Month guide · Madrid · Spain
Madrid in March
What March is really like in Madrid: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Msoltanolkotabii, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
March is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 16°C (61°F), lows of 6°C (43°F), about 4 rainy days and roughly 11.8 hours of daylight. Spring arrives, with terraces reopening and blossom in the Retiro, though evenings remain cool.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 16°C (61°F) / 6°C (43°F)
- Rainy days
- About 4
- Daylight
- About 11.8 hours
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in March
March is the 8th-warmest month in Madrid: days average 16°C (61°F) against a yearly average high of 20°C (68°F), and nights fall to about 6°C (43°F). Rain falls on roughly 4 of its 31 days. Compared with February (12°C (54°F)), March is warmer; by April highs climb to around 18°C (64°F).
- Sunrise (15 March)
- About 07:27
- Sunset (15 March)
- About 19:22
- Daylight
- About 11.8 hours
Spring (March–May). Warming days, Easter processions and San Isidro in May; the Retiro is in bloom and terraces fill in the evenings.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, March rates 3 for crowds (the peak is April at 4) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in April). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in March
- Semana Santa processions (March or April, depending on Easter)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in March
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
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Experience · Chamartín
Santiago Bernabéu Stadium tour
Book a slot online and avoid match days, when tours are limited or suspended.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Iconic
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Museum · Paseo del Prado
Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
Built on a private collection bought by the Spanish state in 1993, the Thyssen fills the gaps between the Prado and Reina Sofía, running chronologically from Italian primitives through Dutch masters, Impressionism and German Expressionism to American pop art.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- Rainy day
Market · Centro
Mercado de San Miguel
Visit mid-afternoon on a weekday to avoid evening crowds; for local prices, try the Mercado de San Fernando or Antón Martín instead.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Market · La Latina
El Rastro
Madrid's open-air flea market has spread down Ribera de Curtidores and the surrounding streets on Sunday mornings for centuries, with stalls selling antiques, clothes, leather goods, records and bric-a-brac.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- Food
What to pack
For highs near 16°C, lows near 6°C and 4 wet days: layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; comfortable walking shoes.
Is March a good time to visit Madrid?
A shoulder-season month, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, April–June and September–October are better overall. Compare every month.
Madrid in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is March a good time to visit Madrid?
It is a shoulder-season month. Spring arrives, with terraces reopening and blossom in the Retiro, though evenings remain cool.
+How warm is Madrid in March?
Average highs are around 16°C (61°F) and lows around 6°C (43°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Madrid in March?
Expect rain on about 4 days of the month, so it is usually dry.