TRAVELLING IN ITALY DURING MARCH

When the weather is not miserable and the prices are still reasonable, that’s the definition of a shoulder season and March absolutely fits that description.

Prices on things like air travel to Italy and Italy hotels remains low in March, and although the cost may be starting to nose up slightly from the deals that were on offer in January and February it’s still well within reach of even those on a strict budget. Not only that, in locations where hostels in Italy close up entirely during the slow winter months, those hostels are usually opening up again in March – which means an even more budget-friendly option for travelers.

Crowd levels tend to be at their lowest during the winter in Italy, but even if there are more tourists in Italy in March than there were in February the overall numbers are still far lower than they are in the summer – so you’re still not likely to be stuck in long lines for even the major attractions.

The drawbacks of visiting Italy in March primarily have to do with the unpredictable weather – it’s no fun to plan a day of hiking through Umbria or exploring the outdoor ruins at Pompeii because you anticipate sun (or at least dry weather) and then to get drenched by an unexpected storm, but that’s very possible in March. If you’re a flexible traveler who’s able to adjust your daily itinerary based on the weather, you’ll be much better prepared for a March trip.

As noted above, it’s important to find out when Easter falls before you’re locked into an Italy itinerary – being in Italy during Easter can be exciting, but trying to travel from city to city during Easter weekend can be a pain. Knowing ahead of time when Easter occurs could save you a few travel headaches.

Weather in March in Italy

Shoulder seasons are often marked by weather that’s best described as “unpredictable,” and March in Italy is no exception. The weather can vary depending on where you are in the country, which is true year-round, but during March the unpredictability factor goes up even more.

March weather often means rain or generally damp weather, and in some places it can be quite cold (especially in early March) – but as you go south, the temperature goes up and the rain decreases. The second half of March is when it often feels like spring has arrived in Italy, and it’s not uncommon for late March weather to be warm and sunny. Of course, you’ll still see women in fur coats throughout the country – Italian wardrobes are based on the calendar, not the actual weather outside.

Because you can never be sure what the March weather will have in store for you, this can make packing for a March trip to Italy more complicated. Should you bring sunglasses? An umbrella? The answer is likely yes – to both.

Temperatures in March vary depending on where you are in Italy, but as a general rule of thumb these are the ranges:

• Northern Italy: 35-55°F (2-13°C)
• Central Italy: 45-60°F (7-16°C)
• Southern Italy: 50-60°F (10-16°C)