Twinkling lights, traditional markets and a warm festive atmosphere

Christmas 2024, with all its magic and emotions, is just around the corner. There's no better way to immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere of this festival period than to organise a trip to one of Italy's cities, and let yourself be enchanted by the lights and colours that the season brings.  

If you are wondering where you can experience the warm atmosphere of Christmas 2024 in Italy, we suggest three destinations that are sure to leave a lasting impression.  

Christmas lights in Bologna

Visiting Bologna during the Christmas period is all about being enchanted by the beautiful illuminations that adorn every corner of the city, from the historic centre to the most hidden alleyways. Every year, tourists and locals are fascinated by a spectacle that exudes pure Christmas spirit and creates a dreamlike atmosphere. 

If you're strolling through Bologna, don't forget to stop by the Piazza Nettuno in the centre of the city to admire the 28-metre tall Christmas tree there. As of this year, the Asinelli Tower, one of the city's most recognisable symbols, will also be illuminated.  

The illuminations of Bologna create the perfect backdrop for exploring the Santa Lucia market, the oldest in the city: it is held under the portico of the Santa Maria dei Servi Church in Strada Maggiore and can be visited until 24th December. Here you will find food, articles of all kinds, sweets, gift ideas and much more.

Are you captivated by the idea of spending Christmas in Bologna? Then book a room at UNAHOTELS Bologna Centro, a hotel that is very close to the city centre. Here you will find great attention to detail, as well as cosy rooms and a design that is entirely inspired by the theme of travel.

Celebrating Christmas in Naples

Where is the best place to celebrate Christmas? Few cities in our country are as enchanting as Naples: magnificent in any season, it is during the Christmas period that it reveals its most intimate and evocative side and is therefore one of the most popular destinations to experience the magic of Christmas.

One of the most famous places to go is San Gregorio Armeno, the street of nativity scenes. Here you can experience a centuries-old tradition and the typical Christmas spirit as it is experienced in Naples: with the passage of time, this street has become an unmissable attraction and a must during the winter.

Although the nativity scenes are the main attraction, they are not the only thing to see in San Gregorio Armeno. For example, treat yourself to a visit to the Church of San Gregorio Armeno, also known as the Church of Santa Patrizia and part of a huge monastic complex. 

Piazza San Gaetano is home to the Church of San Lorenzo, one of the oldest in Naples' historic city centre. Through a fifteenth-century portal near the nave, you can access an eighteenth-century cloister, which in turn will allow you to discover an evocative archaeological area just below the main floor.

Piazza San Gaetano is also the starting point for one of the two routes to Napoli Sotterranea, the network of streets and tunnels lying beneath the city that was initially used as an aqueduct and then as a shelter during the Second World War. 

If you want to enjoy the atmosphere of Christmas in Naples in a superb location, we suggest you book a room at UNAHOTELS Napoli: this splendid 4-star hotel is just a short walk from both the station and the historic city centre.

Matera and the authentic living nativity scene

Matera is known throughout Italy and the world for its famous Sassi, which were declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1993. Their mere presence and the millenary history they evoke play a leading role in the unparalleled charm this town exudes, especially during the Christmas festivities.

The location is so evocative that it was even the setting for Mel Gibson's film The Passion of the Christ. It is here, every year, that one of the most characteristic and well-known living nativity scenes comes to life. The performance, now in its 14th year, runs through the central streets of Matera and the Sassi, winding its way along a 1.5-kilometre route.

Matera's Living Nativity counts 200 performers in an extraordinarily vivid and intense celebration of the Nativity.  The performances take place every weekend in December and on 4th and 5th January 2025. Tickets cost €12 with a reduced price of €5 for children aged 6 to 10.  

In Matera, you will also find a warm welcome at a hotel that guarantees a comfortable and peaceful stay. Nestled in a large five-hectare park, UNAHOTELS MH Matera is located five minutes from the city centre and the Sassi, and includes a wellness centre with a Finnish sauna, Turkish baths, a quiet corner overlooking a waterfall where you can enjoy a herbal tea, and a swimming pool with a whirlpool feature.  

The most magical time of the year is nearly upon us: Bologna, Naples and Matera are some of the best destinations to experience the magic of Christmas in Italy with illuminations, markets and living nativity scenes.