March in Florence marks the beginning of Spring, the season of new beginnings. Immerse yourself in European cultural and history by heading straight to the birthplace of the Renaissance - Florence, 'Firenze of Toscana' as it is known in Italy.
The city which was home to artists like da Vinci, Botticelli and Michelangelo, it is but obvious that Flirence has a vast array of museums displaying their works. But why visit in March? For the weather is why. It is cool and is also shoulder season, which means lesser crowds and more time to explore gems of the city - from the Tuscan vineyards to 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 the 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 highly recommended.
Florence in March: Things to do
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 Florence’ 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
The Cathedral: Monday to Saturday from 10:15 AM to 4:45 PM and closed on Sundays
The Dome: Monday to Friday from 8:15 AM to 7:30 PM, Saturday from 8:15 AM to 5:15 PM, and Sunday from 12:24 PM to 5:15 PM.
Piazza del Duomo, Florence, Italy
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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.
March Timings
Tuesday to Sunday from 8:15 AM to 6:50 PM (last entry at 6:20 PM)
Closed on Mondays
Via Ricasoli, 58/60, 50129 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 two-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 begins at 7:45 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 from 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 from 8:15 AM to 5:30 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.
March Timings
Tuesday to Sunday from 8:15 AM to 6:30 PM
Closed on Mondays
Piazza de' Pitti, 1, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy
Getting There ›
Florence in March: Events to look out for
Florentine New Year
March 25, 2024
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.
Festa Del Papa
March 19, 2024
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.
Florence in March: Seasonal delicacies
A delicacy that needs no introduction, the quintessential pizza is a must-have in Florence. Available in both restaurants as well as in smaller street shops, the iconic Margherita pizza was named after Queen Margherita. We recommend trying the delicious pizzas at Pizzagnolo.
A simple vegetarian local dish, this pasta is tossed in mushroom sauce made of two types of mTrattoria Ponte Vecchioushrooms found locally - truffle and porcini. This dish can be found practically anywhere in Florence, but Trattoria Ponte Vecchio does it best.
No matter what, trying gelato in Italy is a necessity. Florence has its own eccentric gelato tradition. The concept of homemade gelato is quite famous in the city and the flavors used in gelato here can range from brilliant to bizarre. Try gelato at Gelateria La Caraia.
Widely recognized for being a popular appetizer, Crostini is made using Tuscan bread topped with different sauces, purees, or vegetable salsas. Easily available at any restaurant, the dish often has bread with assorted toppings.
Schiacciata is a savory, flavorsome bread famous in Florence. Resembling the focaccia bread, Schiacciata needs the use of salt and oil in its preparation. It can be plainly eaten as a snack by itself or as a part of a sandwich. Visit All'antico Vinaio to have some of the best Schiacciata in Florence.https://www.allanticovinaio.com/
Florence in March: Essentials
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 mornings and at 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:
- By bus: Although the cheapest option to travel within Florence, the (dependable) ATAF buses may take time to get around.
- By taxi: 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.
- By trams: The Florence Tramway network has two operational lines, one to the commune of Scandicci and the second to the Florence Airport.
- By 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.
Florence in March: Visiting tips
- 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 instead 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.
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