Things to do in winter in Italy: experiences and destinations for 2026

Are you trying to decide where to spend winter in Italy in 2026 and you need infos? No problem, you already know you are in the right place. By and large, in Italy winter temperatures tend to be mild. So, no fear of the extreme cold! Nevertheless, some areas are characterized by whitewashed landscapes worthy of the most beautiful regions of Northern Europe. On the other hand, for the sea lovers who cannot abandon the beach even in the cold season Southern Italy in winter offers spectacular coastal cities.

Tours in the art cities are an evergreen experience as well; it is even advisable to visit some of them during autumn/winter instead of summer. Conversely, if you do want to feel warm and relaxed even in winter, thermal baths are the ideal solution. Finally, a parenthesis aside must be dedicated to Christmas and the beautiful and typical markets that decorate the Italian cities during the holidays. In brief, there is something to suit everybody's fancy! So, here are some unmissable destinations to discover where to spend winter in Italy in 2026

Winter in Italy unfolds as an extraordinarily captivating season with so much to offer. From landscapes of rare charm to culture and history to explore with a more intimate perspective, from timeless traditions to the almost otherworldly atmosphere of the sea in winter, this season truly has something magical.

It’s also worth remembering that Italy is an excellent destination for winter sports enthusiasts as well, even more so with the Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics coming on February 2026.

So, to help you fix your ideal winter itinerary in Italy we’ll explore:

- Breathtaking Alpine landscapes and winter sports experiences
- How to relax at the thermal baths in Italy
- The best winter seaside destinations
- Art cities not to be missed in winter
- Where to find the cutest christmas markets
- Romantic and fun things to do in winter in Italy

Italy is very well known as a summer destination so maybe not everybody knows that it’s also a dream destination for ski lovers. Here is the highest peak in Western Europe, Mont Blanc, with its landscapes simply stunning in every season, and Courmayeur Mont Blanc Funivie, the ski resosrt that boasts 18 ski lifts and 33 slopes of all levels of difficulty, surrounded by spectacular views. Here you can even reach high altitudes until midnight, for unforgettable experiences to be enjoyed after the sunset.

The Dolomiti Superski area, which includes famous resorts like Cortina d'Ampezzo, Val Gardena, and Alta Badia, is also unmissable if you love skiing, while in Lombardy, close to the Swiss border there is Livigno, the freeriders and snowboarders’ heaven.

Central and Southern Italy in winter also have much to offer to ski lovers. The Apennine Mountains, especially Abetone in Tuscany and Roccaraso in Abruzzo, are definitely loved by the locals for the snow, the landscapes and the modern lifts.

Did you know you can ski even in the deep south, in the warm Sicily? Mount Etna offers you the unique experience of skiing on the slope of an active volcano!

If you are an enthusiast who loves snow sports, don't miss the opportunity to also read our detailed guide on how to choose slopes and ski resorts in Italy.

Let’s find out where to spend winter in Italy to enjoy fantastic mountain landscapes, even without skiing.

Once again, Dolomites, one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the world, included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2009 is a must see. They embrace Veneto, Trentino-Alto Adige and Friuli-Venezia Giulia, with majestic views, and many lovely mountain villages to visit.

- Courmayer Mont Blanc Funivie is the ski resort not to be missed even for those who don't ski, thanks to the opportunity to walk in nature, even in winter, to practice yoga at high altitude, to dine in high-end restaurants and so on.

- Livigno is one of them, with the possibility of choosing between different types of activities, from ice climbing to biking in the snow thanks to a bicycle with oversized tires, to shopping and relax.

- Cortina d’Ampezzo is full of glamour, with charming streets, museums and a scenic cable car.

- Madonna di Campiglio is an elegant mountain resort where you can enjoy spas, lively nights and stunning natural beauties.

- Bormio and its thermal baths are a famous winter destination in Italy. The old town is nice to discover, and the local cuisine is particularly yummy.

- Aosta is a small, medieval town with also ancient, Roman ruins. The nearby Fort Bard is definitely to be visited as well. The fortress is an important historical landmark used also a movie set.

Sleigh ride: have you always dreamed of taking a romantic sleigh ride in Lapland? Well, you do not have to go that far. On the Alps and Dolomites you can experience this! The sledges are drawn by horses or husky dogs, and this can be a fun activity recommended for children too.

Sleeping in an igloo: this experience is just as fun and unique. You can try it on Monte Rosa or South Tyrol; in Val Senales, for example, there is an Igloo Village at 2.845 meters above sea level.

Paragliding in the Alps: an experience for those who are particularly brave. By flying in tandem with instructors, you just have to open your eyes and take everlasting mind pictures of this spectacular and unique vision of the world!

Flying on a helicopter over the Alps: the wonderful and immense alpine landscapes acquire a unique charm when viewed from above. At the ski resort Courmayeur Mont Blanc Funive you can fly on a helicopter to reach the most hidden slopes, accessible only from the sky, and then relax in the warm water of the Alpine Pool at 1750 meters of altitude.

Maybe the warmest place in Italy in winter is just… a thermal bath. Besides being relaxing, they also have therapeutic properties known since ancient times.

Italy has some very nice natural thermal resorts to visit and enjoy, some of them can be found, for example, on the beautiful island of Ischia. Due to its volcanic nature, the largest island of the Gulf of Naples is rich in hot springs and mud baths, well known since the ancient Roman times, also thanks to the spectacular nature of the territory.

 Montepulciano Thermal Baths is another destination not to be missed, in central Italy, between Tuscany and Umbria regions.

A winter itinerary in Italy might very well include the coast, thanks to the mild climate and the romantic atmosphere of the sea in winter.

You will be surprised to visit the beautiful Amalfi Coast even when it gets colder. The streets, the landscape and the villages take on a completely different allure, giving a more relaxed travel experience thanks to the reduced presence of tourists. If you dare, on the hottest sunny days, you can even have a dip in the beautiful crystal clear Mediterranean waters! You can easily get there from Rome too, thanks to an exclusive offer, so don't miss the opportunity.

If you are visiting Venice, we recommend a day trip to nearby Caorle, a pretty village characterized by colourful houses overlooking the sea where you can also enjoy delicious fresh fish.

On a winter trip to the Marche region we advise visiting the Conero Riviera that offers many hiking opportunities among the green woods and spectacular maritime landscape. The most beautiful and wild beaches in the area are easily accessible all year round. In case of adverse weather conditions, you can also visit the pretty village of Sirolo, the pearl of the Adriatic. From its historic centre, you can enjoy a breathtaking view that embraces the weave of alleys of the village and the beaches set in Monte Conero.

While it’s always a good time to visit the stunning art cities in Italy, some destinations are even better without the summer heat.

The archeological areas of Pompeii and Herculaneum are ideal to enjoy when it’s not too hot.

If you are a chocolate lover, don’t miss Turin. The Italian capital of chocolate in Piedmont is rich in historic cafes, where you can enjoy a delicious hot chocolate or the famous Bicerin (a mixture of coffee, chocolate and cream) that will warm you up. Turin is rich in history, art and culture, with lots of museums and art galleries, as well as the ancient palaces, majestic churches and beautiful squares.

The city also boasts the second largest Egyptian Museum in the world, after the one in Giza, Egypt. Also, as soon as the cold weather arrives, Turin is adorned with ice skating rinks: fun is guaranteed!

Like Pompeii, Matera is essentially an open-air museum. So, it is advisable to visit the so-called Città dei Sassi to avoid the hot summers. Good food and good wine from Lucania will accompany you on a tour of the 2029 European Capital of Culture.

It is not winter without Christmas and the typical Christmas markets. Stalls of decorations, typical sweets and tastings of local delicacies: the Christmas markets are a real immersion in the festivities and traditions of the city where they are set up. 

From North to South, all of the Italian largest cities house a Christmas market, but you will also find them in the small hidden villages, giving these places a touch of magic.

In San Gregorio Armeno, Naples, it is Christmas all year round. If you visit in december it will fascinate you to walk in this alley lined with shops that handed down the ancient art of nativity making. No sheep, shepherd or tuft of grass has not been built, painted and specially placed by expert hands on the cribs. Moreover, you will be overwhelmed by the smells of typical Christmas sweets from the surrounding patisseries while walking. 

Struffoli, mustaccioli, pastiera and roccocò will delight your taste buds!

What’s more romantic than a gondola ride among the most stunning Venice’s palaces? Italy, anyway, has many more romantic destinations to fall in love with.

Walk hand in hand with your s.o. through the beautiful mountain villages, declare your love from the top of Juliet's balcony in Verona, and enjoy a candlelit dinner in picturesque restaurants in a seaside village.

Speaking of candlelight dinners, if you are planning a romantic Valentine's weekend, here are the most romantic destinations for Valentine's Day and our top tips on how to spend the evening.

If you want to have fun with your friends, partner or by yourself, remember that February in Italy is a merry month. Visiting Italy during the carnival is quite an experience. This is a special celebration in many Italian cities, especially in Venice, which has the most famous Italian carnival among tourists from all over the world and it’s also among the best places to visit in Northern Italy in winter.

Carnival in Italy is usually celebrated fourty days before Easter and lasts two or three weeks, with many wonderful traditions from the north to the south.

To help you plan the best winter trip in Italy, here are the answers to the most common questions.

Winter in Italy goes, of course, from December to February, with January being typically the coldest month, but in the North or in the inland it can stay chilly until March.

In Northern Italy the average temperatures for the season are: -1°C to 7°C (30°F to 45°F) with snow falling especially in the Alps. Central Italy has an average temperature of 4°C to 12°C (39°F to 54°F), with chilly mornings and nights, and it can be snowy on the Apennine mountains. Southern Italy and the islands usually go from 10°C to 16°C (50°F to 61°F).

In winter the South is warmer than the North. Sicily is the warmest region especially on the coast, in the cities of Palermo and Catania. Naples and the Amalfi Coast often have pleasant winter temperatures and sunny days. Still in the south, Calabria and Puglia are sunny in winter too.

A trip to Venice is always nice. The city on the lagoon in winter becomes even more magic with its foggy canals and fewer tourists. Milan and Turin are vibrant cities and also an easy access not only to some of the best ski resorts on Dolomites and Alps, but also to beautiful lakes such as Lake Garda and Lake Como.

Sicily, with its beaches, ancient ruins, and Mt. Etna is a top destination. Naples has a lot to offer as well, from the sea to an outstanding history and art legacy, to the yummy food. In Puglia, go to Lecce to see all its baroque beauty, or to Alberobello to see the “trulli”, the typical cone shaped houses, or to Gargano peninsula where nature is always stunning.

Don’t miss a thing and travel from North to South starting from the amazing mountain landscapes of Trentino, then spend at least a couple of days in Florence to get to know the best Italian art. Rome is the eternal city and definitely a must see, especially in winter when it’s not too hot or crowded. Move further south, now, and visit Naples & Amalfi Coast. Last but not least, try the emotion of skiing on the slopes of an active volcano, reaching the fascinating Mount Etna in Sicily.