10 Things to Do in Rome in March

The end of winter and the beginning of spring in Rome is an ideal time to organise a trip to the Italian capital. The temperature is more moderate than in the harshest months of winter and the days are getting longer.

In addition, one of the most eagerly awaited events of the year, Holy Week, gets off to a strong start, and the calendar is filled with outdoor activities, in which gardens and terraces take centre stage. Take note of this guide with 10 things you can do in March if you are travelling during this special month. Read on!

Whether you are a spiritual person or not, one of the most impressive events in the Eternal City is Holy Week in Rome. In general, it is celebrated with great devotion in Catholic countries, but do you know how Holy Week is commemorated in the Italian capital? Read on carefully.

If you are planning to travel to Rome during Holy Week and are not sure when, consider the following suggestions:

• Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, and you can attend a mass officiated by the Pope celebrating Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem and see thousands of faithful gathered with their olive branches.
• Holy Wednesday is also a day to keep in mind because you can book tickets for the Papal Audience.
• Easter Sunday is another day worth experiencing in Rome at this time of year. It is the big celebration commemorating the resurrection of Christ. You will be swept up in the atmosphere of joy and jubilation in St. Peter's Square!

And on your trip to Rome during Holy Week, be sure to book a guided tour of the catacombs and basilicas of Rome, where you will discover the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore and the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, as well as the catacombs of St. Callixtus, in a unique setting. You won't regret it!

If you are passionate about history, don't miss the tribute held in Rome on 15 March to mark the anniversary of the death of Emperor Julius Caesar, one of the most charismatic and idolised figures of Ancient Rome.

When you book your tickets to the Colosseum, the Forum and the Palatine Hill, keep in mind that on this day there are several cultural events held in the Roman Forum, next to the statue of Julius Caesar.

Without a doubt, what surprised me most about this celebration was the re-enactment of his death by wonderful actors, which took place at the actual site where he was assassinated: the archaeological site of Largo di Torre Argentina, a busy square in the centre of the Eternal City. It will give you goosebumps! There, you will see the so-called Liberators in costume, who were the ones who carried out the fateful plan. You will take a non-stop journey through time!

One of my favourite pastimes in Rome was strolling through the gardens about to bloom, such as Villa Borghese, where I discovered the impressive sculptures of Villa Borghese.

Another option if you want to experience spring in its purest form at the end of March is to visit the Spanish Steps, where you will see a festival of colours. The Spring Festival covers the baroque steps of the square with thousands of white, pink and purple azaleas, which, although picturesque all year round, are even more striking in spring in Rome due to the combination of colours that decorate them. From there, you can take some of the best photos of the Eternal City!

Every 17th of March, a green wave invades the Eternal City and Irish pubs are transformed to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, the patron saint of Ireland. These venues are filled with redheads living in Rome who organise fun activities involving beer (the famous pints), folklore and shamrocks. This tradition has been adopted by other major cities around the world, such as New York, Buenos Aires and Madrid. After all, any excuse is a good excuse to raise a glass, right?

St. Patrick also makes an appearance at the city's most iconic monument, the Colosseum in Rome, which is bathed in emerald green thanks to a campaign by the Irish Tourist Board, which every year fills the world's most famous facades with colour, including that of the iconic amphitheatre.

My recommendation, if you are in Italy at this time of year, is to book your ticket for the Colosseum in Rome. And, of course, after your visit, look for an Irish pub in the capital to toast the saint. Remember to say "Sláinte!" to feel like a true Irishman, instead of the traditional "cheers!".

If one of your New Year's resolutions is to lose weight and you want to do it in a unique place, I recommend the marathon held annually in the Eternal City. The race starts in front of the Colosseum, one of Rome's most famous monuments, which has been standing for 2,000 years. Is there a better way to get in shape?

From here, you will run past fabulous postcard images such as St. Peter's Basilica, the Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, the Spanish Steps and many other bohemian and picturesque streets in the historic centre of the city. You will never want to go back to the gym.

The lighter version of the marathon

The popular Rome Marathon usually takes place on the third Sunday in March, with participants running 42 kilometres through the Eternal City. In this race, you'll meet participants from all over the world, and don't worry if you're not in great shape, because there's a shorter 4-kilometre route designed for beginners. Another option for getting in shape is to book a bike tour along the Appian Way.

Would you like to enjoy International Women's Day in a different way during your trip to the Italian capital? 8 March is celebrated in most countries around the world, but in Italy it is characterised by a very special custom: giving women a beautiful bouquet of mimosas.

Visit any florist or the iconic market in Piazza del Campo dei Fiori and get yours. It's always a good time to treat yourself, and even more so when you're on holiday.

The origin of this tradition dates back to 1946, when the Second World War ended, at which time Teresa Noce, Rita Montagnana and Teresa Mattei handed out bouquets of this flower to women in the street, symbolising strength and the ability to be reborn anywhere, even in scorched earth.

Taste the flower-shaped sweets

Those with a sweet tooth can try the "mimosa" cake, which, by the way, is finger-licking good! Any holiday is a good excuse in Italy to bring out the heavy artillery: its exquisite sweets and cuisine! Almost all bakeries prepare yellow cakes for this day that resemble the plant.

In addition, many shops offer discounts and restaurants prepare special menus for Women's Day. Some years, admission to museums has even been free for women. So don't hesitate to book a gastronomic tour of Campo de Fiori and take advantage of it.

If you are lucky enough to spend seven days or more in Rome, including a Sunday, a great way to escape the cold is to visit the museums and marvel at the great works of Raphael, Rubens and Caravaggio. Doesn't sound too bad, does it?

Important information: on the first Sunday of the winter months, admission is completely free. However, bear in mind that there are very long queues at the most famous museums, where you can spend hours waiting. My advice is that, if you really want to go, buy your tickets in advance, especially for the Colosseum and Castel Sant'Angelo.

On the other hand, admission to the Vatican Museums is also free on the last Sunday of the month. I suggest you get up as early as possible to be among the first in line, which, believe me, you will appreciate. Take note of the tickets to the best museums you can visit in the Eternal City:

• The Capitoline Museums.
• The Vatican Museums.
• The Borghese Gallery.
• Castel Sant'Angelo.
• The Gladiator Museum.
• The Leonardo da Vinci Museum.

We know that Vespa motorbikes enjoy a divine aura in the Italian capital, proof of which is that even Audrey Hepburn succumbed to their charms. You can book a Vespa tour in Rome here. But what role do cars play in the Eternal City? Let's take a closer look at this example.

There is a church in Rome where cars can be blessed on 9 March. Although it may sound strange, even rental vehicles can participate and enjoy this unique and different celebration first-hand.

Where? In the Basilica of Santa Francesca Romana, located very close to the Roman Forum. This church dresses up to bless a large number of vehicles that surround it. At the end, all the cars honk their horns in an impromptu concert. It's one of the most curious things I've ever done in the capital!

If you travel to Rome this month, you can enjoy one of the most popular events in the Eternal City: Father's Day. The figure of Saint Joseph has always been highly revered by the Roman people. Proof of this can be seen in the numerous churches built in his honour and the widespread use of the name 'Giuseppe' among the people. For this reason, 19 March has always been a very special date in the Italian capital.

You will see how the main streets around the Basilica of San Giuseppe al Trionfale, where a mass is celebrated, fill with excitement and you can taste zeppole, the typical sweet of this anniversary, made with puff pastry and filled with tasty custard.

Experience a procession presided over by Saint Joseph

The day is traditionally commemorated with bonfires and, sometimes, with curious parades depicting scenes from the life of Saint Joseph. Until the 1960s, a procession was organised with the statue of the saint carried on the shoulders of the faithful.

If I say that during your trip you will smell the aroma of the best pizzas in Rome, wood-fired ovens and freshly brewed coffee as you stroll through the streets, I am not lying. Winter in Rome is synonymous with coffee in the Italian capital. You'll find thousands of types of coffee beans, as many as there are personalities on earth: sweet, bitter, fun, cortado... Here's a list of my favourite coffee shops:

• Sant'Eustachio Il Caffè (Piazza Sant'Eustachio, 82): a cosy café dating back to 1938 that retains its original décor and charm. A temple for caffeine addicts!
• Café Greco (Via Condotti, 86): considered the oldest café in the Eternal City. It is a classic for lovers of this drink.

Before boarding a flight, one of our biggest concerns is almost always the temperature. Therefore, I recommend that you check the weather forecast a few days before you travel. In general, temperatures range between 8°C and 15°C in March.

Be sure to bring a good coat and umbrella, as it is quite likely that you will encounter rain on some days. Daylight hours in March last almost 12 hours, giving you plenty of time to explore every secret corner of the Eternal City. Sunrise is at 06:22 and sunset is at 18:17.

March is still considered low season and, fortunately, the city is not as crowded with tourists as at other times of the year, so you can explore the city comfortably without having to waste time queuing for ages to get into the attractions.

The exception that proves the rule is Holy Week, a celebration that attracts thousands of religious visitors from all over the world and causes prices in the Eternal City (mainly flights and hotels) to rise significantly. My advice is to buy your tickets as far in advance as possible. Grab a pen and paper and write down some of the key points for organising your trip to Rome.