Madrid in March

In March, Madrid averages 16°C (61°F) during the day and 5°C (41°F) at night, with around 7 days of rain (25 mm total).

Shoulder

Conditions are cool — bring a jacket for evenings. Occasional showers are likely but won't dominate.

March in Madrid is outside the typical sweet spot for sightseeing weather. It can still be a great time to visit if you have specific reasons (festivals, off-season pricing, etc.).

16°C
Avg high
5°C
Avg low
7
Rain days
25 mm
Rainfall

How March compares to the rest of the year in Madrid

8th
warmest month of the 12
8th
wettest month of the 12
6%
of yearly rainfall falls in March
11 h 54 min
daylight on the 15th

March is in the middle of the year for warmth in Madrid (8th of 12) and moderately rainy compared to the rest of the year (8th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 4°C below the annual average (20°C). March runs 4°C warmer than February (12°C) and warms a further 2°C into April (18°C).

March sunrise & sunset in Madrid

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
7:26 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
7:20 PM
Day length
11 h 54 min

Times shown for Madrid local time (Europe/Madrid), calculated for the 15th of March. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.

Photography light in Madrid — March

Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of March, in Madrid's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
6:26 AM – 7:06 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
7:06 AM – 8:06 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
6:40 PM – 7:40 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
7:40 PM – 8:20 PM
Milky Way galactic core
Poor
Core barely rises (or hasn't yet returned for the season). Consider a different month.

📅 When to book — Madrid in March

Travel writers usually only tell you when to go. Here's when to book flights and lodging for the best mix of price and availability, based on March's tier (Shoulder) and Madrid's popularity.

✈ Flights — lead time
6-10 weeks
Sweet spot for value. Major fare-sales (US: Black Friday, EU: post-Easter) hit hardest in shoulder months for shoulder travel.
🏨 Lodging — lead time
4-8 weeks
Lots of selection. Look for shoulder-season packages — many hotels add value (free breakfast, spa credit) to fill rooms.

March in Spain — events that affect travel

Known cultural, religious, or national events that surge prices, fill hotels, or close businesses during this month. Plan around them, or build your itinerary around the ones you'd like to see.

✝️
Semana Santa (Holy Week)
Festival · high impact

Holy Week processions, especially in Seville and Málaga. Hotels in Andalucía sell out a year ahead, prices 2-3x normal. Some banks and shops close.

Plan: Seville at peak is unforgettable but planning-intensive. Other Spanish cities are quieter and more affordable.

Crowds & pricing — March in Madrid

Shoulder

Madrid is in a shoulder season month — fewer crowds, slightly lower prices, and a calmer atmosphere than peak weeks. Most major sights stay open with normal hours, though a handful of seasonal restaurants or boat trips may run reduced schedules. Many regulars consider these months the best time to visit because you trade a small amount of weather reliability for a much more pleasant on-the-ground experience.

Why this tier: comfortable tourism weather

Sun & mosquito risk — March in Madrid

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
8.7
Very high
Limit sun exposure between 11 AM and 3 PM; SPF 30-50, reapply every 90 minutes outdoors.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●○○○○
Minimal
Occasional mosquitoes possible near standing water. Repellent rarely needed.

UV is a clear-sky sea-level estimate — clouds, altitude, and reflective surfaces (snow, water) shift it ±30%. Mosquito risk is climate-derived only; for current disease advisories (dengue, malaria, zika) check the CDC or WHO travel pages before your trip.

Madrid in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 10°C / 50°F 2°C / 36°F 35 mm 8 0
February 12°C / 54°F 3°C / 37°F 35 mm 8 0
March 16°C / 61°F 5°C / 41°F 25 mm 7 0
April 18°C / 64°F 7°C / 45°F 50 mm 10 0
May 22°C / 72°F 11°C / 52°F 50 mm 10 0
June 28°C / 82°F 15°C / 59°F 25 mm 5 0
July 33°C / 91°F 18°C / 64°F 10 mm 2 0
August 32°C / 90°F 18°C / 64°F 10 mm 2 0
September 27°C / 81°F 15°C / 59°F 25 mm 5 0
October 20°C / 68°F 10°C / 50°F 55 mm 8 0
November 14°C / 57°F 5°C / 41°F 50 mm 10 0
December 11°C / 52°F 3°C / 37°F 55 mm 9 0

Other cities with similar March weather

🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Madrid in March →

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Madrid in March?

In March, Madrid averages a high of 16°C (61°F) and a low of 5°C (41°F) — generally cool.

Does it rain a lot in Madrid in March?

March sees occasional rain in Madrid, with about 7 rainy days on average.

Is March a good time to visit Madrid?

March is cool. It suits travelers who are comfortable with cool weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.

What should I pack for Madrid in March?

Pack a warm jacket and layers. See the full March packing list for Madrid for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Madrid on the interactive map

Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.