The Best Winter Weekend Getaways in Italy

5 beautiful cities in Italy for the holidays

When the cold weather hits, many of us tend to stay inside or elope to warm destinations. But there are so many magical spots in wintertime, especially during the holiday season. From snowy towns to winter wonderlands, here are our favorite winter getaways in Italy, for a special weekend with your family, friends or partner.

Verona (Veneto)

Italy’s northern cities are pure magic in wintertime. And Verona is surely one of the most stunning. Warm up with a glass of red wine before hitting one of its traditional log cabin Christmas markets. With the whole city decked in Christmas decorations, it’s impossible not to get into the holiday spirit. And if you’re in Verona from December to January, don’t miss out on the exhibition “Presepi from the world in Verona” inside the Gran Guardia building in the centre of the city.

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Salerno (Campania)

There’s a place that looks like a fairy tale land, filled with Christmas markets, Santa Clauses, enchanted gardens, Nativity scenes and more just a couple of hours from Rome. It’s the much awaited Artists’ lights, or Luci D’artista, event held in Salerno. Every year, the streets of Salerno are sprinkled with a little extra magic thanks to the Luci D’Artista – a spectacular open-air show featuring Christmas lights, markets and much more. This year the eventi will start from the 26th of November, and the main attraction will be the huge and colorful Tree of life, built in the middle, of Piazza Flavio Gioia.

Bologna (Emilia Romagna)

The northern city of Bologna charms year round. Just imagine how beautiful it can be in wintertime…walking along its miles of characteristic portici filled with holiday decorations before indulging in some hearty comfort food like tagliatelle al ragù and tortellini in brodo. And don’t even get me started on the breathtaking view of the city from the Asinelli tower. Who knows…you might just be lucky enough to see a snowy Bologna.

Gubbio (Umbria)

This Umbrian town isn’t just known for its churches and historical buildings, it’s internationally renowned for having the largest Christmas tree in the world. From December 7^thto January 9^th, experience the magic of Gubbio’s Christmas tree along the slopes of Mount Ingino. The tree is 650m high, with more than 800 bulbs to light it, and extends from the walls of the city all the way up the Basilica of Sant’ Ubaldo on top of the mountain. Since 1981 the Gubbio Christmas tree has entered inside the Guinness World Records; it’s truly a sight not to miss.

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Matera (Basilicata)

If you’re into Nativity scenes, wait until you see the 11th edition of the Live Nativity in the Stones. Up until the Epiphany, this is Matera’s ultimate attraction. Actors and participants dress in typical costumes to recreate the nativity scenes of 2,000 years ago in a theatrical key. This year, the dates in store for the Live Nativity in the Stones are 7-8, 10-11-12 and 18-19 December 2021, and 6-7-8-9 January 2022. The Presepe Vivente extends from Matera’s centro storico all the way to the Sasso Barisano neighbourhood. Magical can’t even begin to describe it.