Where to Swim in December in Italy

Destinations for an off-season swim, here's where to go between the sea and spas.

The end-of-December swim is a tradition in many seaside locations. If you find yourself nearby (and have enough courage!), you can participate in the New Year's swim in Rimini; in Riccione on the first of January.

In Tuscany, meet on the waterfront of Livorno at San Jacopo in Acquaviva, while throughout Puglia, it is a tradition to take the first swim of the year on January 1st, a custom we also find in Calabria and Sicily, for example near the Scala dei Turchi, in the province of Agrigento, and Marina di Ragusa.

Especially in Liguria, this is known as "cimento". It is the swim completed in the sea on the morning of January 1st, as a good luck charm, a sort of propitiatory rite to wash away the old year and immerse in the new one.

Moreover, the winter swim in the sea, an ancient habit, is also believed to have health benefits, activating circulation and providing a boost of energy to stimulate the immune system and ward off ailments.

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The winter swims in Alassio, Borghetto Santo Spirito, Spotorno, Alassio (on January 1st), Laigueglia, Finale Ligure, and many fishing villages where you can witness the New Year's swim or the first swim of the year, belong to the traditions of yesteryear, and remain famous today.

You can also find the tradition of the winter swim at Lake Lecco and on the Lake Maggiore, where on the second Sunday of February the Ice Sprint swimming competition takes place, a 50-meter swim in the cold lake waters.

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Among the Italian cities where you can enjoy the sun on the beach even during the winter, we primarily find the wonderful coasts of the South, which remain sunny even during the typically colder months.

In Puglia, Sicily, Calabria, Campania, Sardinia, you might find sunny days perfect for beach picnics and games. Even Rome and the cities of Lazio offer pleasant days of light and warmth, even during the winter.

Among the destinations for enjoying a winter in the sun in Italy are Mazara del Vallo and the province of Trapani, Syracuse, Alghero, but it's important to consider that the wind can significantly alter the feeling of warmth, not to mention the temperature of the sea.

There's a difference between enjoying a day at the beach and actually swimming.

In 2023, people swam in Gallipoli and other locations in Puglia. The same happened in Sicily and Calabria.

On December 25, 2023, Christmas was celebrated with a wave of unusual warmth: the anticyclone from the Azores allowed for temperatures around 20°C.

Beach umbrellas and loungers, so, but also off-season swims. This had already happened in Calabria in 2022, when on December 16th, the thermometer registered 24 degrees in Marina di Pizzo.

Crazy weather or climate crisis? Cold waves seem to be decreasing to make way for milder seasons: according to experts, the winter of 2024-25 may be characterized by higher temperatures throughout Europe. However, it is important to consider that the weather remains unpredictable until the last moment. If you love warmth and dream of a refreshing dip, how about aiming for the spas? It could be a great strategic solution for winter in Italy.

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Walks in the woods and a relaxing bath: the territory of Italy is rich in thermal springs, some of which are completely immersed in nature, to be appreciated freely.

Of course, natural hot springs may not always be feasible in winter due to external temperatures, yet on the right day, they can become a truly delightful surprise.

Among the most famous natural hot springs are the Saturnia hot springs, the San Filippo Baths in Val d'Orcia (with various natural pools, some at 40°C), Petriolo, Bagno Vignoni, and in the province of Viterbo, the Bullicame Baths, along with the Segesta hot springs in Sicily.

In some cases, we may encounter free thermal pools while traveling through various places in Italy, such as in Tuscany and the province of Viterbo, where numerous thermal springs exist.

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Bormio, Sirmione and Colà di Lazise, not to mention historical locations like San Pellegrino, Salsomaggiore and Abano, or the Thermal Baths of the Popes in Lazio: depending on where you are, you can opt for the nearest destination for a wellness weekend.

The Christmas holidays can become another great opportunity as they offer the chance to organize a trip to discover Italy, combining a visit to more distant locations with the pleasure of a refreshing dip.

Thermal water not only allows for a bath even in winter, but is also a true remedy for respiratory ailments and skin beauty.

Among the mountain spas, which are ideal for combining outdoor sports and bathing, the Saint-Vincent and Pré-Saint-Didier Baths in Aosta Valley should be considered, as well as Trentino, including Levico, Merano and Comano, Pejo, Rabbi.

If you are in Emilia Romagna, you can head to the Salvarola Baths in Modena, Tabiano, Cervia, Riccione, and also - less known - Castel San Pietro Terme, in the province of Bologna, the historic Porretta and the Riolo Baths.

In Tuscany, Montecatini Terme, a famous location, since 2021 is a UNESCO World Heritage Site among the Great Spa Cities of Europe: as in San Pellegrino, walking between the parks and the architecture of these historic spa complexes will be an exciting journey back in time.