Things to Do in Palermo in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
March Weather in Palermo
Is March Right for You?
Advantages
- Spring wildflower season transforms the countryside around Palermo - the hills behind Monreale and Monte Pellegrino are carpeted in poppies, wild fennel, and citrus blossoms. You'll catch locals foraging for wild asparagus and artichokes along hiking trails, something that's completely done by mid-April when temperatures spike.
- Significantly fewer crowds than April through October, meaning you can actually enjoy the Cappella Palatina and Cathedral without being shuffled through in a tour group scrum. Museums like Palazzo Abatellis often have entire rooms to yourself mid-morning on weekdays. Hotel prices run about 30-40% lower than summer peaks.
- March marks the tail end of Sicilian citrus season, so markets are overflowing with blood oranges, mandarins, and the prized femminello lemons at rock-bottom prices. This is when locals make their year's supply of marmalade and limoncello. You'll find seasonal dishes like pasta con le sarde and wild fennel fritters that disappear from menus by May.
- Comfortable walking weather for exploring Palermo's dense historic center - you can cover 8-10 km (5-6 miles) on foot without the brutal summer heat. The 16°C (61°F) highs are perfect for climbing to Monreale or hiking the Favorita Park trails. Locals are still in their outdoor cafe rhythm before retreating indoors for summer.
Considerations
- Weather genuinely swings day to day - you might get three gorgeous sunny days followed by two where it's gray and drizzly. That 70% humidity combined with temperatures hovering around 12-14°C (54-57°F) can feel surprisingly raw, especially in the mornings. Pack layers because what works at 10am won't work at 3pm.
- Some coastal beach clubs and seasonal restaurants around Mondello haven't opened yet for the season - they typically launch Easter weekend or early April. If you're planning day trips to smaller coastal towns like Cefalù or Scopello, expect limited restaurant options and some hotels still closed from winter.
- Rain showers are genuinely unpredictable - not the reliable afternoon pattern you get in tropical climates. You might have brilliant sunshine at breakfast and need an umbrella by lunch, or vice versa. Those 10 rainy days average out to about one in three, but they cluster randomly. Indoor backup plans aren't optional.
Best Activities in March
Historic Center Walking Routes
March weather is genuinely ideal for covering Palermo's Quattro Canti, Ballarò Market, and Norman Palace district on foot. The 16°C (61°F) afternoons mean you can walk 6-8 km (3.7-5 miles) comfortably without the June-September heat that forces locals into siesta mode. Start around 9:30am when market vendors are in full swing but before any afternoon clouds roll in. The lower UV index means less aggressive sun protection, though you'll still want SPF 30+ by midday.
Monreale Cathedral and Mountain Routes
The 8 km (5 mile) trip up to Monreale is spectacular in March when wildflowers line the mountain roads and you can actually see the Conca d'Oro valley without summer haze. The cathedral's Byzantine mosaics benefit from the softer March light coming through the windows - less harsh than summer glare. Combine it with hiking trails behind the cathedral through almond groves that are just finishing their bloom. Temperature drops about 3-4°C (5-7°F) from Palermo, so that light jacket you don't need in the city suddenly matters.
Sicilian Cooking Workshops
March is peak season for cooking classes because you're working with actual spring ingredients - wild fennel, fava beans, artichokes, and the last of the blood oranges. This is when Sicilian home cooks are making these dishes anyway, so you're learning the real seasonal calendar rather than tourist-menu versions. The classes typically run 3-4 hours in residential kitchens or agriturismos in the countryside. Rain-proof activity that works perfectly for those unpredictable gray afternoons.
Valley of the Temples Day Trips
Agrigento sits about 130 km (80 miles) south and March weather there tends slightly warmer and drier than Palermo - you'll often escape the coastal clouds. The ancient Greek temples are spectacular without summer's brutal sun reflecting off white limestone, and crowds are minimal on weekdays. You can explore the 1,300-hectare archaeological park without the heat exhaustion that makes July visits genuinely miserable. Almond trees around the temples are finishing their bloom in early March.
Mount Etna Excursions
March is actually one of the better months for Etna since you avoid summer's tour bus crowds but can still reach the higher elevations before serious snow closes routes. The volcano is about 200 km (124 miles) east, roughly 2.5-3 hours driving. You'll see snow on the summit above 2,500 m (8,200 ft) but lower slopes around 1,800-2,000 m (5,900-6,560 ft) are accessible. Weather is notoriously changeable - brilliant sunshine can turn to fog in 20 minutes. Temperature drops roughly 1°C per 150 m elevation, so expect 5-8°C (41-46°F) at crater areas even when Palermo is 16°C (61°F).
Segesta and Selinunte Archaeological Sites
These western Greek temple sites are less famous than Agrigento but equally impressive and virtually empty in March. Segesta's hilltop temple sits about 75 km (47 miles) west of Palermo with panoramic views over valleys that are green and flower-covered in spring - completely brown by July. Selinunte's coastal ruins are another 40 km (25 miles) south. The combination makes a full day without the summer heat that makes these exposed sites brutal. Wind can be significant at Segesta's elevation, especially afternoons.
March Events & Festivals
Feast of San Giuseppe
March 19th marks Saint Joseph's Day, which is huge in Sicily. You'll find elaborate altars called Tavole di San Giuseppe set up in churches and private homes throughout Palermo, covered with traditional breads shaped into intricate designs, fava beans, and meatless dishes. Neighborhoods around Ballarò and Vucciria markets host communal feasts. This is when sfinci di San Giuseppe - ricotta-filled fried pastries - appear in every pasticceria. The celebration has genuine local participation rather than tourist performance.
Almond Blossom Festival
Early March catches the tail end of almond blossom season in Agrigento's Valley of the Temples area. While the peak bloom is typically late February, the festival extends through early March with folk performances, traditional music, and local food stalls. Worth timing if you're planning that day trip anyway - you'll see the white and pink blossoms against ancient Greek temples, which is admittedly spectacular.