Though Germany, Austria, and Switzerland are renowned for their Christmas markets, Italy is a more under-the-radar place to get into the holiday spirit. During the decade I lived there, I visited countless Christmas markets, but I wasn’t convinced about spending the Christmas holidays in Italy when I first moved there.
Truthfully, I dreaded my first Christmas season in Italy. I was sure nothing could beat the merriment of Christmas in the States with the gloriously cheesy lawn decorations, the caroling, and even the TV commercials. However, something magical happened as the days crept toward December 25.
As I did my daily passeggiata, I noticed that Christmas lights were strung into canopies over streets like Via Tornabuoni starting mid-November. Giant Christmas trees (alive in pots) were placed in the main piazzas, and I began to get excited about the Italian Christmas atmosphere.
It turns out that Christmas in Italy is magical, but not just because of the impressive light displays. It’s also thanks to the European tradition of Christmas markets, which involve stalls selling local handicrafts throughout the holiday season.
As someone who has lived in Italy for over a decade and now works as a travel planner who curates itineraries to Italy, I enjoy sending travelers to the country from the end of November to early December to see the Italy Christmas markets for themselves.
10 Italy Christmas Markets To Visit
These markets happen all over Italy, transforming piazzas, scenic towns, and enchanting cities into festive wonderlands brimming with twinkling lights, artisanal crafts, local delicacies, and joyous celebrations. The most beautiful Christmas markets, or mercatini di Natale, offer Italians and visitors a chance to savor the best festivities.
If you plan to visit Italy in December, mark your calendar around December 8th. This national holiday in Italy — the Feast of the Immaculate Conception — marks the start of the Christmas season. The markets and lights usually stay on until early January, so you have plenty of time to enjoy these festive mercati. So, if you’re ready to plan your trip, read about ten of our absolute favorite markets to visit in Italy, from Bolzano to Naples.
Mercatino di Natale di Bolzano
Located in the heart of the region of South Tyrol, Bolzano boasts the largest and one of the most traditional Christmas markets in Italy. Surrounded by the Dolomites’ snow-capped peaks, this market is steeped in Alpine charm and a unique blend of Italian and Austrian influences. The town, known as the “Gateway to the Dolomites,” is gorgeous and resembles something from a Hans Christian Anderson storybook.
The Bolzano Christmas Market, held yearly in Piazza Walther, is famous for its wooden stalls filled with local crafts, from hand-carved ornaments to woolen scarves. Don’t miss the chance to sample South Tyrolean specialties like Christmas sweets, mulled wine (glühwein), and hearty dumplings.
Location: Bolzano, South Tyrol
How to Get There: Bolzano is accessible via train from major cities like Verona, with a scenic 1.5-hour journey. You can also drive about 4 hours from Florence and 3 hours from Milan.
Mercatino di Natale di Bressanone
Nestled in the scenic Italian Alps, Bressanone (also known as Brixen) is South Tyrol’s oldest town and a magical place to visit. This charming Christmas market is located in the Piazza Duomo and is beloved for its festive atmosphere. It features local artisan crafts in wooden huts and traditional Austrian-Italian foods.
My favorite was the gingerbread creations, something I didn’t see (and missed!) in my other Italian market adventures. Don’t miss the stunning light and music show at the Hofburg Palace. It’s perfect for adults and kids alike. There is also a merry-go-round and an ice-skating rink, so visitors of all ages will be entertained.
Location: Bressanone, South Tyrol
How to Get There: Bressanone is about 3.5 hours by train from Milan or 4.5 hours by car.
Mercatino di Natale di Merano
Merano, a spa town nestled in the Alps south of Bolzano, offers a Christmas market that’s as therapeutic as it is festive. The city is known for its hot springs and beautiful Passirio River promenade, illuminated with holiday lights during the Christmas season and bustles with Christmas spirit on Saturdays and Sundays. The Christmas market celebrates local traditions, and you’ll be wowed by all the handmade goods from local artisans and bakers.
From gingerbread cookies to festive wreaths, every corner of this market is a feast for the senses and the perfect place to pick up holiday gifts. Try kaiserschmarren (sweet shredded pancakes) and explore the town’s Christmas-themed wellness centers.
Location: Merano, South Tyrol
How to Get There: Merano is about a 40-minute train ride from Bolzano.
Mercatino di Natale di Trento
Set against the backdrop of the Italian Alps, Trento’s Christmas market is one of the most picturesque in Italy if you’re looking for a festive spirit. The town’s Renaissance architecture and lively piazzas provide a perfect setting for holiday festivities.
Held in Piazza Fiera and Piazza Cesare Battisti, the Trento Christmas Market offers an extensive array of wooden chalets selling traditional crafts, from ceramic nativity sets to hand-blown glass ornaments. Food lovers will be delighted with local cheeses, sausages, and regional wines. Make sure to sample polenta, a corn-based northern Italian dish, and wash it down with some locally brewed Trentino beer served in a commemorative stein.
Location: Trento, Trentino-Alto Adige
How to Get There: Trento can be reached by train in under an hour from Bolzano, two hours from Venice, and two to three hours from Florence and Milan.
Mercatino di Natale di Milano aka “Oh Bej! Oh Bej”
Milan may be Italy’s fashion capital best known for fashion week and runway shows, but the real show stopper in Milan happens at Christmas. The primary Christmas market, known as “Oh Bej! Oh Bej!” is one of the oldest in Italy, as it was first recorded as being held in 1288!
Located around Castello Sforzesco, this market offers various products, from vintage books and handmade trinkets to roasted chestnuts and artisanal sweets. Milan’s Christmas market reflects the city’s blend of old and new, with modern Italian design and historic antiques.
While in Milan, admire the breathtaking Christmas tree in Piazza del Duomo and visit the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, which sparkles with holiday lights and offers luxury shopping. Milan’s Christmas specialty, the panettone, a light and fluffy fruitcake, is a must-try for food lovers.
Location: Milan, Lombardy
How to Get There: Milan is a central travel hub with frequent train and flight connections from across Europe.
Mercatino di Natale di Verona
Verona is the city of Romeo and Juliet, and just knowing that adds a romantic flair to its Christmas market. Held in Piazza dei Signori, Verona’s market is modeled after the famous Christkindlmarkt of Nuremberg, complete with wooden stalls offering German-inspired treats like gingerbread, bratwurst, and the standard but oh-so-delicious, spiced hot wine.
This market is dreamy, with Verona’s medieval towers and Romanesque architecture. They also offer an indoor ornament hut, a welcome reprieve from the cold and a great place to browse hundreds of ornaments to take home the perfect souvenir. The town, with its pink marble streets and ancient history, is worth visiting. Be sure to try the pandoro, a Christmas cake loosely resembling a snow-covered Christmas tree.
Verona is also famous for its nativity scenes, and during the Christmas season, you can visit the International Nativity Scene Exhibition, featuring over 400 nativity scenes from around the world. The Arena di Verona, the city’s ancient Roman amphitheater, also hosts a spectacular Christmas light display.
Location: Verona, Veneto
How to Get There: Verona is easily accessible by train and is only a few hours from Milan, Venice, and Bologna.
Weihnachtsmarkt Santa Croce
Florence, the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, brings an artistic touch to its Christmas market. Held in Piazza Santa Croce for over 500 years, this primary Florence Christmas market has a decidedly German-Austrian appeal.
Wooden stalls with handmade toys, candles, and Christmas decorations line the square, and the stunning Basilica di Santa Croce serves as an unbeatable backdrop. Take a break from browsing to enjoy Bavarian sausages, Tuscan wines, or a slice of panforte, a dense Christmas cake filled with dried fruits and nuts from nearby Siena.
While in Florence, wander the city streets to enjoy the festive lights, maybe with a glass of vin brulé (mulled wine) in hand.
Location: Florence, Tuscany
How to Get There: Florence is easily accessible by train from Rome or Milan, which takes 1.5-3 hours.
Mercatino delle Strenne
Perugia is a town perched on the top of a hill in Umbria, well known for its medieval charm, winding streets, and rich history. During the holiday season, the Rocca Paolina, a historic fortress, transforms into an underground Christmas market. This unique market features stalls set up in ancient vaults and tunnels, where artisans sell everything from handmade candles to knitted goods and, my personal favorite, chocolates.
Perugia is famous for its chocolate, and the chocolate artisans here make every flavor you can think of and every shape. The rustic 100% chocolate “tools” are a sight to be seen and include everything from chocolate hammers, wrenches, screws, scissors that open and close, and more. The incredible underground aspect of this market and the smell of hot chocolate in the air make the Perugia market unforgettable.
While in Perugia, head out of the tunnels to enjoy traditional Umbrian cuisine such as porchetta (roasted pork) and palombacci (roasted pigeon wrapped in prosciutto—don’t knock it til you try it!). During the Christmas season, the city also hosts numerous concerts, light shows, and nativity displays.
Location: Perugia, Umbria
How to Get There: Perugia is accessible by train, bus, or car from Rome or Florence in about 2 to 3 hours.
Mercatini di Natale di Roma
With its ancient history and prestigious role as the seat of Catholicism, Rome offers a Christmas market that reflects the city’s rich history and religious significance. The main attraction in the eternal city is Piazza Navona, a stunning baroque square. Here, you’ll find everything from handmade nativity sets to toys, ornaments, and local street food. Piazza Navona’s market also has carnival rides, making it perfect for the whole family.
Other smaller markets are located in the Testaccio and Laurentina neighborhoods, so when visiting Rome, you get three markets for the price of one.
It’s important to note that Rome’s Christmas appeal extends far beyond the markets. Visitors can explore the Vatican City’s St. Peter’s Square, where a magnificent Christmas tree and a life-sized nativity scene are well worth a visit. For a more spiritual experience, attend midnight Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica or walk through the many churches throughout the city to admire their Christmas decorations.
Location: Rome, Lazio
How to Get There: Rome is well-connected by train, plane, and road to all major cities in Italy.
Mercatini di Natale e Presepi di Napoli
Naples is home to one of Italy’s most beloved Christmas traditions: nativity scenes, or presepi as they’re called in Italian. Since nativity scenes are crucial in Naples, the street Via San Gregorio Armeno entirely dedicates itself to them in December. All the workshops spend the month handcrafting intricate nativity figurines. This pop-up market is an experience unlike any other, where you can see artisans making everything from shepherds to elephants and even celebrities.
Naples also hosts a traditional Christmas market in Piazza San Gaetano, where you can sample southern Italian holiday treats such as struffoli (fried dough balls coated in honey) and my favorite, rococò (spiced almond cookies). While Naples might not have the snowy charm of northern markets, it’s lively, fun, and everything you’d expect in a place with so much rustic Italian charm.
Location: Naples, Campania
How to Get There: Naples is accessible via high-speed train from Rome in about an hour and 15 minutes and is well connected to the rest of Italy by train. We don’t recommend driving in Naples.
Frequently Asked Questions
Italy is home to several stunning Christmas markets that capture the festive spirit and local traditions. Some of the most beautiful and renowned include:
- Trento Christmas Market: Set in the charming old town, this market is famous for its magical atmosphere and traditional South Tyrolean crafts.
- Merano Christmas Market: Known for its scenic setting with the snowy Alps in the background, offering a mix of Italian and Austrian Christmas traditions.
- Verona Christmas Market: Inspired by Nuremberg traditions, this market fills the historic Piazza dei Signori with lights, colors, and festive stalls.
- Bolzano Christmas Market: Italy’s largest and oldest Christmas market, set in the picturesque Piazza Walther, known for its handmade crafts and delicious local food.
- Naples Christmas Market is famous for its intricate Nativity scenes and figurines in the historic Via San Gregorio Armeno.
Italian Christmas markets are treasure troves of unique and traditional items, perfect for gifts or personal keepsakes. Shoppers can find:
- Handcrafted Nativity figures and elaborate Nativity scenes, especially in Naples.
- Traditional Italian Christmas sweets like panettone, pandoro, and torrone.
- Local handicrafts, including wooden toys, hand-blown glass, and ceramic goods.
- Seasonal treats and local delicacies, such as mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, and regional specialties depending on the market’s location.
Italian Christmas markets usually begin in late November and run until early January. The start dates can vary slightly by city, but most markets open by the last week of November and close shortly after New Year’s Day, with some extending to Epiphany on January 6th.
These markets are typically open daily, including weekends, from early morning until late evening, allowing visitors to experience the festive lights and activities day and night.
Traditional Italian Christmas Food
As you explore Italy’s festive spirit through its enchanting Christmas markets, you’ll find that the holiday season isn’t complete without indulging in the country’s rich culinary traditions. From sipping mulled wine at a bustling market stall to enjoying artisanal holiday treats, the Christmas season in Italy is a feast for the senses. To dive deeper into the season’s flavors, check out our article on traditional Italian Christmas food. Discover the must-try dishes, from panettone to hearty regional specialties, and make your holiday trip even more delicious.
Have Us Plan Your Italy Trip
The Christmas market season in Italy is one of the most underrated and most enjoyable times to be in Italy. If you want help making all your Christmas market dreams come true, contact us for a travel consultation with one of our expert Italy planners!
