Florence edges it in December. Florence averages 3–10°C with moderate crowds; Venice 1–8°C with low–moderate crowds.
By Daan · Last reviewed October 2026
Florence and Venice
The verdict for December
Christmas markets and a genuinely festive old town.
+Festive atmosphere + the Piazza Santa Croce market
–Cold, with holiday-week crowds
December brings a large German-style Christmas market to Piazza Santa Croce, along with lights and a genuinely festive mood across the historic centre. It is cold, but the first three weeks stay calmer than the holiday week itself.
Quietly festive, with the canals at their calmest before the holidays.
+Festive atmosphere + low crowds before Christmas week
–Cold, damp, with holiday-week crowds at month’s end
December is one of Venice’s most atmospheric months for the first three weeks, with lights over the canals and far fewer tourists than summer, before the Christmas–New Year week brings a short, sharp rise in both crowds and prices.
Scores and crowd levels are my own judgement; temperatures are monthly averages. Higher scores are better: quieter, cheaper and more pleasant.
Another month