Things to Do in Vatican City in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
March Weather in Vatican City
Is March Right for You?
Advantages
- Manageable crowds compared to Easter peak season - Vatican Museums see roughly 30-40% fewer visitors in early March versus late March/April, meaning you'll actually have space to appreciate the Sistine Chapel ceiling without being shoulder-to-shoulder
- Spring weather makes outdoor exploration genuinely pleasant - at 10-15°C (50-59°F), you can comfortably walk St. Peter's Square and climb the dome without the summer heat exhaustion that hits by May. The cooler air also means clearer views from the dome's 136-meter (446-foot) summit
- Accommodation pricing sits in the sweet spot - hotels in nearby Prati and Borgo neighborhoods typically run 25-35% less than Easter week rates, and you'll have better selection since most visitors haven't started spring break planning yet
- Longer daylight hours than winter months - by mid-March you're getting sunset around 6:30pm versus 5pm in January, giving you that extra golden hour for photographing St. Peter's Basilica facade without needing to rush your afternoon
Considerations
- Weather unpredictability makes planning tricky - March sits in that transitional zone where you might get a sunny 18°C (64°F) day or a drizzly 8°C (46°F) afternoon, sometimes within the same week. That 2.3 inches of rain tends to come in short bursts rather than all-day downpours, but it'll disrupt outdoor queue time
- Late March crowds surge dramatically - if you're visiting after March 20th, you're essentially hitting pre-Easter season when Italian school groups and early pilgrims flood in. The difference between March 10th and March 25th is substantial, sometimes doubling wait times at security checkpoints
- Limited evening hours at major sites - unlike summer when Vatican Museums occasionally open Friday nights, March keeps standard hours. You're working with 9am-6pm windows, and last entry at 4pm means you need to plan your day carefully or risk missing out
Best Activities in March
Vatican Museums Early Morning Access Tours
March weather makes the 7:30am early access slots actually bearable - you're not dealing with July's heat, but you get that same advantage of walking through the Gallery of Maps and Raphael Rooms with maybe 50 people instead of 500. The cooler temperatures mean the non-air-conditioned sections stay comfortable. The light in early March is particularly good for the Sistine Chapel, coming through at a lower angle than summer.
St. Peter's Basilica Dome Climb
The 551 steps to the dome top are significantly more pleasant at 12-15°C (54-59°F) than in summer heat. March's clearer air - less humidity than summer months - means better visibility across Rome from the 136-meter (446-foot) summit. Worth noting the climb gets progressively narrower, and in March's cooler weather you won't be overheating in those tight spiral sections. The dome typically closes during rain for safety, so check morning weather before committing.
Vatican Gardens Walking Tours
March is actually ideal for the gardens - spring blooms start appearing mid-month, the grass is green from winter rain, and temperatures in the 12-16°C (54-61°F) range make the 2-hour walking tour comfortable. The gardens cover 23 hectares (57 acres) of the Vatican's 44 hectares, so you're doing real walking here. The fountains are fully operational by March, and you'll see early wisteria and magnolias if you're visiting after March 15th. These tours access areas completely off-limits to regular museum visitors.
Castel Sant'Angelo Combined Visits
The 10-minute walk from St. Peter's to Castel Sant'Angelo is actually pleasant in March weather - you're crossing Ponte Sant'Angelo without summer crowds or winter rain. The castle itself is underrated by first-timers but offers incredible views back toward St. Peter's dome from its terrace. In March's clearer air, the photo opportunities from the upper levels are exceptional. The interior museum is climate-controlled, making it a solid backup plan if rain hits during your Vatican day.
Sistine Chapel Guided Context Tours
March's medium crowds mean guides can actually stop and explain details without being pushed along by crushing crowds. The chapel doesn't allow talking inside, so quality tours do their explanation in the room just before entry - in March you'll have space to see the reference materials and ask questions. The chapel's lighting is consistent year-round, but March visitors benefit from slightly longer museum hours than winter, giving more flexibility in timing your visit to avoid peak 11am-2pm crowds.
Borgo and Prati Neighborhood Walking Exploration
The neighborhoods immediately surrounding Vatican City are where actual Romans live and work - and March weather is perfect for exploring on foot. You'll find morning markets, neighborhood bakeries, and local restaurants that close for August vacation but are fully operational in March. The area between Vatican walls and Castel Sant'Angelo has medieval street layouts worth wandering. Via Cola di Rienzo offers shopping without tourist markup, and morning coffee culture is best experienced here rather than in Vatican-facing cafes that charge 5 euros for espresso.
March Events & Festivals
Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter
February 22nd occasionally extends into early March celebrations depending on the liturgical calendar. This feast day celebrates Peter's authority as first pope and typically includes special masses at St. Peter's Basilica. Not a major tourist event but interesting if you're visiting during this window - you'll see increased pilgrim activity and special decorations in the basilica. Access remains normal but expect larger crowds at morning masses.
Pre-Easter Preparations
Late March sees Vatican City preparing for Holy Week and Easter - you'll notice confession booths being added to St. Peter's Basilica, special decorations appearing, and increased security presence. Not an event per se, but the atmosphere shifts noticeably after March 20th as the Vatican gears up for its busiest season. If you're visiting late March, you're essentially seeing the calm before the Easter storm, with workers installing crowd barriers and sound systems in St. Peter's Square.