Weather in Italy in December

December climate overview

Daytime highs across Italy in December run from 7.0°C (Milan) to 15.4°C (Sicily). Days over 25°C are rare anywhere in Italy in December. Nights average 5.5°C; the coldest 10% of nights in Milan fall to -4°C or below.

Rainfall in December

Expect around 10 rainy days (1 mm or more) in December, with Lake Como the driest (7 days) and Sorrento the wettest (13 days). The wettest December at Sicily between 1991 and 2020 was 2005 with 202 mm; the driest was 2012 with 3 mm.

Sea temperature

The sea averages 15.6°C around Italy in December - warmest at Sorrento (16.9°C). That is cold for swimming without a wetsuit.

Sunshine and daylight

Around 4.0 hours of sunshine a day on average, out of 9.4 hours of daylight (sunshine estimated from cloud cover).

December against the rest of the year in Italy

December is the 11th warmest month of the twelve in Italy. It is 3.9°C cooler than November and 0.8°C cooler in January. The hottest month here is August (29°C) and the coolest January (10°C).

Which part of Italy in December?

• Most sunshine: Sicily, 4.8 h a day.
• Driest: Lake Como, about 7 rainy days.
• Warmest sea: Sorrento, 17°C.
• Hottest: Sicily, 15°C by day.
• Coolest (better for walking and cities): Milan, 7°C.

What to pack for Italy in December

Based on the averages: proper layers and a jacket - daytime highs average only 11°C; a warm layer for evenings, when it drops to around 5°C; a rain jacket - roughly 10 wet days.

Similar weather elsewhere in December

Within 1.5°C of Italy's December daytime average: Nice (12°C, sea 16°C), Alonissos (12°C, sea 16°C), Dubrovnik (12°C, sea 16°C), Budva (12°C, sea 16°C), Halkidiki (11°C, sea 16°C). See the full ranking for December.

Choose Sicily for the mildest weather

Sicily offers the best chance of comfortable outdoor afternoons, with daytime averages of 15°C and 8 rainy days. It is the strongest choice if mildness and fewer wet days are your priorities. Sardinia is close on temperature at 14°C, though its sea is cooler. Puglia also deserves consideration: its 13°C days match Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast, but it averages 10 rainy days against their 13. Those coastal choices can still suit travellers happy to work around showers, but they are less convincing for a trip built around being outdoors. Even in the milder regions, evenings call for a jacket rather than shirtsleeves.

Rome is milder than Florence or Milan

For a city-based trip, Rome offers a milder balance than Florence or Milan. Its 12°C daytime average is comfortable enough for walking with suitable layers, but nights fall to 5°C, so do not pack only for the afternoon. Florence is colder at 10°C by day and 3°C at night, making a warm coat more useful if you plan to stay out after dark. Milan is the coolest destination in the sheet at 7°C by day. Rain also needs a place in your plans: Rome averages 11 rainy days and Florence 12. Keep some indoor time flexible rather than committing every day to long periods outside.

Pack for damp days, not beach weather

Across Italy, December averages 10 rainy days and 4.0 hours of sunshine, so treat bright spells as opportunities rather than the basis of the whole trip. A waterproof outer layer, shoes that cope with wet pavements and clothing you can add or remove are sensible choices. The national sea average is 16°C; even Sicily and the Naples-area coast reach only 17°C. For most travellers, that makes the coast better suited to a walk than a leisurely swim. The month suits people who prefer cool conditions and can change plans around rain. It is a poor fit if dependable warmth, sunbathing or comfortable sea swimming are essential.