Barcelona in March 2026 – is it worth going on vacation? Weather and reviews, air and water temperature, how to dress, prices in hotels and excursions. What to see in Barcelona in March, where to go nearby and in Spain – says Eurotraveler.
In the public consciousness, Spain, as you know, is primarily associated with the sun. And in the second – with the sea.
Therefore, even a schoolchild need not explain the reason why most of the annual 70 million tourists visit this country between May and October.
However, any rule has exceptions. And if your vacation interests include more than just pure beach and water activities, you will consider visiting Spain and at other times.
Because overall there are many reasons for this. After all, already in March Barcelona and Madrid, not to mention Valencia and Andalusia, are welcoming spring with might and main.
They begin to abandon the pastel winter colors and gradually become brighter and brighter.
What a feast of color, surprisingly, attracts a very small number of foreign tourists. Although, it would seem, what could be better than meeting the most energetic time of the year in such a beautiful place full of attractions?!
However, let’s look at the facts. And we will consider the weather and price features of March in Catalonia without emotions and scrupulously. But first, we will answer a number of questions that are of particular interest to potential travelers!
What’s worth knowing
- Is it warm in Barcelona in March? Definite: average daytime air temperature +14-16 °C, at night +10-12 °C. In the third decade (usually) a short-term rise in temperatures to +20-22 °C is possible
- How to dress at the beginning of spring in Barcelona? Quite easy: you can walk during the day in a thick T-shirt with sleeves and a sweatshirtin the evening, in order not to freeze, it is better to wear a light jacket or sweater with a windbreaker
- Are Barcelona beaches open in March? Yes, and they are not empty! Although there are almost no swimmers – the majority are simply basking in the sun and spending their time actively (sports games). It should be taken into account that the rescue service and first aid stations on the beaches, at best, begin to work only at the end of the month – barcelona.cat/en/what-to-do-in-bcn/bathing-and-beaches/bathing-season
Weather in Barcelona in March
Definitely will please those who live in a region where the snow has not yet melted at the beginning of spring. And at the same time it will definitely not upset citizens living at a latitude around Sochi and accustomed to a mild subtropical climate.
For example, in early March the air temperature in Barcelona during the day fluctuates in the range +10-13 degrees Celsius. And at night it does not tend to retreat to the zero mark – at least +7-10 °C is proudly displayed on street thermometers.
In the middle of the month there may well be a real change in weather moods – it becomes almost unsummer warm – during the day up to +16-17 °C. Sometimes, however, air temperatures stubbornly refuse to rise above +13-14 °C until the third ten days of the month.
At the end of March, a very pleasant time begins in Barcelona.
During the day maybe up to +20-22although in most cases you should not count on more than +18-19 degrees Celsius. At night the atmosphere does not cool below +12-14 °C.
In principle, this weather is observed in March throughout coastal Catalonia. So when traveling along the coast from Cadaqués to Tarragona and Salou, there is no need to dress in any special way.
Precipitation
If guidebooks write that the weather in Barcelona in March is unstable, then this refers not to the temperatures, but to the often cloudy sky. Although even based on statistics, there are quite enough sunny days – on average about 15 per month.
And the rainy ones are rarely so bad that they will force you to cancel your city tour. And who would refuse the pleasure of walking along La Rambla or Paseo de Gràcia because of a light rain?!
However, the first month of spring in Barcelona is considered relatively wet period. Yes, you yourself can feel that the humidity is high (up to 75%) while walking through Montjuic Park or going to the mountainous area to the Montserrat Monastery.
In the city itself, however, you are unlikely to feel the dank dampness – rather, you will feel incredible freshness. And it’s not surprising – at the beginning of spring, Barcelona blooms and seems to reach out for warmth and sun.
Like the whole of Catalonia, in March it seems to be awakening from hibernation all at once!
How to dress
Naturally, you should not strip down to T-shirts and shorts; you should wait a little with this. But light demi-season jackets with an almost weightless lining, it should be enough for both sightseeing walks in the Gothic Quarter and climbs to high places like Tibidabo.
Cardigans and pullovers are also unlikely to become ballast in your suitcase. On some days, the sun can be so hot that you want to dress just outside of summer.
You can take it with you and waterproof windbreaker with a hood. In case you plan an action-packed Barcelona itinerary in just a day and don’t want to compromise if the weather suddenly turns bad.
And she – let us emphasize – in March Catalonia is capable of doing this. Although not to the extent that it would seriously ruin your holiday.
Water temperature
Let’s not prevaricate – to convince someone to swim in March in Barcelona incredibly difficult. Unless the person decides to do it to win an argument.
Or having too much local red wine. By the way (sangria), very tasty!
Otherwise, take sea baths in Catalonia in early spring not recommended.
For the Mediterranean Sea near the Costa Brava and Costa Dorada at this time has not yet recovered from winter. And the water area is good if it is warmed up to +13-14 °C.
Prices 2026
If you can afford to spend around 150-180 € per night for an overnight stay, you can actually stay in the old town. In any case, in early to mid-March, the Gaudi Hotel, located near Rambla, is ready to accommodate a couple of guests for that amount.
From here to the Boqueria market and other central Barcelona attractions you can walk in 5-10 minutes. The views from the rooftop terrace are also praised in reviews.
Hotel Astoria is located in the Eixample district near Avenue Diagonal. Which we will praise for its cleanliness and excellent service.
Well, for the prices! In Astoria, in comparison with other Barcelona “hospitality facilities,” they can even be called modest (about 150-160 € per night including city tax).
It’s better not to order breakfast here, however. Because they are too expensive!
City tax
You should remember that, like many other European cities, Barcelona charges tourists a special tax. Which grows every year and has reached values that make you think – and is it worth it?!
In 2025, in addition to the room rate, you need to pay as much as 11 € (per night) if you are staying in a 5-star hotel, and 7.4 € in a 4-star hotel. If the selected accommodation facility has only 3 stars or less, you will have to splurge on 6 € per day. And 8.5 € per day will be paid additionally by those who decide to stay in apartments.
The tourist tax in the rest of Catalonia is much more modest – viajestauro.com/en/tourist-tax-rates-catalonia-2025/.
What’s up
Excursions
then their prices vary widely. But in general, for about 30-40 € you can take part in an interesting and emotional walk, for example, through the Gothic Quarter.
- Inexpensive excursions in Barcelona
Things to do
As usual, you will be able to conceive and implement extensive excursion program.
Which, of course, will be based on whether you’ve been to Barcelona before? And if so, how many did you visit?
One way or another, we definitely recommend visiting in March Park Guell. And of course, get a powerful boost of energy by visiting Sagrada Familia. Sights that make a particularly vivid impression in early spring.
Gothic Quarter, Saint Eulalia Cathedral, Rambla, Boqueria Market? A couple of houses inspired by the work of Gaudí: Casa Batlló and Mila, the Palace of Catalan Music by another local genius, Lluis Domènech i Montaner?
All this – mandatory places! Without seeing them at least briefly, you can hardly say that you have met Barcelona!
We also recommend paying attention to your local Jewish Quarter. And, perhaps, a sightseeing tour of it and the surrounding areas, allowing you to dive deeper into the history of the main city of Catalonia.
The Montjuic hill and all the attractions within it are definitely worth a visit. Including National Palacean ancient fortress and a Botanical Garden.
It might be worth checking out the interesting ethnographic museum, Poble Espanyol. Although recent reviews from those who have been there are not particularly encouraging
An inquisitive tourist will certainly want to climb the Tibidabo hill.
How to see the local Church of the Sacred Heart with your own eyes. Likewise, in order to understand the scale of Barcelona, marvelous panoramic views open up from above.
Where to go nearby
It is quite natural that you will not want to go home without visiting the famous Montserrat monastery. Living in an amazingly beautiful rock mass just 40 km to the west.
In general, there are more than enough places where it would be worth going from Barcelona for 1 day!
For example, we warmly recommend Vic. And Girona is an extremely authentic city that is rarely seen by foreign tourists.
Contemporary art lovers will definitely set aside a day to go to Figueres – albeit with a tour. After all, not seeing the Dali Museum there is a mistake that you may have to regret for a long time!
© Eurotraveler
