Who can resist Italy’s astonishing charms? From gaudy towns sitting on the coast of the Mediterranean to metropolitans that witnessed Ancient Rome’s glory, Italy never runs out of beautiful places. Travelers fly to Italy during spring and summer when the weather is pleasant and the sky is sunny. However, in this blog, we convince you that traveling to Italy in winter is a great choice. Our local hosts and experienced TripLeaders, who have been hosting trips to Italy for more than two years, will show you why!
Italy in Winter Guide – Summary
- What does Italy look like in the winter?
- When is winter in Italy?
- What winter month is the best to visit Italy?
- Things to Do during Winter in Italy
- Winter Destinations in Italy
What does Italy look like in the winter?
Italy shares a portion of winter wonderland and winter sun as the freezing season arrives. Northern Italy experiences bone-biting temperatures and heavy snowfall during the winter. Average temperatures hover around 8°C to 15°C while the Italian Alps witnesses temperatures reaching 0°C. Northern Italy has the lowest temperature in January, in which it reaches -5°C.
Meanwhile, milder temperatures exist in Southern Italy. Temperatures never reach below zero and hover around 11-14°C on normal winter days. Moreover, the weather in Southern Italy are relatively mild with medium rain showers. The waters might be too cold, but the cool weather is amazing for strolling around or sitting in a terrace cafe.
When is Winter in Italy?
Officially, winter runs from late December to March the next year in Italy. However, the cold temperatures falling in early December makes people recognize it as the start of winter. Snowfall frequently happens in late December and reaches its peak in January.
What Winter Month is the Best to Visit Italy?
Generally, winter is the low season in Italy. You can expect lower prices for accommodation and flights also fewer crowds. So, what winter month is the best to visit Italy? It is based on what do you want to see or experience.
- December: Italy lights up for Christmas as it is traditionally one of the biggest holidays in a year. December is filled with Christmas markets, fairy lights, and seasonal dishes. Cities like Milan and Rome have major Christmas celebrations that you can look forward to.
- January: The coldest winter month in Italy with the heaviest snowfall. It is the time for winter sports, including skiing and snowboarding. Besides that, our local TripLeader Windy recommends going on a hike in January as it has fewer crowds and beautiful snow-coated landscapes.
- February: The month of carnivals and festivals in Italy. You can see the unique Carnival of Venice or sign up for the Festival of Love in Verona, the city where Romeo and Juliet takes place.
- March: Transition from winter to spring, in which you can expect unstable weather and frequent showers. It is the low season in Italy and great for indoor activities.
Things to Do during Winter in Italy
Italy has a plenty of attractions awaiting to be discovered as the snowy season comes. Here are the best things to do in winter in Italy so you would not miss the country’s best charms.
Christmas Scene
Italy bursts with twinkling fairy lights, spectacular Christmas trees, and joyful carols as the holiday is around the corner. Major cities like Milan are beautifully decorated with holleys, lights, and traditional ornaments. You can also look forward to the feast of Immaculate Conception in December 8th when the Italians put up Christmas trees. It is an enticing traditional festival belonging to Italy.
Besides festive atmosphere in big cities, head to the countryside and small towns. Discover fascinating local traditions to cherish the holiday season. For example, you can head to the lovely village of Orantino. It is home to Faglia festival, in which people carry a 13-metres long reed torch to the highest point of the village.
New Year’s Shopping
Home to high-end leather craftsman and haute-courture, Italy is a dream shopping destination. Italy in winter means massive discounts and big shopping deals. However, Christmas is not the best time to shop in Italy. You should look forward to the shopping deals in January. On January 7th, stores are offering discounts starting from 30% off. You can shop for clothing, shoes, or leather goods at cheaper prices. Whether you consider yourself a shopaholic or not, it is hard to resist Italian shopping deals!
Skiing
Snow falls onto the slopes of the Italian Alps and the surrounding area as winter comes. The snow-coated landscapes beckon everyone who are looking for an extraordinary ski vacation. Italian Alps and the Dolomites are dotted with world-class ski resorts like Selva Gardena and Cervinia. Spacious pistes and winding trails welcome skiers from all levels, from the total beginners to dedicated experts.
Besides skiing, the Alps and the Dolomites welcome you for other winter activities. Visitors spend time in the snow to go alpine hiking, snowshoeing, or snowboarding. So, prepare yourself for a terrific winter in Italy by trying out these winter sports.
Carnival and Festivals
Level up your Italian winter trip by attending the Carnival and other festivals. The Carnival of Venice takes place in the end of February, counting days towards Easter. This carnival takes you the 17th-century Venice as people dress up in medieval costumes and elaborate masks. It commemorates the victory of Venice over Aquiela. Moreover, the festival attracts excitement from all over the world with its acrobatic performances, parades, balls, and historical traditions.
Furthermore, you can also look forward to the Verona in Love Festival. Like its name suggests, the festival takes place during Valentine’s Day. It speaks everything about love and romance in Romeo and Juliet’s hometown, Verona. You can see the city adorned with heart-shaped ornaments and tinted with red decorations during the festival.
Winter Sun
While the Northern parts of Europe freeze in the cold winter, the Mediterranean stays cool and balmy. Southern Italy gets its chunk of Mediterranean weather, making it a favorite winter sun destination in Europe. You can enjoy the pleasant temperatures of 10-16°C with frequent sunny skies. We recommend traveling to Southern Italy in December to February when the weather is relatively mild. You can also travel in March for lower prices but keep your umbrella ready for frequent showers. So, travel to Puglia, Amalfi Coast, or Sicily to spend a warm winter in Italy.
So, which side of winter in Italy will you choose – Snowy or sunny?
Which ever you finally chose, spending the winter in Italy leads you to an awesome holiday you won’t ever forget. If you need somebody to double the fun with you, check out JoinMyTrip. We have expertly-designed group trips hosted by experienced travelers and local guides. Traveling to 800+ destinations across the globe, we ensure you non-standard experiences. So, take a ski trip to the Italian Alps or celebrate New Year’s Eve the Italian way in Umbria with our TripLeaders.
Travel with JoinMyTrip today!