Madrid in March: What's the weather like?

Visiting Madrid in March means you’ll see the city shift to spring, with winter’s colder climes giving way to longer days, more sunshine and warmer temperatures. Though the weather can be a little unpredictable — you’re likely to experience occasional spring showers — it’s a pleasant time to visit the cultured capital of Spain, thanks to said mild weather, along with moderate shoulder-season crowds, and a few notable festivals. Like the sound of that? Read on for detail on the weather in Madrid in March, along with tips on how to plan your perfect trip.

Is March a good time to visit Madrid?

Given that the weather in Madrid in March is milder than January and February — and sees the city enlivened by spring colors and events — it’s a pretty great time to visit if you’re looking to discover the city in comfortable conditions.

Visiting in shoulder-season March means you’ll enjoy the benefits of fewer crowds and lower costs in comparison with the peak summer season, while enjoying pleasant weather that’s pleasant for sightseeing, with longer hours of sunshine and moderate rainfall. 

Just come prepared for showers by packing a light raincoat and umbrella.

On the colder mornings, you’ll get to enjoy top attractions like the Prado Museum in the company of fewer fellow tourists, with the beautiful Retiro Park a joy to stroll on warmer afternoons.

At the same time, March hosts a number of notable festivals and celebrations, including Semana Santa (Holy Week), when Easter falls in March, and events that’ll keep art lovers and culture vultures very, very happy. 

Still making up your mind about where to go? 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

Sitting in early spring, the weather in Madrid in March sees an average low temperature range of 40°F to 45°F (4°C to 7°C), rising to average highs of 58°F to 64°F (14°C to 18°C).

March also sees more daylight than the preceding winter months, with 6-7 hours of sunshine a day compared with February’s 5-6 hours, and 4-5 hours in January.

For wider context, Madrid’s sun-drenched summer months enjoy up to 11 hours a day.

Wondering how wet the weather in Madrid in March can be? It’s pretty good news — the month sees moderate rainfall. 

Typically falling as occasional scattered showers, rain doesn’t tend to impact travel plans too much, and amounts to around 1.6 to 2.0 inches (40 to 50 mm) through the month.

Though this is an increase on February, which experiences 1.0 to 1.4 inches (25 to 35 mm) across the month, November — the wettest month of the year — sees 2.0-2.4 inches (50-60 mm).

Meanwhile July, the driest month, sees a mere 0.2 to 0.6 inches (5 to 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.

And, if you’re not set on Spain, discover some of the best places to travel in March, and the best places to travel in spring around the world.

What about the crowds and cost?

March is part of Madrid’s shoulder season. So, while more tourists start to visit through the warming spring months, crowds remain relatively light compared with April and May, and much lighter than they are during the summer high season months.

As a result, crowds are minimal, even at major attractions like the Prado Museum, the Royal Palace and Retiro Park.

That’s also the case if you venture a little further afield to enjoy day trips to UNESCO-designated Toledo, and Segovia.

Hand in hand with March’s moderate crowds, travel costs are also moderate in March, though prices may rise slightly around Easter and towards the end of the month.

Traveling on a budget? You’ll want to find out about fab free things to do in Madrid.

And, if you’re traveling beyond Madrid, read up on Barcelona's best things to do for free, and discover the best places to visit in Europe on a budget.

What to do in Madrid in March

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

These suggestions come in addition to exploring Madrid’s top attractions in less-crowded conditions, by which we mean galleries and museums like the Prado Museum and Reina Sofía Museum, and the Royal Palace of Madrid.

Experience Semana Santa  

When Easter falls in March, you could experience Semana Santa (Holy Week) in the city. 

While celebrations are more low-key compared to Seville, for example, you’ll still get to see large-scale religious processions, especially around Plaza Mayor and local churches. 

Enjoy Carnival

Held in February or early March (check before traveling), Madrid’s Carnival features parades, music, and costumed parties across the city, with neighborhoods like Malasaña and Lavapiés hosting espeically lively street performances and events.

Festival Ellas Crean

Held throughout March, the Ellas Crean Festival celebrates women in the arts, showcasing female talent in theater, music, dance and visual arts at venues across the city.

Explore the city’s outdoor attractions

Come March, El Retiro Park — one of Madrid’s most famous green spaces — springs into life as trees and flowers begin to bloom, making it a great time to enjoy peaceful strolls, or to rent a rowboat to take to the lake.

We also recommend factoring in time to explore the streets of Madrid’s Literary Quarter — Barrio de las Letras.

One of Madrid’s most atmospheric neighborhoods, it’s home to quaint cafes, bookshops, and historic sites connected to Spanish literary giants like Cervantes. 

Dig into Madrid’s food scene

Madrid’s indoor markets like Mercado de San Miguel and Mercado de San Antón are great places to escape the cooler mornings while sampling tasty Spanish foods, from seafood, to artisanal cheeses and wine.

Whatever the weather, Madrid’s tapas bars offer a warm atmosphere alongside opportunities to tuck into the likes of patatas bravas, croquetas and jamón ibérico. 

Editor’s tip: love Spanish food and drink? Running the risk of detracting you from Madrid, our customisable Culinary Experience in Seville itinerary has a tempting focus on food.

Plan your trip to Madrid in March

If you’re considering visiting Madrid in March, read on for a run-down of tips to 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.

For example, our customisable five-day Made for Madrid itinerary will see you explore the city’s culture and cuisine in authentic style.

If you're short on time but don’t want to scrimp on experiences, check out our handy day-by-day-itinerary for the perfect weekend in Madrid.

We also suggest taking a look 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, Retiro!), or want to be close to night life (in which case consider bedding down in Malasaña), you’d be wise to read up on the best places to stay in Madrid.

Lastly, for advice on what to see and do in Madrid — and where to eat, sleep, drink and shop — get hold of a copy of The Pocket Rough Guide to Madrid.