In March, the light truly returns to Barcelona: the days gain an hour and twenty minutes over the course of the month, one of the most significant increases of the year. The average high temperatures reach 16.9°C, with five rainy days totaling 46 mm.
Temperatures, rain and sunshine: AEMET station 0076 (Barcelona Aeropuerto), 2016-2025 averages against the 1991-2020 normal. Sea: NOAA OISST, same period. Daylight runs from 11 hr 18 min to 12 hr 41 min across the month.
Early, Mid or Late March?
The weather changes throughout the month. If you're deciding between several dates, here's what sets each period apart. Averages by decade over ten years, AEMET station 0076.
March 1st → 10th
16.7°C / 8.6°C, 12 mm of rain.
Temperatures remain close to those at the end of winter, with a high of 16.7°C, but the days already exceed eleven and a half hours. The difference from January is most noticeable in the light.
March 11-20
16.5°C / 9.3°C, 15 mm of rain.
This is the coolest period of the month, but the difference is minimal. Temperatures remain stable while rain becomes a bit more frequent as spring approaches.
March 21 to 31
17.4°C / 9.5°C, 20 mm of rain.
After the equinox, the days become longer than the nights and reach 12 hours and 41 minutes. This is both the mildest and the wettest period of the month: spring truly sets in.
What to Pack in Your Suitcase
Essentials
- A light jacket and a sweater: with temperatures ranging from 9.1°C in the morning to 16.9°C during the day, you'll quickly feel the difference
- A compact umbrella for the five rainy days and often brief showers
- Closed and comfortable shoes for walking on the cobblestones of the Gòtic
- Sunglasses: March has 198 hours of sunshine, a third more than in February
Still Worth Considering
- A windbreaker for the waterfront, where the air stays cool
- Something to cover your shoulders for the Sagrada Família and the cathedral
- No need to plan for swimming: the sea is still at 13.7°C
- An extra layer for the evening, as temperatures drop quickly after sunset
The Light Returns
Enjoy the Return of Sunny Days
March gains an hour and twenty minutes of daylight throughout the month. Outdoor visits become particularly enjoyable again, before the Easter crowds arrive.
Outdoors
Park Güell
Take Your Time
Passeig de Gràcia
In Peace
Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau
On the Agenda
What to Do in Barcelona in March?
March marks the return of terraces and long outdoor strolls. The city gradually regains its spring rhythm, while remaining calmer than it is as Easter approaches.
March or April?
April gains +1.8°C on the highs and twenty-eight hours of sunshine, but it is also wetter with 63 mm compared to 46. March retains a late winter feel, while in April, spring is well established.
| February | March | April | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum | 15.6°C | 16.9°C | 18.7°C |
| Minimum | 7.5°C | 9.1°C | 11.4°C |
| Sea | 13.4°C | 13.7°C | 15°C |
| Rain | 29 mm | 46 mm | 63 mm |
| Sunshine | 154 h | 198 h | 226 h |
| Rainy days | 3 | 5 | 6 |
March in the Year
March marks the beginning of rising temperatures, with an average high of 16.9°C: two degrees more than in January, but still six less than in June.
Frequently Asked Questions About March in Barcelona
The weather is generally mild and increasingly bright: an average high of 16.9°C, 9.1°C at night, and 198 hours of sunshine. The warmest days can reach 21.9°C.
Rain is a bit more frequent than in February, with 46 mm spread over five days, but it's still far from October's 76 mm. The end of the month is usually the wettest period.
The sea remains quite chilly, around 13.7°C, just above its February minimum. For most visitors, it's best to wait until June to truly enjoy swimming.
The length of the day increases from 11 hours and 18 minutes on March 1st to 12 hours and 41 minutes on the 31st. The month thus gains an hour and twenty-three minutes of daylight, one of the largest increases of the year along with April.
Yes, especially for exploring the city: the days are getting longer, the terraces are coming back to life, and the crowds are still moderate. However, for the beach, the sea is still too chilly.