Florence in March heralds the advent of Spring, a season of rebirth and new beginnings. And what better way to experience Italy than by journeying to the birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence. Florence, or ‘Firenze of Toscana’ as it is called in Italy, is a city steeped in European culture and history.
The city was home to artists like da Vinci, Botticelli and Michelangelo. Their works are preserved in Florence’s vast array of museums and Renaissance-era architecture. The cool March weather of Florence will tempt you to stay longer and keep exploring the gems of the city, be it the Tuscan vineyards or art galleries.
What makes Florence in March special?
The world-renowned beauty of Florence attracts millions of tourists throughout the year. Florence in March is the perfect time to laze about in the city, right before the hot weather and hordes of tourists engulf the city. You can take part in the revelry accompanying the Florentine New Year or roam around in the vast art galleries of Uffizi.
In warm weather, a walk in the gardens of Florence makes for a peaceful past-time. Florentine gardens like Boboli or Bardini are iconic for their trimmed hedges, grand fountains and outdoor museums. Enjoy the cool weather and indulge your palate as you take a tour of the city. Aged Tuscany wines and authentic Italian cuisine consumed in quaint outdoor cafes of Florence are every foodie’s dream. Florence has something unique to offer to every visitor who comes.
Florence in March : Weather
Florence steps into spring in March, when the days get longer and the temperature ranges between 5°C to 16°C. Snow is unlikely but light showers can be expected. Layered clothing and a handy umbrella are a must to face Florence in March.
Things to do in Florence in March
1
Tuscan Wine Tour
Dive into the lush green landscape of Tuscany to taste some of the world’s most sought after wines. This guided tour will take you through the sprawling vineyards of central Italy. Allow the quaint charm of rustic Italy to surround your senses for a day-time tour which starts from Florence.
Timings
Tour runs daily at 1:15 PM
Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
Getting There ›
2
Florence Duomo
The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore (Saint Mary of the Flower), is the cathedral of Florence. It’s commonly known as the ‘Duomo’ due to its iconic octagonal dome, completed in the year 1436. Created by the world-renowned Renaissance architect Filippo Brunelleschi, the dome is still the world’s largest masonry dome even after 600 years. The Basilica di Santa Maria is the third largest Cathedral in the world and a landmark in the inception of the Renaissance, making its tour a bucket list priority for any tourist.
March Timings
Monday to Friday: 8:30 AM to 7:00 PM
Saturdays: 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Sundays: 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Piazza del Duomo, Florence, Italy
Getting There ›
3
Accademia Gallery
The Galleria dell'Accademia di Firenze (Gallery of the Academy of Florence) is the second most visited art museum in Italy. It houses a large array of Michelangelo’s sculptures, including the iconic David. The museum boasts of a well-curated collection of Renaissance paintings and also musical instruments made by legendary creators like Stradivarius and Amati. Its popularity comes with a drawback, long queues for entry, which can be avoided by booking priority tickets.
Piazza de' Pitti, 1, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy
Getting There ›
4
Day trip to Siena
The city of Siena lies in central Tuscany, among the rolling hills and surrounded by river valleys. A mere 2-hour car journey from Florence will bring you to this city, where culture and heritage have been preserved in a modern artistic setting. Florence basks in its grandeur, while the city of Siena was made for strolling and admiring the essence of Italy.
March Timings
The tour starts at 6:45 AM
53100, Province of Siena
Italy
Getting There ›
5
Uffizi Gallery
The Uffizi Gallery houses the greatest collection of Renaissance art in the world. Welcoming over two million visitors every year, the Uffizi is one of the greatest art galleries in the world. The artifacts are themselves housed in a magnificent building, once the seat of power for the House of Medici. The array of artifacts on display may be daunting, but the joy of seeing the works of masters like da Vinci and Raphael is unparalleled. Save yourself hours of time by booking Uffizi tickets in advance.
March Timings
Tuesday to Sunday: 8:15 AM to 6:50 PM
Closed on Mondays
Piazzale degli Uffizi, 6, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
Getting There ›
6
Siena Cathedral
A medieval church in the scenic city of Siena, the Siena Cathedral stands as a monument to Italy’s rich history and culture. Built almost eight centuries ago, the majestic building houses sculptures and art pieces from famed Tuscan artists of the Renaissance period.
Piazza del Duomo, 8
53100 Siena SI, Italy
Getting There ›
7
Boboli Gardens
Spread across a massive 45,009 sq mt, Boboli Gardens functions as a backyard for the famous Pitti Palace. The garden boasts centuries worth of history with its serene greenery, beautiful fountains, famous statues, and other structures from the past. It features many old-school buildings that have been converted into open-air museums, making it amongst the most unique attractions in all of Tuscany.
Timings
Daily: 8:15 AM to 6:30 PM
Piazza de' Pitti, 1, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy
Getting There ›
8
Palazzo Pitti
The Pitti Palace is the largest museum complex in the city of Florence. It served as the last residence for the dynasty of Medici and inherited their vast fortune of art. The Palatine Gallery of Palazzo Pitti houses the largest collection of paintings by Raphael in the world. A place of grandeur, Palazzo Pitti is situated in central Florence. A guided tour of the premises and artifacts is a memorable experience, even for the locals.
Piazza de' Pitti, 1, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy
Getting There ›
Florence in March : Events to Look Out For
Festa Della Donna
Date: 8th March: International Women’s Day
Inspired by the Feminist movement in the USA, the Italians celebrate Festa Della Donna in their own unique way. Men gift women a bouquet of yellow Mimosa flowers, a sign of respect and equality and the women go out in the evening to celebrate. Many Italian museums also offer free entry for women on this day. So make the most of it and ring in this festival of Feminism in Florence.
Festa Del Papa
Date: 19th March
This auspicious day dedicated to the St. Joseph is marked by Italians as a day to celebrate all fathers. The Florentines say ‘Babbo’ as a term of endearment for their fathers. This time in March, the pastry shops of Florence have a special treat- the ‘frittelle’ sweet fried dough balls.
Santissima Annunziata
March 25th: The Feast of Annunciation
Florence was once the epicenter of Christianity and its deep influence in the region still resonates with the city’s culture. The Catholic Church marks this day as the beginning of the ‘New Year’. Head over to Piazza Santissima Annunziata on this day and experience the rich Florentine culture in its purest form.
Stadio Franchi
Date: 12 April, 2020
Head over to the Stadio Artemio Franchi, the home stadium of Florence’s very own soccer team, the ACF Fiorentina. Fiorentina has exciting matches scheduled for each Sunday in the month of March. After an exciting evening spent with Florence locals at their much-loved game, head to the city center for a delicious Italian dinner.
Where to eat in Florence?
The food in Florence appeals to both the seasoned palate and the budding food explorer. Traditional and up-and-coming restaurants dot the city and make it a delicacy destination.
Offering a rustic and old-school experience, Trattoria Da Burde is a restaurant run by the Gori family. Filled with the classic Tuscan flavors of ribollita, carabaccia, roasted pork liver and bistecca, this place is truly worth the bus ride.
One of the most popular up-and-coming restaurants, Gesto presents a fantastic example of minimalism. The small portions and the recyclable materials used, make the place an eco-friendly favorite. The restaurant's menu is affordably priced and the vertical garden and the paintings of Frida Kahlo and Gandhi liven up the ambiance.
Owned by one of the historical families, Velona’s Jungle Luxury Suites is an interesting find for those who are interested in pristine decorations and jungle themes. The food here is organic and offers Tuscan breakfast dishes with a modern and healthy twist.
The brand new Polpa Burger is all about classing up street food. The flavors remain the same, but there is a heady mix of fresh, new ingredients and when paired with the classic beer, becomes a perfect meal. The sides are also cut by hand and made in the most contemporary way possible.
If your palate craves something sweet, Caffe Cibreo is the place to be. Try the flatbread and flatbread sandwiches filled with hand-cut ham or taste other delicious treats like bread morsels with Florentine liver pâté, yogurt puddings with oil, lemon and turmeric or tomato, oil and basil.
Florence Essentials in March
Weather
Spring steps in Florence in the month of March, and by the time of ‘Florence New Year’, the weather becomes sunny. The temperature remains between 5°C to 16°C. You can never predict when it’s going to rain in Florence, so plan accordingly. Florence has an unending list of places to visit. So even if it rains while you are enjoying the Boboli Gardens, just pop into the Pitti Palace situated right next to it and roam around the works of Michelangelo and Raphael.
Where to Stay in Florence in March
What to pack
Though the days will start getting sunny, there will be a chill in the air in the morning and night. Stay your fashionable best in the city of Florence and opt for layered clothing. Some scarves, a couple of shoes for roaming around the city and an umbrella are your March essentials for a visit to Florence.
Getting Around
Since the main attractions of Florence are all near each other, you will mostly be walking around the scenic cobbled Florentine streets. For longer journeys, here is a list of public transport options in Florence:
- Bus: The cheapest option for travel inside Florence, but the dependable ATAF buses may take time to get around.
- Taxis: The taxi service is quite costly in Florence, and you cannot hail cabs on the street. You can book a cab from a taxi stand or call a taxi service.
- Trams: The Florence Tramway network has two operational lines, one to the commune of Scandicci and the second to the Florence Airport.
- Bikes: Bicycles and scooters come in handy if you want to quickly zip around the city. Available for rentals even for short durations of time, these are economical modes of transport for local travel.
Tips to visit Florence in March
- Pre-book your museum tickets: March is not the peak tourist season in Florence but the entry line in front of popular attractions will still be humongous.
- If you are landing at Pisa Airport, avoid taking a costly taxi and take a bus or train ride to the Florence city center.
- Florentines believe in late dinners. Don’t remain hungry and pop into a bar or outdoor cafe for an ‘aperitivo’, a sort of Italian happy hour.
- Italian cuisine is not limited to pizza and pasta. Try Tuscan specialties and explore the unique taste of each dish, like the Lampredotto sandwich or the Castagnaccio cake.
- Cross the Arno River to the Southern part of Florence, to see a whole new side of the city.
- Understand the street numbering system of Florence before you head out to explore the city.
FAQs
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