Are you wondering what to wear in Florence in March? March is the first month of Spring in Italy, but can be challenging to pack for weather wise. In this guide we tell you everything to pack for Tuscany in Spring for weather, dress codes and more.
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Weather in Florence in March
March is definitely a transition month in Florence but the average temperatures rise quite dramatically from February with average highs and lows of 16°C / 60F and 5°C / 41F.
This is quite a pleasant temperature range for sightseeing in Tuscany and the crowds have not yet reached their peak which overall make it one of my favorite months to visit Florence.
Does it rain a lot in March in Florence?
Generally speaking you will get rainfall on 8 days in Florence the month of March. And even on those days the rain isn’t too heavy with only around 42 mm of rain across the whole month.
Therefore you shouldn’t worry too much about having lots of waterproof wear on your packing list in March.
Note: the weather between months changes quite dramatically in Tuscany and there are always special events in Italy which can affect both your attire and your ability to visit certain attractions. If your trip spans a couple of months then please be sure to check out our other monthly and regional Italy guides:
- What to wear in Italy in March
- What to Wear to Rome in March
- What to wear in Tuscany in Spring
- What to wear in Milan in Spring
- What to Wear in Venice in March
- What to wear to Pompeii
- What to wear to Cinque Terre
Note: we always recommend checking the forecast at your destination(s) 7 days out from travel to make sure there are no expected weather fronts i.e. heatwaves or cold snaps.
How do locals dress in Florence in March
The trick to dressing like a local in Florence no matter the month is packing a stylish and classic capsule wardrobe. In March you will find locals slowly transitioning from their Winter capsule wardrobe into their Spring ones which means you will start seeing less Winter coats and more casual jackets.
Also, although black is a popular color no matter the time of year you are visiting you will also see more pastels and florals in Spring.
What to Wear in Florence in March
So now you know what to expect from the weather in Florence in March, we will turn our attention on what to pack. We have split this guide into the best shoes, as well as packing lists for men and women for easier navigation.
Best Shoes for Florence in March
Sneakers
No matter the time of year you are traveling to Florence we always recommend adding sneakers to the packing list. There are lots of cobbled stone streets in Florence, and sneakers are the best shoes for walking long distances on them.
I would pick the pair of sneakers you feel most comfortable in, but some of my favorite brands for walking in are Hoka and AllBirds. But I also find white sneakers a versatile choice for Spring.
Sandals
Depending on whether you are visiting Florence in Early or Late March, depends on what the best second shoe to add to your packing list is. However in Late March I would recommend packing a sandal that is good for walking in.
What to wear in Florence in March for Women
Jacket
As the weather is warming up I ditch my heavyweight Winter coats for a lighter more packaway jacket. Some of my favorite types of jackets for Spring jackets are puffer jackets but if it is a hotter March a trench coat or denim jacket is a great choice.
Click here to shop jackets for Florence.
Trousers
Trousers are my go to bottom layer for Florence in March and I always include at least one pair of jeans. There seems to be a misconception that jeans are not a good pick for Italy and can make you look like a tourist.
However this is not the case. We recommend just packing jeans that are smarter and darker in color to be more in keeping with local style.
On top of jeans I would also have some smarter trousers such as a tailored black for going out at night or going for dinner in Italy.
Click here to shop trousers for Italy.
Dresses / Skirts
The weather is starting to warm up enough to wear dresses both during the day and at night. I just recommend sticking with midi and maxi length skirts and dresses as these are suitable for Italian churches which have a dress code. r
Florals
Florals are great for any Italian city in March. As the flowers are out in bloom in March it is nice to have some florals in your wardrobe too.
Blouse
A loose blouse works perfectly for warmer days and cooler nights.
T Shirt
I always pack a few t shirts when visiting Florence no matter the time of year. And in March you can start packing more short sleeve tees instead of long ones.
Also dark coloured t shirts and t shirts without graphics or slogans will make you fit in with the locals most.
Cardigan
Although you are unlikely to need thick jumpers during the day in March, a cardigan is great for cooler days and as an extra evening layer especially if you want to enjoy some al fresco dining in Spring.
PJs or Nightie, Underwear and Socks
Lightweight pyjamas and nighties are perfect especially towards the end of the month.
Sunglasses
The sun in bright in Florence whatever month you visit and it can be dazzling in March. For this reason I never travel to Florence without a pair of sunglasses.
What to pack for Florence in March for Men
The rules and layers that a you will want to pack for men in Florence in Spring is similar to the guidance for women. For this reason we recommend packing the below items:
Jacket
A jacket is a perfect addition to a men’s Spring Packing List for Florence. At the start of the month you may also want a puffer style jacket while towards the end of the month you may be able to get away with a blazer.
Chinos/Jeans
Chinos and a light pair of jeans are perfect particularly for the beginning of the month.
T Shirts and Shirts
Again I would bring more short sleeve T shirts for this time of year and stick to darker coloured tees to not look like a tourist.
On top of this, for evenings I would recommend having a button down shirt with long sleeves and maybe a polo shirt for day to night transition outfits.
Shirt
I always recommend men adding at least one button down shirt to their packing list for Italy. Although not lots of Italian restaurants will have strict dress codes, you will find that many Italian men dress for dinner. Therefore a collared shirt will help you stay in keeping with the locals.
Sunglasses
for the reasons we said above
Underwear, Socks and Pjs
What Else to Pack for Florence in March
- Crossbody bag – we recommend packing a crossbody bag, one with plenty of zips that can put off pick pockets is best which can be found near tourist attractions anywhere in Europe.
- Backpack – a good choice for day trips in Tuscany
- Travel Adaptor -Italy uses EU plugs so if you are coming from the UK or US you will need an adaptor to get your electronics to work / charge.
- Power Pack / Battery recharger
- Compact Umbrella – essential for Spring in Italy,
- Reusable Water Bottle – Save yourself some money by bringing a reusable water bottle and topping up as you go.
- Travel First Aid Kit
- Blister plasters
- Toiletries – for more information on the essential toiletries we recommend packing check out this post.
- Medication
- Documentation
How to dress in Florence in March for Special Events
There aren’t any big special events in Florence in March which have a special dress code.
FAQs about March Florence Packing List
Do you need a coat in March in Florence?
Thermal thick coats are not essentials in March. However you will still want a top layer and jacket with you. I like a puffer coat and trench coats depending on what part of the month you are traveling.
What to wear to the Duomo in Florence?
Possibly the biggest tourist attraction in Florence is the Duomo, which is the place that attracts most visitors. It is also the place in Florence that has the strictest dress code as an Italian church. Be sure you have at least one modest outfit in your capsule wardrobe for Italy so it complies with church dress codes.