Italy in December: Where to Go, What to Do, the Weather & More

Average Temperatures in Rome, Italy: 55°F High • 40°F Low

December ushers in cooler temperatures across Italy, but the climate varies greatly by region. In the northern mountains and cities like Milan, December brings chilly highs of around 45°F, with nights that drop to near freezing.

Locals bundle up in wool coats and colorful scarves, while the southern coasts provide milder highs of around 60°F. Snow often dusts the tallest alpine peaks as ski resorts open and cities start decorating, resulting in the best Christmas markets in Italy.

The farther south you travel, the better the odds of bright and sunny, yet brisk days for exploring ancient ruins or lounging in relaxing thermal baths. Dressing in layers is your secret for enjoying an Italy vacation in December.

Sicily • Best Place for Great Weather

Sicily is a sensational place to visit in Italy in December and is often used as a jumping-off point for exploring the Aeolian Islands or as a destination for trekking the rich landscapes of Mount Etna. Journeying to the island region in December removes the summer crowds, turning this iconic destination into a quiet Mediterranean escape brimming with historic charm for an unforgettable Italy Christmas tour.

While not ideal for lounging on the sand, Sicily and its surrounding isles offer consistent and comfortable weather in which you can embrace the museums, walk the cobblestone streets of villages like Modica, visit fabled communities like Taormina, trek the countryside amid surprising Greek ruins, or bask in seasonal festivities celebrating Christmas.

It’s easy to spend a morning wandering Greek and Roman ruins and then devote the afternoon to exploring a vineyard and tasting wines known for ripe fruit flavors.

Learn more: Sicily Tours & Vacation Packages • Sicily Travel Guide

Rome • Best Place for Families with Children

Rome dazzles families during the lively holiday season. Tour the Colosseum without battling summertime crowds and participate in costumed gladiatorial games during a lesson at gladiator school. Stand in awe below the Pantheon’s massive columns before enjoying a rich hot chocolate from a cafe overlooking the piazza.

Kids and adults can marvel at the Christmas market decorating Piazza Navona, where vendors fill the air with the winter scent of spiced wine. You can add to the list of the best Christmas markets in Italy as you further explore Rome.

Saint Peter’s Square hosts a larger-than-life tree, and life-sized nativity displays add to Rome’s ambiance as it welcomes the winter spirit. With so many kid-friendly attractions, the city quickly shares the beauty of the holiday season, demonstrating why you can visit Rome as a family to find something everyone can enjoy.

Learn more: Rome Travel Guide • Italy Family Vacations

Cortina d’Ampezzo • Best Place for Romantic Scenery

Cortina d’Ampezzo transforms into a winter wonderland once the snowflakes start falling across the jagged Dolomite peaks. Journeying to this popular alpine resort area means trading summer’s crowds for pristine blankets of snow for a romantic Italian retreat.

The tiny town has built a reputation as a world-class ski resort, but non-skiers can relax with views of the breathtaking vistas or enjoy wintry hikes through the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Snowshoe through silent forests for time alone in nature or cuddle close as horse-drawn sleighs glide between the opulent chalets.

Clear nights reveal some of Italy’s best stargazing, and couples can while away their time looking at the glittering sky or embrace tradition with a romantic passeggiata under the glow of the holiday lights. From mountain majesty to old-world ambiance, Cortina d’Ampezzo offers immersive Italian romance.

Learn more: Northern Italy Itineraries & Tours • Northern Italy Travel Guide

Verona • Best Place to Avoid the Crowds

Verona holds old-world charm that shines brightest in December, without the large crowds of summer sightseers. Chilly, and with a high probability of drizzle in the winter, the weather makes the city’s cobblestone lanes glimmer, which only enhances the allure of exploring the castle courtyards and scenic bridges spanning the Adige River at an unhurried pace.

Linger inside small boutiques to uncover unique Christmas gifts or warm up in cozy osterias with a hearty traditional stew and Amarone wine. Admire the Roman ruins or Renaissance palaces, or witness one of Italy’s most famous art forms during the opera season.

While famous as the city of Romeo and Juliet, Verona is a marvelous place to discover local, regional, and national heritage in December.

Discover Different Holiday Celebrations

Italy has timeless Christmas charm, with festive lights shining in the north and solstice-inspired traditions in the south. Embrace the journey across regional traditions, from wandering through the lively holiday markets from Milan to Florence, to soaking in nativity scenes along Naples’s Spaccanapoli street or catching folksy costume parades winding through ancient alleyways.

From the Feast of the Seven Fishes along the Amalfi Coast to bonfire parties lighting up the Sicilian coastline, you can find a stunning variety of holiday celebrations. Seek out age-old winter traditions still thriving in the Italian countryside or embrace cosmopolitan cities known for their glimmering piazzas as you discover what makes the Italian holiday season unique.

Enjoy the Seasonal Cuisine

Italy's culinary heritage shines in wintertime with seasonal ingredients, from black truffles and wild mushrooms to renowned roasted chestnuts. Embrace the journey across regional traditions by sampling white Alba truffles over handmade pasta in Piedmont, seeking out mushroom-focused dishes in Rome, or watching street vendors skillfully roast chestnuts over open fires.

From chestnut-flour cakes stuffed with chocolate to seafood variations on the traditional Feast of Seven Fishes, you can find seasonal specialties that are ancient and timeless. Indulge in the year's final harvest of olives and artichokes, or discover which hearty winter wine pairs best with your preferred cozy dish. During your December Italy trip, you can savor what makes Italian winter cuisine special.

Experience the Italian Mountains in Winter

The jagged snowcapped peaks of the Italian mountains transform into a majestic kingdom blanketed in white along the Alps, Dolomites, and Apennine mountains, or even at the top of volcanic Mount Etna. Embrace the rugged alpine landscapes as you hike through silent forests dusted with frost, gaze over glacial valleys from serene mountain rifugios, or relax in the warm waters of steaming hot springs.

Seek out regional winter sports like ice skating or sample heartwarming mountain cuisine beside a golden fire. From world-class skiing and snowboarding to sleigh rides connecting remote villages, you can embrace the thrills of a mountain adventure when visiting Italy in December.

Italy in December hosts cool temperatures, cities colored with light, and authentic heritage displayed along the streets and in private kitchens. Whether eager to visit the Colosseum without the typical crowds or interested in the wonderland of an alpine ski resort, you can indulge in your preferences, interests, and travel goals on an Italy tour in December.

Explore more ideas and start planning your trip with helpful tips, advice, and information found in our Italy travel guide and Italy tours.