Complete Packing list for Italy in March: all you need to pack, what you can get here
Complete Packing list for Italy in March with clothing essentials, recommendation for the best shoes for Italy, what to bring from home and what you can easily get once in Italy.
March is one of the hardest months to pack for Italy as you never really know what to expect from the weather.
March is spring in Italy and while you can, in general, trust you will not find extreme temperatures, what you actually get each day can vary.
Depending on the year, day and even time of day, you may find in March in Italy you’ll have some warm sunny moments, some rain, some warmer days and come chillier ones.
In Italian we say March is ‘crazy’ and indeed it is! March weather is unpredictable. This is not ideal for packing but still, I have a packing list for you!
I am Italian, so i know well what March in Italy is like and I also travel regularly around Italy in March, as often we get a school break now. So, based on my experiences, this is my packing list for Italy in March.
How much to pack for Italy in March
We usually pack for 5 days, no matter how long our trip is. This way, we can keep number of bags to a minimum. When we are about to run out of clean clothes, we do laundry. You can read here >>> how to go about laundry in Italy.
In terms of quantities, we usually pack:
- 7 pairs of underwear
- 7 pairs of socks
- 5 tops
- 2 sweaters
- 3 bottoms
- 2 pairs of shoes
- 1 pajama
More specifically, we like the following items.
Clothing
Long pants/jeans / skirt with tights/leggings
Long pants like chinos, cotton pants or jeans work great for March in Italy.
Chinos work great for men; for women, I like cotton pants with a bit of stretch so that they fit nicely and can be worn in nicer restaurants or jeans.
For kids, my two tend to wear leggings and tracksuit bottoms, so we usually go with those!
In most cases, March in Italy is too cold for shorts. If you tend to be always warm, make sure those are not all you have: at least one long pair of pants is likely to come in handy at least part of the time (and for churches)
Long and short-sleeved tops for layering
Layers are a traveler’s best friend in March.
I usually bring dark-coloured long-sleeve tops and brighter short-sleeve ones that I can mix and match.
if you go late in March, you may be able to do without the long sleeve tops
One day-to-night top/shirt
I always include at least one top who can bring me from day to night.
My husband always packs a shirt and /or a polo shirt for men.
If you want to blend in with the locals, it is worth noticing that Italian men tend not to wear short-sleeved shirts (or short socks!).
Cardigan/sweater
I love cardigans as a mid-layer. My kids, on the other hand, find hoodies more comfortable, and my husband finds light-knitted sweaters the best.
They also look nice with a shirt if we want to feel a little dressed up for a restaurant.
A casual dress
I love wearing jersey dresses when traveling. They are comfortable and cute, you can dress them up or down, and they wash and dry quickly.
In March, you will likely feel cold on your legs, so I advise you to do things like the locals and embrace tights!
Italians love tights, and you see them in all colors, worn at all ages.
Bags
I love crossbody bags for travel.
A good crossbody bag that is big enough for daily essentials but not so big to be excessively heavy and a hindrance when visiting museums is a must-have when packing for Italy.
Make sure it is big enough for your travel wallet, documents, phone and camera charger and ideally, a reusable water bottle and guidebook.
You do not need any special bag for Italy, whatever crossbody you use at home will work well here too.
I find it handy to also have a canvas tote bag for the occasional purchase and a small backpack for each child.
A light jacket or trench
In March in Italy, it is wise to have a mid-season jacket. I like short, puffy jackets, especially if they can take rain, which is possible in March.
What to pack for Italy in March to visit churches
March usually doesn’t cause major issues in terms of church attire as the temperature tends to call for covreed shoulders and knees anyway.
However, it is good to be aware of the dress code:
- Big churches require to cover shoulders but have no problem with arm showing so if you are a t-shirt, this is ok (no spaghetti straps)
- Shorts are only allowed below the knee. This is considered a sign of respect to the sacred space: pants that zip on/off at the kneed or a maxi skirt you can wear on top of a shorter one for the duration of the visit is a good option.
Good to know! The dress code for small kids in churches is not as strict, so you do not need special clothing for them to visit churches. If you have older kids, below-the-knee shorts, skirts or pants with zips that convert from long to short are a great option. There is no exact cut-off date for kids wearing shorts in churches, so the best way is to go with the spirit of the rule. If your child is old enough that short shorts may be considered ‘immodest’ by a strict interpretation of the word, it is best to get them more covered up to avoid being turned away.
What to pack for Italy in March: shoes
In Italy, you are guaranteed to walk a lot; therefore, getting shoes right is essential!
So essential, in fact, that I have a full guide about it here >>> the best shoes for Italy travel
In a nutshell, I recommend you bring:
- Good walking shoes with enough arch support to allow for long hours on your feet. Sneakers work great and if you opt for fashion styles like new balance or adidas stan smith or similar, they are so popular you’ll be able to wear them pretty much exclusively no matter what outfit you go for.
I usually recommend to bring two pairs should one get wet in the rain.
- Water shoes for the kids: many Italian beaches have pebbles and rocks, so kids tend to do much better with watersheds protecting their feet. while you won’t spend much time on the beach in March, if you ate planning even just a day close to one, a pair of water shoes can be handy. We find they also double up well as slippers for hotel rooms and rentals, as in Italy often the floors are tiled and can get quite cold!
Documents
Of course, you don’t want to forget your document, including:
- Passport
- Visa if needed
- Travel Insurance
- International driven permit if needed
- Kids’ birth certificate if needed (for instance, if traveling along with a minor with a different surname than you)
- Prescriptions
Need to know! I hear all the time, on travel forums, misleading information about driving permits. Please, only trust OFFICIAL SOURCES when figuring out if you need one! For instance, if you are from the US, you can use your embassy website page to get reliable info >>> https://it.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/local-resources-of-u-s-citizens/transportation-driving/ Please remember that is the permit is a legal requirement for you, the fact that others on the web ‘were not asked’ when picking up the car rental is irrelevant and does not mean it is ok to go without one – if the police finds you without, they will fine you.
- One more thing! A quick Italian reference phrase list!
English is widely spoken in tourist areas especially. However, having basic Italian helps!
You can find here >>> my must-have list of Italian phrases for travelers.
Tech and electronics
- Phone
- Charger cables
- Power adapter and converter – this is essential if you travel from the US, for instance, and want to use items such as a curling iron or a hairdryer as anything non dual voltage will fry with the system her (most places provide hair dryers but not all or they may not be very powerful. If you are used to doing your hair a certain way, it can be handy to bring your own)
- Extra battery pack
- Tablets/kids entertainment if using
- E-reader if using
What to pack for Italy in March: toiletries
You can buy toiletries in Italy, supermarkets, pharmacies and other shops.
Find here >>> all you need to know about Italian supermarkets
If you are bringing your own, don’t forget:
- Shower gel (often provided at accommodation)
- Shampoo (often provided)
- Conditioner (not usually provider)
- Face moisturizer (body lotion is often provided)
- Deodorant
- Shaving cream + safety blades
- Brush /comb/hair ties
- Dental kit: toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss
- Tweezers
- Nail file
- Makeup if using
- Female hygiene essentials
- Hand sanitizer
What to pack for March in Italy: medications
In Italy, you can buy medications in pharmacies.
However, it is a good idea to pack some essentials. We usually always pack:
- Paracetamol or equivalent
- Basic first aid kit (plasters etc)
- Any medication you may be using at home regularly. If prescription, make sure you carry them in their original packaging and take note of the active agent should you need to source it in Italy
- Motion sickness remedy if using
Accessories
- Sunglasses
- Cute hair accessories
- Refillable water bottle
- Selfie stick
Baby toddler packing list for Italy in March
In addition to the above, if traveling to Italy with kids, I recommend you consider bringing a few additional items.
Good to know: you do not to pack ALL this gear! This list is meant to help you consider all you might need and pick what suits you.
- Babygrows and onesies
- Baby socks
- Stroller – a lifesaver with all the walking you will be doing, don’t let cobbles deter you! You’ll be happy to have your kids down occasionally! Find here >>> tips for using a stroller in Italy
- Baby Carrier
- Portable high chair: not a must but a fabric one that folds small can be handy on occasion
- Blackout blinds if using
- Baby sleeping bag
- Diaper changing essentials for the journey – you can then source all baby products once in Italy in supermarkets and pharmacies. Read here >>> where to buy baby essentials in Italy.
- Teether/toys
- Baby cup
- Sterilizing equipment if using
- In terms of clothing, kids will be the most comfortable with layers and good walking shoes for early walkers.
- You will not need swimming gear unless going to a hotel with an indoor pool.
How to pack for Italy in March: style wise
In Italy, you can wear pretty much whatever you want!
I always hear people worrying about ‘looking like a tourist’ and I can understand the concern. However, please don’t worry too much!
In terms of safety, there are so many tourists, you will not stand out almost anywhere.
You’ll have more visitors in popular locations than locals (think Florence Duomo area, Cinque Terre, Amalfi Coast) so your tourist gear will perfectly blend in with the people around.
For style, there is a huge variety nowadays even among locals, so there is no right or wrong or at least, no more than back home!
You may need to dress up for a fancy restaurant or special events but for standard sightseeing, the only important thing when picking for Italy in March is to be comfortable and weather appropriate – the rest is details!
That said, there are some style tips that I believe can help.
Jersey dresses, cotton pants, jeans and chinos are very popular and great for Italy in March.
Shorts are not common this time of year and, on adults, they tend to ‘give you away’ as a tourist.
This is not necessarily a problem, but it may be handy to know if you wonder why locals seem to embrace them!
Similarly, for men, athletic wear is considered sports gear and would not be everyday attire for locals; it’s usually what ‘gives away’ you are a tourist. Again, not a problem! This is background information more than a stye do / don’t
Locally, chinos are very common for men and acceptable in all situations except the most high-end restaurants, where specific dress code may apply
I hope you found this packing list for Italy in March useful and it helps you pack for you trip! Safe travels!