Christmas markets in Italy
שווקי חג המולד באיטליה - מה מצפה לכם?
Christmas markets in Italy are spread from north to south. Of course, even in the big cities you can enjoy a festive atmosphere and many stalls, but the most famous area in Italy with the most beautiful Christmas markets is in northern Italy. In this article, you can read about all the famous markets in Italy, recommended hotels in the area and where you should travel.
How do you get to Bolzano? The capital of Christmas
When we talking about Christmas markets in Italy, it is impossible not to mention the market of Bolzano, “the capital of Christmas”. You can get here in several ways. I suggest that you look for the cheapest and most comfortable flight that suits you in terms of time and price and then start planning the trip. The closest airport to Bolzano is Verona Airport. But you can also arrive with a slightly longer trip from Venice, Bergamo or Milan
I am of the attitude that it doesn’t matter where you land, the road is an integral part of the experience and every road has its own beauty.
In order to get around in Italy it is advisable and recommended to rent a car. We always like to rent our car at RentalCar . There is full insurance through them and you can contact them for any problem.
It is very important to note that in Italy they really like to give fines. Pay close attention to the speed at which you drive, and that you do not accidentally pass a toll road without paying
Bolzano - the most famous Christmas market in Italy
Bolzano is the capital of the province of Alto Adige. It is a beautiful city with the largest Christmas market in Italy with about 80 stalls. The Christmas market in Bolzano was first opened in 1991, so it is also the oldest Christmas market in the country.
The market takes place for almost a month in Piazza Walther. During this period festive aromas fill the picturesque streets and alleys of the regional capital of South Tyrol. Twinkling lights and romantic lighting make the city the perfect destination at this time of year. In the market you can enjoy delicious liqueurs, the aromas of cinnamon, Christmas cakes and local biscuits, all of which make the experience in Bolzano warm and delicious.
Opening dates: from November 26 to January 6
Where to stay in the Bolzano area?
In the Bolzano area there are many recommended places to stay at different prices. You can write to us in private so that we can help you customize hotels for your vacation.
Recommended hotels in Bolzano –
Art & Design Hotel Napura – a luxury 4-star hotel, about 10 minutes’ drive from the center of Bolzano. The hotel has an indoor and outdoor spa. For details and order click here
Stay Cooper Laubenhaus – charming apartments located about 200 meters from the Christmas market. A wonderful place for those who want to be in the center and get directly into the Christmas atmosphere. The apartments are spacious and can accommodate up to four people. For details and order. click here .
Castel Hörtenberg – a beautiful five-star hotel, located about 800 m from Bolzano’s Christmas market. The hotel includes a heated outdoor pool, private parking and the possibility of renting bicycles. For details and order click here .
Floris Green Suites by Parc Hotel Florian – half an hour from Bolzano, a beautiful boutique hotel with a wonderful breakfast. Tha hotel Offer rooms with privacy that include a private sauna, a pampering bath and a large balcony. click here .
Christmas market in Lake Carezza - the market around the lake
At Lake Carezza, only a 20-minute drive from the market center of the South Tyrolean capital, there is a beautiful Christmas market next to the lake, which will make you feel like you are in another world.
The walk around Karersee Lake, lit up with Christmas decorations, wooden houses, snow and ice sculptures with life-sized figures, Christmas sounds, aromas of fresh cookies and large wood-burning ovens where visitors can warm themselves – all these make the Christmas market of Karersee Lake to a magical place that offers a unique and exciting experience.
The market is open on the following weekends –
27.11. – 28.11 between the hours of 10:00 – 20:00
04.12. – 05.12 between the hours of 10:00 – 20:00
11.12. – 12.12 between the hours of 10:00 and 20:00
18.12. – 19.12 between the hours of 10:00 and 20:00
recommended spa hotels Near the lake -
Ganischgerhof Mountain Resort & Spa – a charming spa hotel, 20 minutes drive from the lake, including a heated indoor pool and spa treatments. For details and order click here.
Ciampedie Luxury Alpine Spa Hotel – 5-star spa hotel, 20 minutes drive from Lake Carezza. A luxurious hotel with warm wooden design rooms, an indoor and outdoor heated pool, a wonderful breakfast and an amazing view of the mountains. For details and order click here
Olympic SPA Hotel – Adults Only – a beautiful spa hotel with excellent spa facilities and an outdoor and indoor heated pool. For details and order click here .
Christmas market in Merano - the spa town of the area
Merano is located about an hour’s drive from Bolzano and is known for its hot Springs. At the Marano Christmas market, the smell of ginger fills the streets and the atmosphere is romantic and lively. You can taste hot spiced wine and delicious and comforting food, and be impressed by wood carving works. The market is open from 26.11 to 06.01
Where to sleep in the Merano area?
Because Merano is known for the hot springs flowing in the area, you can find a large selection of hotels with thermal pools. Even if you choose not to sleep in a hotel with heated pools, you can enjoy the thermal pools in the center of the town.
recommended hotels in the area –
Quellenhof Luxury Resort Passeier – a luxurious 5-star spa hotel 18 minutes’ drive from Merano. The hotel boasts a 10,000 square meter spa complex. In winter there are two outdoor pools heated to a temperature of 34 degrees. The Accommodation at the hotel is on a half board basis. For details and booking click here .
Stroblhof Active Family Spa Resort – a 4-star hotel located 28 minutes’ drive from Merano, with a large spa complex that includes an outdoor and indoor heated pool. The hotel is suitable for families and offers a mini club for children. For details and order click here .
Hotel Castel Rundegg (Adults Only) – have you ever slept in a castle? This is your chance. A beautiful boutique hotel for adults only, on the outskirts of Merano, built inside an ancient castle. For details and order click here
The most beautiful lakes in the Alto Adige region -
Lake Tenno – not far from Lake Garda you will find one of the most beautiful lakes in Italy. A lake with stunning turquoise water. In the summer you can swim in it, and in the winter you can circle it on foot and if you fall on a sunny day, have a picnic by the lake.
Lake Tovel – a beautiful lake that you can walk around in about an hour – an hour and a half. If you are looking for a place to eat or drink coffee, near the lake there is a guesthouse including a restaurant called Chalet Tovel.
Lake Braies – The lake is located about 100 km from Bolzano, with amazing views of the Dolomites. The lake is beautiful in the summer, and in the winter it takes on a dramatic appearance when it is covered with snow and the clouds descend right to the water line.
Christmas market in Verona
If you want to go further and include Verona in your Christmas vacation, that’s totally an option. Verona is a lovely city. The market there is quite small and intimate, but the whole atmosphere in the city is amazing and it is absolutely worth a visit. Verona lies along the Adige River, it has a beautiful old town, historic buildings, an avenue of shops, cafes and restaurants
Where to visit in Verona? Piazza Delle Erbe is the central square of Verona. There is a market there, and around it there are many cafes, bars and restaurants.
Do you like shopping? Via Mazzini has a wide boulevard with all the brand shops.
Verona is known as the home of several of Shakespeare’s plays, including Romeo and Juliet which is said to have taken place right here on Via Cappello. One of the most popular things to do in Verona is to visit Juliet’s house (Juila). Here you are allowed to enter her house and go up to the same balcony of Juliet, where she once stood and talked with Romeo.
View of the city from Torre dei Lamberti – a beautiful view of the rooftops of the city from a building at a height of 84 meters.
Right next to Vecchio Castle you will find a beautiful bridge, built over the Adige River and connected to the castle. In addition to crossing the bridge, it is also nice to walk along the river on the opposite side of the castle. Here there is a beautiful view of the bridge and the castle.
If you want an amazing vantage point over the city, go up towards Castel San Pietro – a castle located on the eastern side of the Adige River. During the 14th century the castle itself was built to protect the city from attack and stood firm for over 400 years. Today it is impossible to go inside, but you can come and admire the view and the architecture from the outside.
Where to sleep in Verona?
Corte Realdi Suites Piazza Erbe – beautiful boutique apartments in the center of Verona, in Piazza della Erbe. Large and spacious rooms in an ancient vintage design with a balcony overlooking the city. For details and order click here .
Corte Realdi Verona – a beautiful guest house in a central location, charming and spacious rooms. The accommodation includes breakfast served to the room. For details and order click here.
Hotel Milano & SPA***S – a charming hotel in the heart of the city with an outdoor spa jacuzzi on the roof of the hotel, on the 5th floor, overlooking the entire city. Breakfast is served as a buffet and includes pastries. For details and order click here.
A spa hotel in the Dolomites that you should know -
If you are looking for a romantic spa vacation in Italy, the Alpen Palace Hotel in the Dolomites is the perfect answer for you!
Imagine it’s 0 degrees, it’s snowing outside and you’re pampering yourself in a hot pool that steams out in front of the white-covered mountain scenery. Can you imagine a more romantic picture than this? Because I’m not 🙂
The hotel offers a amazing spa complex that includes an indoor heated pool, an outdoor heated pool, a great jacuzzi and a selection of various spa treatments and massages.
In the spa complex you can enjoy free herbal tea, a selection of juices, fresh fruit, cookies and nuts.
The spa is open every day until 20:00.
Confused about which hotel is best for you? Do you want us to help you plan your trip? For personalized advice, send us an email and we will help you choose the perfect hotel and route for your vacation
The suites in the hotel:
Let’s talk for a moment about the suites in the hotel. All are large and spacious (35 meters) with a massage shower and a pampering heating element. All suites are decorated with wall-to-wall carpeting, wooden furniture and vintage armchairs that give the room a rustic and warm feeling. The rustic design of the suites blends wonderfully with the snowy view from the window.
The beds are huge and the blanket is insanely fluffy and luxurious! The bathroom is spacious and the floor is heated (which is perfect). In the suite you can enjoy an espresso machine with capsules.
Culinary
The food in the hotel – wow, there is no doubt that this is one of the pluses in this hotel! Meals are on a half board basis. The breakfast is very lavish and indulgent.
From 17:00 to 15:00 every day cakes, fruits, coffee and tea are served in the hotel lobby.
The concept of the dinner is according to a menu that changes every day. The dishes are served in an aesthetic way, just like in a Michelin restaurant. I loved the feeling every evening of arriving at our permanent table in the dining room and feeling like I was eating in a luxury restaurant. All the dishes were really successful and the overall experience is perfect.
Where is the hotel located?
The hotel is in the Dolomites in South Tyrol right on the Austrian border, in a small town called San Giovanni in the Valle Aurina. An area full of nature, picturesque towns, spa hotels and ski resorts. Because of its proximity to Austria, the Austrian influence in this area is felt: whether it is in the food, the style of construction in the towns and the German language that dominates there.
Directions to the hotel:
There are several options to get to the hotel, it all depends on which city you land in.
We landed in Milan – we rented a car and drove for 4 and a half hours on a breathtaking road.
How long will it take you to arrive from the following cities?
Venice – a trip of about 3 and a half hours.
Verona – about 3 hours drive.
Innsbruck (Austria) – a two-hour drive.
Attractions in the Dolomites area
Where to eat in Ortisei?
If you want a special experience, in a secluded town called Casere in a place full of snow, there is a magical wooden cabin called Adleralm that serves wonderful Austrian food!
There you can enjoy excellent meat stews, amazing soups and amaizing desserts like apple strudel and Kaiserschmarrn. What is a Kaiserschmann you ask? You can read about this amazing Austrian dessert and enjoy a recipe I have included right here .Brunico – a beautiful town with an avenue of picturesque houses, shops and cafes and restaurants. It, like the other towns in the area, becomes colorful and beautiful during Christmas, with markets, music and street food.
Thinking of visiting one of the Christmas markets in Italy? We have gathered more information for you in the article about a spa vacation in northern Italy.
Want help planning your route in northern Italy? Send us an email with the dates of the trip and the number of people and we will be happy to help.
