Italian Christmas Markets

Wrap up warm and take a winter wonderland tour of some of the best Christmas markets in Italy - sample the local delicacies, see the work of local artisans and get into the festive spirit with a glass of mulled wine.

Here are some of the best Italian Christmas markets to visit this winter, from picturesque snowy mountain towns, to some of Italy's most romantic cities.

Bolzano - South Tyrol

If Trentino-Alto Adige is the cradle of Christmas, mulled wine and decorations, then Bolzano is the capital of Christmas markets. Here everything becomes more magical come the month of December. With fairy lights, decorations and sweets, the Bolzano Christmas market is a serious matter. Not only is this the largest Christmas market in South Tyrol, but it's also the largest in all of Italy, attracting countless visitors for over 20 years, its managed to retain its magical charm.

When: 25 November to 6 January 2023

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Merano - South Tyrol

Still in snowy South Tyrol, discover another authentic food-and-drink-fuelled Christmas market experience in the spa town of Merano. Watch out for the fearsome Krampusses, loitering around the Merano Christmas Market with masks and goatskin cloaks.

When: 25 November 2022 to 6 January 2023

Bressanone - South Tyrol

Set in the Cathedral square, expect a warm welcome in this cozy mountain Christmas festival, complete with homemade mulled wines, dumpling variations or sweet krapfen. 

When: 25 November 2022 to 6 January 2023

Trento Christmas market - Trentino

Trento, aka the Christmas town, offers two Christmas markets, one in Piazza Fiera and one in Piazza Cesare Battisti. You'll find them in the historic center of Trento, hosting exhibitors in about 70 cosy wooden huts from South Tyrol, as well as from Trentino. Here you'll find plenty of local handicrafts, as well as typical gastronomic specialties and excellent wines. The flagship of the food stands is the 'Sapori del Mercatino' gourmet corner, which offers the tasting of exquisite Trentino and South Tyrolean specialties. A must-try is the tortel de patate or the cevap from the Valle dei Mocheni.

When: 19 November to 8 January 2023

Florence Santa Croce Market

This historical Christmas market has a German flavour, with plenty of edible delicacies and drinks to be found in a magical setting.

When: 19 November to 19 December 2022 

Venice Christmas Market

One of the most romantic cities in Italy turns into a real picture postcard come Christmas. The festively decorated streets, gardens and courtyards are filled with light, not to mention the arcades of Piazza San Marco. For a foodie fix, head to Campo San Stefano, devoted to Italian specialty foods – traditional cakes and sweets, olive oils, vintage balsamic vinegars and other locally made gourmet products. Look out for creamy white almond-studded nougat, fruit-filled panetone from nearby Verona, bags of specialty pastas, tiny biscotti, dried porcini mushrooms and candied chestnuts.

When: 3 December to 24 December 2022

Bologna Christmas Market

Head to the gourmet capital of the Emilia-Romagna region for your fill of festive treats. There are two markets in Bologna – the oldest, Fiera di Santa Lucia, from 11 November to 26 December 2022; and the Fiera di Natale, on Via Altabella.from 18 November 2022 to 8 January 2023. 

Rome Christmas Market

Italy's capital city has several Christmas markets to choose between, but perhaps the most famous of them all is the Roman Christmas market at Piazza Navona. You'll never go short of food and wine here, and as they say, when in Rome...

When: 8 December 2022 to 6 January 2023 .