Things to Do in Amalfi Coast in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
March Weather in Amalfi Coast
Is March Right for You?
Advantages
- Genuine shoulder season pricing - hotels run 40-60% below summer rates, and you can actually negotiate walk-in deals at smaller properties. The big chains start their spring promotions in early March, so booking 3-4 weeks out typically gets you the sweet spot between early-bird discounts and last-minute desperation pricing.
- The coast belongs to locals and early-season Italian visitors in March - you'll wait maybe 10 minutes for a table at popular spots versus 2+ hours in July. The Path of the Gods hiking trail sees roughly 50-80 people daily instead of the summer's 800+, which fundamentally changes the experience from crowd management to actual hiking.
- Lemon trees are in full bloom by mid-March, and the entire coast smells incredible - that citrus-blossom scent mixed with sea air is what the locals call 'primavera costiera.' The winter rains keep everything impossibly green, so the terraced gardens and hillsides look more like Ireland than the sun-bleached Mediterranean you see in August photos.
- Restaurant kitchens are creative and relaxed before summer chaos begins - chefs have time to run seasonal specials with artichokes, fava beans, and the first puntarelle. March is when you'll find 'menu del giorno' actually means something interesting, not just tourist-feeding efficiency. The morning fish markets in Positano and Amalfi are worth visiting just to see what's coming out of cooler waters.
Considerations
- Weather genuinely is unpredictable - you might get three consecutive days of 18°C (64°F) sunshine followed by two days of 10°C (50°F) drizzle and wind. The Amalfi Coast's microclimate means Ravello can be foggy while Positano is sunny, sometimes within the same hour. This isn't ideal if you've planned your entire trip around beach days or specific photo ops.
- Ferry service runs on reduced winter schedules until late March - the Positano-Amalfi-Salerno route typically operates 3-4 times daily instead of summer's hourly departures, and rough seas cancel boats entirely maybe 3-4 days per month. If your plans depend on water transport, you'll need backup bus schedules and extra time buffers.
- Many beach clubs, seasonal restaurants, and tourist-oriented businesses don't open until late March or early April - particularly in Positano and Praiano. If you're expecting the full Amalfi experience with beachfront loungers and cocktail service, you'll find shuttered establishments and 'Apre Aprile' signs. About 30-40% of the coast's dining options simply aren't available yet.
Best Activities in March
Path of the Gods and Coastal Hiking Trails
March offers the absolute best hiking conditions on the coast - temperatures stay in the 12-16°C (54-61°F) range during midday, which is perfect for the 600 m (1,970 ft) elevation changes you'll encounter. The winter rains keep dust down and wildflowers start appearing by mid-month. The famous Sentiero degli Dei from Bomerano to Nocelle takes 3-4 hours and you'll likely see more goats than tourists. The Valle delle Ferriere trail near Amalfi is particularly spectacular in March when the waterfalls are actually flowing with volume.
Pompeii and Herculaneum Archaeological Tours
March is genuinely ideal for the excavation sites - summer's 35°C (95°F) heat reflecting off ancient stones is miserable, while March gives you comfortable 14-16°C (57-61°F) temperatures and dramatically smaller crowds. Herculaneum particularly benefits from low season since its covered structures make it viable even on drizzly days. The sites are 40-50 km (25-31 miles) from the coast towns, easily reached by Circumvesuviana train. You'll actually have space to contemplate the frescoes instead of being pushed along by tour groups.
Ravello Villa Gardens and Classical Music Venues
Ravello sits 350 m (1,150 ft) above sea level and March weather can be moody up there - but that's precisely when Villa Cimbrone and Villa Rufolo gardens are most atmospheric. The camellias bloom in March, and morning fog lifting off the Terrace of Infinity creates genuinely magical conditions for photography. The town is dead quiet before Easter week, so you can explore the medieval streets without the summer coach-tour crowds. The concert season hasn't started yet, but you can visit the venues and gardens that host the summer festival.
Traditional Ceramics Workshops in Vietri sul Mare
Vietri sul Mare, at the eastern end of the coast, has been producing hand-painted ceramics since the 15th century. March is perfect for workshop visits because artisans aren't overwhelmed with summer orders and actually have time to demonstrate techniques. The ceramics museum provides context, and walking the town's steep streets to find working studios makes for a great rainy-day activity. Water temperatures are still 14-15°C (57-59°F) so nobody's swimming anyway - might as well explore the craft traditions.
Amalfi and Sorrento Historic Center Walking Tours
March weather actually enhances exploring the historic centers - cooler temperatures make climbing the endless staircases bearable, and occasional rain gives you an excuse to duck into churches, paper mills, and workshops. Amalfi's cathedral and cloister are less crowded, and you can actually see the bronze doors without tour groups blocking them. Sorrento's old town maintains more year-round life than the smaller coast villages. The inlaid wood workshops are worth visiting to understand the marquetry tradition.
Cooking Classes Focusing on Spring Ingredients
March brings artichokes, fava beans, wild asparagus, and the season's first peas to Amalfi Coast kitchens - ingredients that don't appear in summer menus. Cooking classes in March tend to be smaller and more intimate since there's less tourist demand. You'll work with actual seasonal produce from morning markets rather than the generic tomato-mozzarella-basil routine of high season. Classes typically run 3-4 hours including market visits and lunch with wine.
March Events & Festivals
Feast of San Giuseppe (Saint Joseph's Day)
March 19th is a major celebration across the Amalfi Coast with traditional zeppole pastries appearing in every bakery - fried dough filled with custard cream that locals queue for starting early morning. Churches hold special masses and some towns organize small processions. It's not a tourist event but rather a genuine local celebration worth experiencing if your dates align. Bakeries sell out of zeppole by mid-afternoon.
Spring Equinox at Valle delle Ferriere
Not an organized event, but late March brings optimal conditions for the Valle delle Ferriere nature reserve hike near Amalfi. The waterfalls reach peak flow from winter and spring rains, and the rare woodwardia ferns that give the valley its name are vibrant green. The microclimate creates mist and dramatic lighting conditions around the equinox. The 8 km (5 mile) round-trip trail requires moderate fitness.