The Amalfi Coast in March
The Amalfi Coast is one of the most popular places on the southern coast of Italy; 50km of Mediterranean scenery, colourful little towns and gorgeous beaches. Known for being a favorite holiday spot of the rich and glamorous, it’s a beautiful part of the country that is home to locations like Positano, Ravello, and Sorrento – all of which have a unique charm and plenty to offer every kind of visitor.
The Romans were the first to discover the Amalfi Coast as a vacation destination and many built villas along the coast, where they would spend the summers enjoying the weather, scenery, and range of attractions. It was put firmly on the map when wealthy Europeans began visiting the area as part of their ‘grand tour’, and has only grown in popularity since then.
No matter which part of the Amalfi Coast you visit, you’ll be greeted with beautiful views of the Tyrrhenian Sea from the beaches, towns, and villages that line this stretch of Italy. While it’s a very popular destination to spend a summer holiday, visiting in March means that you’ll get to enjoy the whole area in the off-season for tourism and have a much more authentic experience of this part of the country.
If you’re visiting Italy in March, a trip to the Amalfi Coast is an excellent way to spend your time. Here’s our guide to getting the best out of your vacation, including what to see and do and what to wear at the Amalfi Coast in March.
WEATHER IN THE AMALFI COAST IN MARCH
The Amalfi Coast climate is known for being hot and sunny from late in the spring through to the end of summer, and it starts to get a little warmer if you visit in March. You won’t get any of the classic southern coast weather (unless you’re really lucky) and there is a fair chance of wet weather too, but conditions are ideal for walking and sightseeing around the towns and villages.
The average Amalfi Coast temperature in March is 15°C-16°C during the day, which will feel pleasant enough when the sun is out but may still require a jacket or a thin coat. In the evenings the temperature can still drop to below 10°C, so unless you’re particularly immune to the cold, you probably won’t do much dining outside once the sun has set.
There is an average of five hours of sunshine every day on the Amalfi Coast in March, so most days you’ve got a fairly good chance of catching some rays. Daylight lasts for around 11 hours, with the sun usually rising around 6:30am and setting just before 6pm.
While Amalfi Coast weather in March is pretty good for the time of year, rain can be a concern if you’re planning a lot of outdoor activities. There is an average of 8 days of rain during the month, but showers can be prolonged and a significant proportion of days during the month tend to be overcast and a bit drizzly.
Don’t be put off by the weather forecast for weather on the Amalfi Coast in March though; you’ll still get days with beautifully sunny spring weather. It’s probably still too cold to enjoy a swim in the sea though – unless you’re a really experienced cold water swimmer!
FESTIVALS AND EVENTS ON THE AMALFI COAST IN MARCH
Holy Week
The majority of annual events that happen on the Amalfi Coast don’t kick off until the summer, but if Easter falls in March then there are celebrations held in most towns in the area to celebrate Holy Week.
Sorrento is where the biggest celebration of this religious festival is held, with processions through the streets of the town that have been held since the 1300s. These take place on the Thursday and Friday before Easter Sunday, organized by religious brotherhoods or fraternities from specific churches or parishes in the area, where hooded penitents and clergy walk through the streets of the town.
Most of these processions also involve singing from an all-male, acapella group at the back of the parade, usually performing classic Gregorian music.
There are also smaller-scale processions and celebrations in Positano, Maiori and Ravello, and every Christian church on the Amalfi Coast will hold an Easter Sunday service to mark the occasion, usually followed by a meal with family and friends.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO ON THE AMALFI COAST IN MARCH
Walk the Path of the Gods
The Path of the Gods, or Sentiero degli Dei in Italian, is a very popular walking route in Italy that winds through part of the Amalfi Coast. The weather in March offers the ideal climate for hiking, so spending a day or two walking this famous route is highly recommended.
Most people start the walk in Bomerano or Praiano, and the route is very well signposted the whole way. The terrain along the path is varied, so you will need suitable walking shoes if you’re going to hike the whole way, but the views of the coast are spectacular and you’ll have the path mostly to yourself.
Enjoy the Flowers
The Amalfi Coast has some of the most stunning natural scenery in Italy, and at the start of spring the flowers that line the coastline start to blossom. If you visit towards the end of March you’ll get more of a show, but there will be early bulbs blooming throughout the month and the wisteria in particular is known as being particularly gorgeous in Amalfi.
Brave the Beach
The Amalfi Coast weather in March is mild but not overly warm, so most of the coastline’s beaches don’t tend to be very busy at this time of year. While the sea will still be very chilly and we don’t recommend a dip unless you’re really used to swimming in cold water, on particularly sunny days it can still be very nice to spend time at the beach enjoying the warmer weather and admiring views of the clear blue ocean.
The town of Maiori is known as having the best and biggest beach on the Amalfi Coast, but there are plenty of other gorgeous spots. Even if you don’t fancy braving a swim, a paddle down by the water’s edge will still be very refreshing.
Go Historic Sightseeing
As well as the beaches and beautiful scenery, the Amalfi Coast also has quite a few impressive historic sightseeing spots which are great for days when the March weather is a little more overcast. The Villa Cimbrone and Villa Rufolo in Ravello are two great examples; ancient Roman structures that are open to the public and offer wonderful views as well as an insight into the past.
If you’re happy to travel further afield, the ancient town of Pompeii isn’t too far from Sorrento on the coast and is an incredible spot for sightseeing and learning about the events of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79.
Hop to an Island
Sailing around the Amalfi Coast is a very popular pastime for those visiting the area, and if you fancy going a bit further afield, then hopping to an island like Capri from the coast is a great way to spend the day when the weather is particularly fine. The small island is located right on the edge of the Amalfi Coast just off the Sorrentine peninsula, so is best visited from this part of the area, although there aren’t likely to be many public ferry services running at the start of March.
The real allure of Capri is its unspoiled natural scenery, which in March you should be able to enjoy without any real interruption from other tourists. If you want to see more of the island, then staying the night is a great option, particularly as the usually high prices are likely to be much lower at this time of year.
Shop in Positano
Positano is one of the best-known towns on the Amalfi Coast, not only for its lovely beach and impressive array of restaurants, but also because of the surprisingly luxurious range of shops and boutiques. In the summer months, this location tends to be absolutely heaving with visitors, but in March you’ll likely get a lot of the shops to yourself, which is great if you’re looking to do some serious retail therapy and don’t want to be rushed when picking up souvenirs.
WHAT TO PACK WHEN VISITING THE AMALFI COAST IN MARCH
The weather on Amalfi Coast in March can be variable, so the key to packing well for your vacation is to bring lots of layers so you’re ready for sunshine one minute and rain the next.
We recommend that you pack a lightweight waterproof coat that you can carry with you during the day, or at the very least a jacket that will keep you dry enough if it rains. It might get warm enough to bring out the summer outfits, so ensure that you have at least one set of warm-weather clothes along with sunglasses and a hat.
Sunscreen is also important even if the weather is unlikely to get overly warm, as you can still burn if you’re outside all day, even with partial cloud cover.
Finally, if you’ve got a lot of sightseeing on foot and walking along the coast planned for your visit (which we definitely recommend), you need to pack a pair of comfortable shoes. Walking boots aren’t necessary unless you have some serious treks planned, but trainers or anything with good support and a comfy sole is essential.
TIPS FOR VISITING THE AMALFI COAST IN MARCH
Is March a good time to visit Italy? Absolutely, and the Amalfi Coast is one of the best places to enjoy the start of spring in the country.
First things first – remember that you are pretty likely to encounter some rain on your vacation during the month. Make sure that you’ve packed an umbrella and a waterproof coat or jacket to have with you during the day, and check the forecast before you go out so you’re not caught unaware by the weather.
Because you’re visiting just before the start of the high season for tourism, it’s a great idea to plan visits to some of the Amalfi Coast’s top-rated tourist attractions. While they won’t be totally empty, they’ll be void of the huge crowds that tend to gather over the summer months and give you the chance to see places like Positano, visit the Emerald Cave on a boat tour, take a day trip to Capri or spend the afternoon at the Villa Rufolo in Ravello.
March is a fantastic time of the year to plan an active vacation in the Amalfi Coast, as the mild temperatures mean that you won’t get too warm when you’re out exploring. Walking along the cliffs between coastal towns or across the beaches is lovely, and you can also enjoy boat rides out to nearby islands or just from harbour to harbour, whether you’ve chartered a vessel or are captaining it yourself.
If you’d like help planning a trip to the Amalfi Coast in March, or want to find out more about the tours we offer around this part of Italy, get in touch and speak to one of the experts here at Italy4Real.
