The beautiful European city that most people only visit in the summer with pretty Christmas markets
With Christmas coming up, many of us will want to go to festive markets. This is something colder nations in Central and Northern Europe specialise in.
But it turns out Mediatrreanean countries can also excel in this endeavour. Most people think of Rome as being just a summer city filled with ancient sculptures and paintings such as The Rape of Proserpina, but they’re wrong.
The Italian capital has amazing Christmas markets waiting for you. And better yet, December flights can be snapped up for under £50 - find out more below.
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Rome’s Christmas markets
Piazza Navona
The hugely popular Christmas market can be found Piazza Navona each year, running from December 1 until January 6 2025. It’s called the Mercatino della Befana or Festa della Befana (the festival of ‘Befan’, a witch-like folklore character), and is a huge event in Rome.
There you can buy toys, sweets, books, leather goods, Christmas decorations, ceramics, and other gifts, be it for stockings or to put under the tree.
Giftland
Considered to be the eternal city’s largest indoor market, you can find anything you want in Piazza Ragusa. It sells a range of gifts including toys, prints, books, plants. The market is open on two weekends in December, between December 8 and December 10, and December 16 and December 17. Doors open at 10am and close at 8pm.
Circus Maximus Christmas market
Held in the Museo della Cucina, the artisanal market is held between December 9 and December 10, and December 16 and December 17. Opening hours are between 10.30am and 9pm, and it’s a chance to get your hands on tailored clothes and bags, ceramics, candles, lamps, plants, and books.
Christmas Village at EUR Laghetto
Despite the EUR area being renowned for its fascist-era architecture, the Christmas market there is not one to be missed. The market is held everyday from December 1 to December 26 and includes and elf village for kids. They can also meet Santa Claus and Mickey Mouse.
Green Market Christmas Festival
Similiar to other Roman festive markets, Green Market Festival at Città dell'Altra Economia offers a range of crafts, books, and natural products. However it’s only held over one weekend, on December 8 and December 9.It has free entry and is open between 10am and 8pm.
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