Where to Spend Christmas in Italy

Anyone who says there’s no place like home for the holidays has never spent the holidays in Italy. Italians love any excuse to celebrate, and Christmas festivities in the country are taken quite seriously. Of course, the particulars of those festivities vary based on what region or city travelers visit.

Up in the north, clients will find the country’s largest Christmas market. Those who would prefer to eat suckling pig on an Italian island during this season can do that, too. Whichever they choose, experiencing Christmastime in Italy is a fun way to learn more about local life and see some dazzling decor while doing so. 

If clients are looking to travel la dolce vita-style during the holiday season, here’s where to go for the most wonderful time of the year.

Milan

When it comes to major Italian cities, fewer do the holidays better than Milan. The Lombardian city is home to plenty of Christmas markets, such as the one in Piazza del Duomo; this year, it runs from Dec. 1 to Jan. 6 and is set to feature more than 60 vendors In Piazza del Duomo, clients will also find the city's most iconic tree, which will be lit during a ceremony on Dec. 7, the date of the Feast of Sant'Ambrogio.

During the second week of December at Castello Sforzesco (a stronghold that dates back to the 14th century), visitors can enjoy the “Oh Bej! Oh Bej!” fair with approximately 400 vendors. Visitors can also find ice-skating rinks in Giardini Indro Montanelli, Piazza duca d’Aosta and Pizza Citta di Lombardia.

Panettone, a buttery fruitcake and one of the most ubiquitous Christmas dishes in the country, has roots in Milan. Try this sweet treat at Portrait Milano Hotel, a stunningly stylish five-star hotel in Quadrilatero della Moda, and make sure to save room for their nightly “spaghettata di mezzanotte,” where bowls of spaghetti in garlic, oil and chili are passed out nightly. Then, for another fan-favorite variation of panettone, head to the Olivieri 1882 pop-up at upscale department store Rinascente Milano.

Bolzano

Germany often gets the most clout in Europe when it comes to Christmas markets, but Italy’s Bolzano isn’t to be looked over. The city is home to the largest Christmas market in the country and has properly been deemed the “Christmas capital of Italy.” 

Set in Waltherplatz, the main city square, is the Christkindlmarkt, or the Mercato di Natale Bolzano, which will be open from Nov. 28 until Jan. 6 this season. On Nov. 27 this year, there will be a 5 p.m. tree lighting ceremony.

RELATED: 5 Gems of Northern Italy

Even without the bells and whistles, Bolzano is a winter wonderland thanks to being surrounded by the snow-capped Dolomites. Things feel even more festive when Saint Nicholas visits the market (Dec. 6 this year), and when creepy “Krampus” visits (Dec. 8) to revive one of the oldest traditions in South Tyrol.

When deciding where to stay, Stadt Hotel Citta is centrally located right on Waltherplatz, and some rooms offer a front-row view of the tree and market stalls.

Sorrento

Not everyone dreams of a white Christmas, so if clients are craving a warmer holiday, Sorrento in southern Italy may be the right pick. Streets such as Corso Italia and Piazza Tasso are always fully decked and dazzled out around the holidays with various Christmas markets, all with a dose of sunshine. Plus, this year, the annual (and weeks-long) M’Illumino d’Inverno festival is expected to return.

At Grand Hotel La Favorita, Chef Lavarone will be serving an innovative take on panettone, and if clients plan to stay through the New Year, they can enjoy a New Year’s Eve Dinner on Dec. 31. Bellevue Syrene is celebrating 205 years in hospitality this year and will be completely adorned with holiday decor.

Arezzo

Tuscany’s Arezzo is regarded as the Citta del Natale, or the City of Christmas. From Nov. 15 to Dec. 28, the Tyrolean Village (and one of the largest Christmas markets in Italy) will feature wooden chalets, seasonal eats and holiday music in Piazza Grande.

RELATED: 8 Ways to Explore Tuscany With Kids

The family-friendly city features Santa Claus’ House, where kids can take photos with Father Christmas. Clients coming from Rome might ride the Espresso Natale (The Christmas Express Train), a scenic train ride into Arezzo from Roma Termini. It runs every Sunday from Nov. 30 to Dec. 28. 

For all things festive, stay at Il Borro Relais & Chateaux. Festivities begin on Dec. 5 with the Festival of Light; guests can also enjoy complimentary mulled wine and roasted chestnuts on weekends from Dec. 7 to Jan. 7. The Church of San Biagio, located onsite, will hold Christmas Mass on Dec. 25.

Costa Smeralda

Spending Christmas on an island isn’t an obvious choice, but in my experience, northern Sardinia is always a good time. Costa Smeralda offers local Christmas traditions that vary from those of the mainland. On Christmas Eve, or “Sa notte ‘e xena,” head to “sa miss’e puddu,” also known as the rooster’s mass, celebrated at midnight.

Over in Porto Cervo, La Passeggiata is a lively street with holiday markets, festive performances and photo-worthy decor. Sardinian cuisine, such as “culurgiones” (a pasta stuffed with potato and mint) and chewy “malloreddus” pasta, are plentiful, but for Christmas-specific bites, suggest clients enjoy roasted meats such as lamb and “maialetto,” or suckling pig.