Christmas markets in Italy: the most beautiful ones to visit

Christmas Marketswhich are the most beautiful in Italy? Which ones should be visited in 2022?

Certainly the best known in Italy are those inSouth Tyrol (which are also the oldest and most traditional on the peninsula). The oldest and largest market in Italy is the one in Bolzanofollowed by Merano, Brunico, Bressanone and Vipiteno.

Also in Trentino Christmas markets, although more recent, follow the same German tradition (Christmas markets originated in Germany and Alsace in the Middle Ages) and offer fairytale atmospheres and authentic traditions.

Which ones should you visit in 2022? Below you will find a complete guide with destinations, things to do, offers, dates, times and information on Christmas markets in Italy.

Most Christmas markets in Italy start in mid-November and continue throughout the Christmas season.

READ ALSO: CHRISTMAS DESTINATIONS 2022

Christmas Markets 2022 in South Tyrol

TheSouth Tyrolean Christmas markets are the most characteristic and traditional in Italy. The best known are those in Bolzano, Bressanone, Vipiteno, Merano and Brunico, but also the smaller villages have their own Christmas markets.

The South Tyrolean markets take place in the picturesque setting of the snow-covered mountains and have a large number of small wooden houses. At the Bolzano market, there are at least 250. The dates for 2022 are 25 November to 6 January 2023.

Bolzano Christmas Market 2022

Piazza Walther will be transformed during the Christmas Markets into a magical place of wooden houses and lights and a pleasant smell of cinnamon in the air.

Strolling among the stalls, you will taste traditional Christmas dishes, such as fried apples, strudel and mulled wine. Don't miss, not far from Bolzano, the characteristic markets of Renon, which can only be reached by train. Info at www.mercatinodinatalebz.it

Merano Christmas Market 2022

Until next 6 January, eighty exhibitors await you in Merano to offer the best of local produce, Christmas decorations and handicrafts.

As you stroll through the streets of the glittering city, don't miss the side events at the market. A tip: visit the markets in the evening hours when the little houses are lit up and Christmas sounds and carols drift through the air. Info at mercatini.merano.eu.

Brixen Christmas Market 2022

Typical wooden huts await you on the cathedral square until 6 January. 35 exhibitors will offer typical handicrafts such as nativity scenes, wood carvings, handmade ceramics, candles, glass balls and angels, and Tyrolean Christmas articles.

Vipiteno Christmas Market 2022

The Torre delle Dodici is the backdrop for the traditional Sterzing Christmas market. As you stroll among the stalls, you can follow the smell of cinnamon, spices, freshly baked cakes and mulled wine , and wander among the many wooden handicraft huts.

Bruneck Christmas Market 2022

In Via Bastioni and on Piazza Municipio in Brunico, don't miss the 35 little wooden houses offering the most characteristic handicrafts, Christmas tree decorations, wooden toys and leather goods.

The highlight of the Bruneck Christmas markets are the local food and wine products, so start preparing yourself because there will be plenty to eat.

(Photo:© Luca Lonrenzelli)

Christmas markets 2022 in Trentino

The Christmas markets in Trentino are very characteristic and full of Christmas atmosphere. Their foundation is more recent than those in South Tyrol, but they are just as traditional and authentic.

The most important of the Trentino Christmas markets is the Trento Christmas market. Then there are the Christmas markets of Molveno, Madonna di Campiglio and Rovereto.

Christmas market 2022 in Trento

The Christmas markets in Trento are not as old as those in Bolzano, but they are gaining in importance over the years.

The Christmas atmosphere is authentic, and the Christmas tree in the centre of the city is beautiful; there are around 70 small wooden houses in Piazza Fiera, plus 16 small houses dedicated to Trentino gastronomy and local flavours.

Canale di Tenno Christmas market

The Christmas market of Canale di Tenno, in Trentino, is one of the most particular in the entire region.

Stalls, typical gastronomy and handicrafts are displayed inside the shops, houses and stables of the village.

Riva del Garda Christmas Markets

In Riva del Garda, in the province of Trento, the traditional Christmas markets with gastronomy, Christmas decorations, and handicrafts are held in Piazza Cesare Battisti and Piazza Garibaldi from 11:00 to 19:00. The Father Christmas House will surprise adults and children alike.

The city becomes even more beautiful with the illuminations that colour the entire historic centre.

Aosta Christmas markets

The historical centre of Aosta is transformed into a real Christmas village at Christmas with more than 50 wooden chalets and local PDO and DOC food and wine products.

Near Aosta there are other unmissable Christmas markets: the one in the castle of Fénis, in Introd and the living nativity scene in the wonderful Bard Castle.

Christmas Markets 2022 in Tuscany

Tuscany does not boast an ancient tradition of Christmas markets, but over the years it has learned to combine the charm of its villages, excellent gastronomy and centuries-old wine cellars with traditional Christmas markets.

Many villages, including Montepulciano, which organises a very interesting market, and most towns, including Siena e Lucca, organise a rich programme of events for Christmas, in which there is no shortage of little wooden houses displaying handicrafts, food and wine, and interesting gift ideas.

Christmas Markets 2022 in Florence

In Piazza Santa Croce the appointment is with the Weihnachtsmarkt, the German-style Christmas market in Florence.

There are 55 little wooden houses where you can find the most original gift ideas, decorations for the home, decorations for the Christmas tree, as well as handicrafts, typical German products, spiced wines, sweets, shows, music and children's performances.

Finally, a group of local restaurateurs will be present in one of the market huts to offer visitors traditional Florentine menus. Info on www.firenzeturismo.it

(Photo: salvo77_na / Shutterstock)

Christmas Markets 2022 in Arezzo

Arezzo becomes the city of Christmas during the Advent season. Between November and December it will host the largest Tyrolean market in Italy.

Awaiting you in the historical centre is the Lawn of Wonders with a Ferris wheel and traditional markets, light installations, Christmas Brick Arezzo, the Tyrolean Village, and the Ferris wheel.

Christmas Markets 2022 in Milan

At the Giardini di Porta Venezia in Milan, as per tradition, the appointment with the Village of Wonders returns. For the Christmas holidays, the doors of the theme park dedicated to families reopen.

Father Christmas on his sleigh accompanied by prankster elves, a crystal castle straight out of fairy tales and a circus school create an enchanted scenario.

In the heart of the city, you can also stroll in search of original ideas among the streets of a typical Christmas market, which offers, in more than forty wooden chalets decorated with gnomes and elves, tasty food and wine specialities and special Italian and European handicrafts.

Don't miss the traditional Oh Bej Oh Bej fair, on the occasion of the Immaculate Conception, and the Christmas market in Piazza dei Mercanti.

(Photo: © Arcansel/Shutterstock)

Christmas markets 2022 in Verona

Verona is the perfect setting to recreate a wonderful Christmas atmosphere. Every year at Christmas the giant comet shines in Piazza Bra , which boasts not only beauty but also a record: it is the largest mobile sculpture in Italy.

Then there is the Santa Lucia fair, which is the largest market in Verona. Santa Lucia is in fact a deeply felt tradition in Verona.

According to legend, the saint arrives at night with delicious delicacies for the good children and with coal for the bad children. In Piazza dei Signori, on the other hand, there is the classic Christmas market, in perfect German style.

(Photo: © Fabio Michele Capelli/Shutterstock)

Christmas markets 2022 in Turin

The streets and squares of Turin will be enveloped in the magical atmosphere of Christmas with a rich calendar of art, music, theatre and dance.

Until 23 December, the festive atmosphere of Christmas is the protagonist at Turin's ancient Borgo degli stracci: an area with various antique shops, bars, restaurants and old Piedmontese trattorias, 50 chalets in Piazza Borgo Dora and a hundred or so stalls inside the Cortile del Maglio.

Along the streets of Borgo Dora there will also be themed stalls: from vintage to creative objects, from antique fashion to art objects; and then, musical instruments and vinyl records that cannot be found, strange utensils, furnishings from the past and food delicacies.

(Photo: © Stefy Morelli/Shutterstock)

Christmas 2022 in Genoa

Christmas in Genoa is experienced in the historic shops of Via Zena. The old pastry shops, chocolate shops, tailor's shops and workshops will be exceptionally open for the pre-Christmas period.

The magical atmosphere that pervades the city, the illuminations and colourful decorations, the intense fragrances and the kaleidoscopic spectacle of the antique shops will reveal the fascinating history of Genoa as if by magic.

(Photo: ©Faber1893/Shutterstock)

Christmas markets in Bologna

The city of Bologna comes alive with decorations and colours and the much-loved Christmas markets.

There are two eagerly awaited events of the Christmas season: the ancient Santa Lucia Market, which invades the Portico della Chiesa dei Servi in Strada Maggiore with stalls until 26 December, and the Christmas Fair with stalls offering handicrafts, children's toys, sweets and typical products of the local gastronomic tradition.

(Photo: © Ana del Castillo/Shutterstock)

Grazzano Visconti Christmas Market

One of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Italy is held in Grazzano Visconti, in Emilia-Romagna. In the splendid location of the neo-medieval village are exhibitors, a Ferris wheel, elegant rides, a large Father Christmas House, jugglers and street artists.

The village with its 14th-century manor house is in itself a wonder to visit, which at Christmas time becomes even more unmissable.

(Photo: © Buffy1982/Shutterstock)

Govone Christmas markets

At Christmas, Govone, one of the most beautiful towns in Piedmont, turns into the Magical Christmas Village. In the historical centre there are markets with exhibitors, the inevitable Father Christmas House and the possibility of visiting Govone Castle. But what distinguishes the Govone Christmas markets from other markets is the style and atmosphere.

The antique carousel in Turin is a Belle Epoque style carousel next to the Pastry Chef, a pastry corner where you can taste Savoy sweets from that era.

Strenna Market in Perugia

In the historical centre of Perugia , the appointment with the historic Strennas Market. Piazza del Circo will be festively decorated and filled with stalls where you can find gift ideas, Christmas decorations, home decorations, toys and handicrafts, ceramics and costume jewellery. Find all the Christmas markets in Umbria here.

Christmas tree and Christmas markets in Gubbio

Throughout the Christmas festivities, the appointment in Gubbio is with ChristmasLand. The town turns into a real Christmas village with Christmas markets in Piazza dei Quaranta Martiri.

Gubbio is worth a visit to admire the world's largest Christmas Tree, which is erected every year on the slopes of Monte Ingino, right above the town of Gubbio.

It consists of more than 700 light sources, is 750 metres high and occupies an area of 130,000 square metres.

Christmas markets in Piazza Navona in Rome

From the end of November and until 6 January, the magic of Christmas in Rome returns to Piazza Navona, with the characteristic markets dedicated to the friendly little old lady on a broomstick, who will be represented in many different ways and guises.

The square will be filled with numerous stalls offering gastronomic specialities, stockings containing sweets and chocolate, and decorations for the Christmas tree.

Christmas markets in Bracciano

The historic centre of Bracciano (RM) and its squares will be the location of the long-awaited Christmas Village, with interesting entertainment and Santa Claus Live Christmas.

Many curiosities, gift ideas, handicrafts, antiques, modern antiques and typical products among the many stalls of the fair await you.

Christmas in Via San Gregorio Armeno

The historical appointment is in Naples with the world-famous Christmas market in Via San Gregorio Armeno, the street of the crib craftsmen.

You will find numerous small shops, stalls and kiosks selling statues of every manufacture. In particular, you will find characters from the worlds of art, politics, sport and show business who become miniature icons of the nativity scene. The famous Neapolitan nativity scenes are also available in all sizes and at many prices. Here you will find all the Christmas markets in Campania.

Christmas markets in Limatola Castle

In the province of Benevento there is a special castle where one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Italy is held every year.

The castle overlooks the medieval village of Limatola from above and hosts jesters, a medieval court, falconers, food stands and the magical home of Father Christmas. It is held from 8 November to 8 December and is beautiful.

Candelara Christmas Market

In Candelara, a village in the hills near Pesaro in the Marche region, one of the most atmospheric Christmas markets in Italy is held. The focus of the market is the beeswax candle.

Every market weekend, the village's electric lights are switched off and the town is illuminated by candlelight. Many events and attractions are planned. The official Candles at Candelara programme can be found here.

Christmas markets in Finale Ligure

In Finale Ligure, one of the most beautiful Christmas villages in Italy is built every year. The village is so big that you can sleep in Santa's house, take part in shows and dine with Father Christmas as well as ice-skate, visit the gift shop and get to know the elves.

SEE ALSO: CHRISTMAS TRAVEL WITH CHILDREN

There are not only historical and traditional Christmas markets. The major Italian cities and many towns and villages also have their own Christmas markets that are worth a visit.

Below are some dates of the Christmas markets not to be missed in Italy.

• From 23 November to 23 December, the Christmas markets in Viverone with the Christmas on the Lake event.

• From 19 November to 6 January, the annual appointment with the Christmas Markets returns to the Secular Park of the Hapsburgs in Levico Terme.

• From 25 November to 6 January, appointment in Rovereto (TN ) for the Christmas Markets.

• From 09 to 18 December, great expectations at the Fiera di Cagliari for the annual Christmas Market appointment.

Christmas market offers

You can reach the Christmas markets with the offers that Trenitalia and NTV propose every year. By leaving well in advance, you can purchase train tickets at very advantageous prices.

If you want to visit Trento's Christmas markets here you can find train offers with discounts on menus in participating restaurants. For more information visit the official website of the Trentino Christmas markets where you can find offers, packages and conventions on the Christmas markets.

More original and less well-known Christmas markets

• The Christmas Village in Bussolengo, Veneto

• Christmas market in Levico Terme, Trentino-Alto Adige

• Candles in Candelara, Marche

• Christmas market in Vipiteno, Trentino-South Tyrol

• Bressanone Christmas Market, Trentino-South Tyrol

• Arezzo Christmas Town, Tuscany

• Viterbo Christmas Village, Lazio

• Aprica Christmas Village and markets, Lombardy

• Christmas Markets in Matera, Basilicata

• Christmas markets in Agrigento, Sicily

Organised trips Christmas markets

There are many agencies offering travel packages to visit the Christmas markets in Italy, with offers on trains and hotels. You can find more information by visiting the websites caldana.it or guinesstravel where there are the best offers for organised trips to the Christmas markets.

Christmas holidays

During the Christmas period, trips usually cost more, but there are interesting offers to take advantage of. You can choose a trip to the warm weather, the seaside or the mountains, or choose one of the destinations in Italy and Europe for Christmas markets.

(Photo thumb: Dinoph/Shutterstock)

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