5 Best Places to Visit in Italy in March

1. Matera

Matera is one of my favorite places in Italy. My trip last year was during March so I can personally attest that this is a great month to visit this ancient gem. The weather was warm and sunny during the day and brisk at night.

Matera is one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the 2019 European Capital of Culture. It's incredibly unique and a lot of fun to walk around. I highly recommend you take a walking tour (something I really wish I had prepared in advance) and get some context alongside the impressive architecture in the sassi.

The town is located in Southern Italy in the lesser-known Basilicata region, right next to famous Puglia. The winters here can be surprisingly cold, made even colder by sleeping in a cave (more on that below) and summers are super hot. Spring really is the perfect time to enjoy Matera.

Where to Stay in Matera

Many of the nicest hotels in Matera are actually built in caves. Historically, this is how the entire town was built and while you'll be in the lap of luxury, it's still a super unique experience. Just know that the cave hotels are on the pricier end of things.

The most important tip in my opinion is to actually stay in the Sassi di Matera instead of in the city center. Just note that it does get really dark there as soon as the sun goes down. I didn't feel unsafe as a solo female traveler but I didn't make a habit of staying out too late after the sunset because of this.

📍Looking for a great place to stay in an incredible location? Don't miss out on these best hotels in Matera, Italy:

• Budget Option: Alla dimora di Chiara Suite and Rooms: Enjoy all the charm on a lower budget by staying right in the historic center at this hotel.
• Mid-Tier Option: The View Matera: This is where I stayed in Matera so I can recommend it from experience. It's the closest you'll get from the bus/train station that’s still within the old town and the name speaks for itself with the epic views it offers.
• Luxury Option: Palazzotto Residence & Winery: This is certainly one of the best cave hotels that you can stay in. For a completely unique stay, this has to be the winner.

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2. Procida

The next recommendation for the best place to visit in March is Procida, another Southern Italy gem. This one is an incredibly vibrant island off the coast of Naples.

We actually visited Procida in August...which I wouldn't recommend you do. Summer here means hot, hot weather and while we were able to put up with it, we would have enjoyed walking around in cooler weather.

We actually just visited Procida for a day trip but for a quiet coastal getaway, I do think it would make for a fantastic weekend away.

The island is most famous for its colorful houses that lined the coast. There's a viewpoint, a short but steep walk along the coast that really is as beautiful in person as it is in pictures, maybe even more so. While the views alone make the trip worth it, you'll also get to try one of my favorite pastries ever: lengua di Procida. This is puff pastry filled with lemon cream that can only be found on this island.

Outside of the bright center, the island is home to a number of beaches. It might be warm enough to swim but that'll depend on the day and if you're up for chilly water.

Where to Stay in Procida

While most people just come to Procida for the day, there are plenty of places to stay if you fancy a longer stay on this tiny island.

Consider booking your stay at one of these highly-rated hotels:

• Budget Stay: Sonnino B&B: This quaint bed and breakfast offers larger rooms than most at this price point and is beachfront.
• Mid-Tier Stay: Terra Murata Boutique b&b: Located up the hill near the panorama viewpoint, you'll get to soak up the whole island morning to night.
• Luxury Stay: ALMALO Floating House: Want something unique? Stay in a houseboat! You'll stay right in Marina Grande and get to watch the boats come and go.

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3. Bologna

If you're visiting Italy for the food, you won't regret adding Bologna to your list. Bologna is the unofficial capital of cuisine in Italy, which is a pretty impressive title to wear.

We've hardly had a bad meal in this country since moving here a few years ago but were still blown away by Bologna's signature dishes. Lasagna, Bolognese (called ragù here), tortellini, and mortadella are just a few heavy hitters that come from here, ensuring your belly will be more than happy while here.

Bologna, located in Central Italy, is also home to Europe's oldest university and is still known as a city for students and liberals. The general vibe and even architecture look and feel different here. It's grungier than nearby Florence and less touristy than Venice.

We visited Bologna in June, and while the weather was nice then, we missed out on seeing it when the students were in town. I've heard the city is much livelier during the school year which is why I'm suggesting it for spring (or fall) instead of during the summer.

Where to Stay in Bologna

If you look at Bologna on a map, you'll see there's a highway that circles the city center. I recommend staying anywhere inside that circle so you can get around on foot instead of having to rely on public transportation.

📍A few of my top recommendations for places to stay in Bologna are:

• Budget Option: Casa Petronio Apartments: They offer a variety of apartments with 2-bedrooms, 1-bedrooms, or a studio to choose from. A bike rental and coffee shop is conveniently located in the same building.
• Mid-Tier Option: Central City Rooms m09: This is where we stayed in Bologna and we really enjoyed it. It's pet-friendly so we could bring our pets with us and it's really close to the train station which made coming and going easy.
• Luxury Option: Grand Hotel Majestic gia' Baglioni: For a taste of luxury and to be just steps from Piazza Maggiore, you'll love your stay at this high-end hotel where you'll feel as if you became a queen in the 1800s.

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4. Ivrea

Ivrea is a small town in the metropolitan area of Turin, the capital of the Piedmont region in Northern Italy.

Although it's a cute town to visit any month of the year, the real reason I have it on this list for March is because of their very unique carnival celebration, known as the Battle of the Oranges. I'm fairly sure this is one of the most unique events in Italy.

It's really exactly as it sounds, just with a little more order to the chaos. Anyone is welcome to join in on the festivities but you must join one of the 9 teams, either on foot or on a throwing carriage. Yes, there are carriages.

The roots of the festival date back to the Medieval age and participants pay homage by dressing the part. There are strict rules to abide by which you'll get briefed on when you sign up. I haven't yet joined in on this one but man, it really does look like a good story.

In 2025, this event will take place the first week of March.

Where to Stay in Ivrea

The town is quite small so you won't have too many options if you want to stay in Ivrea itself. For more options, book your stay in Turin and take the bus into town (about 1 hour).

Spazio[Bianco] is right in the center of town. You'll appreciate the bathtub in the room when it's time to wash off all the oranges!

For a nice stay in Turin, consider Residence Cloud 9.

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5. Gorizia

Last but certainly not least is Gorizia. Gorizia is located in Northern Italy, in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, right on the border with Slovenia.

In 2025, Gorizia and its Slovenia counterpart, Nova Gorica, share the title of the European capital of culture. This is the first time that sister cities in two different countries will share the title.

The town itself is home to a very unique history and often called the City of Nicknames. Like much of the region, it was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire for hundreds of years. During WWI, it was a critical battle ground between the Austro-Hungarians and Italians. And after WWII, Gorizia and Nova Gorica were divided by a wall, like in Berlin, separating Yugoslavia from the Western world.

Today, it's a quiet yet pretty town that's worth a visit for those that want to see more of local life. It's also surrounded by vineyards and is a fantastic destination for those that enjoy sipping local wines.

Where to Stay in Gorizia

Although a small city, there are plenty of places to stay. For those that just want to see the city though, it's an easy day trip from Trieste.

📍If you want to book your stay in Gorizia though, I recommend:

• Budget Option: Loving My Rooms 3: This apartment oozes charm in my opinion. You'll get a real sense of the history in this room with exposed brick and wooden beams.
• Mid-Range Option: 1848 Chef's Rooms: For just a taste of the historic city, stay at this renovated property.
• Luxury Option: Palazzo Lantieri: This villa is just outside of the city center (but still within walking distance). Choose between two different room types, both super unique.

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Travel Tips for March in Italy

To make sure your March trip to Italy goes smoothly, there are a few travel tips to keep in mind.

As a fun little note, keep in mind that International Women's Day (Festa della Donna) is March 8th this year. While this won't affect opening hours or schedules, you'll likely see more flowers and chocolates being sold. If you're traveling Italy with a woman, treat her right and let her enjoy her special day, as well!

Is March a Good Time to Visit Italy?

March is a great time to visit Italy if you're looking for less crowds, cooler weather, and more affordable prices on accommodation.

But with those pros, there are a few cons to visiting Italy in early spring.

March weather might be a little unpredictable. Some days might be warm and sunny and others might be cool and rainy. As the month goes on, you'll be rewarded with longer daylight hours and warmer and warmer weather.

In general, the farther south you go in Italy, the warmer the weather should be. Northern Italy, especially in the mountains, will likely still hold a winter chill, with occasional snowfall.

Packing & Planning

Packing might be a little tough for your March trip, especially if you prefer to travel carry-on like I do. You'll need to pack for both cold and rainy days and warm and sunny days.

The best recommendation I can give you is to layer.

Even if you're traveling to Southern Italy in March, I still recommend you pack a jacket. I needed mine each night in Matera without fail!

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Where Will You Visit in Italy in March?

With so many wonderful places to visit in Italy in March, which ones will you choose? Although I've given you destinations from Southern Italy to the northern borders with Slovenia and Switzerland, I highly recommend you plan your trip to one region or area and explore deeper rather than hopping around too much.

I know it can be tempting to see as much of Italy as possible on your trip but I urge you instead to really immerse yourself in just a few destinations instead.