Due to its geography, Italy has three climates, which means that the weather in the north is totally different than the one in the south. It also means that no matter what weather you prefer, Italy has it for you.

To me, Italy during winter conjures images on walking on the beach in a sweater and jeans, while for others, the images revolve around the ski resorts in the north.

With that being said, let’s go over the reasons for visiting Italy during winter.

The warm weather

Yes, I prefer to head to Italy to escape the colder weather in Romania. Center Italy enjoys a mid-latitude version of the Humid subtropical climate, while the coast area of Linguria and peninsula south of Florence enjoys a  Mediterranean climate. What does that mean? 17C/63F in November, 14C/57F in December, 13C/54.5F in January. Excuse me while I pack a light jacket !

These temperatures are perfect to explore the cities and to enjoy a walk on the beach. It’s just going to be you and some dog owners on the latter, by the way.

Affordability

While the tourist season lasts easily until October, November starts to bring fewer crowds, which also means both airfare and accommodating is starting to be affordable. Really affordable. Look up low-cost carriers, since Italy is served by a lot of them, and enjoy your stay without burning a whole in the budget.

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The empty cities

I’ve been to Rome both in March and in September. I took the best photos in March. The weather was nice (20C/68F, a bit too nice if you compare with the average) and the city almost deserted. That’s exactly how I like to enjoy the historical sights.

Christmas markets

If you are heading to Italy in December, then be happy! It’s the time of Christmas Markets with their sounds and smells. Even if you are not Christian or visit churches as tourists – like we do – the markets have their unique appeal to everyone.

Ski resorts

If you are into skiing then you should know that Italy has some of the best ski areas in Europe. They are considered quite luxurious but, with careful planning, you can find some good deals.

The food

What better excuse than to stop for cappuccino (before 11 am , that is) or an espresso after you’ve done some sightseeing ? Or maybe you want to try the local pizza or a specialty. Of course, don’t miss on sampling the many types of olives and cheeses.

Plus, let’s not forget about panettone, which used to be only eaten during the winter months. Lately, it can be found through the year, but it is magical to have panettone in winter, in Italy.

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The Carnival of Venice

Before the Easter Lent sets in, the Carnival of Venice is what brings the tourists to Italy. It is a movable holiday and it ends with the start of Lent, 40 days before Easter. Next year (n.a. 2017) , the Carnival will take place in February.

It is a busy and expensive time to visit Venice, but you can also plan to stay in the area and take a day trip to check out the events.