What's the Weather Like in Florence in March
Just like in February, the weather improves over the course of March in Florence, Italy, when the temperatures get warmer and cloud coverage, rainfall and snowfall decrease.
Temperature
During this month, the average temperature for the city begins at 8.5°C, created by highs of 13°C during the daytime and lows of 4°C after dark. This average increases up to 12°C by the end of the month, created by highs of 17°C during the daytime and lows of 7°C after dark. This makes the final week of March the warmest time of the month.
Although it only happens on an average of 10% of days, temperatures can sometimes rise above 21°C and drop below -1°C in Florence in March. The highest temperature ever registered in the city during this month is 28°C, whilst the lowest temperature ever recorded here during this month is -6°C.
Over the course of March, the length of the day in Florence is quickly increasing, with a difference of 1:31 hours between the beginning and the end. The shortest day is March 1st with 11:12 hours of daylight, whilst the longest day is March 31st with 12:43 hours of daylight.
Sunshine
At this time of year, the city enjoys an average of seven hours of sunshine every day that's one hour more each day than in February along with median cloud coverage which ranges between 55% (partly cloudy) at the beginning of the month and 53% (partly cloudy) by the end of the month. On an average day, the sky is clear/mostly clear 29% of the time, partly cloudy 21% and mostly cloudy/overcast 24%. The city is also affected by fog on less than one full day throughout the month.
Rain
The average monthly precipitation for Florence in March is 42mm/2 inches that's slightly less than the previous month which is spread out between nine rainy days. The chance of rainfall making an appearance during this month averages at 36% and increases as the month develops. The most likely day for rainfall is March 31st when it falls on 38% of days, whilst the least likely day for rainfall is March 1st, when it falls on 34% of days.
Snow
Since March marks the start of the spring season in Florence, snow is extremely unlikely to fall during this month. If you really want to experience Florence in the snow, forget about visiting in March and plan your holiday for January or February instead, when the city is most likely to get snow.
The most common forms of precipitation you can expect to see in Florence in March are moderate rain (which occurs on 49% of days with rainfall), light rain (23%) and thunderstorms (13%).
With temperatures and cold as these, you'll need to pack a lot of winter clothing like gloves, hats, scarves and thick jackets to make sure you stay comfortable during your holiday in Florence in March. With rainfall occurring on almost 1/3 of the month, it's a good idea to take an umbrella or some waterproofs with you, too. If you hate the cold and want to visit Florence when temperatures are highest, delay your holiday until July or August, when the city enjoys its best weather.
Humidity
The average daily relative humidity for Florence in March is 62% that's slightly lower than the previous month. This figure tends to range between 46% (comfortable) and 92% (very humid) across the month, rarely reaching as high as 100% (very humid) or dropping below 28% (dry). The air is driest around March 14th, when the relative humidity falls below 56% (mildly humid) three days out of four, whilst it's at its most humid around March 29th, when it rises above 88% (very humid) three days out of four.
Wind
Over the month, typical wind speeds vary between 0 m/s (calm) and 5 m/s (gentle breeze), rarely going over 9 m/s (fresh breeze). The highest average wind speed of 2 m/s (light breeze) happens around March 14th, when the average daily maximum is 5 m/s, whilst the lowest average wind speed of 2 m/s happens around March 9th, when the average daily maximum is 4 m/s (gentle breeze).
Hotels for Florence in March
Il Guelfo Bianco
Il Guelfo Bianco is a three-star hotel situated in the centre of Florence which fuses antique and modern styles. Set inside a 15th century building, this hotel boasts a huge collection of modern art which is displayed throughout the common parts of the hotel, as well as the guestrooms. Accommodation comes in the form of 40 single, executive, superior and deluxe rooms, as well as junior suites and apartment suites, all of which come with coffered ceilings and exposed brickwork. Each guestroom features unique 18th or 19th century furniture, ceramic bathrooms with hand-painted details, air conditioning, WiFi access, soundproofing and SKY TV.
Onsite you'll find Il Desco Bistro which serves Tuscan cuisine made from locally-sourced organic produce plus a breakfast lounge where complimentary breakfasts are served each day. Fast food outlets, fine dining restaurants, clothes boutiques, art galleries and historical attractions are all within a 15 minute walk of the hotel.
Hotel Perseo
For a small family-run hotel, consider Hotel Perseo. Also located in the centre of Florence, just steps away from the Duomo, pedestrian shopping streets and café-lined squares, this hotel provides accommodation in the form of 20 double, triple, quadruple and family rooms, all of which feature modern décor. Each guestroom comes with satellite TV, air conditioning, high-speed WiFi access and private bathroom with shower, plus many also boast views of local landmarks.
Onsite services and facilities include free WiFi throughout, 24-hour bar, free continental breakfast buffet with gluten-free options and lounge with TV. Thanks to its central location, Hotel Perseo is ideally positioned to access museums, art galleries, restaurants, bars, libraries, squares and churches most of which are within 500 metres.
Hotel Hermitage
Steps away from the Duomo and the Uffizi Gallery you'll find Hotel Hermitage. This three-star hotel boasts a rooftop garden which enjoys panoramic views of the Ponte Vecchio and the Arno River. Here guests can choose between single, standard double, superior double, triple and quadruple rooms, each of which features SKY TV, air conditioning, safe and private bathroom with shower. The superior double, triple and quadruple rooms offer more space, plus a whirlpool bath.
Onsite services and facilities include free WiFi access, TV room, bar, continental breakfast served at the bar or in your room and nearby parking. All leading museums and art galleries are just a walk away, as is the Piazza della Signoria, Boboli Gardens and the city's main shopping streets.
Relais Uffizi
If you want to stay in an authentic historic building, consider Relais Uffizi. This three-star hotel is located in a quiet street, just off Piazza Signoria close to the Uffizi Gallery, inside a 16th century building. Accommodation comes in the form of standard, superior and deluxe rooms, plus junior suites, family suites and dependence Uffizi apartments. Each guestroom is uniquely decorated and features free WiFi access, air conditioning, LCD TV, minibar, marble bathroom with bath or shower and welcome package with complimentary toiletries. The suites are much larger and feature separate lounge with sofa bed, whilst the dependence Uffizi apartments are set inside an old tower house and also feature tea/coffee making facilities with biscuits.
Onsite services and facilities include free breakfast buffet served in the lounge with views of the Piazza Signoria, free WiFi access throughout, small bar with tea, coffee and spirits, library with books and magazines on each floor and parking nearby.
Restaurants and Bars for Florence in March
Passa Guai
Located in the heart of Florence, close to the arch of St Peter, Passa Guai specialises in locally-produced wines, small snacks and gourmet sandwiches, making it a great place for a quick and affordable lunch or dinner. All the sandwiches are made from homemade panini bread which is dressed with olive oil and salt for an extra flavour sensation.
Because seating is limited to a few chairs outside the restaurant, you're best off getting your order to-go. The restaurant is open Monday to Thursday from 11am until 11pm and Friday to Sunday from 12.30pm to 2.30am.
Mangia Pizza Firenze
Satisfy your pizza craving by dining at Mangia Pizza Firenze. This restaurant serves up a wide selection of freshly made pizzas prepared on a ciabatta base with locally-sourced seasonal ingredients. Pizzas are available in small and medium sizes, with white and tomato sauces and loads of different toppings.
The wine list is fairly limited only available to order by the full or half-bottle not by the glass. The restaurant offers seating for around 20 diners, but if there is no room left when you get there you can order your pizza to takeaway.
Mug Cafe
If you're stuck for somewhere to grab a coffee, pop into Mug Café. Popular with the locals, this café serves up a selection of American-style salads, burgers, wraps, sandwiches, muffins and pastries alongside a huge choice of authentic Italian coffees. If you visit during happy hour or on a Friday night, you'll be treated to complimentary nibbles which change according to what the chef has prepared that day.
Mug Café is open 9.30am-7.30pm Monday to Thursday, 9am-2am Fridays, 10pm-2am Saturdays and 11am-5pm Sundays.
Things to Do in Florence in March
Basilica of San Miniato al Monte
Basilica of San Miniato al Monte is a basilica set on top of one of the highest points in the city, five minutes away from the Piazzale Michelangelo. Often described as one of the finest Romanesque statues in Tuscany, this basilica is dedicated to St Minius an early Christian martyr in Florence and dates back to the 11th century. Inside, the church is overflowing with 13th, 14th and 15th century frescoes which decorate the south wall and detailed marble designs which line the nave that leads to a Romanesque crypt.
The sacristy is found in the southeast corner and holds Spinello Artentino's frescoes which depict the life of St Benefict, whilst the centre of the nave is home to the Capella del Crocefisso, to which Luca della Robbia, Agnolo Gaddi and Michelozzo all contributed.
Palazzo Vecchio
Located overlooking the Piazza della Signoria, the Palazzo Vecchio is the town hall of Florence. Built inside a huge Romanesque crenellated fortress, this structure is best known for being home to the Museo di Palazzo Vecchio a civic museum designed to enhance the city's art heritage. Built between the 13th and 14th centuries and added to in the 15th and 16th centuries, this museum still has a lot of its original architectural features and is home to various statues, including a copy of Michelangelo's David and Bandinelli's Hercules and Cacus.
Inside on the first floor you'll find the Salone dei Cinquecento by Cronaca, sculptures by De Rossi featuring the Deeds of Hercules and Michelangelo's Genius of Victory, plus three rooms, each dedicated to a member of the Medici family. The second floor features a small chapel decorated by Bronzino, the Audience Chamber, the Lily Chamber and the Loeser Collection made up of paintings and sculptures from the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries.
Vasari Corridor
The Vasari Corridor is an enclosed passageway which connects Palazzo Pitti with Palazzo Vecchio. Built in 1564 by Giorgio Vasari in only five months, this passageway stretches for almost 1km and is populated by goldsmiths who have worked there for hundreds of years. The Vasari Corridor passes through the inside of the Santa Felicita church, by the houses and gardens of the Guicciardini family and through the Boboli Gardens, too.
Much more than a pleasant walk in the centre of the city, the Vasari Corridor also features more than 1,000 paintings which date back to the 17th and 18th centuries, important self portraits from masters of the 16th-20th centuries and unique views of the city. The only way to visit the Vasari Corridor is by signing up for a group tour which you can book at the entrance which is located between rooms 25 and 34.
Brancacci Chapel
Open daily from 10am until 5pm, the Brancacci Chapel is a small chapel situated inside the Santa Maria del Carmine church. What makes the chapel is so special that despite the fire which destroyed most of the church within four hours in 1771, the chapel stayed almost entirely intact. Inside the church you'll find two restored layers of frescoes which depict the life of St Peter.
These frescoes where commissioned by Felice Brancacci in 1424, started by Masolino da Panicale and Masaccio in 1428 and completed by Filippino Lippi in the 1480s.