While winter in Spain is much milder than most other European destinations, the arrival of spring in March brings a rejuvenated sense of fun and passion. As the days get longer and warmer, the bar and restaurant terraces that stretch out over sunny squares become increasingly crowded, and you’ll find many locals enjoying the beautiful weather in Spain’s countless parks.
In addition to pleasant temperatures and abundant sunshine, March in Spain also brings with it a host of fun events and cultural activities. From flamenco to fallas , there is always something to do during this action-packed month.
Spain Weather in March
Temperatures across Spain in March will depend on where, exactly, in the country you are in. Areas along the north coast will remain a bit chilly, with highs in the low 50s, while the south begins to warm in the high 60s and even low 70s at times.
For central areas like Madrid, plan for average temperatures around 60 degrees Celsius.
Spain really comes alive at night, when the locals go out for tapas, drinks and dancing until the wee hours of the next morning. If you plan to join them, be aware that the low temperatures during the night hours tend to be quite cold in March in Spain. Think of the low 30s in Madrid and the 40s in areas like Barcelona, Andalusia and the north coast.
In terms of rainfall, March in Spain tends to be quite mild, with the entire country seeing an average of just over an inch of rain throughout the month. The north tends to be much rainier than the south, so pack an umbrella if the Basque Country or Galicia are on your itinerary.
Sunlight, on the other hand, is abundant. In general, Spain sees an average of 12 hours of sunlight per day in March. Great news for a relaxing stroll on one of the country’s stunning beaches, but it’s not swimming season yet.
What to pack
As you can see, the weather throughout Spain in March can vary quite a bit depending on your destination. A packing list for Malaga in March will be quite different than the one for San Sebastian in the same month. However, there are some elements that will be useful across the board for most cities in Spain in March.
Spaniards tend to dress according to the season, rather than the weather. Even though March tends to feel warm and sunny, you’ll generally see locals wearing jackets and scarves (it’s late winter / early spring after all). A stylish jacket and a scarf or two will help you blend in.
While March is not as rainy as April, unexpected rains do happen – throw a compact umbrella in your suitcase or backpack so you don’t get caught off guard.
If you are heading to a coastal area, leave your bathing suit at home, it is still too cold to swim, even in warmer areas like the southern Costa del Sol. A good pair of sunglasses are all you need to combat the sun’s rays at this time of year.
March events in Spain
Some of the most famous and passionate festivals of the year in Spain take place in March. Without a doubt, it is one of the best times of the year to immerse yourself in the authentic local culture and experience events like a local.
- Las Fallas in Valencia: Hundreds of intricate and imposing paper sculptures are built from scratch with excruciating detail, and then burned in a spectacular bonfire of gigantic proportions.
- Jerez Flamenco Festival : one of the liveliest small cities in Andalusia becomes the epicenter of the flamenco universe in this exciting annual festival.
- Sant Measure : a true neighborhood festival like no other, showing costumed characters parading through the Gracia neighborhood of Barcelona every year on March 3.
- FEMAS : Music lovers won’t want to miss this classical and baroque music festival in Seville, which generally lasts most of March.
- Classic Car Rally – Come watch rally drivers from all over Europe compete in this impressive racing event in sunny Mallorca.
Travel tips
In general, March is considered part of the low season in most of Spain. However, if you plan to attend Las Fallas in Valencia, book accommodation as early as possible – hotels and Airbnbs fill up quickly and prices tend to skyrocket.
For more information on whether you want to visit Spain in March, check out our guide to the best time to visit.
