Top 10 things to do in Italy in winter

Best things to do in Italy in Winter: Carnival, Hot Springs, Soccer, Skiing and more - Discover all the wonderful experiences you can do in Italy during wintertime

When people think of Italy, they think of beaches with bright blue water, or eating gelato on a hot sunny afternoon. While Italy is one of the top destinations for summer travel, not many people know that one of the best times to visit Italy is during the winter months. From November to March, tourists enjoy cheaper prices and smaller crowds. But if it’s too cold to sunbathe or swim in the Mediterranean, then what can you do in Italy during the winter?

Relax in Italy’s Famous Thermal Hot Springs

Thanks to Italy’s unique and varied geography, the country enjoys a wealth of thermal baths and natural hot springs all over. Italy’s natural thermal springs are renowned for their relaxing and healthful properties. Visiting these hot springs in winter is ideal as the sites are less crowded and the colder weather is a perfect match to the hot water.

Where to Go: Saturnia Hot Springs in Tuscany and Terme di Bormio in Lombardy rank among the top thermal resorts in Italy. For more information and complete list see here.

Ski in Italy’s Majestic Alps & Mountain Resorts

With chains of the Alps to the north and the Apennines running down the Center and South, Italy is one of the best countries in Europe for winter sports. With world-class ski slopes and snow sports facilities, Italy offers an incredible number of great options perfect for skiing, snowboarding, and winter adventures. The added bonus is that skiing in Italy, while not cheap, is much less expensive than skiing in North America.

Where to Go: There are so many great places, here are just a few of our favorites: Cortina d’Ampezzo, famed for its luxurious atmosphere and celebrities. Cervinia, nestled at the foot of the Matterhorn, a popular winter destination offering extensive ski runs suitable for all levels. Madonna di Campiglio, a charming, ski resort famous for its great slopes and vibrant après-ski scene. And if you feel adventurous, you can even go to Mount Etna in Sicily and ski on the slopes of an active volcano!

Experience the Passion of Italy’s Soccer Matches

One of the most fun activities you can do while on your winter vacation in Italy is catch a soccer game, one of the favorite Italian pastimes. The soccer season starts in late August and is in full swing during the fall and winter months. Even if you’re not a fan of calcio, the energy and spirit of all the local fans around you is infectious, making it a memorable experience. Keep warm in the arena with a cup of cioccolata calda and a scarf of the city’s soccer team, it’ll also make a wonderful souvenir!

Where to Go: The most important soccer arenas in Italy are San Siro in Milan, Juventus’ Allianz Stadium in Turin, and the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. But most cities in Italy have a soccer team and a stadium where they play at home, so it is quite easy to attend a game.

Discover Italy’s Truffle Hunting & Gourmet Food Festivals

Much like apple picking in the northern United States during the fall, hunting for truffles is a popular agricultural tradition for Italians during the colder months, especially in the regions of Piedmont, Tuscany and Umbria.

Where to go: In November go to the Truffle Sagra in the Tuscan town of San Miniato, a pretty ancient town less than an hour from Florence. Between October and December visit Alba, in Piemonte region, for the international fair of white truffles. Gubbio, Orvieto, Todi, all in the Umbria region, are also lovely towns where you can taste an amazing cuisine based on the black truffles coming for the nearby countryside.

Celebrate Italy’s Carnival Festivals

If you visit Italy during February, then this is a must. Carnevale, similar to Mardi Gras in New Orleans, is a pre-Lenten festival that is so deeply rooted in Italian tradition and culture that every major city in the country has its own, unique version.

Where to go: From staged orange battles in Ivrea (Piedmont), to hilarious and elaborate floats in Viareggio (Tuscany), and finally the ornate masks and spellbinding spectacles of Venice, the most famous of them all, attending Carnevale will surely be an unforgettable experience.

Enjoy Italy’s Christmas Markets & Holiday Festivities

If you’re lucky enough to visit Italy in December, then you can’t miss strolling through one of the many Christmas markets that pop up in all the towns and major cities. Get some Christmas shopping out of the way before you return home for the holidays, and explore piazzas full of festive vendors selling everything from traditional chocolate cakes to handcrafted figurines.

Where to go: Thanks to the surrounding mountains and the likelihood of being blanketed by snow, the markets with the best Christmasy atmosphere are in the North: Trento and Bolzano’s Christkindlmarkt. But also Rome’s Campo de' Fiori, Florence’s Mercato di Natale are very popular and easier to reach.

Attend Italy’s Regional Food Festivals & Sagras

A "sagra" is a local or regional festival dedicated to a certain type of food, held primarily in small towns. Typically, during the sagra, the local main piazza will host local producers and you will have a chance to taste the food that the sagra is dedicated to. Expect lots of people, a fun and festive atmosphere, great food and wine at a very cheap price.

The sagras are usually followed up with historical pageants, or sporting events like jousts and horse races, which are also known as "palios". Sagras typically take place between September and January.

Where to go: There are almost as many sagre as towns in Italy. To name just a few of the best ones: Grape Festival in Frascati outside Rome, Chestnut Festival in Cuneo (Piemonte region), White Truffle Festival in San Miniato (Tuscany), Grape Harvest Festival in Greve in Chianti (Tuscany), Sagra del Tortellino at Castelfranco (Emilia), Sagra dell’Arancino in Aci Castello (Sicily).

Experience Italy’s Theater & Opera Scene

Another way to keep out of the cold while still enjoying a rich part of Italian culture is to spend an evening at the theater. Like soccer, opera, drama, and orchestra seasons are in the middle of their seasons during the wintertime. Purchase tickets at your city’s theater house or a tour agency, and revel in one of Italy’s classic operas or symphony performances. Most theaters in Italy are also historical buildings rich in art with gorgeous, opulent interiors, creating a truly amazing atmosphere around the show itself.

Where to go: La Scala in Milan, Teatro di San Carlo in Naples, La Fenice in Venice: attending a performance at one of these theaters will surely be an unforgettable and unique experience. In addition to these amazing venues, you will find concertos being played in many churches, offering a magical atmosphere at a more affordable price.

Go On Italy's Scenic Train Rides

While the high-speed train Frecciarossa is great way to travel in Italy, there are also much slower and more scenic alternatives when it comes to railways journeys: train rides like the Treno Natura in Tuscany or the Bernina Express on the Alps, offer an unforgettable way to explore the country's diverse and stunning landscapes. These train rides are particularly beautiful with the changing colors of the fall or with the snowy landscapes of winter time.

Where to go: There are several options, some of the best ones are the following: Bernina Express from Tirano in Italy to St. Moritz in Switzerland, crossing the magnificent Alps. Treno Natura that goes through the beautiful countryside of Tuscany’s Val d’Orcia. Trenino Verde that explores the unspoiled countryside of Sardinia. When planning these rail trips make sure to check in advance the schedules as they are seasonal.

Explore Italy’s Famous Museums & Historic Sites

One of the biggest perks of visiting Italy in the fall and winter is enjoying the country’s top monuments and museums without the hassle of huge crowds or long queues. If you want to experience Italy’s rich, world-famous artistic heritage and cultural legacy, November through February is the best time of the year.

Where to go: For sure Uffizi Gallery and Accademia Gallery in Florence, Vatican Museums in Rome, Accademia Gallery and Doge Palace in Venice. Besides these must-sees we recommend to visit the Borghese Gallery in Rome, Pitti Palace in Florence, the Pinacoteca of Brera in Milan, the Archaeological Museum in Naples.

Take a cooking class and learn the secrets of the Italian cuisine

If it’s too cold or rainy outside to hop between museums or stroll through markets, then why not take a cooking class? This is a fun and simple indoors activity, offered by local chefs in their kitchens or cooking schools. Typical cooking classes range from making wood-burned pizza, fresh pasta, or even gelato. Spend a few hours learning how to make traditional and delicious Italian recipes to bring back home with you before having the chance to enjoy what you just cooked.

Where to go: You will find cooking classes in all major cities and towns especially in Florence, Rome, Bologna.

Walk Along Italy’s Beaches in Winter

You might be thinking, it’s too cold for the beach! Although it might be too cold for swimming, a long stroll on the beach is a lovely way to pass an afternoon on a sunny day. On a side note: the water temperature in Italy in winter (especially in the South) will probably be similar to the Atlantic Ocean in summer in many states in Northern US.

Beaches in Italy in winter will be empty of the large crowds of summer tourism, meaning you can enjoy the peaceful sounds of the waves crashing, and the natural beauty of the beaches, all to yourself. Added bonus: empty beaches in sunny winter days make for amazing photo ops.

Where to go: Considering that Italy has more than 8,000 Km (5,000 miles) of coastline, it is really easy to find beaches that are great even during winter time. Just to name a few: Piscinas in Sardinia, Lido di Venezia outside Venice, Tropea in Calabria, San Vito lo Capo in Sicily, Viareggio in Tuscany. To know more about the best beaches in Italy read here.

Winter in Italy is a season full of charms—from relaxing in thermal springs to exploring historic cities without crowds, and celebrating lively festivals and cultural events. Whether you’re seeking outdoor adventures, culinary delights, or cultural immersion, Italy’s winter offers an unforgettable experience. Plan your trip today and discover the many best things to do in Italy during winter! And if you need help contact us!