Yes, March suits anyone who came for museums and Renaissance art, with afternoons of 61°F (16°C) that make the walk between sights easy.
The catch is the line outside the Uffizi and the Accademia, which starts forming before the ticket offices open, and Palazzo Vecchio can close part of its route for events.
At a glance
- Afternoon high: 61°F (16°C)
- Night low: 41°F (5°C)
- Rainy days: 7 in the month
- Precipitation: 2 inches (61 mm)
- Daylight on March 15: 11 hours 51 minutes
- Free admission: first Sunday of every month, no reservations possible
What is the weather like in Florence in March?
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rain | Rainy days | Daylight (15th) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| February | 55°F (13°C) | 37°F (3°C) | 2.5 in (64 mm) | 7 | 10 h 28 |
| March | 61°F (16°C) | 41°F (5°C) | 2.4 in (61 mm) | 7 | 11 h 51 |
| April | 68°F (20°C) | 47°F (8°C) | 2.6 in (67 mm) | 9 | 13 h 23 |
*Long-term monthly averages.*
March in Florence is cool in the morning and mild by afternoon. The high reaches 61°F (16°C) and the low falls to 41°F (5°C), so you can walk the center in a light coat without cold hands by lunch.
About seven days in the month bring rain. Plan the Uffizi, the Accademia or Palazzo Vecchio for the wet days, and keep the Boboli Gardens and the parks for the dry ones. Evenings are chilly, so bring a layer for after sunset.
February is a little colder, with highs of 55°F (13°C), lows of 36°F (2°C) and about seven rainy days. April warms to 68°F (20°C) and 47°F (8°C), with nearly nine rainy days. Daylight grows quickly: 10 hours 28 minutes in mid-February, 11 hours 51 minutes in mid-March and 13 hours 23 minutes in mid-April.
What to do in Florence in March
The Uffizi Gallery on a rainy March day
The collections include 14th-century and Renaissance paintings by Giotto, Botticelli, Leonardo, Michelangelo and Caravaggio. There’s also a collection of Medici statues and busts, Roman copies of lost Greek sculptures.
Audioguides cost €6.00 and come in eight languages, and the radio whisper service at the entrance costs €1.50. The cafeteria on the second floor has a terrace with a panoramic view. Booking is suggested, since a long line forms here every day.
Galleria dell’Accademia near the Duomo
The gallery sits in the heart of Florence, near Giotto’s Bell Tower and the Duomo. That makes it easy to pair with a morning around the cathedral.
A long line stands at the doors constantly, so go early in the day.
Palazzo Vecchio on Piazza della Signoria
Inside are Donatello’s Judith, Bronzino’s paintings in the Chapel of Eleonora and Michelangelo’s Genius of Victory. The Tower gives a spectacular view of Florence from the top and from intermediate points on the climb. A clear March afternoon is the time for it.
The Tracce di Firenze section on the ground floor can be visited free of charge. The palazzo often hosts events and meetings that close the museum route partly or totally, so check before you go.
Boboli Gardens between showers
The gardens hold grottos, the most important by Bernardo Buontalenti, and fountains such as Neptune and the Ocean. There’s also an 18th-century pavilion called the Kaffeehaus and the Lemon House, built by Zanobi del Rosso between 1777 and 1778.
A dry afternoon is the right moment, with mild air and paths to walk. Keep a museum as the plan for the wet days.
Parco di Villa Vogel with children
The park is at Via A. Canova 72. It has a water basin with cascades and jets, a play area, a skating rink and picnic tables.
Pick a dry midday for it. Pack lunch for the picnic tables.
Is Florence busy in March?
March falls well before Estate Fiorentina, which runs from June 1 to September 30 with shows, festivals and cultural projects. Even so, the line at the Uffizi and the Accademia starts early in the morning, before the ticket offices open, and gets very long in high season.
Booking is suggested during extremely busy times and for single visitors, to avoid lengthy waits at admission. Reserve a time slot ahead for both galleries. In cases of high attendance, staff may temporarily close some rooms or itineraries.
On the first Sunday of the month admission is free, with no reservations possible. At the Uffizi there’s no priority access on free days except for disabled visitors and their caretaker, pregnant women and European Union school groups within the daily quota. Expect a long wait that day.
What to pack for Florence in March
March asks for layers: mild afternoons, cold early mornings and evenings, and a few wet days.
- A warm layer for lows near 41°F (5°C)
- A compact umbrella for the seven rainy days (umbrellas must be left at the cloakroom, a free service)
- Comfortable shoes for the galleries, the Boboli paths and the Palazzo Vecchio tower climb
- A camera for the view from the Palazzo Vecchio tower
What to know before visiting Florence in March
Palazzo Vecchio often closes part or all of its museum route for events and meetings. Check ahead before you plan your day around it. Umbrellas, small backpacks and large bags must be left at the free deposit, and students must leave their backpacks.
The first Sunday of the month is free, with no reservations possible. The Uffizi may close some rooms or itineraries when attendance is high.
Is March a good time to visit Florence?
Yes, March is a good time for travelers who want museums, Renaissance art and food markets with mild afternoons. The Mercato Centrale, opened in 1874, is popular with residents and tourists alike. The Pulci market spreads under the loggia around the Sant’Ambrogio market building on the last Sunday of the month.
Shifting a month earlier trades warmth for shorter days, and shifting later brings longer days with more rain.
With children, Parco di Villa Vogel has a play area and a skating rink, plus picnic tables. For lower costs, aim for the free first Sunday, and accept the long lines.
Sources
- feelflorence.it (https://www.feelflorence.it/en/experiences-itineraries/isolotto-legnaia-district), checked 2026-10-30
- ncei.noaa.gov (https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/wmo-climate-normals), checked 2026-10-30
- cultura.comune.fi.it (https://cultura.comune.fi.it/istruzione/pagina/musei-civici-fiorentini/museo-di-palazzo-vecchio), checked 2026-10-30
- uffizi.it (https://www.uffizi.it/en/the-uffizi), checked 2026-10-30
- accademia.museum (https://accademia.museum/the-gallery/how-to-arrive), checked 2026-10-30
- uffizi.it (https://www.uffizi.it/en/pitti-palace), checked 2026-10-30
- comune.firenze.it (https://www.comune.firenze.it/imprese-e-commercio/mercati?language_content_entity=en), checked 2026-10-30
- visittuscany.com (https://www.visittuscany.com/fr/idees/galerie-des-offices-et-galleria-accademia-billets-et-reservations/), checked 2026-10-30