Italy in Winter

See the FAQs for a website that will show you how to find out what the average weather is for any place in Italy for up to a two week period, based on the previous ten years' data. Good luck.

Nine days - better than no days! We went to Sicily in mid March one year. We travel on a budget, and a problem we found is that the cheaper accommodations/restaurants can be less well heated. It takes a lot to warm up those stone buildings. Eating dinner in a cold restaurant with your coat on is not particularly pleasant. If you're willing to go to more upscale places I think you'll have a more enjoyable time.

Bev:
We are going for the entire month of December (Venice, Umbria, Sorrento, Rome). I figure it will be no worse than Portland, OR, and likely better. Rome should be an average low of 40, average high of 52, during Christmas week. Averages say "mostly sunny" which is promising. Venice is a little cooler. Florence had snow this year, big snow! But on average it will be colder than Rome, maybe the same as Venice. Of course averages are just that. We've had 90 degrees in April here, but we can't buy a 60 degree day now. :-) As Rick Steves says, there's no inappropriate weather, only inappropriate clothes. Think layers, polartec fleece, Smart Wool socks, Gortex lined shoes. And won't it be fun to experience Italian culture for Christmas?

Bev, We live about 20 miles from you. The winter in that area of Italy is certainly more mild then ours. You have chosen a GREAT time of year to see much that you might miss during the May-October timeframe. No crowds. Have a great trip!

Check out Weather Underground. http://www.wunderground.com/global/stations/16239.html Lower left corner of the page allows you to specifiy the date. You can check out the average weather. That being said, I enjoyed visiting Paris in February on business trips. The locals were friendly, the tourist attractions were not crowded. Remember that Europe is further north then most of the US. Rome is about the same Latitude (distance from the equator) as Scranton, PA. Venice is about the same as Montreal.

We went to Italy for Xmas three years ago, with a 3-month-old baby, and did not freeze. But the advice about dressing in layers is good. Follow it. We were in Florence and went to Rome, Salerno, and the Amalfi coast and there we even saw two swimmers in the water! (Probably Swedes...) Venice will be more humid and colder than your other two destination, and of course there's always the risk of bad weather and a snow storm, but usually you'll be OK, with the proper clothes. It's true that some places can be cold, but not because stone buildings are hard to heat. Heating in Italy is very expensive, and some places cut a fine line. Enjoy!

You live in PA! The weather in Italy should be fine! :-)

We've seen 70 degrees one day and 45 the next. Bring a coat, layer your clothes and if it gets real cold fortify yourself by drinking lots of Italian wine. Ciao!

Bev,
We went to Italy December 23-Jan 3 2008. It was our first trip to Italy and we took a Perillo tour. Let me tell you, it was the best experience of my life. I celebrated Xmas eve mass in St. Mark's Basillica, Venice, and for New Year's eve, I celebrated in Rome at the Piazza del Popolo. We started in Milan and traveled south. The coldest was Florence at the time. I was not dressed properly and I had to purchase headware and a scarf...other than that, the weather was not an issue. No lines, no crowds, and Xmas in Italy is so different than in the states. More spiritual and meaningful....go and enjoy. You will not regret. I am actually leaving tomorrow to return to Florence....we loved it so much, we just had to go back. No tour this time...I managed it all myself and feel very comfortable. Going to Siena as well...cannot wait!!!

Bev,
We went to Italy December 23-Jan 3 2008. It was our first trip to Italy and we took a Perillo tour. Let me tell you, it was the best experience of my life. I celebrated Xmas eve mass in St. Mark's Basillica, Venice, and for New Year's eve, I celebrated in Rome at the Piazza del Popolo. We started in Milan and traveled south. The coldest was Florence at the time. I was not dressed properly and I had to purchase headware and a scarf...other than that, the weather was not an issue. No lines, no crowds, and Xmas in Italy is so different than in the states. More spiritual and meaningful....go and enjoy. You will not regret. I am actually leaving tomorrow to return to Florence....we loved it so much, we just had to go back. No tour this time...I managed it all myself and feel very comfortable. Going to Siena as well...cannot wait!!!

I was in Italy in early February last year. Venice and Florence were more cold than not, rainy, cloudy, then sometimes warm and sunny. Winter coat one day, light sweater the next. Rome was definitely warmer. I was never in pouring rain, but in a constant drizzle, and outside for long periods, I got pretty wet. Be sure to take raingear and spare shoes to change into while the others are drying. I used disposable hand-warmers more than once - you can't take good photos with thick gloves or mittens on.

My biggest issue with traveling during the colder months is not so much the weather, but that the days are much shorter. By 5pm it's already dark. Almost half of your city sightseeing will be in the dark, so you have to be ok with that.

Bev, I traveled to Italy last year December 20-Jan 5, 2011. It was magical. Christmas Eve Mass in San Gimignano. The only regret is that most places are closed Dec 25 & 26. And in San Gimi, many were closed for the season~Nov thru Feb. Keep that in mind. Venice for New Years was awesome. Remember to either pack or buy in Italy rainboots. If there is high tide or flooding, they won't allow you to celebrate in St Marks Square! It did rain alot in Tuscany, Rome was perfect and Venice was quite breezy. The nights were very cold.