A decoration shop in Venice Photo by Magda Ehlers on Pexels.com
The whole world loves Italy's temperament and lightness in summer. However, very few people realise just how beautiful il Bel Paese is in winter. In addition to snow and winter sports, Bella Italia also offers wonderful Christmas markets - from South Tyrol to Sicily. We present a few particularly beautiful ones here.
In the north of Italy in the mountains, Christmas markets have an old tradition. Since the 90s, they have spread more and more throughout Italy. Because if there's one thing Italians know how to do, it's celebrate beautifully and festively! Today there are Christmas markets in all variations all the way to the south of the country, the big glamorous ones in the big cities, the small rustic ones in the villages.
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South Tyrol: The "Christkindlmarkt" in Bolzano
Christmas in the mountains, simply beautiful! The "Christkindlmarkt" in Bolzano, South Tyrol has the steep peaks of the Dolomites as its backdrop. Hundreds of fir trees, 70 selected Christmas stalls, the largest Christmas market in South Tyrol. Since 1991 it has been Christmas in the middle of the Waltherplatz in Bolzano. And when it snows, happiness is perfect...
You will find handmade regional products at the stalls: from wooden figures to game delicacies and herbal cosmetics. Plus all kinds of delicacies in liquid and solid form. Don't forget to try the local strudel and a cocoa, or rather liquid chocolate, to go with it.
More info
- Open: 25 November 2022 until 6 January 2023, open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (limited opening hours at Christmas and New Year's Eve).
- official Website of the Christkindlmarkt
Tuscany: Majestic Christmas Market in Florence
The atmosphere on the Piazza di Santa Croce in Florence is almost sublime at Christmas time. Around 50 beautifully decorated wooden huts offer handmade goods, Christmas decorations and all kinds of delicacies to eat and drink.
In the background of the Mercato di Natale, the Basilica di Santa Croce towers above everything, where Michelangelo, Galileo Galilei and Machiavelli, among others, found their final resting place.
More info
- Open: 19 November 2022 until 18 December 2023, open daily from 10 am to 10 pm
- official Facebook of the "Mercato di Natale Firenze"
The "Nativity Street" in Naples
From the beginning of December, the Christmas season begins in southern Italy. The tree is then placed and usually very colourfully decorated. The family nativity scene is also set up. In Naples, Christmas is a very colourful, joyful celebration for the whole family.
In one street in Naples, the "Street of the Cribs", it's Christmas all year round. Holy figures have been carved and sculpted here for thousands of years. Once figures of gods, today cots and saints. In the run-up to Christmas, the street has a very special flair.
If you want to browse in peace and quiet, it's best to visit the "Street of Nativity Scenes" in Via San Gregorio Armenino from 10 a.m. onwards. Because in the evenings and at weekends, it feels like half of Naples is stocking up for Christmas. You can often watch the nativity scene artists at work, which is quite an experience. In addition to nativity scenes and saints, famous personalities from sport, music and show business are also portrayed.
More info
- Open: open all year
The "Mercato natalizio di Piazza Navona" in the eternal city...
In December, the eternal city takes on a special flair. Between the hustle and bustle, honking horns and people on the move, a particularly festive glow then shines on the "Mercato natalizio di Piazza Navona", Rome's most famous Christmas market. Festive Christmas huts, the manger with Mary and Joseph, lights - the highlight is an antique carousel from 1896.
More info about Christmas markets in Italy
- Open: 25 November 2022 until 6 January 2023, open daily from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.
- official website of the "Mercato natalizio di Piazza Navona„
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Christmas at St. Nicholas: Bari in Apulia
In the town of St. Nicholas, the pre-Christmas period is celebrated in a particularly festive manner throughout the old town. On the most important day of the year, St. Nicholas, the Christmas markets in the capital of Apulia are inaugurated.
A 14-metre-high tree stands in the Piazza del Ferrarese, and music and light shows take place on a stage throughout the pre-Christmas period. The "Villaggio di Babbo Natale", Santa's Village, is set up on the Piazza Umberto I, including a Ferris wheel. The shops there begin their festive decorations as early as November. Those who only know Puglia from summer should not miss winter.
More info
- Open: 6 December to 26 December 2022, open daily from 10 a.m. to 10.30 p.m.
- more info on the Christmas market
Lombardy: "Mercatini di Natale" in Milan
Milan's most beautiful (and largest) Christmas market is in Piazza di Duomo. The backdrop: the imposing Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and the even more grandiose Duomo. The festive stalls offer handicrafts, delicacies from sweet to savoury, artistic Christmas baubles and also the Italian Christmas witch Befana in all her variations.
After dark, there is the musical Advent calendar in front of the Domplatz. Every evening at 6 p.m. a door is opened and there is an open-air concert. With the backdrop - goose bumps.
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More InformationMore info
- Open: 1 December 2022 until 6 January 2023, open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (limited opening hours at Christmas and New Year's Eve).
- Website the "Mercatini di Natale
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"The Christmas Village" in Bussolengo in Veneto
The small town of Bussolengo in Veneto (20,000 inhabitants, province of Verona) becomes an XXL Christmas village from November. Since the mid-90s, a 7000 square metre Christmas market has been set up in the shape of a village.
Lush Christmas decorations, handmade products, seasonal delicacies, appearances by Father Christmas, restaurants, an ice rink: Christmas is on the agenda here for two months. Admission is free, by the way.
Photo: Screenshot
More info about Christmas markets in Italy
- Open: 25 November 2022 until 6 January 2023, open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (limited opening hours at Christmas and New Year's Eve).
- official Website of the Christmas Village
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Photos: Flavio Vallenari/Getty Images signature via canva.com (Bolzano); Gorfer/Getty Images signature via canva.com (cover); Billion Photos via canva.com (branch with ball); anouchka/Getty Images signature via canva.com (Milan); Fani Kurti/Getty Images signature via canva.com (Florence); Lina1/ipixabay via canva.com
