Italian Christmas markets may not be the most well-known of the European holiday treats, but they are well worth experiencing. We did a fun tour of some small and large towns in the Southern Tyrol region of Italy and found the Christmas spirit throughout. Here are some of our favorite towns and highlights for you to plan your own visit.
Merano
The beautiful spa town of Merano was the first Italian Christmas market we visited and it was a fun place to start. Being so close to Bavaria, the town and the Christmas market were filled with both Italian and German culture, food, and ambiance. The charming market fills the promenade that runs along the Passirio river adding to the picturesque background of this magical market.
Some eighty stands provide every delight for Christmas market visitors. Handcrafts and games, Christmas decorations and toys, and traditional items made with care are wonderfully festive. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Christmas market without food, and combining German and Italian tastes gives an extra special flavor. Sausages, cheese, pizzas, strudels, cakes, and spiced hot wine are just a few of the many offerings. Apricots are a specialty of the area, and local vendors offer many delights such as apricot wine, cookies, pastries, and more. The scenery and lights make the whole scene come alive in a beautiful holiday market.
Where To Eat In Merano
The Merano Christmas market itself offers plenty to eat and drink. But we also sat down for a proper meal. We were surprised and delighted to discover Augustiner Bräu Munchen, an outpost of a place we enjoyed in Munich.
We sat for a beer and watched a soccer game being played between Portugal and Switzerland (we kept our cheers for Portugal to ourselves). The restaurant offers a great selection of beer as well as wine, coffee, spirits, and other beverages.
The menu covers a range of items starting with a giant soft pretzel (indulge and get it with cheese) and including salads, pastas, grilled meats, and German specialties such as the crackling pork shank. Save room for tiramisù or apple strudel for dessert. Merano has plenty of other restaurants from which to choose.
Where To Stay
If you go to Augustiner and can’t imagine moving much after a great meal, they do have four relaxing suites you can enjoy. The location can’t be beaten, and you can party until you are ready to collapse in your comfy bed and call it a day.
For a different type of atmosphere, the cozy and charming Hotel Aurora offers both a great location and a comfortable stay. Situated right across the river from the Christmas market, the hotel is the perfect spot to relax between and after wanderings. The breakfast, served in charming surroundings, was divine. Ingredients come from choice Italian and local farmers and producers. Everything was fresh, well-prepared, and plentiful. We’re still dreaming about the apricot pastry.
Bressanone-Brixen Christmas Market
The next of our Italian Christmas Markets was the Brixen Christmas Market (Brixen is called Bressanone in Italian). This beautiful market offers the traditional experience of Christmas that many people crave. The whole town lights up with holiday spirit in a truly picturesque setting, It’s fun to explore all the shops and foods that are lovingly presented. Beeswax candles, handmade figurines, felt products, wood carvings, and holiday decorations are all around. Food tempts with mulled wine, sausages, strudel, organic bread, cookies, pastries, and more. We loved spending time to experience Brixen at Christmas.
Bolzano Christmas Market
The Bolzano Christmas market fills the heart of the city in Walther Plaza with recognizable and distinctive red and white stripe tented huts. Bolzano is so happy at the holidays that it describes itself as the Christmas Capital of Italy, and we’re sure many of the delighted market-goers would agree.
Bolzano is where they say the Mediterranean and the Alpine meet. Their focus on sustainability is also highly visible through innovation and initiatives.
Visitors to the Christmas market are treated to a wide array of booths filled with enough to do an entire year’s holiday shopping in one stop. Handmade jewelry, paintings, decorations, leather goods, sculptures, wood products, and more inhabit more than 70 bright and cheerful little houses. Of course, food is also a priority.
Tastes include local and regional bites such as South Tyrolian Christmas waffles, dumplings, doughnuts, pastries, breads, cheeses, jams, sandwiches, soups, polenta, speck, sausages, and sweet or savory large soft pretzels. There’s plenty to drink with wine, beer, juices, mulled wine, hot chocolate, punch, and more.
Where To Eat
For a fun place to have a meal, try the Batzen Häusl Gasthaus. They call it a meeting place for everybody, and we believe it. Try to make a reservation if you can. This place is hopping! That’s probably because of the massive beer and beverage menu and the fabulous food they serve in ample portions.
The extensive menu offers soup and appetizers like bacon dumplings or beer onion soup and macaroni “Batzen Häusl style. Salads, flatbreads, sausages, and burgers join Tyrolian specialties like beef goulash, wiener schnitzel, beef steak, and leg of pork. We just couldn’t decide so opted for a combo platter with a variety of flavors to enjoy.
Both of the hotels below also offer wonderful dining options including, bars and restaurants that serve fresh, exciting, and expertly prepared cuisine.
Where To Stay In Bolzano
We opted to stay as close as possible to the Bolzano Christmas market, which took us to the Hotel Greif. We just loved this artsy hotel. The historical façade gives way to a marvelous modern hotel to create a stunning combination. Art is a mainstay at the hotel too. Each room was decorated by one artist with their personal choice of paintings, drawings, and installations.
Each room is unique, appealing to fans of old masters and modern artists alike through art, fabrics, and personal touches. What we most loved was that we could watch the Christmas market directly from our room. The comings and goings of people exploring the market made for great fun.
The hotel breakfast was one of the best we’ve ever had and included the stunning tea collection with delightful teapots and everything you need to make the perfect cup of tea. Featuring the fine TWG teas. It is a tea lover heaven.
The hotel has a sister property right nearby too. The elegantly appointed ParkHotel Laurin sports an art-nouveau vibe. They have a jazz bar and display original artwork throughout. Sunday brunches, aperitivo nights, and musical guests can complement any visit.
Trento Christmas Market
The Trento Christmas markets were extremely busy when we were there because it was a holiday, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, so people had time off to enjoy their day. The market happens at two locations in the old town, Piazza Fiera and Piazza Mostra.
The lights and decorations enhance the festive mood in Trento, which is the capital of the Trentino region. Attention is paid to environmental friendliness and sustainability, and the local vendors offer a wide array of delightful locally-produced goods and treats to put you in a festive mood
There are special themed experiences available such as a Christmas tour of the two venues or a Christmas train ride that takes you through stops in the historic center and city of Trento. The food is fantastic. We had a unique sandwich that was held together by a potato pancake stuffed with ham and cheese, one of our most memorable Christmas market bites, and worth the wait in line.
Arco Christmas Market
This was one of our favorite stops. Arco is a very small town near Lake Garda with dramatic mountain views and a medieval castle. As a unique twist, there were also palm trees in town.
The Arco Christmas market has a truly local feel, with Christmas displays made by local groups and lots of local handcrafts and foods. Various entertainments are staged such as theatre performances and fireworks. Light displays projected on building walls make the scene dazzle and freshly made breads, jams, cheeses, honey, chocolates, and other foods are abundant. We took time to drive around the lake area as well and it’s gorgeous.
Verona
One of the most romantic cities in Italy, Verona is the perfect place to enjoy a heavy dose of holiday spirit. The city of Romeo and Juliet has plenty of wonderful sites to visit year-round. The Arena di Verona is an enormous ancient colosseum that holds some 30,000 spectators and is still used today for opera, theater, and other performances.
The Castle Vecchio (which now houses a museum) and its famous bridge the Ponte di Vecchio, the stunning Basilica of San Zeno, Giusti Garden, and of course, Shakespeare’s famous inspiration for Juliet’s balcony are just a few of the highlights. Verona is a gorgeous city with so much to explore it’s worth at least an overnight to take in as much as possible.
Verona Christmas Markets
Verona Christmas markets are an all-out celebration. They occupy some of the city’s most popular spaces and each has a slightly different feel. First, visitors are welcomed by the spectacular comet sculpture that springs out of the Arena. The main action happens near the famous Piazza Erbe, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is now bustling with shops, cafés, and fresh market vendors.
The Verona Christmas market at Piazza dei Signori (also known as Piazza Dante) is bright and sparkling. Filled with all the traditional gifts and treats, the market is a magical place to experience the true Italian holiday spirit.
Walking through the passageway from Piazza Dante leads to the second Verona Christmas market location in the courtyard of the Mercato Vecchio or old market square, by the Palazzo della Ragione. The walls of the courtyard embrace visitors making this market feel special, like a party for locals who swarm the many different booths offering handcrafts, gifts, food, and beverages to warm body and soul.
The most expansive space is the Piazza Bra, where the Arena’s shooting star sculpture lands. Traditional stands sell all manner of gifts, sweets, toys, handmade goods, and more.
Verona is full of surprises. Beauty pops up everywhere. But it should be no surprise that there are fabulous Italian food options everywhere. In addition to the delicacies offered at the Christmas markets, there are special treats such as pandoro, a famous Christmas cake originated in Verona. It’s ancient predecessor Nadalin, star-shaped and delicious, is also available in many Veronese bakeries.
Offella, is another traditional holiday cake made with butter fresh eggs, and sometimes almond essence. Of course, other culinary specialties of the area include risottos, potato gnocchi, and one of our favorites stinco al forno, which is roast veal shank slow-roasted in the oven. Of course, the wines of the region are the perfect complement.
Where To Eat
We fortunately happened upon an extraordinary restaurant for dinner, and we would highly recommend making a reservation in advance to be sure you get a spot. Trattoria Tre Marchetti was a bit of a splurge, but everything about this meal felt like a bargain for the price, which was modest for the value. There is a special Christmas meal, chef’s tasting menus in either 7 or 10 courses, as well as a la carte items.
We ordered the 7-course chef’s meat tasting menu and were bursting by about the fifth course. The food was remarkable, the service impeccable, and the restaurant itself provided a cozy and comforting environment.
If that weren’t enough, it turns out that the chef is a trained opera singer. He treated us to several selections throughout the evening, and we are told it’s not uncommon for famous opera stars like Placido Domingo and Josè Carreras, as well as celebrities to dine alongside patrons. We would honestly return to Verona just to enjoy this special experience once more.
Where To Stay In Verona
We hit another home run with our choice of hotel in Verona. The Hotel Gabbia D’Oro is perfectly situated within walking distance to the Christmas markets on a lively side street full of shops, including a well-known bakery directly across the street. If you enjoy a unique environment full of old-world elegance and charm combined with outstanding service and modern conveniences, then this may be a great place for you.
Our suite in this 18th-century building was full of period touches, elegant fabrics, and interesting art. But it didn’t lack amenities such as a flatscreen television with satellite channels, a mini-bar, and a large, comfortable private bathroom.
@foodtravelist The beautiful hotel Gabbia D’Oro in Verona. Perfect spot for easy access to the Christmas markets. #italy #christmasmarkets ♬ original sound – Food Travelist
The property has a lovely library, cozy bar, delightful garden room where you can relax with a book or enjoy snacks and drinks, and an elegant breakfast room that serves a comprehensive and delicious array of everything you can want for breakfast.
This quirky hotel is eclectic and full of delightful nooks and crannies to explore.
Milan
Many people skip Milan because it is big busy noisy and sort of industrial. And it is. But at Christmas, it takes on a luster that provides enough magic to get you in the Christmas spirit like other great big cities around the world. The hustle and bustle of one of the world’s best-known fashion industry hubs also provides a lot of opportunities for people-watching and window shopping that are a whole lot of fun.
Milan Christmas Markets
There are several Milan Christmas markets, each with its own ambiance and appeal. Near Porta Venezia, the Indro Montanelli Gardens house the first theme park dedicated to Christmas. There’s a skating rink, Santa Claus house, entertainment, and plenty of stalls selling gifts and food.
The Piazza Duomo with its majestic Christmas tree is stuffed with dozens of wooden chalets, lights, decorations, and festive activity. Handcrafts, clothing, sweets, local foods, and lots more are there for exploring and enjoying.
Oh Bej! Oh Bej! Fair at the Sforza Castle is highly anticipated every year. Oh, Bej! means Oh Beautiful! and is meant to express the joy and wonder of children delighting in all the beauty of Christmas. It’s a huge affair with over 400 exhibitors offering everything from books and toys to sweets and chestnuts. Jugglers, musicians, and street artists entertain the crowds.
Other Milan Christmas markets include the Craft Fair filled with handcrafted products from around the world and the Garabombo Bank Fair Trade, an ethical and sustainable Christmas market, offering mindful artisanal products that make wonderful, thoughtful gifts.
Where To Eat In Milan
There are so many options for dining in Milan. Dining like a local might see you ordering Minestrone Milanese at Trattoria Mirta, Osso Bucco at Osteria dell Áquabella, or grabbing a piadina stuffed sandwich at Piadineira.
If pizza is on your mind, the options are astounding. Dry Milano, Pinkeri, La Bufolatta, and Da Zero are among the local favorites.
If you like to combine eating with a food shopping experience, Milan’s Eataly is a gastronomic amusement park. The multistory emporium is all dressed up for Christmas. Culinary gifts include Christmas hampers filled with delicious goodies, panettone, chocolates, oils, pasta, and more.
You can explore the grocery section for fun after eating at your choice of several restaurants. Pizza, pasta, vegetarian food, local Italian specialties, and more make it easy to find something tasty.
Where To Stay
Milan is like most big cities where there are plenty of accommodation options. We enjoyed both locations we decided to try. The first was the Hotel Marconi. Our room was comfortable and spacious with a large king bed and all the amenities we could want, including a towel warmer. What a treat in winter! The buffet breakfast was extensive and we enjoyed taking some time to relax and savor it.
For our next night, we opted to stay at the Hotel Brunelleschi. It was comfortable and friendly and had a perfect location close to the Duomo di Milano. This gave us a great way to explore the Duomo area Christmas markets as well as catch a tour of the Duomo itself, from where we enjoyed some spectacular views of the city.
Bergamo
Bergamo may not be on the top of many travelers’ lists, but we think it should be. This amazing place gives you the best of both old-world charm and modern Italian living. It consists of two parts: a modern lower town, Città Bassa, and the historical upper town up above it, Città Alta. Each part of the city has much to offer, and exploring both is part of the great fun of staying in this fascinating city.
Bergamo Christmas Market
It can be said that all of Bergamo feels like a Christmas village. But a few special places where you can experience the Bergamo Christmas markets specifically do exist. One of the most popular is the Christmas Village in Piazzale Degli Alpini. Traditional wooden stalls line the area with local goods, food, treats, handcrafts, ceramics, toys, embroidered fabrics, and more. A Santa Claus House is prepared for his many visits with children.
The other favorite is the Christmas market in Piazza Matteoti. Handcrafts, bakery treats, toys, decorations, candies, gifts, and food products are offered from a number of wooden huts decorated with sparkling lights and holiday cheer. And best of all a 30-foot Ferris Wheel adds to the joy along with musical acts and other entertainment.
Città Alta shares in the dazzling lights which wind through the town. Piazza Vecchia, the man square in the old town often has beautiful lighted Christmas trees adding to the magic.
Where To Eat
As elsewhere in Italy, finding delicious food is pretty easy. Many of the restaurants will proudly display their pizzas, pasta, pastries, and other delights right in their windows. The options are everywhere, so if you see something that looks delicious, head inside and enjoy.
One place we especially liked was a cute spot in Città Alta called Dispensa
di Arlecchino. There are several local specialties on the menu such as fresh hand-made pasta like casoncelli and scarpinocc and Bergamo-style rabbit baked in the oven. It’s got good options for vegetarians too, like Valtellina Pizzocheri, which is tagliatelle made with buckwheat flour, butter, garlic diced potatoes, chard, and grated cheese.
When we discovered that stracciatella ice cream, Italyás version of chocolate chip, was invented in Bergamo, we had to make our way to the famed La Marianna, where it came from first. In the upper town and a bit of a hike, we nevertheless prevailed and were well rewarded. We enjoyed the fabled treat and have to admit, it was by far the best stracciatella ice cream we have ever had. Totally worth the visit.
Where To Stay In Bergamo
There are wonderful places to stay if you want to seep yourself in either the upper or lower towns. Because we had so little time, we decided to choose a strategic location that would afford us the ability to enjoy both easily. The Hotel Excelsior San Marco is strategically located at the foot of the hill that leads from the lower town to the upper town. It’s an easy walk to the funicular which will take you up the hill.
Aside from its strategic location, the Excelsior offers a lovely hotel with comfortable rooms and modern amenities. There is a restaurant, bar, breakfast room, and rooftop garden so you have a variety of spots to relax and enjoy yourself. Our room had a wonderful view of the upper town from a picture window, which made it feel even more charming. The staff were attentive and friendly. We loved the location and the ambiance that seemed to fit right in with the whole feeling of wonderful Bergamo.
Enjoy The Italian Christmas Markets
We know how wonderful the Christmas markets are in Germany, but they’re not the only markets worth exploring. The beautiful Dolomite mountain range and northern Italian regions offer special holiday magic of their own. We love experiencing the joy of the season expressed by smaller towns that really feel the holiday spirit. Tasting all of the holiday treats and special local and regional dishes reminds us that taking the roads less traveled often leads to memorable rewards.
We hope we’ve inspired you to visit these and other Italian Christmas markets. It’s so much fun to discover new people, places, and flavors in Deliciously Mindful destinations.
If you’re interested in more Christmas markets check out our articles on Portuguese Christmas markets and German Christmas Markets.
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