Barcelona in March: What's the weather like?

Barcelona's weather in March heralds a shift from winter to spring, with pleasantly mild temperatures, more sunshine and moderate rainfall. In good news for culture vultures, shoulder-season March also sees the capital of Catalunya serve as the scenic stage for some fabulous festivals. Sound appealing? Read on for detail on the weather in Barcelona in March, along with tips on how to plan your perfect early spring vacation.

Is March a good time to visit Barcelona?

March marks the beginning of spring in Barcelona, with warming temperatures and increased sunshine inviting outdoor sightseeing in the likes of Park Güell and Montjuïc.

At the same time, March crowds are a lot lighter than they are during the summer months, and travel costs are usually lower. 

This adds up to a more relaxed experience of a city that attracts huge numbers in the tourist high season.

In summary, with the weather in Barcelona in March being mild, and crowds being small, March strikes an appealing balance between pleasant weather conditions and reasonable costs, with the bonus of it being a month that’s no stranger to special festivals and events, as revealed below.

Still making up your mind? While there are plenty of tempting reasons to visit Barcelona, you might want to weigh up whether to visit Madrid or Barcelona first. 

Alternatively, if you fancy experiencing five of Spain’s most remarkable cities — Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Granada and Valencia — without the hassle of planning, take a look at our customisable Iconic Cities of Spain trip before talking to our local experts to kickstart curating your dream trip.

Sunshine, average temperatures and rainfall in March

As the city transitions into spring, the weather in Barcelona in March sees an average low temperature range of 45°F to 50°F (7°C to 10°C), rising to an average high range of 60°F to 65°F (15°C to 18°C).

Barcelona also starts to see more sun in March, with 6-7 hours of sunshine a day as the days grow longer and spring takes hold.

For context, January sees around 4-5 hours a day, with July stacking up 9-10 hours.

Visiting Barcelona in March also means you’ll experience moderate rainfall, with occasional short-lived showers speckling otherwise largely sunny days. 

In terms of the numbers, rainfall in March averages 1.6 to 2.0 inches (40 to 50 mm).

For comparison, October — Barcelona’s wettest month — typically experiences around 2.8 to 3.2 inches (70 to 80 mm) of rain, while July (the driest month) sees in the region of 0.6 inches (15 mm).

Want wider context on the weather? Read up on the weather in Spain in March, and the best time to go to Spain.

What about the crowds and cost?

March is part of Barcelona’s shoulder season, which means crowds are moderate. 

As a result, you’ll have the chance to enjoy popular attractions like Sagrada Família and Park Güell without the crowds and long lines can cramp one’s style in the peak summer season months.

Travel costs in March are also generally lower than they are in summer. An exception to this is Easter, when you’ll want to book flights and accommodation early, and be prepared for price rises. 

Traveling on a budget? Read up on Barca’s best things to do for FREE! 

If you’re traveling beyond Barcelona, find out about fab free things to do in Madrid, and discover the best places to visit in Europe on a budget.

What to do in Barcelona in March

Considering the mild spring weather, moderate shoulder season crowds, and a few fabulous festivals and events, here are some of the best things to do in Barcelona in March.

Sant Medir Festival

Held on March 3rd, the Sant Medir Festival takes place in the neighborhood of Gràcia.

It sees a parade of horses, floats and bands proceed through the streets, with thousands of sweets thrown to the crowd.

Easter Week (Semana Santa) 

When Easter falls in late March, Semana Santa (Holy Week) sees processions and religious events take place in Barcelona, though they’re more low-key than proceedings in southern Spain.

Enjoy ionic attractions and Catalan cuisine in crowd-free conditions

Top attractions like Gaudí’s Sagrada Família and Park Güell, the Montjuïc, and La Rambla remain relatively crowd-free in shoulder-season March — all the better for taking your time to truly enjoy them.

On cooler days, you could devote a few hours to notable galleries like the Picasso Museum, the Joan Miró Foundation and the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (MNAC).

After working up an appetite, we also suggest enjoying the best tapas bars in Barcelona, and spending time in La Boqueria market.

Editors tip: if you love fine food, our culinary experience in Seville has been curated to keep foodies satisfied.

Do a deep dive into the Gothic Quarter

Crammed with charming historic buildings and quaint squares, Barcelona’s glorious Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic) is a dream to wander in March.

Often packed and sizzlingly hot in summer, visiting in spring means you’ll get to linger longer in all those bars and cafés, in between soaking up the district’s awe-inspiring architecture. 

Stroll beaches

While it’ll be too cold to swim, Barcelona’s beautiful beaches boast a calm, crowd-free vibe in March. 

While you’re unlikely to be stretched out on the sand for hours, you can look forward to serene strolls and soul-stirring sunsets.

Plan your trip to Barcelona in March

If you’re considering visiting Barcelona in March, read on for tips that’ll help you plan your perfect trip.

First up, if you’re not actually keen on the process of planning, why not check out our customisable Spain itineraries?

With a local expert on hand to curate your perfect itinerary, book every last detail, and provide support while you’re away, you’ll get to skip the stress of planning, leaving you with more time to focus on what really matters. Namely, counting down the days to your vacation.

Secondly, dive into our guide to how to plan a trip to Spain. It covers everything from deciding where to go and how long you need, to how to get there, and where to stay.

On that subject, a key part of planning any trip is figuring out where to stay according to your tastes and budget. 

So, whether you’re looking for a family-friendly district (hello, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi), or want to be close to night life (in which case consider bedding down in Poble Sec), you’d be wise to read up on the best places to stay in Barcelona.

Lastly, for in-depth expert advice on what to see and do in Barcelona — and where to eat, sleep, drink and shop — get hold of a copy of The Rough Guide to Barcelona, with a handy pocket guide available for shorter trips.