Cinque Terre and Lake Como in March?

Kind of too early in the season. I wouldn't stay longer than two nights and only if the weather forecast is good.

It will likely be on the "chilly" side in both locations, but whether it will be "too cold" is difficult to say without having some idea of what you consider "too cold". March is not an ideal time to visit either location. The Cinque Terre doesn't "officially" open for the season until 1 April, although some of the businesses should be open in mid-March.

Later in the year, I'd normally recommend three nights / two days in both locations.

Short answer - don't do it !!

Too early, too cold, too closed down.

Have you considered the Amalfi Coast? I little more temperate in March.

David,

Why would you say don't do it. I know thAt the weather will certainly not be the best. But is 1-2 days ok?

Also, we are planning to go to Amalfi coast. Thank u!

David in Brisbane,

When you were at the Cinque Terre, which village did you prefer? Although we went early in the season it was pleasant. As far as Lake Como, were you on the Swiss or Italian side? Again, for us, the earliness of the visit one year didn't detract, but it was different. There's quite a microclimate, don't you think?

Personally, I would not visit either of those places in Feb/March. If it's cold and rainy, there's simply not enough to do in either place. There aren't a lot of indoor attractions (museums, etc.) and you're taking too much of a chance that time of year that it will be rainy. Also, I don't know that a lot of restaurants and/or hotels will even be open during that time. I would probably take more of a chance in April/May but not Feb/March. We were in the CT a few years ago and it rained 2 out of the 3 days we were there and we're not talking about a light rain. It absolutely poured and we got drenched and couldn't find anything to do that didn't involve being outdoors so we returned to our hotel and hung out.

Are you planning to visit any other cities in Italy? Rome would be a great place to visit that time of year because there are so many indoor attractions if it's rainy/cold. I would even visit Venice over the CT and Lake Como because again, there are a lot of museums/churches, etc. Have a great trip.

Thank you everyone for your suggestions and recommendations. I have always wanted to go to Cinque Terre and Lake Como and have decided to go there towards the end of our trip. Since we have 21 days, we will be traveling the whole country of Italy (from Milan to Naples.... skipping Sicily) and then flying from Naples to Genoa. Next we will be going to CT for 2 days (even though the weather may not be the greatest). Next we will catch a local train from CT to Florence (our home base) and then take a high speed train to Venice (2 nights), and go to Lake Como (2 nights) for scenery and to relax. That will be the last stop of our trip as we leave to go home from Milan.

Thanks!

Sounds like a great trip, and with 3 weeks you have plenty of time to include Cinque Terre and Lake Como. If you have been dreaming of a place then I would always encourage you to try to get there and check it out, no matter what the time of year. I am hoping you get lucky with the weather, and take home some fantastic memories.

Thank you! :)