All prices and times on this page are ESTIMATES and change often. They are a starting point from an independent editor, never official or guaranteed figures. Always check the final price and the opening hours with the official venue or operator before you book or travel.
In 5 lines
- Average temperatures range from 2°C to 16°C in Italy in December.
- Hotels in Rome cost around 80-120 EUR per night in December.
- Expect 20-minute queues at the Vatican Museums at 9 a.m.
- Book restaurants for December 24 and 31 well in advance.
- Skip the Amalfi Coast, it's mostly closed in December.
December in Italy is a study in contrasts. The summer hordes are gone, and you can stand alone in front of Botticelli's Venus for a full minute. But the sun sets before 5 p.m., and that charming hill town might have every restaurant shuttered until February.
Weather and what to pack
Expect 2°C to 11°C in Rome, Milan and Florence. Venice can hit freezing fog. The south stays milder: Palermo around 10°C to 16°C. Rain is frequent in the north, snow possible in the Alps and occasionally in Florence. Pack layers, a waterproof coat, and comfortable boots. Skip the umbrella. It is useless in a December gust.
Crowds and prices
Tourist numbers drop 60% to 70% compared to October. Hotels in central Rome cost 80 to 120 EUR per night instead of 200+. The Vatican Museums have 20 minute queues at 9 a.m. instead of two hours. But do not assume everything is cheap. Christmas markets in Bolzano and Trento are packed with locals and prices there are fixed. Book restaurants for dinner on December 24 and 31. Many places close early on those nights.
| City | Avg high (°C) | Crowd level (1-5) | Double hotel room (EUR) | Key closure note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rome | 11 | 2 | 90 | Most churches open, some side museums close Dec 25-26 |
| Florence | 9 | 2 | 85 | Uffizi open except Dec 25, Jan 1 |
| Venice | 7 | 2 | 100 | St. Mark's Basilica closes at 4 p.m. |
| Naples | 13 | 1 | 65 | Pompeii closes at 3:30 p.m., open Dec 25 |
| Milan | 6 | 2 | 80 | Last Supper tickets easier to get |
What to do and what to skip
Do spend December 8 (Immacolata Conception long weekend) in a city. Italians flood the streets, shop for Christmas decorations, and eat fried dough at street markets. Do see the Christmas lights in via Condotti in Rome or the Galleria in Milan. Do eat Panettone in Milan. Skip the Amalfi Coast entirely. Positano is a ghost town with closed hotels and rain. Skip outdoor boat tours in Cinque Terre. The ferry stops running in November.
Instead, go to the Christmas markets in Trentino or the living nativity scenes in southern villages like Greccio. Visit the Sistine Chapel on a weekday afternoon. You will have room to breathe.
Events in December 2026
December 8 marks the official start of holiday season with fireworks and tree lightings in most piazzas. Christmas markets run until December 24 in Bolzano, Trento, Bari and Rome. On December 31, New Year's concerts and fire shows happen in piazzas nationwide. Many restaurants offer a fixed menu for 60 to 100 EUR per person. Reserve two weeks ahead.
Best tours and tickets in Florence
Curated from Viator. We may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.
Tuscany Day Trip from Florence: Siena, San Gimignano, Pisa and Lunch at a Winery
Florence Pizza or Pasta Class & Gelato Making at a Tuscan Farm
Small-Group Wine Tasting Experience in the Tuscan Countryside
Cinque Terre Day Trip with Optional Hiking or Pisa from Florence
Winner 2026 Florence Sunset Food & Wine Tour by Eating Europe
SMALL-GROUP Wine Safaris: Tuscany Wine Tasting Tour from Florence
Pisa, Siena, San Gimignano with Lunch & Wine Tasting at a Winery
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