If you’re craving a bit of balmy weather while the UK is grey, Italy’s south can be wonderfully sunbaked in winter. Find the best holiday destinations for winter sun in Italy, with the warmest picks by the sea, plus milder city breaks. Find west‑facing bays that hold the afternoon glow, lively seafronts for a mid‑winter evening stroll, and easy rail or driving links for simple, low‑stress routes. Plan for long lunches on sunlit terraces, breezy coastal walks with shelter when you need it, and a mellow off‑season escape that still feels properly Italian.
Warmest areas in Italy from December to February
Region | Key bases | Why it works in winter |
|---|---|---|
Sicily | Palermo, Catania, Siracusa | Highest average highs and long, bright spells |
Sardinia | Cagliari and the south coast | Mild microclimate with sun‑trapping bays |
Calabria | Reggio Calabria, Tropea | Tyrrhenian side with west‑facing warmth |
Puglia (Salento) | Lecce, Otranto, Gallipoli | Choice of Adriatic or Ionian to dodge winds |
Campania | Naples, Sorrento | Sunny urban strolls and coastal viewpoints |
Where to go by month for winter sun in Italy
Month | Suggested bases | Notes |
|---|---|---|
December | Palermo, Siracusa, Cagliari, Naples/Sorrento | Gentle temperatures and bright days; festive buzz with sunny afternoons |
January | Cagliari and Sardinia’s south coast, SE Sicily, Salento’s Ionian side | Stick south and sheltered, pick the Ionian if a northerly wind bites |
February | Palermo and western Sicily, Naples/Sorrento, Lecce, Tropea | Longer daylight helps; dry, sunny spells and softer late‑day warmth |
Top winter-sun holiday destinations in Italy
These places stay bright and balmy when the rest of Europe feels snow-dusted. Pick spots with a gentle microclimate and some wind shelter, and keep a wellness back-up in mind for breezier days, like thermal baths or spa hotels.
Sicily winter sun
Winter days here feel sunbaked and spirited, with local markets humming, church facades glistening after a shower, and long, lazy coffees on open-air terraces. The climate sits in the mild-to-warm range, often in the mid‑teens by afternoon with generous sunshine hours, while the sea stays cool and clear.
Base in Palermo for street food and museums, slip to Cefalù for cliffside walks and a breezy passeggiata, or wander Ortigia’s olde worlde lanes in Siracusa for Baroque arches and sea views. On clear days, Etna’s snow-capped crown is a dramatic backdrop from Catania.
- Extra pointer: On crisp windy days, choose south-facing coves near Arenella or Plemmirio for an extra dose of warmth.
Find holiday rentals in Palermo or a vacation spot in Cefalù for your winter trip. If you're thinking of living in Sicily full-time, you may want to have a look at property for sale on the island.
Sardinia winter sun
Cagliari feels sleek yet scruffy in that Mediterranean way, enlivened by sea-facing promenades, flamingos feeding in the Molentargius lagoons and the long arc of Poetto beach catching the light. Expect bright afternoons in the mid‑teens and calm spells that make Nora’s Roman ruins and the dune-backed bays of Chia and Tuerredda a joy for unhurried walks. The sea is fresh, so most swimming shifts to hotel spas and heated pools.
Day trips to Villasimius deliver emerald‑green shallows and sheltered corners when winds ease, while the old Castello quarter keeps you busy in cooler hours with cafés and museums.
- Extra pointer: When the wind picks up, tuck into the east-leaning coves around Villasimius for calmer suntraps.
Book a holiday home in Cagliari, or check out property for sale in the region if you're thinking of living in Sardinia long-term.
Puglia winter sun
Salento serves up honey-coloured Baroque streets in Lecce, sleepy fishing harbours and sunsets that linger over glassy water. Winters are dry and bright more often than not, with balmy midday spells. The Adriatic can feel wind‑swept, so it’s handy having both coasts to choose between.
Amble the coastal path near Otranto on still days, then retreat to a rustic pranzo of seafood and local wine. There’s a time‑honoured thermal tradition at Santa Cesarea Terme if the weather turns, alongside olive mills and wineries that welcome off‑season tastings.
- Extra pointer: If the crisp north wind arrives, head to Gallipoli and Porto Cesareo for gentler conditions.
Find your holiday home in Lecce, or explore holiday rentals in the Puglia region. Then take a peek at houses for sale in Salento to see if it's for you.
Calabria winter sun
Tropea sits high on a cliffside, its pastel facades reflective of golden hour as the Tyrrhenian glows beneath. The climate is mellow and sunny on settled days, with west‑facing beaches basking in late light and the old town staying lively enough for gelato without the crush.
Coastal promenades are blissfully quiet, and day trips to Pizzo for tartufo, Scilla for fisherman’s lanes and Reggio Calabria for museum culture round things out. Rail lines hug the Tyrrhenian here, so coast-hopping is simple.
- Extra pointer: Time your beach walks for late afternoon around Tropea’s west-facing bays to catch the softest warmth of the day.
Plan your winter trip with holiday rentals in Calabria, or check out property for sale or long-term rentals in the region for a more permanent stay.
Campania winter sun
Naples in winter is animated and bucolic in patches, with waterfront strolls along the promenade, sfogliatelle still warm from the oven and Vesuvius standing crisp against blue skies. Afternoons often climb into the teens, ideal for archaeological wanders at Pompeii or terrace lunches in Sorrento. The Amalfi Coast is a great spot for winter road trips, beach hopping without the crowds and going in search of Amalfi's most impressive viewpoints.
Lemon groves, cliffside villages and island horizons feel unspoiled at this time; if the wind freshens, the thermal parks of Ischia are a soothing plan B. Fast trains and frequent buses keep things easy, though ferry timetables thin out, so check before you set off.
- Extra pointer: When breezes roll in, head to sheltered Amalfi nooks like Atrani or Minori for calm streets and sunlit corners.
Plan your city break by checking out holiday rentals in Naples or in Sorrento. Or head to the seaside, and find property for sale and holiday rentals on the Amalfi Coast.
Rome for urban winter sun
Rome does winter with style, boasting plenty of non-touristy things to do. Low, honeyed light sliding across ruins, piazzas warmed by south-facing stone, and long lunches that stretch under heaters on cobbled terraces. It’s cooler than the south but still generous with sunshine and dry days. Cycle the Appian Way, potter through Trastevere checking out Rome's lesser-known landmarks, or linger by the Tiber when the skies are clear.
On the chilliest spells, the city’s museums and galleries come into their own, and a quick hop to Ostia Antica or the Roman littoral adds a salty breeze and a dose of light. Trains and Metro make moving about straightforward, and timing top day trips from Rome for midday maximises that balmy window.
- Extra pointer: Seek out suntrap piazzas like Piazza Navona or Campo de’ Fiori around midday for the cosiest terrace seats.
Check out the vacation spots available in Rome. If you're thinking of living in Rome, you may want to find somewhere to rent before taking the plunge and buying somewhere.
Liguria’s Riviera di Ponente winter sun
Shielded by the Alps, this Riviera stretch feels timeless and slightly old-world in winter, with the famous Cinque Terre villages, belle époque villas and gardens decorated with winter blooms. Days are often bright and mild, and the late sun pools in west-facing bays where you can amble, watch locals play bocce and pick up seafood at covered markets.
Sanremo’s elegant cafés and Alassio’s long sandy arc make for easygoing, low-season days. When the air turns crisp, hop inland for short hillside trails with sea views. The coastal rail line links towns smoothly, and Nice or Genoa airports keep access simple.
- Extra pointer: Use the regional trains to stitch together a relaxed day of promenades and lunches along the coast without worrying about parking.
Check out holiday rentals in Sanremo or along the coast in Alassio. If you see Northern Italy as your future home, explore property for sale in Liguria to get a feel for the area.
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