3 Low-Budget Winter Destinations In Italy for Skiing and More!
3 LOW-BUDGET WINTER WONDERLANDS YOU NEED TO VISIT IN ITALY
Looking for a low-budget winter destination in Italy now that it’s winter again?
You’re not alone!
At this time of the year, snow lovers are itching to strap on their snow boots, zip up their parkas or ski suits and romp around in the snow.
And what better place to experience a true winter wonderland than in gorgeous Italy? And these are low-budget too!
Right! I’ll say it again- LOW BUDGET!
So, let me introduce you to 3 budget-friendly winter wonderlands in Italy where you don’t have to break the bank to have a great winter holiday.
You can click on any of the places below to jump straight to them.
Ever heard of these places? Chances are you’ll say no.
But shout out to you if you answered “yes” to any of them. You’re one of the lucky ones!
Now, winter in Italy is just as amazing as summer in Italy. Just think of an equivalent gastronomical and cultural experience, except covered in snow.
*PLEASE NOTE: THE INFORMATION PROVIDED, INCLUDING PRICES IS BASED ON OUR EXPERIENCE AS WELL AS PRICES FOR THE SEASON YEAR 2022-2023
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1. LIVIGNO- THE LITTLE “TIBET” OF ITALY
For people who enjoy the snow, the north of Italy has an abundance of top-class, skiing and winter activity destinations.
Most of these beautiful winter destinations can be found in the Italian Alps bordering Switzerland, or the Dolomites, as the mountain range is referred to locally.
Of course, being one of Europe’s most popular skiing destinations, it can get pretty pricey up there.
That’s where magical Livigno comes in.
The locals dubbed the village “Little Tibet” for its resemblance to the Tibetan plateau.
The charm of Livigno can be noticed miles away with oh-so-cute mountain cabins and houses either sprawling down along the valleys or dotting the hills in eye-catching pretty clusters.
The region itself is raised at 1,800 meters from sea level, while the surrounding mountains are varying in height and can reach more than 3,500 meters!
Despite being nestled deep within the alps (scusa, Il Dolomiti), it will please you to know that this winter wonderland is actually one of the more affordable ones in the region.
the best time to visit Livigno
This magnificent low-budget winter wonderland in northern Italy is open for the season from November until May, due to it’s high altitude and plenty of snowfall.
Isn’t that cool?!
However, note that the ski slopes are only operational from early December to the end of April.
In addition, make sure to book well ahead because it is quite high up on most people’s skiing holiday list, especially in western Europe.
Why Livigno is a budget-friendly Italian winter destination you must visit
Here, I’m gonna break down the reasons for this being a great budget-friendly winter destination in Italy.
Have a look below.
So, we visited Livigno back in February of 2020, just when covid began to hit Italy, and the world, hard.
We were, of course, quite wary and frightened. However, stepping into that piece of paradise quickly sent all thoughts of worry out of our heads.
These are what make Livigno a must-visit Budget-friendly Italian Winter Wonderland for us.
TOP REASONS TO VISIT LIVIGNO IN WINTER
DO: All day (and night!) skiing, for all levels. There are also skiing schools, so don’t worry if you’re a novice on the slopes. You can choose between skiing and snowboarding. Or just play around in the snow.
ENJOY: The surreal landscape. The vastness of the surrounding mountains surrounded by trees is just absolutely stupendous!
ENJOY: Very affordable accommodation, ski passes, and equipment rentals. When compared to other ski resorts in the Alps, Livigno is definitely great value for your money.
SHOP: Livigno is a Duty-Free Zone! Meaning, you can go shopping for high-end products and not pay VAT taxes!
DO: There are other fun winter activities to do such as snow-karting, Nordic walking, sightseeing, and ice sculpting.
ENJOY: The night scene is banging! Bars open at 2 pm and most stay open late into the night.
FEEL: The multicultural atmosphere makes for a truly unique experience where you can make many new friends with the same interests.
EAT: And Finally, the divinely delicious Italian food. Livigno is famous for “Manfrigole”, a crepe-like roll, filled with cheese and bresaola (a kind of cured meat).
SOME ADDITIONAL FUN FACTS ABOUT LIVIGNO
- Livigno will be one of the hosting cities of the 2026 Winter Olympics
- If you find a house with a concrete base or porch, that’s a sign that it’s a more modern construction.
- The first ski lifts were built in 1959. 66 years ago!
- Summer in Livigno is even more fun, with lots of sunshine, greenery, and outdoor activities such as horseriding, hiking, donkey petting, and more!
How to get to Livigno
Getting to this side of winter paradise is not easy, especially if you’re flying in.
The closest airport is in Milan. Then you hop on the train to Bormeo, another gorgeous town that will also be featured in the 2026 Winter Olympics. From there, you can get a bus to Livigno.
Alternatively, rent a car, but make sure it’s got snow chains for the tires in case it snows while you’re on the road.
Where to stay in Livigno Livigno
Livigno offers a wide range of accommodation rentals, from affordable hotels and chalets to 5-star luxury spa hotels.
During our time there, we lodged in a really cute 3-star bread and breakfast hotel in the center close to the shops, and in front of one of the ski slopes.
If you’re on a tight budget, we would definitely recommend staying in one of the B&Bs as they offer half or full-board services, which gives you better control over your spending as you don’t have to worry about spending on food.
Unless you’re crazy about food (Italian food too!) like us.
2. ROCARRASO- ITALY'S BEST-KEPT WINTER DESTINATION SECRET
The next low-budget winter location in Italy we’ll be looking at is a little-known place called Roccarasso.
I’m willing to bet a few dollars that none of you have heard of this place before.
But if you have, do drop us a note in the comment section and tell us how you found out about it.
So, did you know that you could go skiing smack right in the center of Italy?
Yes, indeed you can!
If this is news to you, I’m glad that I was able to add one more piece of information to your databank on Italy.
Located exactly midway between Rome and Naples, Roccaraso is a town in the center of Italy, nestled within the Apennine mountain range or Appenini in the Italian mountains.
Its location is so inconspicuously hidden within the mountains which are further surrounded by mostly very tall pine trees.
As if that were not enough, to hide this winter wonderland even further, the roads leading to it are full of curves and turns that any motorcycle traveler (like us!) would consider a dream.
So, It goes without saying that it is mostly visited by Italians and so you get a real authentic Italian winter experience here.
the best time to visit Roccaraso
Even though Roccaraso is not quite up north of Italy, it still gets just as much snow as in the Alps.
With the highest peak being 2,142 meters high, you can enjoy a pretty wonderful winter holiday here, with lots of activities to do.
The ski season officially opens in December and ends in April.
We suggest going anytime between mid-January and late February because the snow will be well-packed and the resorts less crowded.
However, keep in mind that the week of the carnival festival (2nd or 3rd week of February) is usually packed with families since this period is a school holiday for children in Italy.
Why Roccaraso is a budget-friendly Italian winter destination you must visit
Let’s dive into the breakdown, shall we?
Looking at the breakdown, it goes without saying why we often come to seek our winter experience in Roccaraso.
We even, go twice a year sometimes.
What’s more, if you want to take the entire family or a group of friends, the cost is very reasonable, and you don’t have to break the bank to get a superb winter holiday experience.
finally, it is mostly visited by Italians. That means, you get a real feel of what the Italians are like during winter.
Are they still as hot as when they’re on the beach?
You’ll just have to visit Roccaraso to find out!
So without further ado, here are the things that make Roccaraso a must-visit Budget-friendly Italian Winter Wonderland for us.
TOP REASONS TO VISIT ROCCARASO IN WINTER
ENJOY: Budget-friendly accommodation, ski passes, and equipment rentals
EXPLORE The Charming landscape and breathtaking views.
DO: Slide down the slopes. Perfect for beginners and intermediate skiers/snowboarders, with a few black slopes for the thrill-seekers.
ENJOY: There is music and dancing at nearly every stop along the slopes
EXPLORE: The proximity to other picturesque Italian villages to visit makes Roccaraso the perfect winter location.
PARTY: Most establishments offer in-house evening entertainment for adults and kids (separately)
EAT Amazing Italian food. I need not explain further
FEEL: Its authentic Italian atmosphere
SOME ADDITIONAL FUN FACTS ABOUT ROCCARASO
The Apennine mountains run all across Italy from North to South, including the Mountains in Northern Sicily (link) with a total of 1,500km or 950 miles.
There’s an antique train ride from Rome called the Trans-Siberian Railway that passes through most of the picturesque towns and villages nearby, on its way to Rome.
Rome and Naples are around a 2-hour drive in opposite directions, so you can add this to a longer Italian Winter Holiday Itinerary.
There’s a festival in a village close by, in May called “Festa dei Serpari”- Festival of Serpents. Just after snow melts, and serpents begin to emerge from hibernation (Hmmm, fascinating, right?!)
Roccaraso is also 2hours away from the coast on both sides
Finally, the best part is that the crowds are waaaaaay less than in most other ski resort in Italy.
How to get to Roccaraso
To get to this Italian winter destination, you have two options.
By plane, with the nearest airports being in Naples, Rome and Pescara. Then you can take a direct bus or train which both take roughly 4 hours.
The other option is, again our favourite, get in a car and drive down. This would, of course, take less time (2.30 hrs) as you don’t have to make any stops.
Where to stay in Roccaraso
Hotels and other accommodation are very affordable in Roccaraso, and they usual include full or half-board options.
We always go to the same place because it’s great value for money (€600 / $620 for a full week at full board) and the food is always oh-so-amazing! In addition, you get one free use of the Spa. It’s also got this warm family atmosphere.
After skiing, you can go to the lounge, sit next to the wood fireplace, and place card games while you wait for the nightly in-house entertainment which includes games with prizes, music, dancing, and sometimes Yoga!
And very importantly, kids get to have a field day as there’s a mini club just for them. This means that parents get a breather and enjoy their holidays.
3. MOUNT ETNA, CATANIA- "MUNGOBELLO" aka "beautiful mountain"
This is perhaps the most unexpected and underrated low-budget winter destination in Italy.
Imagine a mountain that juts 3,340 meters high into the sky, with a perfect peak that spits larva ever so often. So much so that flights to the airport closeby often get delayed or cancelled due to the ash in the skies.
Now, think of yourself, skiing or mountaineering on that volcano while you gaze at the sparkling blue Mediterranean sea far below. As you breeze down the snow-covered dark mountain, you can see the twinkling lights of the big city spread out at the base of this grand mountain, and on the far horizon, the coast of the Italian mainland.
Mt. Etna, deserves to be on this Italian winter wonderland list because it is a truly magical experience to have all of those features at the same time, in one location.
the best time to visit Mt. Etna
Located in Catanai, Mt. Etna is a UNESCO site that has its fare share of visitors, although mostly during the summer months.
What most foreigners don’t know, however, is that you can actually do some winter activities on the Italian volcano.
To get the most out of your winter visit to Mt. Etna, you should go in the months of December until February.
The mountain will be full of snow (but not Catania below) and you can have a truly unforgettable winter experience.
Why Mt. Etna is a budget-friendly Italian winter destination you must visit
We are lucky enough to live about 1.30 hr away from Catania so we visit whenever we can.
What we love the most is that we can do so many different things at the same time, without ever being able to predict exactly what we’ll get.
Let’s have a look at the breakdown.
I think that just visiting the mountain in winter alone, is more than enough for most. The contrast between the black lava rocks, the white snow, the blues sea, and sometimes, the red fresh magma is a kaleidoscope of raw emotions and awesomeness.
When it comes to skiing, there are two slopes available- one to the north of the volcano and the other to the south.
Neither are for the faint-hearted due to the occasional loose rocks that might be lurking at some bend, only when the snowfall hasn’t been heavy enough.
That means skiing mainly for intermediate skiers and adrenaline junkies.
Whatever your interest, I dare say that Mt. Etna is definitely worth a visit. Plus this Italian winter spot won’t put much of a dent in your pocket.
Here’s why we think Mt. Etna is a must-visit Budget-friendly Italian Winter Wonderland.
TOP REASONS TO VISIT MT. ETNA IN WINTER
SAVE: The ski pass costs only €35/$37 a day
EXPLORE: Mt. Etna is an active volcano waiting to be explored!
DO: Great for intermediate to expert skiers/snowboarders
ENJOY: The views from the mountaintop are one of a kind! You’ll never experience so much complex topography in one place like this.
VISIT: Proximity to Catania, Taormina, and other amazing places in Sicily
MARVEL: The excitement of the possibility of an eruption (it’s monitored closely so no one is allowed near when she’s really letting it rip)
EAT AND DRINK: The amazing Italian food yet again, and the native wine – “Etna Rosso”
SAVE: It’s the cheapest on the list!
SOME ADDITIONAL FUN FACTS ABOUT MT. ETNA
The volcano “grows” due to the constant eruption- not less than big and small eruptions per year.
It has its place in Greek mythology as the place where Zeus imprisoned the monster Typhon. Also, Cyclops, the one-eyed monster, was said to have lived inside the volcano
There is a local belief and tradition that involves leaving a bottle of red wine behind to appease Mt. Etna, whenever she’s “angry” and spewing lava close to the villages around. This tradition is rooted in the belief that the mountain is a living, breathing entity.
How to get to Mt. Etna
This is the easiest of the 3 Italian winter destinations on this list to reach.
Once you’re in Catania (or Taormina), there are buses and special tours that can take you to the base of the mountain.
From there, you can choose to go up to the summit by a 4X4 Jeep, with a guide for a small fee, or you take the funicular or cable car to the summit.
Whichever you choose, get your cameras ready and poised for spectacular shots of the area.
Where to stay in Mt. Etna
There are several villages at the base of Mt. Etna with excellent accommodation options.
We recommend Nicolosi to the South, or Linguaglossa to the North.
Another option is to stay in a “Rifugio”, a mountain cabin lodge mostly used by hikers, mountain bikers, and outdoorsy folks. But they’re very well-equipped and would do for a few nights.
The option I prefer is to stay in Catania or Taormina and take a full-day trip up to Mt. Etna for some snow action. Or, stay a couple of nights at one of the villages.
OUR TOP SUGGESTION
So, here we are at the end of this amazing Italian Winter destination journey.
Having taken you from the North of Italy, all the way down to the South, I’m gonna end with the winter wonderland Pietro and I prefer.
It is, of course, a hard choice to make since we love all three locations dearly.
Well, based on cost, adventure opportunities, great food options, and complete relaxation, our number one Low-Budget Winter Destination is…
ROCCARASO!
Despite being far away from our darling Sicily, Pietro and I simply enjoy the calm and serenity that we find at Roccaraso. It is often less crowded and it feels like home every time we go back.
Livigno is a great location, and I would recommend it if you want an experience in the Alps that isn’t too expensive.
Etna, on the other hand, is already home and we can visit at any moment we wish.
So, tell us! Have you ever been to any of the places above? Which would you add to your winter destinations bucket list?
Check out early bird flights to Milan (for Livigno), Naples (for Roccarasso), and Catania (for Mt. Etna) below with a chance of getting some cash back!
You might also be interested in:
Isabella & Pietro
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A couple with a zest for all things travel, a love for motorcycles, and a voracious appetite for good food!
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Thank you for this post, i have never thought about going to Italy for the winter great suggestion though
I’m so jealous of all your snowy trips! I’d love to go skiing one day!
Such a wonderful post. Snow karting looks amazing! I enjoyed the read and the pictures!
Glad you found it interesting Debbie. You have to try snow karting someday!
I really enjoy sky destinations, I have never considered Italy for skiing, thanks for this information!
You’re welcome. If you ever decide to try skiing in Italy, don’t hesitate to come back to this post and ask any questions you might have.
I always thought of Italy as more of a summer location but that snow karting looks so much fun! Thank you for sharing these!
You have to visit Italy in Winter, Katherine!
I never thought of visiting Italy in the winter but this looks like so much fun!
It definitely is. I didn’t take pictures of every activity because I was too busy having fun!
Never been to places like these before but it’s in season and hopefully, I can manage to visit it. Thank you for sharing!
You should visit Fransic! All the best.
Wow, I love this post! Hopefully one day, I will explore these exciting places in Italy and in winter! Let’s say, my curiosity is piqued.
Superb! I’m glad you like the places. Add it to your bucket list!
This looks pretty interesting, love discovering the hidden gems.
Never thought of Etna as the winter destination..
Now you know! One should explore Etna with and without snow. It’s amazing!
Good info and useful for me since I live in Switzerland!
Perfect! Livigno is close to you. You can either drive or take the train.