Top 5 Places to Visit in Italy in Winter

From peaceful hillside towns to major city attractions, here are the top five places to visit in Italy in winter. 

For an authentic Italian winter holiday, Umbria takes you to serene hill towns that Etruscans once called home. Often referred to as the green heart of Italy, Umbria has a very traditional feel, allowing you to experience the authentic Italian countryside. For history lovers, the Romanesque cathedrals and incredible churches make Umbria an absolute must. 

If you’re feeling adventurous, winter is the perfect time to head to the Orvieto Underground. Here, you will discover historical attractions like caves, grottos, cellars, and galleries that date as far back as the Etruscan era. Situated beneath the small town of Orvieto, this is a once-in-a-lifetime visit to the magnificent maze that holds many stories of years gone by. The breathtaking cathedral is also a must-see, dating back to 1290. 

For a truly authentic experience, Fontanaro is an organic farm where you can taste the freshest olive oil and take a cooking class in the heart of the Italian countryside.

The floating city, Venice is one of the most romantic cities in Italy. While most dream of a hot summer day on a gondola, winter is one of the best times to book your romantic gondola ride for two. There are far fewer people, and bundling up to take in some of the most historic sites while being serenaded is a true Italian experience. 

The winding waterways will take you past and under some of the most famous bridges in Venice. This is the perfect opportunity to admire the awe-inspiring architecture from a unique vantage point. 

Citalia’s Rome and Venice multi-centre holiday will take you on an eight-day history exploration where you can visit some of Italy’s most historic sites. From the incredible Vatican City to some of Venice's 400 bridges, you’ll experience the best of these two historic cities. 

If you’re looking for an old-town Italian atmosphere, Florence offers the best of what Tuscany has in store. This charming small city is one for all the history buffs as it is one of Europe’s most historic and culturally significant areas. 

Citalia’s Venice, Florence and Rome multi-centre holiday takes you on a ten-day adventure filled with romance and history. Starting on the waters of the gorgeous Venice canals, then onto the incredible art of Florence, your last stop is historical Rome. While in Florence, you’ll get to experience some of Italy’s most profound artworks, including Michelangelo's statue of David. 

Florence is a vibrant city surrounded by the picturesque green hills of Tuscany. It’s the perfect place to visit in winter because there is ample to do indoors. From visiting fantastic museums for a history lesson to savouring traditional Tuscan food at Michelin Star restaurants, every step along your journey has the potential to create a remarkable experience. 

Turin is a winner for winter in Italy. As the fourth largest city in Italy, your Turin holiday is bound to astonish you with its fantastic backdrop of the snow-covered Alps. The city is full of architectural marvels from the baroque period, including the stunning Royal Palace and various churches. 

The city is home to some of the most important museums, including The Egyptian Museum of Turin, where you can see some archaeological marvels from excavations in 1900 and 1935. The ancient relics, mummies, and statues rival those in Cairo. This is a history-lover’s dream experience. 

Wine lovers, the Martini Rossi Wine History Museum is the place to be for learning about the infamous alcohol company. There are 16 rooms to explore within Casa Martini, with over 600 objects, some dating as far back as ancient Rome. If you’re interested in how wine has evolved over the last 2,000 years, the museum is a fun and informative way to spend the day. 

One of the best ways to experience Turin is to explore the many piazzas with exquisite Turin delicacies at various restaurants and cafes. Relax while looking over the piazza, taking in the history and architectural delights. Piazza San Carlo is one of the most popular, with a seventeenth-century look and mesmerising arcades. 

Your winter Naples holiday awaits with historic architecture, incredible food, and shopping adventures. At the top of the list of things to do is to visit Via San Gregorio Armeno, an alleyway selling kitsch nativity souvenirs. The figurines are a symbol of when the followers of the Roman Goddess Ceres would offer her small figurines made by local artisans. The tradition is still alive and well, with the hidden alley displaying many figurines used for nativity scenes across Italy. Over Christmas, you’ll notice the traditional nativities displayed throughout the city and have the chance to take one home. 

Naples is full of history. The streets invite you to experience the over 450 monuments, buildings, churches, and piazzas from various periods that give you fantastic insight into the city’s history. There are also incredible galleries and museums that house some fascinating pieces from Naples through the ages. The Catacombs of San Gennaro will take you back to 2nd century AD with some of the oldest Christian paintings in southern Italy. 

Citalia’s Florence, Rome and Naples multi-centre holiday takes you on a ten-day authentic Italian adventure. Our expertly planned itineraries combine the culture, art, and charms of three of the most popular cities in Italy.

Are you ready to experience authentic Italy? Citalia are the UK’s leading Italy specialist with over 90 years' experience in tailoring holidays to Italy. Experts are on hand every step of the way to ensure you make memories to last a lifetime. It’s never too late to start planning your Italian escape!

Visit citalia.com to discover the real Italy on your next adventure. Andiamo!

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