Italy in December: Your guide to weather, events & travel

Lantern-lit squares in Florence glow under a slow drizzle, and in Rome, evergreen boughs scent the chilly evening air. Trains steam through misty Tuscan hills between hilltop villages dressed in holiday wreaths. By the Adriatic Sea, small-town harbors light up for Epiphany bonfires, and in Umbria, Gubbio’s Mount Ingino tree — a 650-meter display of lights — flickers above medieval rooftops. Everything feels softer, quieter, and more deliberate in Italy in December.

Locals plan their days around markets brimming with panettone, and spicy struffoli (honey‑drizzled dough balls you’ll wish didn’t count as calories). The sounds of classical concerts echo through ancient, architecturally magnificent vaulted halls, as ski lifts hum in the Dolomites while seaside cafés serve cioccolata calda next to glowing nativity stalls. If you want someone to line up your concert tickets, time a visit to La Venuta bonfires in the Marche, or find a cozy alpine inn, an advisor on TravelJoy can set it all up for you smoothly.

In December, Italy offers crisp and comfortable weather for travelers. Northern cities like Milan and Bologna stay comfortable, with the highs in the 40s and the nights often dipping to the 30s. Central regions like Florence and Rome hover in the low 50s, while down south, Sicily and the Amalfi Coast feel gentler around mid 50s to low 60s. The cooler weather makes it easy to spend long hours wandering museums, hopping between cafés, or walking misty, lantern-lit streets without the summer hustle or heat.

December is also Italy’s shoulder-to-low season. During the first half of the month, the museums are less crowded and even the best destinations have shorter queues. The second half of the month brings more buzz. Christmas markets crop up everywhere, and places like Vatican City and central Florence see a lot of festive buzz. Still, it’s nowhere near peak-summer intensity. An advisor on TravelJoy can help you get the best upgrades available at popular hotels, especially before the holidays and after New Year’s.

There are trade-offs, though. Shorter daylight, cold seaside weather, and some seasonal closures in beach towns. But those things shift the mood in a good way. It’s slower. More local. There’s a lot more time to enjoy a long lunch, linger in stunning churches during choir rehearsals, or just stay warm with a glass of wine while the streets light up around you.