This Is Italy
Planning to go to Italy in January? It's honestly not real the best time to travel. The days are short and cold, many attractions are closed and nature is not at its best in the middle of winter.
However, there are also reasons to choose January. Of course January is the winter sports month par excellence. This month you can fully enjoy the beauty that the ski slopes in the Dolomites and the Alps have in store for you. Something different than Austria!
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January: ideal for the budget traveler
But budget travelers who do not want to ski or snowboard can also choose January as their travel month. Airfare and accommodations are considerably cheaper in the first month of the year.
The higher prices that were still valid around Christmas are now down. It will be months before Easter. And actually everything is cheaper than in other seasons.
However, you should not count on seeing the pictures of the well-known holiday photos in January. The one with the beautiful green hills with cypress trees and the one with the pearly white beaches and azure blue seas.
January will therefore certainly not appeal to all travelers.
More tips to save on your Italy holiday can be found here.
January weather
Let's be clear about it: in January it is cold in Italy. The last 3 days of January (from 29 to 31) will be traditional I Giorni della Merlac (The Days of the Blackbird) and are, according to legend, considered the coldest days of the year.
In terms of weather, you have to take into account cold, fog and rain throughout the month. There may also be snow in the northern regions. And in the mountainous areas it is certainly white. There is a lot of snow there everywhere. Great, of course, if you come for winter sports.
The first week of January is known as the White week, the 'white week'. Many Italians have this week off to go skiing, snowboarding or cross-country skiing. The ski resorts in the Dolomites and the Alps are working overtime.
Here we have 5 tips for the most magical winter sports resorts in Italy for you.
If you go to Italy outside the winter sports areas, you should prepare for changeable weather. Bring enough warm clothes and take into account waterproof and comfortable footwear.
Would you like as little cold as possible? Then it is best to travel to Sicily. You will not find nice beach weather there in January, but it can just be 15 degrees above zero! And did you know that you can also ski on Etna?
The average temperatures in Italy in January are:
- Northern Italy: -4-5 ° C
- Central Italy: 3-11°C
- Southern Italy: 10-16°C
For the city of Rome you have to count on an average temperature of about 7 degrees Celsius. So feel free to pack those warm sweaters for your city trip.
It can also be better than expected: temperatures of around 12 degrees Celsius are also normal for the capital of Italy.
What is there to do in January?
January is a quiet month in actually all of Italy, also in terms of events.
The first week of January, many Italians are free and quite a few shops can also be closed. This is the famous 'white week' in Italy.
The Christmas period does not actually end until the feast of The witch on January 6, which is actually the Italian version of Sinterklaas is.
The sale also starts in the first week of January, which actually takes place twice a year in Italy (in addition to January, also in July). For the real bargain hunters, this can be a reason to travel to Italy in January.
In several places in Italy you will also find winter markets in January where you can get hot drinks and roast chestnuts.
There is always something to do in large cities. In villages and in the countryside it is very quiet in January.
Tips for trips to Italy in January
Which destinations do we recommend for a trip in January? Why go to Italy in January? Here are a few more considerations for you.
In general, we can recommend city trips for January, if you don't go winter sports. But the islands are also a good option for the winter.
Sicily, Sardinia and Abruzzo
The Festival of Saint Antonio Abate is celebrated in many different regions of Italy: it takes place in several villages in Sicily and Sardinia and in Abruzzo on January 16 and 17 . During the festival, huge bonfires are lit that remain lit all night. The festivities also include local drinks, food, dancing and music
Buti, Tuscany
Are you near Pisa around the middle of January? On January 17, the village of Buti witnesses the annual Palio di Sant'Antonio Abate. During this fun festival, locals wear traditional costumes that they parade around. There is a horse race between neighboring towns and villages. The winner of the race takes home the prestigious prize.
Venice in January
Have you never dared to visit Venice because of the crowds? Then go in January! Venice in January is a breath of fresh air. Provided the city isn't flooded with water, of course. Because floods occur here regularly in the winter.
But aside from wet feet: the large crowds of tourists are gone in January and the mist over the water actually makes it extra magical. Do you want to treat your sweetheart to a romantic weekend away? Then book a city trip to Venice in January!
Rome
If you're going to Italy in January, chances are you'll do it for a visit to the Eternal City. And January is actually good for that too. The large hordes of tourists that you actually have here all year round are smallest in January.
The magical Christmas season is over, but that aside, you can have a great time in Rome in January. For example with a walking tour through the city, a visit to the Colosseum, the Vatican and the Vatican Museums.
Since January is generally the quietest month of the year, it is easier to get tickets and visit, for example, the tomb of Peter in St. Peter's.
Another tip is to go and see the Pantheon, especially when it rains or snows. Due to the open dome, the incoming precipitation gives a nice effect.
Another option is to go underground. In Rome, for example, you can visit the eerie Capuchin Crypt in winter.
By the way, on January 5 you can visit a number of important Roman museums for free, including the Colosseum, Castel Sant'Angelo and the Roman Forum.
More tips for Rome when it rains can be found here.
Other major cities
January is also a great month to explore those other major cities in Italy. How about going shopping in Milan? The sale starts in January, so it's a must for shoppers! You get the best prices at the end of January to halfway through February, when the sale comes to an end.
January is also your chance to discover amazing Florence in peace. The lines at the Duomo and at the Uffizi have shrunk considerably. Enjoy warm chocolate and roasted chestnuts at your leisure.
It is also a great opportunity to visit the southern city of Naples. Taste the best pizza in the world, climb Mount Vesuvius, get lost in the streets of the old center and visit fascinating Pompeii.
If necessary, tie a trip along the Amalfi Coast to it. Of course it looks very different in the winter, but the advantage is that you don't have to share it with thousands of other tourists!
Winter sports in the Dolomites
Do you like winter sports? Then you will enjoy yourself in the Dolomites. Cortina d'Ampezzo is the place to be in the Dolomites in winter. But there are also many other winter sports destinations that are a lot more affordable.
Here you will find the most beautiful places in the Dolomites.
Winter sports in the Aosta Valley
Another beautiful and relatively unknown winter destination is the Aosta Valley or the Valle d'Aosta in northwestern Italy. You can go cross-country skiing, skiing or ice climbing here. The villages in this smallest region of Italy are very cozy and hospitable.
De Sant'Orso Fair has been celebrated in the Aosta Valley for over 1.000 years. Several local craftsmen display their skills and sell their creations at typical street stalls. Special meals and drinks are served for everyone. The fair will take place in the city of Aosta towards the end of the month.
You can read more about winter sports in Valle d'Aosta here.
Also keep this in mind
Do you want to go to Italy in January? Note that many attractions and museums in Italy have a winter schedule. The opening times are adjusted to the season or the attractions are even closed completely.
So check in advance whether the activity of your choice is open. Non-tourist destinations can seem deserted during the winter period.
Don't like that? Then focus on the more popular destinations that are too busy in the summer.
Also make sure that your car is prepared for the winter in Italy. For example, winter tires are mandatory in Italy from November 15 to April 15 in certain areas.
Blue or green signs point out this obligation. Tires with M+S coding are considered winter tires in Italy. In the winter sports areas, snow chains may also be mandatory.
Do you also have plans to go to Italy in January? Or have you been there before? Let us know what your tips are!
We are currently touring Calabria with our camper in January. If yes stays on the coast it is around 16-20 degrees. In the mountains less, there is more chance of clouds. In most regions it is now mandatory to have snow tires or snow chains on board. Isabelle
That's really good, enjoy!
Yes, wonderful, in Sicily where we live it is still 16-20 degrees. Last 4 weeks I think we had 2 days of rain and 4 days of clouds. Every morning I sit outside in my pajamas in the morning sun drinking a cup of coffee. We live on low ground, in the mountains it is cooler and wetter. Just fresh snow on Etna. We'll find out this weekend. Normally it is cooler and wetter so we are lucky. It's nice to be here in nature right now. It's winter and fall together. Very crazy. I would really advertise more and especially promote the nature reserves.
I'm jealous!