Things to Do in Turin in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
March Weather in Turin
Is March Right for You?
Advantages
- Spring awakening without the crowds - March sits in that sweet spot before Easter tourists flood in, meaning you'll actually get elbow room at the Egyptian Museum and can photograph Palazzo Reale without dodging selfie sticks. Hotel rates typically run 25-35% lower than April-May.
- Alpine visibility at its peak - The winter snow has settled but hasn't melted yet, giving you those postcard-perfect views of snow-capped Alps from Superga hill and Monte dei Cappuccini. Clear days (which you'll get about 18-20 days this month) offer 50 km (31 mile) visibility straight to Monte Rosa.
- Chocolate season in full swing - Turin's legendary cioccolaterie are still running their winter hot chocolate programs (bicerin season doesn't officially end until late March), and you'll catch the tail end of CioccolaTò if it runs early in the month. The thick, almost pudding-like hot chocolate at historic cafes is genuinely better in cooler weather.
- Aperitivo culture without the summer tourist markup - Local aperitivo spots haven't switched to peak-season pricing yet, and you'll find Torinese locals still dominating the evening scene rather than tour groups. Expect to pay 8-12 euros for aperitivo with generous buffet spreads, versus 15-20 euros come summer.
Considerations
- Weather unpredictability requires flexible planning - That 3°C to 14°C (38°F to 58°F) range isn't just day-to-night variation, it's day-to-day chaos. You might get a sunny 15°C (59°F) Tuesday perfect for wandering Valentino Park, then a grey 6°C (43°F) Wednesday with drizzle that makes outdoor plans miserable. Pack for all scenarios.
- Rain comes without warning and lingers - Unlike summer's quick afternoon thunderstorms, March rain in Turin tends to settle in for 3-5 hours of steady drizzle. Those 10 rainy days don't sound like much until you realize they can derail half your sightseeing plans if you've only got a long weekend.
- Some mountain activities still closed - If you're hoping to combine Turin with hiking in Val di Susa or Gran Paradiso, many rifugi (mountain huts) don't open until late March or early April, and trail conditions above 1,500 m (4,920 ft) remain snowy and potentially dangerous without proper winter gear.
Best Activities in March
Egyptian Museum Extended Visits
March is genuinely ideal for spending 3-4 hours in the Museo Egizio without feeling rushed or overwhelmed by tour groups. The second-largest Egyptian collection in the world deserves proper attention, and the cooler weather makes the walk from Porta Nuova station pleasant rather than sweaty. Morning visits (9-11am) are quietest. The museum's climate control feels comfortable when it's 8°C (46°F) outside.
Historic Cafe Crawls
Turin's Belle Époque cafes are perfect March destinations when the weather turns grey. These aren't just coffee shops - they're gilded, chandeliered time capsules where you can spend 90 minutes over bicerin (coffee-chocolate-cream layered drink invented here) and pastries. The experience feels right at 10°C (50°F) outside, wrong at 28°C (82°F). Hit 3-4 cafes across an afternoon, spacing them with short walks through the arcaded streets.
Superga Basilica and Tramway
The 1884 rack railway climbing 425 m (1,394 ft) to Superga hill offers those spectacular Alpine panoramas, and March gives you the best visibility before spring haze sets in. On clear days (ask your hotel to check morning visibility), you'll see the entire Alps arc from Monte Rosa to Monviso. The basilica itself is less crowded, and the cooler temps make the outdoor viewing terraces comfortable for lingering.
Valentino Park and Po River Walks
The 500,000 sq m (123 acre) park along the Po starts showing early spring life in March - crocuses popping up, trees budding, locals emerging for their passeggiata. It's not full spring bloom yet, but that's actually nice - fewer crowds, and the medieval borgo reconstruction is more atmospheric under grey skies. The 3 km (1.9 mile) riverside path from Valentino to Piazza Vittorio makes a perfect afternoon walk when temperatures hit 12-14°C (54-57°F).
Reggia di Venaria Day Trips
This massive Baroque palace complex 10 km (6.2 miles) north of Turin sees minimal crowds in March, making it actually possible to appreciate the restored royal apartments and 80,000 sq m (20 acre) gardens without tour group chaos. The formal gardens aren't in bloom yet, but the architectural bones and water features are arguably more visible. The indoor galleries are extensive enough for a rainy day backup.
Langhe Wine Region Tours
March is the quiet season in Piedmont wine country, meaning smaller groups, better attention from winery staff, and lower rates. The vines are still dormant (not picturesque if you want Instagram-worthy vineyard shots), but serious wine people prefer this - you focus on the cellars, the wine, the food, without the summer tour bus crowds. The 60-90 minute drive south through rolling hills is scenic regardless of season.
March Events & Festivals
CioccolaTò
Turin's major chocolate festival typically runs for 10 days in early-to-mid March, transforming Piazza Vittorio and surrounding streets into a massive chocolate marketplace. You'll find artisan chocolatiers from across Piedmont and Italy offering tastings, demonstrations, and specialty products you won't find in regular shops. It's crowded during the festival, but genuinely worth adjusting your dates for if you're a chocolate person - this is the city that invented gianduiotto and solid chocolate bars, after all.
Torino Città del Cinema Screenings
While not a single festival, March marks when the National Cinema Museum ramps up its spring programming with special retrospectives and director series. The museum inside the Mole Antonelliana is worth visiting anyway (that vertical cinema experience in the dome is wild), but March often features evening screenings and talks that give you something cultural to do after dark when it's too cold for wandering.