I adore Venice. I've heard it get a bit of a love/hate relationship on social media and really, I couldn't agree more. Most of those that aren't enamored with the city only come for a day trip and walk the same path from the train station, over Rialto Bridge, to St. Peter's Square, and right back.

There's so much more to this unique city and truly, while I do think it's worth seeing those 2 icons, the areas right around them are the worst of Venice.

They're set up for day trippers rushing though, not those who truly want to enjoy the uniqueness that is Venice. I recommend at least 3 days in Venice to really get a feel for it and to give yourself time to wander aimlessly in the opposite direction of other tourists.

Since we live pretty close to Venice we've been able to visit in every season and I do think winter is my favorite time of the year here. You'll enjoy quieter streets and holiday cheer and the unique opportunity to see Venice dressed up in twinkling lights.

Other than it simply being a cute time to visit, I really recommend Venice in December for la Regatta di Babbo Natale, or the Santa Regetta. This is a gondola race held on Canale Grande each December (often the Sunday before Christmas). The only real requirement to participate is to dress as Santa.

Seeing 100s of Santas row their gondolas down the canal is truly something magical. Some take the event seriously and zip by in a flash, while others fill their boats with their friends and ample their way through the water, cheering with observers along the way.

Where to Stay in Venice

If you haven't yet decided where to stay in Venice, I can recommend a few spots:

• Budget Option: Cà Beatrice: Located near the university, this area is a lot of fun and one of the more affordable zones in Venice. You'll have a good selection of local places to eat and drink in this area.
• Mid-Tier Option: Charming House Iqs: This trendy apartment has a lot of style and is close to the tourist area, without putting you in the center of it. It's a good choice for those that don't want to walk too much each day.
• Luxury Option: San Vio Palace Luxury Apartments: This is where I stayed when my mom came to visit me in Italy. It was perfectly located within walking distance to the sights but tucked away in a more local area.

If you're on a budget, you'll find much better deals staying off the main island, in Mestre or even the smaller islands around Venice, like Murano or Burano.

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3. Verona

Really this guide is just a list of my favorite cities in Italy, with Verona and #4 on the list sealing the deal. For those that are looking more for a lively city environment, I highly recommend visiting Verona.

Verona is such a great city. It's small enough that you can easily walk around it but big enough to offer plenty of options when searching for where to eat, drink, or shop. Plus, in December, the city hosts a large Christmas market.

Their are 2 big Christmas markets in Verona, both right next to each other. One in Piazza Erbe and another in Piazza dei Signori. The market in Piazza Erbe is open all year round so while it does become more festive in December, it's not solely dedicated to the holidays like the one in Piazza dei Signori. For more holiday decorations and a festive atmosphere, I recommend a visit to the latter.

On top of the Christmas markets and the decorations lighting up the streets of Verona, another good reason to visit this city in December is for your holiday shopping. No matter who is on your list, I'm sure you'll be able to find something for them in Verona.

It's easily mine and Raf's favorite city in Italy to go shopping. Although you'll find plenty of chains, the city is also home to a big number of Italian brands that make high quality clothing, accessories, and home goods, making shopping one of the best things to do in Verona.

If you have extra time in the area, Verona is also in a convenient location to embark on a number of different day trips.

Where to Stay in Verona

Don't yet have a hotel? Based on my personal experience and your budget, I recommend a stay at any of these options:

• Carrera Home: This apartment is perfectly located next to Castelvecchio Museum and Piazza Bra. It's pet-friendly and large enough for 5 guests.
• Verona House Aparthotel: This hotel is situated near Carrera Home, giving you a great view but small space. It's perfect for those that prefer a hotel than an apartment rental.
• Casa Archi: Another pet-friendly apartment, this one is seriously unique. It's hard to beat the river views and staying in San Zeno is a nice alternative to being in the middle of the city center.

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4. Rome

To wrap up the best cities to visit in Italy in December, let's head to the Eternal City. Rome is great to visit any time of the year, in my opinion, but December here brings something unique that you can't do at other times of the year: the Christmas trains.

Yep, that's right, there are a few specific trains that only run in the holiday season. These trains are specifically to take you from Rome to some of the best Christmas markets in Italy and abroad.

I'll be honest, I haven't yet taken any of these trains but if I lived closer to Rome I most certainly would give one a try this year.

The two train options you have are the Espresso Monaco and the Espresso Assisi.

The Espresso Monaco's itinerary is:

• Roma Termini
• Verona P.Nuova
• Trento
• Bolzano
• Bressanone
• Fortezza
• Vipiteno
• Colle Isarco
• Brennero
• Innsbruck
• Kufstein
• Munich

On top of taking you to the best Christmas markets in Northern Italy, Austria, and Germany, onboard you can expect a Christmas environment, with decorations, music, and food to match the time of the year.

The Espresso Assisi's itinerary keeps you in Central Italy and takes you to:

• Terni
• Spoleto
• Foligno
• Spello
• Assisi
• Perugia
• Arezzo

Where to Stay in Rome

Rome is such a big city that instead of recommending a short list of places to stay, I recommend you dive into this guide on the best areas to stay in Rome and make your decision based on the activities you plan on doing while in the city.

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5. Bagni San Filippo

Last but certainly not least on my list of the best places to visit in Italy in December is Bagni San Filippo in Tuscany. This is a natural hot spring that's sure to warm you up in the cold weather.

It's possible you've seen pictures or videos of this place on your social media but since tourism is slower in Italy in December, that means these natural baths aren't nearly as crowded as you might be worried they'll be.

From what I read in this Substack post, the hottest waters come from the top so you'll want to wear grippy shoes and warm layers in order to adventure around and to the top.

Bangi San Filippo is located in Tuscany yet near the borders with Lazio and Umbria. There are a lot of smaller towns in the vicinity, with Siena being the closest city in the area. In order to fully enjoy the baths and explore the surroundings, I recommend renting a car.

Where to Stay Around Bagni San Filippo

It's perfectly reasonable to stay in Siena or one of the smaller towns around the baths and drive in for the day but you can stay right at them if you want first access to them.

There are quite a few vacation rentals around but few hotels. I suggest checking out B&B Il Fosso Bianco, which is within walking distance to the thermal springs.

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December Holidays in Italy

What's Christmas Like in Italy?

We've spent the past two Christmases in Trieste, where we live. The first year we were relatively new in the country and the few friends we had made spent the holidays with their families. We were a little unsure what to do with ourselves so decided on Christmas Eve to at least go for a walk around town to enjoy the Christmas lights.

We were shocked by how many people were out and about that night. Even local families were ambling about, eating at restaurants and enjoying hot chocolate and wine at the bars.

I realized that while I'm used to Christmas Eve spent inside or at church, many Italians go out in the evening. The religious ones wait until midnight for Christmas mass.

Christmas Day was considerably quieter and a day you can expect much to be closed but Christmas Eve was lively enough that I think you'll find enough places open (at least in the cities) to entertain yourself and celebrate the holidays with others.

What's New Year's Eve Like in Italy?

From our experience New Year's Eve is also a lively one here. I can only speak from experience in Trieste but each year the city hosts a few concerts in the main piazza. While the music talent might not bring the best concert you've ever seen, enough people come out to make it a fun night out. The concert wraps up around midnight with a massive firework show over the water.

I imagine other cities offer similar events.

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Where Will You Visit in Italy in December?

Although most flock to neighboring France, Switzerland, Austria, or more north to Germany for their Christmas markets, December is still a wonderful time of the year to visit Italy. The country sees far less crowds than in other months and while it is colder and the days shorter, the ample Christmas lights and decorations sure make it worth it.

With winter sports gearing up in the north and plenty of holiday festivities throughout the country, I really do love spending the Christmas season in Italy.