Italy in Early January

jwguitar56 - The Mediterranean island of Sicily has some of the country's warmest weather year-round. Even winter lows in January seldom dip below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Without the heavy heat of summer, January can be a good time to enjoy outdoor activities in Sicily, such as climbing Mount Etna -- the highest volcano in Europe -- or walking through the Greek ruins of Agrigento. While January isn't the best month for swimming, the scenery on the island's beaches is still spectacular.

The Amalfi Coast is also another option as a January destination in Italy. That would be my top two choices weather wise. Amalfi Coast has good public transportation options.

Trains will take you to the urban areas, and in Venice, Florence, Rome, Naples and Salerno you will be within walking distance (or bus distance) to stuff open year around--restaurants & attractions. Many rural tourist areas--including the entire Amalfi peninsula except for Sorrento--are buttoned up for the winter. Other than the beautiful scenery, you will run out of things to do real quick.

On a trip a few years ago, we were in Sicily in late December (really nice, as RJean describes - and lots fewer tourists than in the summer), and were then based in Sorrento in early January.

While not technically on the Amalfi Coast, Sorrento is close, and visiting that coast without a car can be arranged. Or use the handy Circumvesuviana train to get from Sorrento to Naples (outstanding Archaeological museum, and superior pizza), and ruins at Pompeii and Herculaneum. A short ferry ride gets you to the Isle of Capri for a visit.

Rome was great, too, around that time - way less crowded than at some other times of the year, which makes it particularly nice!

On timeanddate.com I see 22 days in January 2019 when the temperature dropped below 50F. On 14 of those days, it dropped to 45F or below. Mid-day temperatures were relatively pleasant but rarely rose above 57F.

For "particularly nice during the winter", you're better off in southern Spain.

I've been to Italy in mid-February 3 times, from Venice to the Amalfi Coast. Everything is nice! I would stick with urban areas because weather's uncertain and days are short.

Have you been to Italy before? How many nights on the ground do you have?

If you'll be in Italy for January 6th just be aware it's a holiday. It's the Epiphany, and in Rome it's a big celebration with kids getting presents from La Befana, a witch, who they have fly across piazzas. She's kind of like Santa...sweets for the good kids and coal for the bad ones. There's a big market in her name in Piazza Navona.

I suggest the opposite of Sicily -- instead, the Alps. Find a beautiful snowy village somewhere in the north.