Planning to spend Christmas in Italy then Venice and the Veneto is a great choice. Italian Christmas tradition is at its very best in the
Veneto.
However you would like to spend your Christmas in Italy you will find something to suit all tastes in the Veneto.
The choice is extremely varied, ranging from the world famous ski resorts of the Veneto through to the gorgeous traditional Christmas markets in Verona, Belluno and many other Veneto towns.
Read on to share in an Italian Christmas - Veneto style!
Christmas in Venice Italy a Nativity Scene by Andrea Bugliani
If you are not visiting one of the ski resorts
(read our ski guide here)
then Venice and Verona are probably the Veneto’s most popular Christmas choices.
Christmas in Venice Italy
Venice at Christmas time is truly magical. The misty grey weather makes Venice hauntingly beautiful and absolutely enchanting. I really fell in love with the city after my first Christmas here and I can highly recommend visiting.
Venice at Christmas is surprisingly lacking in the tourist crowds. Instead you'll find it full of Christmas markets. Most of the main squares or campos have one.
Plenty of delightful Christmas concerts too are held throughout Venice. They are easily discovered by reading the posters around the city or asking your hotel for advice.
The La Pieta church on the Riva degli Schiavoni, where Vivaldi was once choir master, hosts some of the best.
Of course no Christmas in Italy would be complete without a Christmas Eve Mass, particularly lovely is the famous Christmas Eve Mass in St Mark's Basilica.
Even if you are not Catholic a Christmas Mass is an unforgettably moving experience. I may be biased being Italian but my husband who is neither Italian nor Catholic agrees with me on this and he doesn't agree with me about much!
Italian Christmas Dinner
Finding somewhere to eat over Christmas can be tricky and you will need to make a booking well in advance.
Some restaurants I enjoy in Venice
are these
but if you would like to try one of them do check with them if they are open over Christmas as many restaurants close.
On Christmas Eve fish is the traditional Christmas meal whereas on Christmas day a roast is pretty typical though there is no specific meal as such. The one thing you can be sure of though is plenty of delicious Panettone (Italian Christmas cake).
You will either get the misty days I mentioned earlier or else the most beautiful clear and crisp days. For more precise information and a forecast we have put together
a guide to Venice’s weather which should be of help.
Christmas in Verona
Traditional Christmas is the way Verona celebrates and you will find very little tacky commercialization. The traditional Christmas events in Verona start in mid December with the Feast of Santa Lucia.
A particular joy of Christmas in Verona are the many small markets. The most famous and largest is the Santa Lucia Christmas market held in Piazza Bra, you can’t miss the huge illuminated shooting star that seems to be flying out of the Arena and landing in the Piazza.
Impressive too is the Nativity Exhibition held in the famous Roman Arena. The exhibition hosts incredible nativity scenes from all over the world.
If you have the time visit is the nearby village of
Soave.
Medieval Soave is famous for being the centre of the Soave wine region and is a great place all year round however Christmas is particularly moving with one of the most touching nativity displays you are ever likely to see.
Where to Stay in Verona at Christmas
I would recommend the
Gabbia d’Oro
or if you would like something a little cheaper try the
Hotel Verona.
Have you visited Italy over Christmas? Share you experience!
What Other Visitors Have Said
Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...
Venice in Italy at Christmas time
Not rated yet
Very much I love Christmas. Every year for a long time I have not stayed in Italy but always I take my family to find another country to spend Christmas....
Where would you like to spend your Christmas in Italy? Try our search engine for some ideas.