Campania during Christmas
Campania during Christmas can be a lovely destination for a short holiday.The long traditions and the unique folklore are mixed with the lovely nature of places such as the Amalfi Coast or the strong identity of centers like Naples and Salerno.
From city decorations to traditional foods, the period between November and January is full of things to see and do.
Each city has its own calendar of events, which changes every year. What doesn’t change is the peculiarity of some spots that are worth a visit regardless what they organize to entertain people.
THE AMALFI COAST DURING CHRISTMAS
Tourists from around the world are used to visit the Amalfi Coast during summer.
The weather is perfect to enjoy the small towns and the sea at their best. Still, this area can surprise you even in winter, when visitors are gone and the towns go back to their residents.
The scenographic nature and towns of the Amalfi Coast are particularly charming during Christmas, since they somehow look like a real-size representation of the ‘presepi’, the nativity scenes that are so popular among Italians.
Light decorations are strategically placed to enhance the architectures and create a fairytale atmosphere.
When it comes to Christmas lights, every town of the Amalfi Coast has its own style and Minori is certainly one of the most appreciated.
I suggest you to rent a car, drive along the panoramic road and stop to each town to discover the Christmas events, or just to see the views or taste a traditional Christmas dish.
To appreciate the Amalfi coast during Christmas you should like tranquillity.
The towns are small and don’t offer great or fancy entertainments. However, seeing the fireworks reflecting off the Italian sea on New Year’s Eve and spending the rest of the night on the beach with the residents is a unique experience that you should try at least once in a lifetime.
SORRENTO DURING CHRISTMAS
During Christmas many are the cities embellished with decorations. However, Sorrento has take this tradition to another level.
From November to January, the town center is transformed into a magical word.
The streets are lit with colored lights, while buskers and street artists share their talents with the visitors.
The heart of this Christmas atmosphere is Piazza Tasso, where a big Christmas Tree is set every year.
The official Christmas Tree lighting ceremony is an event that summon both residents and tourists, and the Tree is set up to give a music and light show each hour.
Sorrento has also a rich calendar of holiday events, called “M’illumino d’inverno” that includes cinema, music, dance, art and food.
These events, together with the natural attractions, the hikes and the traditional customs, make Christmas in Sorrento a truly memorable experience.
SALERNO DURING CHRISTMAS
Another city in which Christmas lights enhance the winter atmosphere is Salerno.
27 km of city streets are embellished with light installations and decorations!
Salerno also hosts a large Christmas market. The stands display handicrafts or typical foods. It’s the perfect place to find a last minute present or an original souvenir.
Since it si a larger city, Salerno has many things that are worth to see, like the Arechi Castle, the Minerva’s Garden or the promenade in front of the sea.
NAPLES DURING CHRISTMAS
Naples is one of the largest cities in Italy and, as you can immagine, there are lots of things to see and do during a Christmas holiday.
You can think that in such a big city it could be impossible to feel the festive atmosphere, however Christmas is an important event for the residents.
Like the other cities, in Christmas Naples is an explosion of lights and decorations, especially the historic center.
The most folkloristic part of the center is Via San Gregorio Armeno. This street is renowned for the Neapolitan nativity scenes, called ‘presepi’, that are displayed on stands and handicraft shop windows.
Small statues and scale models are often handmade by master artisans that are continuing this tradition since the 1700s. The interesting thing is that artisans doesn’t limit their work to religious figures, but they also represent famous artists or VIPs.
This mix between the sacred and the profane makes the experience of visiting Via San Gregorio Armeno even more interesting.
If you like presepi, you can find some wonderful ones in many churches or at popular location such as the Certosa Museum of San Martino, the Palazzo Reale or the Royal Palace of Caserta.
Of course, this is just a brief overview of all the wonders that you can enjoy in Campania during Christmas. There are many other small towns and large cities that offer unique events. Fortunately, people in Campania are very friendly and if you want to discover something more all you have to do is just ask them! They’ll be happy to suggest you the best things to see and do around.
