Nothing evokes the magic of the holiday season better than the Christmas atmosphere of the markets. Their irresistible stalls full of light, color, and Christmas carols on repeat are a vibe.
Contrasting the cold winter weather with joy and warmth, Christmas markets are not only delightful, but also serve sugary treats, hot cups of cocoa, and mulled wine. What can be better than that?
Most of Italy dresses up to celebrate the holidays, and Christmas markets are installed in all its major cities and towns.
The best traditional markets, however, can be found in the provinces of Trentino and Alto Adige (South Tyrol). This is where the German and Austrian Christmas traditions have had the most influence.
For this reason, you’ll find that many of the Christmas Markets in Italy mentioned in this article are located in these northern areas. Now, prepare a hot cuppa to get in the mood, and dive into the best Christmas markets in Italy!
Table of Contents
BEST CHRISTMAS MARKETS IN ITALY
Bolzano (South Tyrol)
The traditional Christmas market of Bolzano is arguably the most celebrated in the country, and for a very good reason! It takes place in the center of the city, and it becomes its beating heart during the otherwise dull months of November through January.
Bolzano Christmas market features close to 80 wooden stalls that sell traditional products of the region. These include everything from food (the good stuff, like Apfel Strudel, Mulled Wine, and cookies!) to pottery, wooden crafts, souvenirs, clothes, Christmas tree decorations, and accessories.
To set the mood right, live band performances and various forms of entertainment take place on the square.
Where: Piazza Walther, Bolzano.
When: 28th November, 2024 – 6th January, 2025.
Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday from 11 AM to 7 PM. Friday to Sunday from 10 AM to 7 PM. Closed on Christmas Day, and reduced hours on December 24th and 31st, and January 1st.
What else to do around here: Visit the South Tyrol Archaeological Museum, the Rinkelstein and Maretsch Castles, stroll along Via dei Portici, check out the Bolzano Cathedral, and go wine tasting at Loacker Winery.
Bressanone (South Tyrol)
Bressanone, also known as Brixen, is the oldest town in South Tyrol, and it hosts a yearly Christmas Market that’s worth checking out.
Attractive wooden houses covered in festive decorations take over the Cathedral Square. The towering Duomo, a historic gem from 980 AD, looks over the bustle, music, and lights that bring the square to life for days on end.
At the stalls, you’ll be able to buy everything from scented candles to mugs with the market’s logo. Sample cookies and gingerbread, have a drink, and shop for handcrafted ornaments and souvenirs.
Fire-lit tables dot the square and offer a cozy place to sit and enjoy your baked goods and apple cider. There’s also a carousel and an ice skating rink for endless entertainment. A mesmerizing light musical show projected on the walls also takes place, with its theme changing every year.
Where: Piazza Duomo, Bressanone.
When: 28th November, 2024 – 6th January, 2025.
Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday from 11 AM to 7 PM. Friday to Sunday from 10 AM to 7 PM. Closed on Christmas Day, and reduced hours on December 24th and 31st, and January 1st.
What else to do around here: Bressanone has a lot to offer besides one of the prettiest Italian Christmas markets. The Diocesan Museum and Museo della Farmacia are interesting attractions to check out, along with the nearby Novacella Abbey, and the Liebfrauenkirche Catholic Church.
Walk along the Isarco River, get lost in its cobblestone streets, and admire Torre Bianco bell tower as well!
Trento (Trentino-Alto Adige)
The Trento Christmas Market is not as old or traditional as Brixen and Bolzano’s, but it has quickly become a favorite of the region. It takes place in two locations, Piazza Fiera and Piazza Cesare Battisti, doubling the fun!
The entire city lights up with Christmas decorations, and the historic facades are adorned with twinkling lights.
As with most markets, the stands are numerous and offer a diverse selection of goods, from cozy accessories to handicrafts and local specialties. You’ll be able to try polenta, stuffed pretzels, and tortel di patate.
You can’t leave without treating yourself to a glass of Trentino craft beer and traditional desserts!
To children’s delight, there’s the Father Christmas House in Trento. There, kids can meet him and his hardworking elves, enjoying games and entertainment.
Where: Piazza Cesare Battisti and Piazza Fiera in central Trento.
When: 22nd November, 2024 – 6th January, 2025.
Opening Hours: Daily from 10 AM to 8 PM. Reduced hours on December 24th and 31st, and January 1st, and closed on Christmas Day.
What else to do around here: Trento is a very interesting city to visit, with plenty of attractions. Visit the Buonconsiglio Castle and the Trento Cathedral, check out the views from Torre Aquila, and wander around the Albere Palace Museum. If you’re traveling with children, don’t miss a stop at the MUSE Science Museum.
Vipiteno (South Tyrol)
Vipiteno is an enchanting medieval town in South Tyrol. Formerly a mining hub, it’s home to one of the top 10 Christmas markets in the country, which looks straight out of a fairytale.
Christmas lights and decorations adorn the massive tree, the market stands, and the historic facades, turning it into a real-life winter wonderland. Especially when everything’s covered in a blanket of snow!
Vipiteno’s Christmas market takes place in the main square. The impressive Torre delle Dodici acts as its background, and one of its highlights is the detailed Nativity scene made with handmade figurines.
For a romantic experience, why not take a horse and carriage ride around town, after warming the body with the market’s food and drinks?
Where: Piazza Città (Stadtplatz)
When: 29th November, 2024 – 6th January, 2025.
Opening Hours: Daily from 10 AM to 7 PM, and reduced hours on December 24th and 31st, and January 1st. Closed on Christmas Day.
What else to do around here: You can visit the Civic Museum, go on a thrilling adventure at Skytrek, or hike through the stunning Gilfenklamm Gorge. There’s also Tito Speck, where you can shop for local delicacies, and Rosskopf for skiing.
Aosta (Val d’Aosta)
Marché Vert Noël is the name of Aosta’s Christmas Market, arguably the most important one in the Valley. With the staggering backdrop of the mountains, the wooden stalls covered in lights and ornaments look straight out of a Christmas rom-com set… Only it’s real life!
The town of Aosta is one of the best places to visit during a trip to Italy, and becomes even more appealing during the winter. If you add Christmas songs, the smell of spiced mulled wine, and picturesque stands selling warm pastries, it’s nothing short of fairyland.
Original handicrafts, traditional cuisine, clothes, wine, wax candles, and handmade soaps are a few of the things you can buy at the over 40 chalets.
A great thing to do during your visit is to join a guided tour of Aosta, a town founded by the Romans in 25 BC which has an incredible history!
Where: Aosta Historic Center (Roncas, Caveri, Giovanni XXIII squares).
When: 23rd November, 2024 – 6th January, 2025.
Opening Hours: Daily from 10.30 AM to 8 PM.
What else to do around here: If you’re visiting during the wintertime (which I assume you are!) going skiing at one of the nearby ski resorts is a must.
You also ought to visit Castel Savoia and Castello di Verrès, and check out Grand Paradiso National Park, Italy’s oldest. Soak in the thermal springs of Pré-Saint-Didier, and marvel at the Roman theater, amphitheater, and bridge in Aosta.
Verona (Veneto)
Hometown to the love of Romeo and Juliet, Verona is dubbed the most romantic city in Italy. And with its magnificent architecture and inherent charm, you can feel it as soon as you step foot in it.
Now, let’s add Christmas lights, carols, decorations, and enchanting wooden houses around its main squares – it doesn’t get more romantic than that!
Verona Christmas Market, which features around 100 stalls, takes place in the area around Piazza dei Signori and Piazza delle Erbe.
As with most Christmas destinations in Italy, the market offers an incredible variety of products. You’ll find local delicacies, the ever-present mulled wine, hand-woven hats and scarves, figurines, and pottery.
On top of the Christmas celebrations, on December 13th Verona hosts the Feast of Saint Lucy. It adds a pop-up market in Piazza Bra to the already numerous stands and events. You can’t miss the famous comet installation in front of the Verona Arena, which has been adorning the city since 1984!
Where: Verona City Center.
When: 23rd November, 2024 – 19th January, 2025.
Opening Hours: Sunday to Thursday from 11 AM to 9 PM. Friday & Saturday from 10 AM to 11 PM. Reduced hours on December 24th, 25th, and 26th.
What else to do around here: A visit to the Verona Arena is a highlight on any trip to Verona. You should also check out Casa di Giulietta, walk across Ponte Pietra, visit Castel San Pietro, and indulge in the delicious local cuisine.
Firenze Santa Croce (Florence)
Florence isn’t one of the most popular cities to spend the Christmas holidays. However, there’s one market in particular that offers a German Christmas experience worth the visit.
The Christmas Market at Piazza Santa Croce, also known as Weihnachtsmarkt Santa Croce, is the biggest Christmas market in the city. It has been taking place for over 500 years!
The vibrant market features open-air stalls boasting colorful crafts, ornaments, jewelry, and accessories, with the Basilica of Santa Croce acting as a beautiful backdrop.
At this German-style market, you’ll also get to indulge in international cuisine, tasting Dutch and Austrian Christmas classics. Thinkpretzels, strudel, mulled wine, pastries, and Kürtőskalács (aka Chimney Cake). Italian delicacies are, by all means, present as well, along with a few English stalls.
The Florence Christmas market is a great place to go hunting for sweets and little treasures to fill stockings, and to buy Christmas-themed home decorations.
Where: Piazza Santa Croce.
When: 21st November – 17th December, 2024.
Opening Hours: Daily from 10 AM to 10 PM.
What else to do around here: Florence is the cradle of the Renaissance and a multifaceted city with numerous attractions! Among the must-dos is a visit to Piazza del Duomo, where the mighty cathedral and Brunelleschi’s Dome stand tall. You should also stop at Piazza della Signoria, and a walk along the Arno River.
You should also check out the views from Piazzale Michelangelo, and marvel at the artwork at Galleria dell’Accademia and Uffizi Gallery.
Merano (South Tyrol)
The beautiful spa town of Merano is another location that becomes a true Christmas wonderland during the holiday season. Its enchanting bridge brightens with fairy lights, and the promenade along the Passirio River is lined by Christmas stalls selling delicious Tyrolean products.
Make sure to try the delectable Leberknödel dumplings, Tagliatelle di Schüttelbrot, Tiroler Gröstl, and apple strudel.
Also featuring stalls in the center of town, you’ll find other segments of Merano Christmas Market in Piazza della Renna, and Piazza delle Terme.
The music of live bands, the smell of gingerbread, and the lit-up riverside juxtaposing the cold, snow-capped mountainous surroundings guarantee a memorable Advent experience.
Where: Alongside the River Passirio, in Piazza della Renna, and Piazza delle Terme.
When: 29th November, 2024 – 6th January, 2025.
Opening Hours: Sunday to Thursday from 10 AM to 7 PM. Friday and Saturday from 10 AM to 8 PM. The food stalls remain open two extra hours after the artisans’ closing time.
What else to do around here: One of the top attractions in Merano is the Thermal Baths, where you can soak in the warm water to chase away the winter cold. Other sights include the ski resort Meran 2000, the Trauttmansdorff Castle, the Castello Rametz Wine Museum, and the Waalweg Trails, a favorite destination for hiking.
Bologna (Emilia Romagna)
The Christmas Market in Bologna, locally known as Fiera di Natale, takes place in the historic center.
The oldest market in the city is the Santa Lucia Fair, which is located in the beautiful Chiesa dei Servi portico. Dating back to the 16th century, the fair is an engraved part of Bologna’s history. It features stands with crib figurines, religious tokens, and colorful ornaments, among other handicrafts.
There are several Christmas markets dotted around the city, so you’ll get to wander around the lit-up streets looking for them. Sample different products, drink mulled wine, and window-shop for beautiful Christmas gifts, jewelry, and souvenirs at each of them.
The Christmas Fair in Via Altabella, Antiques Fair in Voltone del Podestà, and Christmas in Porta Galliera in Piazza XX Settembre are great markets to visit.
Where: Bologna City Center.
When: 15th November, 2024 – 2nd January, 2025.
Opening Hours: Daily from 9 AM to 8 PM.
What else to do around here: In Bologna, wander around Piazza Maggiore, and walk under the gorgeous porticoes located all over the city. Climb the Asinelli Tower for wonderful views, snap a picture of the Fountain of Neptune, and eat your way through the Quadrilatero.
Naples (Campania)
Via San Gregorio Armeno is Naples Christmas street…all year round. Known as the Christmas Alley, it’s lined by workshops and stores that craft and sell ornaments, tree decorations, nativity scenes… Pretty much everything Christmas-related that you can think of.
And it looks like the holidays are right around the corner every single day, which is why heading there for a stroll is among the most popular things to do in Naples!
During the actual Christmas season, however, the entire city comes alive and Via Gregorio Armeno takes on a new meaning. Bustling with tourists and locals, it sells everything from nativity scene figurines to football players and celebrities.
Via Gregorio Armeno is the most famous – and beloved – Christmas market in Napoli, but it’s not the only one. If you’re spending Christmas in Italy, you’ll also get to see the Mercatini di Natale Napoli held at the National Railway Museum of Pietrarsa. And don’t miss the stalls located throughout the Vomero neighborhood!
Where: Via San Gregorio Armeno; National Railway Museum of Pietrarsa; Vomero Neighborhood.
When: Via Gregorio Armeno is open all year round. The seasonal Christmas Markets go from 2nd December 2024 to 7th January 2025.
Opening Hours: Daily from 10 AM to 10 PM. Closed on December 24th, 25th and 31st, and on January 1st.
What else to do around here: When visiting Naples, don’t just stick to the Christmas Markets. Things to do in the city include strolling along Spaccanapoli, and traveling back in time at Naples Underground. A visit to the Cloisters of Santa Chiara and the San Severo Chapel Museum is also recommended. Naples is the birthplace of Margherita Pizza, so stuff yourself with food as well!
If you’ll be traveling in Italy at Christmas time, you absolutely have to visit one of these cities to experience the magic of the season.
Whether you go to the German Christmas markets in Northern Italy or choose to discover the best figurines in the bustling street of Naples, your holidays in Italy are bound to be unforgettable. Happy travels, and merry Christmas!
