Travel in Italy in January

If you are planning to travel in Italy in January, this blog will help you get an idea of what to expect. FIrst thing to know – it’s cold. Not as in low temperatures, but it gets to be a humid cold. So bring layers, and don’t expect seaside trips. This might be a time better suited to explore the cities – where crowds are low, or snuggling into a cabin in the Alps. The good news is this is quite a low season for tourism. Here’s what you need to know about visiting Italy in January.

Weather in Italy in January

Listen – Italy has been hit with climate change so bad, we never know what the weather is. While I like to share temperature ranges with you, it is always hard to tell. For example, in Piedmont we see a week of weather back towards 20 degrees celsius, then the next week it’s 0 and dreary.

What you should know is that this season brings a fair number of grey days wherever you go, and the humid chill means even in Southern Regions you’ll want to bring jackets and layers.

The good news is that January often brings snow to the Alps of Piedmont, Valle d’Aosta, or Trentino. Plus it means you can fill your days wandering the museums without fear of missing out on a beautiful day. This may mean it is the ideal month to visit Rome or Florence.

Here are a few average temperatures to give you an idea of how to pack, but always check before you travel:

• Northern Italy: 25-40°F (-4- 5°C)
• Central Italy: 40-55°F (5-13°C)
• Southern Italy: 50-60°F (10-16°C)

Holidays in Italy in January

The Holiday season carries on into January in Italy, with most schools and offices opening after the 6th of January. This is because of the Befana – or the Epiphany. On the 6th of January, Italian children celebrate a second type of Christmas. They wake up to their stockings filled with sweets and goodies brought to them by the Befana, the Christmas Witch.

This is also Sales season in Italy! This is the perfect time to take a walk through the cities and explore great deals on Italian products. In Italy, official sales are regulated by law, there is one in January and one in July. This is the time of year you can get great deals on summer clothes in advance or on the ending season’s styles.

So where should you travel in Italy in January?

All I would want to do this month is snuggle into a ski weekend in the Alps! Take a trip North and enjoy a weekend in the mountain. Even if you are not a big skier or snowboarder, the beauty of the snowcapped mountains, and the peace you’ll find at a cozy chalet is too good to pass up. Big tip: most resorts here feature spas with stunning views.

If you are planning on skiing, look into Sestriere, Courmayeur, Bardonecchia, Val Tournanche or Cervinia for places in Piedmont and Valle d’Aosta. In Lombardy you can check out Bormio, and heading into the Dolomites you can look at Cortina, Val Badia, and San Candido.

If you aren’t quite interested in snow sports and just want to have a cozy weekend in the Italian Alps, here are some of my favorite hotels in Piedmont and Valle d’Aosta for just that:

Chalet des Artistes in Valtournenche – quite literally the mountain villa of a local artist, this hotel is quite comfortable, spacious, with the added luxury of bathtubs. They also have wonderful views of the valley and are located a short drive away from Cervinia where there is a ski establishment, plenty of activity organizers, spas, restaurants, and more. You can easily enjoy some cozy romantic time here, and step out for an evening in the nearby ski town.

Hotel Miramonti in Cogne, currently offering the best pampered weekend deal I have found. Enjoy a room with a view of the Mountains, and an in-house Spa and restaurant. Two nights, with dinner, breakfast, spa and pool entrance, one aperitivo, and a massage each comes to just 480 euro for the basic room. Quite a steal around these parts!

And if you’d like to add a little more luxury you’ll want to have a look at these:

Auberge de La Maison in Courmayeur, boasting an incredible heated pool with views of the Alps, an in-house spa, and beautiful wooden decorated rooms.

Le Massif also in Courmayeur another excellent spa and mountain stay.

Then the Bellevue Hotel & Spa in Cogne right next to Miramonti, is just a step up in terms of elegant décor, and luxurious ambiance, with increased prices to match.

Alternatively, this is a great time of year to explore the major cities like Rome and Florence. During this time there will be far fewer crowds, and the weather will let you wander comfortable. All restaurants feature outdoor heaters so you can still enjoy the outdoors and watch life in Italy pass you by.

If you ar looking for a little help planning your travel in Italy in January, let me help you plan a stellar trip! I look forward to helping you discover Italy.