Coming to Florence in March? Plan for it to be a little chilly and rainy. After all, March is still mostly a winter month.

But it’s also the calm before the storm. The crowds are not quite here yet, but they are on the way.

Here’s what you need to know about coming to visit Florence this time of year:

• What’s the weather like? Does it rain a lot?
• What to pack for visiting Florence in March? What to wear?
• Is March a good time to visit Florence?
• What food is in season in March?
• What are some things to do in Florence in March?

I’ve lived in Italy since 2001. It never fails. Every single year, on March 1, I somehow expect it to be spring, because “March is a spring month.”

The reality is that it’s never spring in the beginning of March (spring technically begins on March 20.) I am always chagrined to find the beginning of March full of blustery cold days, with plenty of rain and sometimes sleet.

The cooler period in Florence lasts from November through to March so it is just not as warm as I want it to be.

And I think this is one reason the beginning of March is still low season. It is, after all, still winter and school vacations are not in swing yet.

But there is inevitably one day in March – it changes from year to year – sometime late in the first half, when I start seeing school groups all around Florence. And then I know the arrival of spring and pleasant weather is coming, and high season is just around the corner.

As for rain, well yes, March can be a rainier month than others, because it’s spring/pre-spring. But it’s hit or miss, and sometimes you just have glorious blue-sky days.

You can usually go out in the rain in Florence however. You’ll find you have more sites to yourself, and sometimes you can get stunning pictures like puddle reflections or dramatic sunsets.

The weather in March is on the cooler side, especially at the start of the month with lows (at night) averaging 40-44 Fahrenheit/4-6 Celsius, and highs of about 54-58 Fahrenheit/12-14 Celsius. Towards the end of the month spring is in the air, with the average temperature reaching highs of 16-18 Celsius/60-64 Fahrenheit during the day.

Packing tips for March in Florence

When packing for Florence in March be sure to think about layers. The weather can be a bit unsettled, going from sunshine to rain showers very quickly so it’s best to be prepared.

If the sun is shining it can feel warm so pack a mix of lighter and heavier layers, as well as a good raincoat or waterproof jacket to keep you dry if it does start raining unexpectedly.

To stay dry in March, especially early March when the chance of rain is higher, bringing a rain hat and travel umbrella is a great idea. These can easily fit inside your day bag ready just in case you need them.

A scarf should always be on your packing list and in early spring, I find that a large pashmina is a better option as it can be used in multiple ways. They’re also very handy on the airplane.

A mix of heavier and lighter layers is perfect for March as the weather can be quite temperamental, so it’s important to have options for a range of temperatures. It doesn’t get too warm however so you can leave the shorts at home, it definitely isn’t the right weather for them!

What to wear in Florence in March

Rule 1: Be Comfortable

My number one rule for sightseeing in Florence, at any time of year: be comfortable.

Uncomfortable and ill-fitting shoes have such an impact, from experience I know that bad footwear choices can really make or break a trip. In March you’ll want good walking shoes or sneakers that will withstand lots of walking all day and keep your feet protected. At least one waterproof shoe option is necessary as well.

Rule 2: Dress in Layers

The next rule, which is very appropriate for March is: dress in layers.

Since the weather in Florence can vary a good deal from day to day, as well as from day to night, it’s essential to wear layers that you can put on and off easily such as light cotton t-shirts, cardigans/pullovers and waterproof jackets.

I would also recommend wearing a backpack as you travel around the city center, so you can have a place to put your layers if you need to take them off, along with your umbrella or rain hat ready in case it rains.

I know I’m biased, because I think every month is a great time to come to Florence, but March is definitely a good choice for most people.

How crowded is Florence during March?

The first half of March will still be winter-cold, certainly at night. And March is a rainy month, so be prepared. But in those first two weeks, it’s also still fairly quiet in Florence and not a lot is happening just yet.

If you want to visit Florence on a budget, you will find great deals on accommodations in the beginning of March.

If you come during the second two weeks of the month, be prepared for crowds. This does not mean it’s a bad time to come to Florence. But you should plan for it, and book some things ahead like Santa Croce, the Uffizi Gallery and the Duomo.

It is still artichoke season in March so I will definitely be enjoying those, but you will also still see plenty of winter greens too: broccoletti, broccolo romanesco, and chicory.

Asparagus and strawberries are also starting to show up as the weather gets warmer.

There is also a very particular green to get in early spring: agretti. Agretti look like grass, taste like spinach, and are a very seasonal, very Italian green. Try it with pasta, in omelettes, or simply sautéed and served as an accompaniment to Florentine steak.

March holidays and special dates in Florence

Special dates in March include International Women’s Day, the Feast of the Annunciation, Father’s Day and sometimes Easter.

March 8 – International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day or Festa della Donna on March 8 is a major international holiday around the world.

Although it’s not a public holiday, it’s still widely recognized.

The tradition in Italy is to give some yellow mimosa flowers to the women in your life so in early March, you will see a lot of these yellow flowers for sale in Florence.

On this day, some of Florence’s civic and state museums are free for women to enter so expect big queues for popular sights.

March 17 – Saint Patrick’s Day

Saint Patrick’s Day is not a huge celebration in Florence, but you will find plenty of bars and Irish pubs in the city center getting in on the Irish spirit.

March 19 – Father’s Day

In Italian Father’s Day is called La Festa di San Giuseppe. Giuseppe is Italian for Joseph, and of course the day celebrating fathers here is named for the one of the most famous fathers, at least in Catholic history.

Why is this important if you’re visiting Florence? Because you will want to load up on some bignè di San Giuseppe, sweet fried dough filled with custard made only at this time of year.

March 25 – Feast of the Annunciation

Traditionally the New Year in Florence was celebrated on the Catholic Feast of the Annunciation, March 25. Florentines would come together in the Piazza Santissima Annunizata to commemorate the beginning of spring, as well as the date the angel Gabriel told Mary about her divine pregnancy (exactly 9 months before Christmas).

When the Gregorian calendar was adopted in 1541, the Florentine people refused to change their New Year celebrations to January 1 and continued to celebrate as they had always done.

It wasn’t until the 1700’s that Florence finally got on the same calendar as the rest of Europe, but the remembrance of the March date lived on, and today the city officially marks the ‘New Year’ every year on March 25.

Nowadays you will find the Piazza Santissima Annunizata full of stalls around March 25, selling all sorts of items. You can also attend a special morning mass in the church on the piazza – be aware that this is very popular with the locals so plan ahead.

Last Weekend Of March – Daylight Saving Time Begins

The last Sunday of March is the beginning of Daylight Saving Time in Europe. This date differs from the U.S. and some other parts of the world. We LOSE one hour. Be aware of this if you have any Sunday morning plans like a tour or flight.

Carnival Sunday & Fat Tuesday

Often some of the Easter celebrations take place in March, especially the pre-Lent Carnival festivities.

Find out all about Easter in Florence in our dedicated page.

Free Things to do in Florence in March

On the first Sunday of each month you can access Florence’s state museums, archeological parks and cultural sites for free – yes, completely free. This includes the Uffizi Gallery, Palazzo Pitti, Boboli Gardens, Accademia Gallery and many more.

These free entrance events are very popular, so plan to arrive early to be sure you get in.

More ideas for things to do in Florence in March

Maybe it’s your 2nd (or 3rd or 4th) time in Florence. Or you have more than 3 days here, or you just want to see and do lots of fun things.

Besides the obvious must-see tourist attractions, there are lots of great things to see and do in Florence. While you can of course look at a day trip to the Tuscan countryside, Rome or even Naples, here are some ideas for your visit: